Desoto Falls – Mentone, AL

desoto-fallsThis rural waterfall is said to be haunted by Nancy Dollar, known as Granny, who passed away in January 1931 when she was 108 years old.  After her death, her beloved dog, Buster, was put to sleep and buried along side his master.   Shortly thereafter, the old mountain woman and her dog were seen walking through the woods around this rural waterfall or near the ruins of her old cabin.  Legend says she was looking for justice.

Shortly before her burial, some thieves stole the old woman’s savings, which she has been saving so she could buy a proper headstone.  Her restless spirit rose in search of the theives and the lost money.  She was sighted so frequently that her neighbors finally bought her a proper headstone in 1973.  Reports say that Granny seems to have been appeased by this, but they say her dog still appears. 

Mentone is in eastern DeKalb County, just off I-59 on Highway 117.

You can find out more about Desoto Falls here.

Fernwood Campground – Big Sur, CA

fernwoodThe ghost of an Indian wearing a corn mask has been reported by employees and campers here. The ghost is seen between 2: oo and 3:00 A.M. near the cabins.

This area was sacred to the Esalen Indians, and modern New Age enthusiasts come here to meditate and rejuvenate.  tentcabin2

Big Sur is on the Pacific coast, thirty miles south of Monterey on Highway 1.

Visit the Fernwood Site here.

Red Onion Saloon – Skagway, AK

red-onion-saloonOriginally built as a  whorehouse in 1897, the Red Onion Saloon was moved to its present location in 1914.  Located on the corner of 2nd & Broadway, the saloon is a two-story white building with dark trim and a storefront window. 

There are several reported hauntings in the Red Onion Saloon.  The shadowy figure of a woman can sometimes be seen watering non-existant plant in the Madame’s Room upstairs.  Police have been called to investigae footsteps in the second floor hallway, but have found nothings.  The scent of strong perfume lingers in the air.  many locals believe the saloon is haunted by the spirit of a former owner.

Find out more about the Red Onion Saloon here.

Lucas Tavern – Montgomery, AL

Tav2web2Lucas Tavern is located in the Old North Hull Historic District – 310 N. Hull Street – in Montgomery, Alabama.  Lucas Tavern served as a stop for travelers going east and west, a place for immigrants into the Old Southwest to stop and eat, spend the night and gain information about the road ahead. 

Lucas-before2Eliza Lucas took over operation of the Tavern in 1820.   The original building was abandoned in the 1960s and in 1978 was moved by the Landmarks Foundation into Old Alabama Town. 

After the old building was restored in 1980, the ghost of its fomer owner and operator, Eliza Lucas, began to appear.  She seems to wander about the area, and has also been seen in the old schoolhouse and several other 19th century buildings on the square.  She is said to appear as herself – a 5 ft., 3 inch woman, dressed in a Victorian dress standing in front of her beloved tavern and  waving cordially and smiling at people passing by.

Find out more about Old Alabam Town here and find out more about the haunting here.

Louisville & Nashville RR tracks – Limestone County, AL

The ghost of a railroad bandit named “Railroad Bill” is said to haunt the pine woods along the railraod track running near the towns of Piney Grove, Elewy, and Nymph.  Railroad bill was said to be a vagrant that hopped trains and got in trouble with the law.  He was known as a bit of a Robin Hood, as he would provide food and money to poor people in the area. 

Somehow he always managed to evade capture.  People started spreading stories that he had supernatural powers that allowed him to change into animal form and was only vulnerable to silver bullets. Other tales said that he had the power to disable the tracking abilities of the bloodhounds on his trail.

railroad-billWhatever the real story, the man who was believed to be “Railroad Bill” was gunned down in March of 1896.  His spirit is said to remain, appearing with a big smile on his face. 

Find out more about “Railroad Bill” here.