Have you ever thought about whether the so-called “true” ghost stories you come across online could actually be real? Well, in most cases, the answer is probably “No.”
But across America, there are certain places where strange and unexplained events happen. The 15 true ghost stories below are among the most well-documented in the country, with many featuring numerous eyewitness accounts.
These true ghost stories range from the chilling events at the Villisca Axe House to the restless spirits haunting the LaLaurie Mansion. Each story highlights a real-life tragedy—think murders, executions, and suicides—paired with eerie sightings that make you question what really happens after death.
Are these spirits trapped due to their violent histories, or is there something darker at play? Let’s discover each of these haunted locations and reveal some of the unsettling mysteries behind America’s most famous real ghost stories.
Table of Contents
The Enfield Poltergeist (Enfield, Connecticut)
Enfield. A quiet town in Connecticut. But also the place of one of the most terrifying poltergeists ever recorded. One that remains largely unexplained even today. So, what’s the true ghost story behind this place?
It all started with the Hodgson family, who moved into a modest home in 1974, unaware of its dark past, which was tied to rumored occult practices by previous tenants.
The family’s life quickly turned into a nightmare as they started to notice strange paranormal manifestations: small furniture items moving on their own, strange voices tormenting their children, and household items flying across rooms.
All of these suggested a powerful poltergeist (likely linked to an undocumented, tragic death on the property). Later, the terror peaked with Janet Hodgson (the young daughter), who became the focus of far more violent disturbances.
However, this true ghost story gained real notoriety when, in 1977, the renowned paranormal experts Ed and Lorraine Warren witnessed Janet levitating off her bed, her body thrown by an unseen force.
The paranormal manifestations, which continued for months, left the family traumatized, with Janet’s levitations happening multiple times, witnessed by both family and outsiders.
The Enfield case remains one of the most chilling true ghost stories in America, with consistent accounts from multiple witnesses describing cold spots, dark figures, and guttural voices that seemed to emanate from nowhere, cementing the home’s reputation as a hotspot for paranormal activity and leaving a lasting mark on those who experienced its horrors.
The Amityville Horror (Amityville, New York)
The infamous “Amityville Horror” is one of the most terrifying true ghost stories ever documented.
It all started with a terrible event that took place on November 13, 1974, when Ronald DeFeo Jr. killed six members of his family in their home on Ocean Avenue in Long Island. This gruesome crime shocked the community and likely left some sort of “dark energy” lingering in the house.
Just a year later, in December 1975, the Lutz family moved in, hoping to start fresh and leave the past behind. Unfortunately, they soon began to experience strange and frightening things that seemed connected to the tragic events that had happened in the house.
Over just 28 days, the Lutz family faced a series of bizarre occurrences that tested their nerves. Doors would slam on their own, strange noises filled the hallways, and an unsettling presence seemed to be following them.
To make things even worse, they also witnessed odd happenings like a green slime seeping from the walls—a thick, nasty goo that had no explanation—and even furniture that appeared to lift into the air as if moved by an unseen force.
George Lutz, the father, found himself waking up at 3:15 AM every night (the same time the DeFeo murders took place), usually feeling a heavy sense of dread. His wife, Kathy, had terrifying visions, including seeing shadowy figures with glowing red eyes watching them from the dark. Their kids even talked about a mysterious “friend” in the house.
In 1976, Ed and Lorraine Warren visited the house. They claimed to have felt a heavy energy in the house and discovered several extremely cold spots throughout the home. Their observations supported the Lutz family’s claims and aligned with earlier accounts of the DeFeo tragedy.
In the end, the Lutz family decided to leave the house for good, never looking back.
The dark history of the Amityville house, made even more intense by the violent deaths that happened there, became the center of many true ghost stories and urban legends.
Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado)
Built in 1909 by the visionary F.O. Stanley, the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, is filled with true ghost stories, marked by a history of tragic accidents and illnesses.
During its construction, some workers lost their lives, and in the early days, many guests suffered from tuberculosis. What was once a place of luxury became a silent witness to considerable sadness.
F.O. Stanley and his wife, Flora (a talented pianist), are often connected to the hotel’s creepy tales, especially after they passed away.
