Most Haunted Places in Charlottesville, VA
With roots stretching back to a Native American village named Monasukapanough, Charlottesville has evolved through the ages. But in 1818, the horror began when a preacher named Conrad Speece proclaimed, “When Satan promised all the kingdoms of the world to Christ, he laid his thumb on Charlottesville and whispered, ‘Except this place, which I reserve for my own special use.”
Since then, Charlottesville has been a beacon for the macabre. Join us as we introduce you to Charlottesville’s top ten most haunted places.
1) The University of Virginia (UVA)
In the heart of Virginia, the over two centuries-old University of Virginia has amassed its own repository of ghostly lore. Pavilion VI, known as the “Romance Pavilion,” is said to harbor the ghost of a former professor’s wife. Another tale speaks of a professor’s daughter who died of a broken heart, and her spirit lingers within the Pavilion.
Edgar Allan Poe, the famed gothic author and poet, once graced the University of Virginia as a student, and his tenure kindles speculation of ghostly encounters in this room.
In Alderman Library, the echoes of an old surgeon and his fascination with books resonate in ghostly footsteps and unexplained sounds. The University Cemetery and Columbarium hold a darker history, where grave robbing for medical study took place, leading to tales of restless spirits. A nightwatchman reportedly heard the creepy sound of footsteps and something dragging in the gravel, sending chills down his spine.
In Cabell Hall, people have reported the strong scent of women’s perfume. There are reports of disembodied laughter accompanied by the lights going on and off, presumed to be the work of who they call “Mean Jean,” a woman who they believe used to work there. Her life ended in horrific fashion as she was found dead outside the hall, killed while waiting for a ride home from work.
2) Inn at Court Square
The Inn at Court Square has a rich history that stretches back to its construction in 1785 for the Butler family. Over the years, this venerable building has served multiple purposes, though it wasn’t until the early 2000s that its resident ghostly presence emerged. An employee repeatedly encountered a wall sconce with three candles on the stairs while carrying guests’ luggage. He requested the innkeepers remove it due to the inconvenience, but the sconce remained in place.
Tragically, the employee was stung by a bee in a remote area that year, and, unbeknownst to him, he was severely allergic. Lacking medical assistance, he succumbed to the bee’s venom. Following the employee’s funeral, friends and family gathered at the inn, deeply saddened by his untimely passing. As they stood in the entryway, they noticed water mysteriously leaking from behind the infamous wall sconce despite the absence of any pipes in that area.
A year later, one of the inn’s owners experienced a strange occurrence when a candle from the sconce abruptly flew past her and dropped to the floor. It became apparent that the employee’s spirit was channeling all the ghostly energy he could muster to rid the inn of this wall sconce.
3) Monticello
Monticello, originally built by Thomas Jefferson in 1770, experienced a turbulent post-Jefferson period. In 1827, the estate’s treasures were auctioned due to financial difficulties, and by 1831, the mansion was sold to an indifferent owner. It was only the dedication of Uriah P. Levy and, later, his nephew, Jefferson Monroe Levy, that resurrected Monticello. Despite their commendable efforts, public pressure eventually led to its sale to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation in 1923, just a year before Jefferson Levy’s passing.
Thomas Jefferson is believed to linger in the form of residual hauntings, particularly through phantom whistling heard on the grounds and manifestations within the house itself. More sinister and haunting are the energies tied to the enslaved workers who toiled within Monticello’s walls.
Their spirits bear the weight of the unimaginable hardships they endured, from relentless labor in the hot workshop to the disturbing confines of hidden tunnels, rooms, and stairwells. These souls are said to radiate feelings of dread, sickness, and depression, all stemming from the atrocities they faced during their captivity.
4) Maplewood Cemetery
Maplewood Cemetery, Charlottesville’s oldest public cemetery, carries a rich history dating back to 1827, with some grave markers harking back to 1777. This burial ground is notable for its inclusion of over 100 unmarked Confederate graves, relics from its service as a Civil War hospital. Maplewood’s history, however, is marred by tales of vandalism, neglect, and a tragic decline.
