Top 10 Most Haunted Places in Washington DC
Washington, D.C. is a city known for its monumental history and enduring significance. But within its grand monuments and corridors of power lies a secret world shrouded in the eerie and unexplained. Why is the soul of the city marked by such a tragic past that refuses to die? Join us as we embark on a journey through the most haunted locations in Washington, D.C.
Want to experience some of Washington D.C.’s most haunted locations in person? Book an authentic ghost tour with DC Ghosts and discover the sinister, spooky side of the nation’s capital.
The Octagon House
While this elegant structure has witnessed numerous significant events, it’s primarily known for its spectral inhabitants. The most popular of the Octagon’s legends is that of Colonel Tayloe’s daughters. It’s said that they both died in the home, with one committing suicide and the other accidentally falling to her death. Though the deaths were years apart, they both occurred in the same cursed spot that remains tainted to this day.
More Hauntings at The Octagon House
- The hanging lamp in the main hallway swings on its own.
- The top floor landing shows tracks of human feet in undisturbed dust.
- The Sound of Servant Bells
- The spirit of Dolley Madison is said to host ghostly receptions in the front hall and drawing room, and her presence is marked by the scent of lilacs.
9) The Old Stone House
Built in 1765, the Old Stone House is the oldest unchanged building in the District of Columbia. Over the years, it played various roles, from housing a paint shop to becoming a suspected bordello in the early 1900s. Today, it’s known for its ghostly inhabitants, including a malevolent entity dubbed “George,” who is believed to have been a murderer in his former life. This evil apparition, with a particular disdain for women, has been known to evoke fear in those who encounter him, as his violent interactions include biting, scratching, pushing, and choking.
Spirits of The Old Stone House
- A woman in a rocking chair on the third floor
- Two men in Colonial-era clothing
- A young girl whose disembodied laughter can be heard as she runs up and down the stairs
- A boy named Joey who plays on the third floor
- Apparitions of women seen cooking in the kitchen
- A woman with a lantern who moves about at night
8) Bunny Man Bridge
This haunting legend of the Bunny Man Bridge originated from an unsettling incident that unfolded in Fairfax County, Virginia, in 1970. The legend goes that a prisoner escaped from a bus carrying convicts from a nearby insane asylum. When police conducted a search in the area, they discovered the corpses of rabbits hanging from the trees surrounding the site now known as Bunny Man Bridge.
The escapee, known as Douglas Griffon, was never found. Not long after his escape, bodies began turning up, hanging from the same trees as the rabbits. His reign of terror continues, as it’s said that if you stand under the bridge at midnight on Halloween, The Bunny Man will appear. Those brave enough to venture into the area report feelings of heavy energy, with some reporting shadows darting around in the darkness.
7) Mary Surratt Boarding House
Originally a modest family residence, the Mary Surratt Boarding House is known for its link to Mary Surratt, a key figure in the conspiracy to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln’s assassin, frequented the boarding house, and Mary unknowingly partook in his plot. Mary Surratt’s story is one of controversy, as she maintained her innocence even as she swung from the gallows.
One of the most well-documented ghostly occurrences at the Surratt House is the creepy sound of weeping and pleas for mercy, believed to be those of Mary begging for her life. The atmosphere in the house becomes particularly charged on the anniversary of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Visitors and paranormal enthusiasts have reported uneasy feelings, adding to the dark mystique of the Surratt House.
6) Walsh Museum (Embassy of Indonesia)
Built in 1903, The Walsh Mansion, now the Embassy of Indonesia, was the brainchild of Thomas J. Walsh. His daughter, Evalyn Walsh, resided here with her husband, Edward Beale “Ned” McLean, heir to The Washington Post, following Thomas Walsh’s passing.
In 1910, Ned McLean famously acquired the Hope Diamond, and the mansion’s legacy became intertwined with its supposed curse. To cover Evalyn’s debts, the mansion was sold to the Indonesian government in 1952. However, according to embassy staff, Evalyn Walsh McLean’s spirit continues to inhabit the residence as she is often seen gliding down the mansion’s grand central staircase.
5) The Hay-Adams Hotel
Where once stood the homes of John Hay and Henry Adams now sits the Hay-Adams Hotel, a popular dwelling that can’t shake the dark past of its predecessor. In 1885, Clover Adams, wife of Henry Adams, was found dead in her room in what appeared to be a suicide. However, the circumstances surrounding her death were shrouded in mystery and speculation. To add to the intrigue, Henry destroyed all of her belongings, including her photographs and papers, immediately following her death.