One of the most fascinating ghost stories involves a mysterious sound of a piano playing in the empty concert hall—a phenomenon that guests have reported since the 1970s. Many visitors claim to see Flora’s ghost at the piano, her figure fading away as you get closer.
Housekeeping staff has also reported strange occurrences (like furniture moving on its own and lights flickering near the grand piano), which only adds to the hotel’s eerie reputation.
Myrtles Plantation (St. Francisville, Louisiana)
The Myrtles Plantation, built in 1796 in the charming town of St. Francisville, Louisiana, has a dark and troubling history filled with violence and betrayal.
One of the most disturbing events happened in the 1820s when the plantation’s mistress, Sara Woodruff, and her two young children faced a tragic fate at the hands of Chloe (an enslaved woman). However, many believe Chloe’s actions were driven by a desperate need for revenge after suffering harsh treatment while she was enslaved.
Today, The Myrtles Plantation is renowned for its alleged hauntings, drawing visitors and ghost hunters from all over the world.
Central to its dreadful reputation is a well-known mirror in the main house, which is believed to be connected to another world. Since the 1990s, many guests have reported seeing Sara Woodruff’s ghostly reflection in the mirror.
Visitors near the mirror often feel sudden chills running down their spines. Some have even taken ghostly pictures showing faint figures that resemble Sara Woodruff.
To make things even, the staff who clean the mirror are puzzled because, despite their best efforts, streaks and smudges keep appearing, almost as if the past refuses to be forgotten.
Villisca Axe House (Villisca, Iowa)
In 1912, the small town of Villisca, Iowa, was forever changed by a terrible tragedy: the brutal axe murders of the Moore family. This family consisted of six members, four of whom were young children, along with two additional guests.
On the night of June 10, their ordinary home became the site of an unimaginable act of violence, leaving the community in shock and deep sadness. The person responsible for this crime was never identified, leading to many urban legends and theories about a mysterious killer who seemed to disappear without a trace.
Over the years, the house, marked by this horrific event, has become a popular spot for people fascinated by ghosts and the supernatural. In the 1990s, visitors who dared to spend the night there shared some terrifying horror stories, claiming they had heard soft whispers of children and the sounds of tiny footsteps from the attic (the very place where the children lost their lives).
In the early 2000s, groups investigating the paranormal recorded strange voices, one of which eerily asked, “Where’s Mama?”
Now a museum, the Villisca Axe Murder House attracts many visitors who are curious about true crime and ghost stories.
Lizzie Borden House (Fall River, Massachusetts)
In 1892, Fall River, Massachusetts, was shocked by the gruesome axe murders of Andrew Borden (a wealthy businessman) and his wife, Abby, who was bludgeoned in their home on Second Street.
According to the police reports, Andrew’s face was nearly cleaved in half with 11 blows, while Abby suffered 19 to the head, her body found sprawled on the upstairs guest room floor. Their daughter, Lizzie Borden, was tried and acquitted, leaving the crime unsolved and a cloud of suspicion over the house.
The first true ghost story reported here occurred in the 2010s, when tour guide Suzanne St. John (then working at the now-Bed & Breakfast) allegedly heard eerie children’s laughter echoing at night, despite no children being present.
Guests report similar chilling experiences, describing giggles and faint footsteps on the staircase where Abby was killed. Some have seen a strange woman resembling Abby—her gray hair pinned up—lingering near the guest rooms.
Lemp Mansion (St. Louis, Missouri)
The Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, Missouri, is a historic building that tells a sad story about the once-famous Lemp brewing family. Built in the 1860s, the mansion became a place of deep sadness for the family, marked by a series of tragedies, including several suicides that occurred from 1904 to 1949.
William Lemp Sr., the head of the family, faced numerous hardships in his business, which ultimately took a toll on him. The loss of his beloved son, William Jr., in 1922 added to his pain, as it coincided with the decline of their brewing empire. Stricken by grief, he ended his own life in the mansion.
Other family members also took their own lives, further contributing to the mansion’s atmosphere of sorrow.
