Attention ghost hunters! We visited the most notoriously haunted places in Savannah, Georgia - and created our own self-guided ghost tour and pub crawl. We learned the stories that built the reputations - and tried to distinguish fact from fiction. To make our list, however, there was one thing that was required: these places were genuinely creepy. Retracing the steps of those that experienced the dark history heightened our senses and often made our arm hairs stand on end. These scary homes, restaurants, hotels, cemeteries, and bars are places that you can visit. So, create your own tour and visit these places on your own - if you dare!
CONTENTS
00:00 Intro Teaser
01:15 Savannah Overview
02:47 Other Haunted Sites
06:33 #5 Pirates' House
08:30 #4 Factor's Walk
10:19 #3 Olde Pink House
12:10 #2 Marshall House
15:10 #1 Moon River Brewing
Welcome to Savannah. This mesmerizing Georgia town is known for its period architecture, elegant restaurants, Spanish moss-covered oaks, and southern charm. But there is more at hand here. USA Today, CNN Travel, CNBC, and the Travel Channel all agree: Savannah may be America’s most haunted city. The city may look like a sweet Southern belle, but she keeps a dark secret. The city was built, literally, on its dead. Homes and buildings sit atop Native American burial grounds and roads cover forgotten cemeteries of slaves and colonists. One reason for this is simple: death came frequently and in large numbers. There were bloody battles in the Revolutionary War, and again during the Civil War. There were two devastating fires in 1796 and 1820 that each left half of Savannah in ashes. And there were not one but two devastating outbreaks of yellow fever in 1820 and 1854 that took the lives of thousands. On top of this, there were unfathomable savage slave burial practices. These all contributed to why people believe Savannah is cursed and plays host to so many historic homes, inns, and restaurants with unsettled spirits. Here we mention several noteworthy paranormal hot beds - and conclude with our list of the Top 5 Haunted Places in Savannah.
Others: 432 Abercorn, Wright Square, Mercer-Williams House, Colonial Park Cemetery, Bonaventure Cemetery.
5. The Pirates’ House
The Pirates’ House has a deep and rich history that dates back to the origin of Savannah. The Herb House, a garden home within the Pirates’ House, was built in 1734 adjacent to a botanist area known as the Trustees Garden. In 1753, an inn and saloon for seafarers was added - and still stands today as one of Savannah’s best-known restaurants.
4. Factor’s Walk
Factor’s Walk includes the bridges and buildings that run between Bay Street and River Street - and were once home to the original Cotton Exchange where the price of cotton was set. These brick, two and three storied buildings contained offices and warehouses that were connected by iron and concrete walkways - much as they are today. But cotton pricing wasn’t the only thing being debated back then. It was here that slaves were auctioned off and sold in mass numbers.
3. The Olde Pink House
The original owner of the Olde Pink House, James Habersham, Jr., was a wealthy cotton planter that aided the colonies in the fight for their independence. Construction began in 1771 and was completed in 1789 - but just ten years later, Mr. Habersham died under suspicious circumstances. Official records indicate that he died of natural illness. But some say that he hung himself in the basement. Regardless, James Habersham is being credited with the reason the Olde Pink House has been dubbed by Yelp as the most haunted spot in America.
2. The Marshall House
Originally constructed in 1851, the Marshall House was among Savannah’s first large scale hotels. It operated as such until the Union Army occupied it during the Civil War, using it as a hospital. Since then, it was twice more temporarily used as a hospital for the 19th century yellow fever epidemics. The hotel closed for renovations in 1895. When it finally reopened its doors in 1899, it boasted electric lights as well as hot and cold plumbing on every floor, a rarity for the time. Even with all of the amenities, the Marshall House closed in 1957. In 1999, under new ownership, the building was opened as the oldest operating hotel in Savannah. It is a spectacular place to stay - as we can attest. But the past has taken its toll.
1. Moon River Brewing Company
The Moon River Brewing Company is one of the older still-standing buildings in Savannah. It was constructed in 1821 and originally served as the City Hotel and a popular, elegant gathering place. As such, however, it saw its share of violence from drunken shootings to lynch mob beatings and even duels - a more gentlemanly way to settle disputes. Like the nearby Marshall House, it was also used as a hospital for those struck with yellow fever. Hundreds of men, women and children died inside the rooms of this building.