The Haunting of the Museum of Colorado Prisons

Fremont County, Cañon City, Colorado

Photo: Wikipedia

The Museum of Colorado Prisons, located in Cañon City, Colorado, stands on the grounds of one of the most historically brutal prison systems in the American West. Housed in the former women’s prison building, the museum preserves the history of incarceration, punishment, and execution in Colorado. Many believe it also preserves something far less tangible: the lingering presence of those who suffered and died within its walls.

Cañon City has long been synonymous with prisons. At one time, the area housed more prisons per capita than almost anywhere else in the United States. Inmates endured harsh conditions, forced labor, overcrowding, and strict discipline. Executions were carried out nearby at the Colorado State Penitentiary, further cementing the area’s dark legacy.

The building that now serves as the Museum of Colorado Prisons once confined female inmates under rigid and often unforgiving rules. Life inside the prison was isolating and emotionally taxing. Many women were incarcerated for crimes tied to poverty, desperation, or survival, and their stories were often ignored or erased by history.

Almost immediately after the building was converted into a museum, reports of unexplained activity began to surface. Staff members and visitors alike have reported hearing footsteps echoing through empty hallways, doors opening or closing on their own, and the sound of voices when no one else is present.

One of the most commonly reported phenomena is the sound of keys jangling, as though a guard is walking the corridors. Others report hearing cell doors slam shut, even though the cells are no longer in use. These sounds often occur late in the day when the museum is quiet.

Apparitions have been reported throughout the building. Witnesses describe seeing shadow figures standing in doorways or moving through hallways. Some claim to have seen full-bodied apparitions dressed in period clothing, believed to be former inmates or guards still bound to their routines.

Cold spots are frequently reported, particularly near former cells and isolation areas. Visitors describe sudden temperature drops accompanied by feelings of sadness, anxiety, or unease. Some report feeling watched or followed as they move through the exhibits.

Paranormal investigators have documented unexplained voices, whispers, and knocking sounds during investigations. Electronic equipment often malfunctions, with batteries draining rapidly and cameras failing without warning. Audio recordings have captured voices that cannot be attributed to any living source.

Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of the museum is its emotional atmosphere. Many visitors describe an overwhelming sense of heaviness, as though the building remembers every moment of fear, punishment, and despair experienced within its walls. Some report feeling physically ill or emotionally drained after spending time inside.

Despite now serving as an educational space, the Museum of Colorado Prisons does not feel dormant. The routines of incarceration seem to echo through the halls, replaying fragments of the past. For some, the experience is deeply moving. For others, it is profoundly unsettling.

Today, the Museum of Colorado Prisons stands as both a historical archive and a site of reported paranormal activity. While its exhibits tell the story of Colorado’s prison system, countless visitors believe the building also tells a quieter story, one whispered through footsteps, shadows, and unseen presences that never truly left.

Visitor Information:
Address: 201 North 1st Street
Cañon City, CO 81212
Note: The Museum of Colorado Prisons is open to the public as a historic museum. Visitors should follow all posted rules and respect the property.

The Haunting of Farrar Schoolhouse

Polk County, Farrar, Iowa

The Farrar Schoolhouse, located in the small community of Farrar, Iowa, is widely considered one of the most haunted schoolhouses in the Midwest. Built in 1871, the two-story brick building served as a school for local children for decades before eventually closing its doors. While the classrooms fell silent, many believe the spirits tied to the school never left.

During its years of operation, the Farrar Schoolhouse was the center of education and community life for the area. Children of all ages attended classes there, often walking long distances to reach the building. Discipline was strict, conditions were sometimes harsh, and illnesses were common in an era when medical care was limited. Several accounts suggest that not all students survived their time connected to the school.

Local legend speaks of a young girl named Virginia, believed to have died either within the schoolhouse or shortly after attending it. While official records are unclear, her name has become closely associated with the reported paranormal activity. Many believe Virginia’s spirit remains inside the building, along with other former students and staff.

Reports of strange activity began circulating long after the school closed. Visitors and investigators frequently report hearing children laughing, whispering, and running through the halls when no one else is present. Footsteps are commonly heard on the stairs and upper floor, often stopping abruptly when followed.

One of the most unsettling features of the Farrar Schoolhouse is the chalkboard on the second floor. Witnesses claim that messages appear on the board without explanation, including children’s names, words, or simple drawings. Some report seeing chalk move on its own or hearing the sound of writing when the room is empty.

Objects are said to move throughout the building. Desks shift positions, doors open and close on their own, and small items disappear only to reappear later in different locations. Cold spots are frequently reported, particularly in the upstairs classrooms and near the stairwell.

Many visitors describe intense emotional reactions upon entering the schoolhouse. Feelings of sadness, anxiety, or unease are common, especially on the upper floor. Some report sudden headaches, nausea, or a strong urge to leave the building, as though the atmosphere itself is oppressive.