The reported hauntings at Maplewood Cemetery amplify the eerie atmosphere. Contractors working on the cemetery have reported unsettling experiences, from inexplicable noises and whispers to phantom caresses and even photographic evidence of misty figures mourning over graves.
5) Comyn Hall
The grim story of Comyn Hall begins on the night of September 4, 1904, when a gruesome murder transpired within these walls. Samuel McCue, Charlottesville’s former mayor, returned from a mysterious trip to Washington, D.C., only to allegedly engage in a heinous act upon his return. He claimed to have found his wife, Fannie McCue, dead, lying lifeless in their bathtub, having suffered bludgeoning, strangulation, and gunshot wounds.
His story raised eyebrows and remained shrouded in ambiguity, with suspicions and controversy swirling about.
Today, this historic structure has been transformed into a contemporary apartment building, but the echoes of the past remain. Residents have reported terrifying phenomena, including phantom noises and inexplicable footsteps, often resembling a harrowing struggle. The bathroom where Fannie’s lifeless body was found exhibits frightening, unexplained activity, with faucets turning on and off independently. The horrifying sight of Fannie herself, lying in the very spot where she was killed, has been reported several times over.
Yet, Fannie McCue’s spirit is not alone in haunting this dwelling. Some locals attest that Samuel McCue’s disgruntled ghost also roams these halls. Muffled arguments behind the couple’s bedroom door have been heard, hinting at the tortured emotions that may still torment Samuel’s soul.
6) Old Albemarle Jail
This chilling tale takes us to the site of the last public execution in Virginia, where the Historic Albemarle County Jail stands as a somber reminder of its grim history. Constructed in 1876, this jail held prisoners until 1974, when it was replaced by the current facility.
The tragic events that unfolded here revolve around the trial and hanging of J. Samuel McCue. Testimonies painted a turbulent picture of his marriage, with violent arguments and accusations of infidelity. Most damning were the words of his teenage son, who described their home life as a “perfect hell on earth.” Five months after the murder, McCue faced the gallows. In a startling turn of events, he confessed to the murder on the morning of his execution.
The hauntings within the historic Albemarle County Jail evoke an unsettling ambiance. Visitors speak of a chilling presence as they navigate the abandoned corridors. It’s said that the spirit of Sam McCue still exerts an influence over the place where he met a gruesome end. The historical society’s persistent struggles to transform the jail into a museum leave room for speculation about Sam McCue’s restless influence from beyond the grave, potentially governing the City of Charlottesville in the afterlife.
7) Castle Hill Manor
Castle Hill Manor is a historic home in Charlottesville, Virginia, situated on the former grounds of a 600-acre plantation. The history of Castle Hill Manor has seen a succession of owners, each adding their unique chapters to its story. Among these, Amélie Rives Troubetzkoy, an author and poet who rests on its grounds.
Yet, the history of this venerable estate is not limited to its tangible past. Visitors and locals alike have reported encounters with the otherworldly. Amelie’s ethereal presence is said to manifest in a specific room known as the pink bedroom. Witnesses often recount experiencing a delicate perfume fragrance accompanying her shocking apparition.
Hans Holzer, a prolific and influential figure in the field of paranormal research and parapsychology, visited this location and stayed in the pink room himself. He and a colleague thought that the presence could be that of a woman from the Revolutionary War Era.
8) Michie Tavern
The story of Michie Tavern begins in the turbulent times of 1777 when Corporal William Michie returned from Valley Forge to inherit his father’s substantial land. Here, William embarked on the construction of a two-story inn alongside the Buck Mountain Road, a resting place for weary travelers during elections and “Public Times.”
Despite its bustling history, the tavern’s operation waned during the mid-1800s, coinciding with the decline of stagecoach travel. Eventually, in 1927, it captured the interest of Mrs. Mark Henderson, a visionary businesswoman who moved the inn 17 miles away, and reopened it as a museum in 1928, situated near Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.