Since the 1980s, the mansion has become the place of many true ghost stories. Many guests and paranormal investigators have reported strange experiences at the mansion, including sudden, strange hot or cold sensations on their skin, or soft, sad sounds echoing through the hallways.
Visitors often mention odd sounds (especially in the attic, where William Sr. tragically died). Some have even reported hearing a male voice that seems to warn them with the words, “Get out,” leaving a lasting impression on those who listen to it.
The staff has also noticed some bizarre happenings. For instance, glasses have been seen moving on their own, and certain areas of the house feel unexpectedly cold, particularly in rooms connected to the family’s final moments.
Whaley House (San Diego, California)
The Whaley House, situated in the heart of San Diego, California, is built on land with a dark and tragic history.
Back in 1852, a man named Yankee Jim Robinson was hanged for stealing. However, his execution went horribly wrong, and he suffered greatly before he died.
This grim event became part of the story of the house later built by Thomas Whaley in 1857, a home that came to sit atop this haunted ground without anyone knowing about its bloody past.
Over the years, strange things began to happen to the Whaley family. In the 1860s, Thomas Whaley himself reported unsettling experiences in the house. He claimed to hear heavy sounds echoing through the halls, and footsteps that seemed to climb the staircase.
Today, visitors to the Whaley House share their own true ghost stories. They often hear deep, menacing noises in the dimly lit rooms, especially at night. The staff, now working in what is now a museum, have also noticed odd things happening, such as doors mysteriously opening by themselves and shadows flitting across the parlor.
Winchester Mystery House (San Jose, California)
In the heart of San Jose, Sarah Winchester started an incredible building project after experiencing the deep sadness of losing her husband, William, in 1881, and her young daughter, Annie.
Struck by grief and a belief that she needed to calm the spirits of those who died because of Winchester rifles, she began constructing a vast mansion that would become known for its strange and mysterious nature.
This ambitious project lasted from 1884 until Sarah died in 1922, growing to an incredible seven stories at its tallest. However, as the mansion took shape, many workers sadly lost their lives in accidents on the site.
By the 1990s, visitors began to share creepy stories of a ghost known as the “wheelbarrow ghost.” People described seeing a faint figure in work clothes pushing a wheelbarrow and carrying tools through the dark basements.
Locals believed this ghost might be one of the laborers who died during the mansion’s troubled construction. Witnesses said the ghost would disappear as soon as someone got close, often accompanied by the loud sounds of tools clanging in the silence.
LaLaurie Mansion (New Orleans, Louisiana)
In the 1830s, the lavish home of Delphine LaLaurie in New Orleans became the center of a deeply disturbing chapter in the city’s history.
This grand house, located at 1140 Royal Street, was revealed to be a site of unimaginable cruelty when a fire broke out in April 1834. As firefighters battled the flames, they stumbled upon a horrifying scene in the attic: enslaved people who had been tortured and chained. The shocking discovery forced LaLaurie to flee.
The LaLaurie Mansion has since become known as one of the most haunted places in America. Locals and visitors alike have reported strange sights and sounds that suggest the spirits of those who suffered there still haunt its halls.
People walking by the mansion often claim to hear eerie cries and moans coming from its windows, leading many to believe that the pain of the past echoes within its walls. Residents in the nearby French Quarter have also shared their own true ghost stories, including stories about mysterious people in chains during the night.
Bell Witch (Adams, Tennessee)
In the early 1800s, a family named the Bells lived in the small town of Adams, Tennessee, where they allegedly encountered a strange and frightening entity known as the Bell Witch. This mysterious demonic spirit seemed to be connected to a disagreement over land or perhaps an old curse from a previous resident.
The situation escalated until it led to the tragic death of John Bell in 1820, which left his family devastated and heartbroken.
The haunting really started around 1817, when the Bells began to experience unusual happenings. They would hear loud noises and feel physical slaps from something invisible.
The paranormal manifestations here were so strange that even visitors (including future president Andrew Jackson) were shocked. After a terrifying encounter, Jackson reportedly hurried away in fear, describing the Bell Witch as a powerful and frightening spirit.
