Most Haunted Places in San Antonio
A popular tourist destination, San Antonio is renowned for its rich cultural history, significance in establishing Texas, and, for ghostly enthusiasts, its hauntings. From its inception, the area has been subject to war and death, leaving bodies in the wake of horror and tragedy and their souls to wander the grounds in torment.
Here, tourist attractions double as otherworldly hotspots, making them a necessary stop on any type of trip to the Alamo City. Read on to discover the must-see San Antonio locations that are historic as they are haunted.
The Emily Morgan Hotel
The Emily Morgan Hotel has long been associated with otherworldly activity. Many guests and staff members have reported experiencing strange occurrences, such as doors opening and closing, disembodied footsteps, and unexplained noises. Some have even reported seeing apparitions of a woman in a white dress or a soldier in uniform.
The hotel is located next to the historic Alamo, which has a tragic history of its own, leading some to speculate that the spirits of the past may be lingering in the area. The Emily Morgan Hotel also has a reputation for being haunted by the ghost of Emily Morgan herself, a woman who may have been a slave or a free woman of color and who is said to have inspired the song “The Yellow Rose of Texas.”
Saint Anthony, Luxury Hotel
The Saint Anthony Hotel is a luxury hotel operating since 1909. The hotel is known for its elegant decor and rich history, but it is also known for its spiritual activity. There have been numerous reports of ghosts and unexplained phenomena at the Saint Anthony Hotel, including sightings of a ghostly woman in a white dress, a man in a black suit, and a little girl playing in the hallways.
Guests have also reported strange noises, such as knocking and footsteps, and objects moving on their own. Some guests even claim to have seen their belongings move or disappear entirely. The hotel has been featured on numerous ghost hunting shows, and its reputation as a haunted hotel continues to draw in visitors from all over the world who are eager to experience its spectral activity firsthand.
Crockett Hotel
The Crockett Hotel is rich in both history and legend. Originally a medical facility before becoming a hotel, the building is rumored to be home to several ghosts, including a woman dressed in white seen wandering the halls and a Confederate soldier who reportedly died in one of the rooms during the Civil War.
Both guests and staff have reported experiencing otherworldly occurrences, such as sensing a ghostly presence, hearing unexplained sounds, and encountering mysterious apparitions. The hotel’s basement is regarded as being particularly active, with visitors reporting eerie sensations and sightings of shadowy figures.
Despite the ghostly activity, the Crockett Hotel remains a favored destination for tourists seeking to explore San Antonio’s rich history, with many drawn to its eerie atmosphere and haunted past.
The Esquire Tavern
The Esquire Tavern, situated on San Antonio’s River Walk, is a well-known destination for locals and tourists alike. Despite its reputation for lively crowds and craft cocktails, the historic establishment also has a spooky reputation.
Numerous visitors have reported witnessing ghostly sightings, including a woman in white or a cowboy hat-wearing man. Others have felt a cold breeze or experienced inexplicable touches. Many attribute these events to the spirit of a former bartender named Albert, who passed away on the premises in the 1950s. Allegedly, his phantom form has been seen behind the bar, and his footsteps are heard.
The Missions
One of the most chilling tales is that of a nun who met a tragic end at Mission San Juan Capistrano. It is said that her spirit still haunts the grounds, forever searching for her lost love. At Mission San José, visitors have reported the ghostly apparition of a Spanish soldier pacing restlessly across the courtyard.
But that’s not all; visitors have witnessed shadowy figures darting through the corridors and have heard ghostly whispers and footsteps that seem to come from nowhere. And even in the bright light of day, there are strange, inexplicable cold spots that will send shivers down your spine.
If you’re brave enough to explore the San Antonio Missions, prepare yourself for an unforgettable journey through history and the spectral. Who knows what otherworldly entities you may encounter along the way?
Our Lady of The Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) in San Antonio is home to several ghost stories and otherworldly encounters. One of the most well-known ghost stories is that of the Lady in Blue. Legend has it that a young nun, dressed in a blue habit, fell in love with a priest and became pregnant. When her fellow nuns discovered her secret, they bricked her up alive in the wall of the convent. Her ghost is said to haunt the university’s Sacred Heart Hall.
Another ghostly presence at OLLU is the Phantom Jogger, who is said to run laps around the campus track, even though there is no one there. There are also reports of a ghostly librarian who haunts the university’s Sueltenfuss Library, rearranging books and making noises in the stacks after hours.
Huebner-Onion Homestead
Nestled in the quiet corners of northwest San Antonio, the Huebner-Onion Homestead holds a haunting secret. This historic site is rumored to be home to the ghostly apparitions of past residents and visitors. Locals believe that a young girl’s spirit still lingers on the property, while a man and a woman have been spotted wandering the halls. Some brave souls have claimed to hear footsteps and unexplainable noises emanating from empty rooms.
Witnesses even swear they’ve seen furniture move on its own. Built in the mid-1800s, the homestead has witnessed several families come and go, including the Huebner and Onion families. The homestead remains open for tours, welcoming guests to explore its haunted history.
Brisco Western Art Museum
The Briscoe Western Art Museum in San Antonio is housed in the former San Antonio Public Library building, which was built in 1930. The building has a rich history and has been the subject of numerous ghost stories and spectral encounters. Visitors and staff have reported hearing unexplained footsteps, seeing apparitions, and feeling cold spots throughout the museum.
One of the most famous ghost stories involves the elevator, which has been known to move on its own, even when no one is inside. Many believe that the museum is haunted by the spirits of former librarians and patrons who still linger in the building.
The Lamermont
The historic landmark Lambermont mansion is reputedly home to multiple apparitions. The most commonly sighted ghost is that of a woman in a flowing white dress, gliding through the halls and vanishing into walls. Visitors have also reported hearing children’s laughter emanating from an upstairs room, even though no children are present.
Some have experienced an eerie presence and cold spots throughout the mansion, and there have been reports of unexplained noises and objects moving on their own. Despite the spectral rumors, the Lambermont remains a beloved venue for events and a popular bed and breakfast destination in San Antonio, boasting both elegance and history.
Haunted San Antonio
There’s no shortage of hauntings and ghostly locations in San Antonio. Keep reading our blog for more macabre tales of Texas, and to see some of these locations in person, book a ghost tour with River City Ghosts!
Sources:
https://rivercityghosts.com/the-emily-morgan-hotel/
https://rivercityghosts.com/our-lady-of-the-lake/
https://rivercityghosts.com/huebner-onion-homestead/
https://rivercityghosts.com/briscoe-western-art-museum/