Yet, this historic establishment holds secrets beyond its tangible history. According to paranormal investigator Hans Holzer, who explored Michie Tavern in his work “Ghosts,” the building harbors chilling ghostly tales. During his visit, a gifted medium perceived apparitions dancing and revealing themselves from times past. Staff members have also reported nightly parties thrown by the dead, hearing disembodied voices and ghostly music from beyond.
9) Exchange Hotel Civil War Museum
In its earliest days, the Exchange Hotel was a bustling establishment, a welcome retreat for travelers stopping at this railroad junction. As the trains rolled in and out, the hotel witnessed a steady stream of visitors, from lone travelers to families and couples. The Exchange Hotel offered eight private guest rooms for overnight stays, accommodating both gentlemen and ladies separately. This was a departure from the shared accommodations of colonial times, providing a sense of privacy and comfort for guests, albeit at a cost of $1.25 per night, a significant sum in those days.
The Descent Into Darkness
The hotel’s glory days were soon overshadowed by the looming Civil War. In March of 1862, it was repurposed as the Gordonsville Receiving Hospital for the Confederate Army, treating over 70,000 men. This tumultuous time in US history continues to cast a shadow over this historic site. The spirits of soldiers, nurses, and even an African-American cook named Anna have been seen throughout the building.
Anna, who worked in the summer kitchen, has been known to communicate with visitors, even revealing her penchant for frying chicken. One of the ghosts, Major Quartermaster Richards, is said to be a particularly malevolent presence, having a history of aggressive interactions with living visitors. Among the more poignant spirits is that of a 14-year-old boy who tragically took his own life due to the despair he felt from witnessing the hospital’s grim realities.
Investigations have taken place that have captured electronic voice phenomena (EVP) and unexplained objects in photos and videos. Visitors seeking a ghostly experience have flocked to the hotel for night tours and paranormal investigations, some of whom have reported sightings and interactions with these spectral residents.
10) Number Nothing
Number Nothing, locally known as 0 Court Square, is a peculiar historical site in Charlottesville dating back to the 1820s. Its unique name arises from the fact that it was constructed after Court Square had already been numbered.
In the 1820s, this very spot held a fifteen-by-thirty-inch stone known as the “slave block,” where enslaved African Americans were auctioned to their new owners. The trauma endured by enslaved people during these auctions extended beyond their sale; families were often torn apart, with bidders seeking the strongest workers at the lowest cost.
Tourists may pass by, unaware of this history, but late at night, as the square grows silent, a haunting sound can be heard—a deep, heart-wrenching sob akin to that of a mother losing her child. This phantom crying, a residual haunting, plays out as if etched into the very fabric of the place, a poignant reminder of the anguish and suffering endured by those who were bought and sold here.
Haunted Charlottesville
Unearth the chilling secrets lurking in the shadows of Charlottesville, Virginia. Embark on our spine-tingling tours and traverse the eerie paths of this historic city. From ghostly encounters to mysterious hauntings, you’ll be drawn into the captivating stories of the past that refuse to rest in peace.
Book your adventure now, and be part of Charlottesville’s most chilling exploration.
Sources:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/23328451?typeAccessWorkflow=login
https://news.virginia.edu/content/things-go-bump-night-and-grounds
https://backstory.exposure.co/creepy-tales-from-uva-grounds
https://news.virginia.edu/content/things-go-bump-night-and-grounds
https://hauntedhouses.com/virginia/castle-hill-manor/
https://www.michietavern.com/the-tavern-history/
https://cvilleghosts.com/top-10-haunted-places-in-cville/
https://www.virginiahauntedhouses.com/real-haunt/civil-war-medical-museum.html
https://www.c-ville.com/strongThe_Exchange_Hotel_A_Haunting_in_Gordonsvillestrong/