One of the main targets of the angry spirit was Betsy, the youngest daughter of the family, who faced constant insults and threats. This led the Bells to seek help from spiritualists and neighbors to try to understand what was happening.
Ohio State Reformatory (Mansfield, Ohio)
The Ohio State Reformatory, located in Mansfield, Ohio, operated from 1896 until it closed in 1990. It was known for its harsh and often brutal conditions, where many inmates suffered greatly.
Throughout its years of operation, the reformatory saw many unfortunate deaths caused by violence, serious illnesses, and neglect, becoming the source of many true ghost stories. The solitary confinement cells, grimly nicknamed “the hole,” became infamous for their cruel treatment of prisoners, worsening their traumatic experiences.
Overcrowding was another constant problem, leading to terrible living conditions that often sparked fights and caused deep psychological distress among the inmates.
One particularly eerie part of the reformatory’s history took place in the 1970s, when many prisoners claimed to hear disturbing whispers coming from the dark corners of the solitary confinement area. These voices often cried out for help or cursed their captors, filling the air with a sense of dread, even when no one was around.
Today, the reformatory has been turned into a museum, attracting visitors curious about its haunted past. But even today, many people share similar spine-chilling experiences, especially during evening tours when the atmosphere feels especially eerie. They’ve reported hearing strange voices, feeling sudden cold drafts that make them shiver, and the unsettling sound of chains rattling in the empty hallways.
Trans-Allegheny Asylum (Weston, West Virginia)
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, in Weston, West Virginia, opened its doors in 1864 with the intention of providing care for people struggling with mental illness. However, it quickly turned into a place of despair.
During the Civil War, it gained a terrible reputation for its harsh treatments, including lobotomies, forced starvation, and severe overcrowding. Many patients were left to suffer in dirty conditions, and hundreds died inside, their pain largely ignored by society.
Over the years, many true ghost stories have emerged from those who dared to explore the asylum’s spooky corridors. In the 2010s, visitors reported hearing terrifying screams coming from the surgery ward. Tourists have also shared experiences of seeing shadowy figures in ragged hospital gowns swiftly moving through the hallways, only to vanish as if the asylum was absorbing them.
Staff members have also experienced strange occurrences. Many have told stories of heavy doors slamming shut unexpectedly and sudden cold spots that chill the air, sending shivers down their spines. Some have felt the unsettling grip of a hand on their arm, only to turn around and find no one there.
Plymouth Plague Skulls (Plymouth, Massachusetts)
In the early 1620s, Plymouth Colony faced devastating outbreaks of plague that took a heavy toll on the settlers, including many innocent children. To cope with the overwhelming number of deaths, people quickly dug mass graves, leading to many unmarked burial sites scattered around the town.
This disturbing story takes a mysterious turn in the 1800s when construction workers discovered human skulls that supposedly made a “rattling” noise at night, as if touched by unseen forces.
As the years moved into the 1900s, locals began sharing strange experiences near these burial grounds. Many reported hearing faint cries and sorrowful moans in the quiet of dusk, a time when it seemed the barrier between the living and the spirits was thinnest.
Town records from that period include numerous true ghost stories, including sightings of shadowy figures in old-fashioned clothing wandering through the burial sites, vanishing when approached, leaving those who saw them confused and startled.
Sowden House (Los Angeles, California)
The Sowden House, an iconic structure in the hills of Los Angeles, California, is notorious for its association with one of the most chilling unsolved murders in American history—the 1947 killing of Elizabeth Short, widely known as the Black Dahlia.
It is believed that Dr. George Hodel, a key suspect in the case, may have brutally tortured and murdered Short in the very basement of this eerie residence. This grotesque crime not only horrified the nation but also left an enduring dark mark on the house itself.
Since the 1950s, numerous guests have reported disturbing experiences, particularly the haunting echo of a woman’s screams coming from the basement, where it is alleged that Short was dismembered in a horrific act of violence.
Residents of the house often recount episodes of inexplicable dread, feeling sudden panic wash over them, accompanied by glimpses of a shadowy female apparition darting through the dimly lit halls, only to vanish into solid walls. Neighbors frequently describe unsettling cries breaking the silence of the night.