Paranormal investigators have documented unexplained voices, knocking sounds, and shadow figures during investigations. Electronic devices often malfunction, batteries drain rapidly, and audio recordings capture whispers and childlike voices that cannot be explained.

Despite its quiet rural setting, the Farrar Schoolhouse feels anything but peaceful to those who enter. The building carries a heavy, watchful presence, as though the spirits within are aware of visitors and choose when to reveal themselves.

Today, the Farrar Schoolhouse remains a well-known location for paranormal investigation. Though it stands as a preserved piece of local history, many believe the building is still used as a classroom of sorts — one where the lessons never ended and the students never truly went home.

Visitor Information:
Address: Near NE 56th Street and NE 78th Avenue
Farrar, IA 50039
Note: The Farrar Schoolhouse is privately owned. Access is limited and typically restricted to scheduled paranormal investigations.

The Haunting of the Whaley House

San Diego County, San Diego, California

Photo: Wikipedia

The Whaley House, located in the heart of Old Town San Diego, is widely regarded as one of the most haunted houses in the United States. Built in 1857 by Thomas Whaley, the home stands on land already steeped in death and violence. Long before the brick structure was erected, the site served as a public gallows where criminals were executed in full view of the town.

One of the most notable executions was that of James Robinson, a thief who was hanged on the property in 1852. Witnesses described Robinson struggling violently at the end of the rope before dying, an event that deeply disturbed the local community. Many believe his spirit never left the land, and that the Whaley House was built directly over a place already claimed by restless energy.

Thomas Whaley constructed the house as both a family residence and a symbol of success. Over time, however, the home served many functions. It housed Whaley family members, operated as a general store, served as San Diego County’s second courthouse, and later functioned as a theater. Each role brought crowds, emotion, conflict, and human drama into the space, layering the house with intense emotional history.

Tragedy struck the Whaley family early. Their young son, Thomas Whaley Jr., died of scarlet fever while living in the home. His death devastated the family, and some believe the spirit of a small child still lingers in the house. Visitors frequently report hearing light footsteps, giggling, or the sound of a child running through rooms when no children are present.

The most infamous tragedy occurred in 1885, when the Whaleys' daughter Violet died by suicide inside the home. After a troubled marriage and subsequent divorce, Violet returned to the Whaley House in a state of deep depression. She was later found dead, having taken her own life with a firearm. Her death marked a turning point in the home’s reputation, transforming it from a place of sorrow into one of undeniable paranormal activity.

Following Violet’s death, family members reported hearing unexplained noises, including heavy footsteps, doors opening and closing, and the sound of voices when no one else was present. Thomas Whaley himself reportedly heard footsteps he attributed to his late daughter, though he struggled to rationalize the experiences.

One of the most commonly reported phenomena is the sound of heavy boots pacing across the upstairs floors. These footsteps are widely believed to belong to Thomas Whaley, who was known to wear heavy-soled shoes. Visitors often hear the pacing when the upstairs rooms are empty, and the sound abruptly stops when investigated.

Apparitions have been reported throughout the house. Witnesses describe seeing a tall man in period clothing near the staircase, believed to be Thomas Whaley. Others report seeing a woman in long dresses drifting silently through rooms or standing near windows, often identified as Violet or Anna Whaley.

The former courtroom and theater areas are especially active. Visitors report hearing murmured conversations, applause, and footsteps echoing through empty spaces. Some claim to hear piano music or faint laughter, as if a performance were still underway long after the audience has left.

Physical sensations are commonly reported by guests and staff. Sudden cold spots appear without explanation, particularly near the staircase and upstairs bedrooms. Many visitors describe the feeling of being touched, brushed against, or followed. Others experience headaches, nausea, or emotional heaviness shortly after entering certain rooms.

Paranormal investigators have documented unexplained voices, shadow figures, and electronic interference during investigations. Cameras malfunction, batteries drain rapidly, and audio recordings often capture whispers and footsteps that cannot be attributed to any living source.

The atmosphere of the Whaley House is frequently described as aware rather than chaotic. Visitors often report the sensation of being watched with curiosity rather than hostility. Some feel as though the spirits acknowledge their presence, moving through the house with purpose rather than randomly manifesting.

Despite being preserved as a historic museum, the Whaley House does not feel dormant. Many guests leave with the impression that the spirits remain deeply connected to the property and uninterested in moving on. The house feels occupied, not abandoned, as though the past continues to coexist with the present.

Today, the Whaley House stands as both a historical landmark and a focal point for paranormal investigation. While its brick walls and period furnishings tell the story of early California life, countless visitors believe the house holds far more than history. It holds memory, grief, and the lingering presence of those who lived, suffered, and died within its walls.

Visitor Information:
Address: 2476 San Diego Avenue
San Diego, CA 92110
Note: The Whaley House operates as a historic museum. Visitors are asked to follow all posted rules and respect the site.