Virginia, steeped in history and folklore, is a state rife with tales of the supernatural. Among its most chilling attractions are the haunted mansions and sites that dot its landscape, each with a story that whispers of the past’s unsettled spirits.
Bacon’s Castle: The Haunting of America’s Oldest Brick House
Bacon’s Castle in Surry County stands as the oldest brick house in America, dating back to 1665. The mansion, seized by Nathaniel Bacon’s followers during his 1676 rebellion, has been a site of intrigue and hauntings for centuries. Paranormal researchers report eerie phenomena such as disembodied voices, spectral fireballs, and unexplained movements, hinting at the restless spirits of past inhabitants, including those of enslaved individuals who suffered under harsh conditions.
St. Albans Sanatorium: Echoes of a Tortured Past
Originally a competitive school and later a sanatorium, St. Albans in Virginia is known for its troubled spirits. The sanatorium, infamous for experimental treatments that often led to death or severe disability, closed in the 1990s due to poor conditions. Today, visitors report ghostly apparitions and shadow figures, and some even claim to see remnants of Civil War-era battles in the form of cannon fire and gunpowder smoke.