Hauntings at The Hay-Adams Hotel
- Guests and staff have reported spine-chilling occurrences on the fourth floor
- Doors creepily open and close on their own
- Heart-stopping disembodied cries and sorrowful voices can be heard
- Some have claimed to feel the terrifying sensation of being hugged by an unseen presence
4) The National Theatre
The National Theatre opened its doors in 1835 and, throughout its history, has hosted luminaries like Audrey Hepburn, Robert Redford, Lauren Bacall, and many more. Notably, the world premiere of “West Side Story” took place at The National Theatre in 1957, marking a historic moment in musical theater.
Among its illustrious history, there exists a phantom actor, John McCullough, whose spirit refuses to exit the stage. It’s said that McCullough met a grisly end following a heated altercation beneath the stage, and his body was hastily buried under the stage’s dirt floor. Since his brutal death, McCullough’s spirit has wandered the hallowed halls of The National Theatre, dressed in the costumes of his most significant roles.
3) Cutts-Madison House
With its position in the city, alongside Lafayette Square, the Cutts-Madison House was a symbol of prestige in the 19th century. However, it’s not just the architecture that makes this house remarkable. After the passing of her husband, former President James Madison, Dolley Madison took up residence in the house to ease her financial troubles. Though she passed in 1849, she maintained her status as the home’s rightful owner.
Permanent Ghostly Residence of the Cutts-Madison House
- Various witnesses have been spooked by her apparition, seen dressed in colonial attire
- She is known to sit in a rocking chair and eerily gaze out over the property
2) Lafayette Square
Lafayette Square is a quaint part of Washington, D.C., that’s rich in history. But there’s more to the area than meets the eye. In 1859, Congressman Daniel Sickles shot U.S. District Attorney Philip Barton Key, igniting a sensational trial where Sickles claimed temporary insanity. This sinister and unsavory tale has spawned apparitions of both Key and Sickles, who are believed to roam the square, one seeking vengeance, the other redemption.
Otherworldly Activity in Lafayette Square
- Reports of Key’s ghost warning Secretary of State William Seward of an impending assassination attempt on President Lincoln
- The sculpture known as “Black Aggie” has a reputation for causing untimely deaths and miscarriages and is eerily located near the site where Clover Adams met her end
1) White House
A symbol of democracy’s endurance, the White House has borne witness to moments of both triumph and tragedy, projecting the spine-chilling spirits of political figures past. In the early 1820s, the surly Andrew “Old Hickory” Jackson spooked witnesses as he angrily roamed the corridors. But the most enduring presence is that of Abraham Lincoln, as he’s known to return during times of national crisis, pacing the hallways, rapping on doors, and gazing out windows.
More Hauntings at The White House
- The ghost of Abraham Lincoln’s young son is said to have appeared to staff members during the Grant administration in the 1870s.
- Thomas Jefferson is believed to play his violin in the Yellow Oval Room.
- Dolley Madison is said to protect the Rose Garden.
- The ghost of President William Henry Harrison is believed to haunt the attic.
- A British soldier from the War of 1812 is said to roam the White House Grounds
- Anna Surratt, who sought a pardon for her mother, Mary Surratt, is known to frequently knock on the White House doors
- A 15-year-old boy that was called “The Thing” has been seen in the White House
Haunted Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C. is a city that resonates with both history and the otherworldly. We invite you to experience some of the city’s most haunted locations and embark on a ghostly adventure with DC Ghosts.
Our expert guides will lead you through the most haunted sites in the nation’s capital, sharing spine-tingling stories and historical insights that bring the past to life. Join us for an unfiltered look at the sinister side of one of the nation’s most significant and haunted cities.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolley_Madison
https://dcghosts.com/the-old-stone-house-d-c-s-oldest-haunted-house/
https://www.roadunraveled.com/blog/bunny-man-bridge-virginia/
https://dcghosts.com/the-surrat-house/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_Diamond
https://dcghosts.com/the-hay-adams-hotel-washington-d-c/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Adams
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/john-quincy-adams/
https://dcghosts.com/the-national-theatre/
https://dcghosts.com/cutts-madison-house/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Square,_Washington,_D.C.
https://www.whitehousehistory.org/press-room/press-backgrounders/white-house-ghost-stories
