The Haunting of Andrew Jackson’s “The Hermitage”

The Hermitage –Davidson County, Nashville, Tennessee

Photograph ©Southern Travel News

Built in 1819 by our former president, Andrew Jackson, The Hermitage now stands as a museum in honor of Old Hickory and a lifestyle that died with the ending of the Civil War. The Hermitage sits on a 1,120-acre estate, where tourists can also enjoy the Andrew Jackson Visitors Center, a theatre and café.

During Jackson’s lifetime, he shared this beautiful home with his wife, Rachel. Apparently Rachel was unable to conceive an heir for Andrew but this was an obstacle overcome by adoption and the happy couple became parents to Rachel’s orphaned nephew, naming him Andrew Jackson, Jr. Over the years the couple adopted many children and carried on as any typical family would until the year of 1825.

During 1825 Rachel began to suffer from medical problems; her condition worsening in 1828 while her husband was running for another term as president. On December 22, 1828, Rachel passed away, leaving her husband and family behind. Rachel Jackson was buried in the family cemetery in The Hermitage garden.

In 1845, at the age of 78, Old Hickory died of chronic tuberculosis, “dropsy” and heart failure. President Jackson’s body was then buried beside his beloved wife.

After President Jackson’s death, Andrew Jr. took over the estate. Andrew Jr. devoted his time and money in the ironworks and the lead mine, which turned out to be a poor choice of investments. In 1856, after selling off portions of the land for money, Andrew Jr. sold nearly all of the estate, including the house, to the state of Tennessee for $48,000.

After the state purchased the land, it was determined that there was not enough money in the budget to put it to use and the state of Tennessee allowed the Jackson family to stay on in the mansion as tenants.

Two years later, Andrew Jr. decided to sell what remained of the land and then moved his family to Mississippi to a cotton plantation. Unfortunately this business failed as well and the family was forced to move back to The Hermitage. All of these family members were eventually buried in the family cemetery in the garden.

In 1887 the state legislature transferred the title of the estate to the Ladies Hermitage Association. The house underwent very few changes over the century that followed.

In 1996 the Ladies Hermitage Association completed a $2.5 million restoration project on the house. Great pains were taken to ensure that the home was authentic; from the restoration of the original French wallpaper to the purchase of furniture originally owned by President Jackson himself!

It is believed that the last two people who worked for the Jackson family were aware of strange happenings in the house. These two individuals would faithfully work during the daylight hours, however, they refused to sleep overnight on the premises.

Early members of the Ladies Hermitage Association learned their lesson the hard way when they decided to sleep over to protect the house from thieves and vandals, until a night watchman could be hired.

Several members of the association were awakened in the middle of the night by the sounds of a horse’s hooves on the main stairs! These women later presented that they heard the voice of Andrew Jackson himself ordering them to wake up and fix his (badly decaying) home!

These same women also reported hearing the sounds of chains being clattered and dragged across the front porch of the house, as well as, quite a bit of noise coming from the kitchen. The following morning, the ladies association investigated the kitchen and front porch and found nothing out of place and all of the windows and doors were still locked, as they were the evening before.

After the restoration of the home, no known reports of Jackson’s apparition have been made, however, others have claimed to hear unexplainable noises and voices inside and outside of the house. Some have even claimed to see the apparitions of former slaves upon the balcony that sits outside of President Jackson’s former bedroom.

It is conceivable that the Jackson family is happy with the restoration of their family home and they can finally rest peacefully in the garden cemetery. The former slaves however, are thought to still walk the halls and the grounds of this beautiful mansion today. 

Address:
4580 Rachel’s Lane
Nashville, Tennessee 37076
(615) 889-2941
Website

The Haunting of the Pony Express Hollenberg Station

Hollenberg Station – Washington County, Hanover, Kansas

Photograph ©Keith Stokes

Preserved by the dedicated citizens of Hanover just eight years after its closure in the mid-1800s, this Pony Express station stands as a testament to the importance of preserving history. Beyond its historical significance, the station has earned a reputation for being haunted, drawing in numerous visitors each year.

Accounts from visitors resonate with phantom echoes of hoofbeats racing past the building, accompanied by boisterous shouts from unseen riders. Strikingly, these spectral sounds manifest not only in the cloak of night but also under the broad daylight. Witnesses have described an abrupt and drastic drop in temperature, creating unexplained cold spots in the surrounding air.

The apparitions of men, clad in chaps and cowboy hats, have been witnessed by many on the station grounds. These spectral figures materialize distinctly but vanish into thin air upon closer inspection. Some claim to have encountered the spirited presence of Mr. Great Hollenberg himself, believed to be the mischievous entity responsible for rearranging items throughout the building and occasionally concealing objects.

Another poignant apparition is that of a former Pony Express rider who met a tragic end during a delivery. Ambushed by Indians, the young man was found dead with severed fingers, a missing tongue, and arrows protruding from his back. His tormented spirit has been witnessed appearing on the floor of a room, bleeding and in agony, only to vanish into the unknown. This same spectral rider has been spotted wandering the grounds at nightfall, his ethereal form marked by bleeding wounds.

While paranormal activity reaches its zenith during the summer months, the museum remains open year-round, inviting brave souls to explore the spectral history that lingers within the walls of this preserved Pony Express station.

 

Photograph ©Orange County DOE

Address:
2889 23rd Road
Hanover, Kansas 66945
(785) 337-2635
Website

The Haunting of the Polk County Historical Museum

Historical Museum – Polk County, Bartow, Florida

Photograph © Polk County Board of County Commissioners

Address:
100 East Main Street
Bartow, Florida 33830
(863) 534-4386

As the radiant sunlight bathes the exterior of this majestic museum, one would be utterly oblivious to the haunting tales that shroud its history. Little would you fathom the eerie incidents that have unfolded within its walls. A paradox of appearance and reality, for looks can indeed be deceiving.

Nestled on the very ground where an ancient courthouse stood in 1883, the museum's origin tells a haunting tale. In 1886, the notorious Marshall Silas Campbell met his demise just outside the courthouse, a victim of a gruesome act. The accused Mann brothers never saw the halls of justice; a ferocious lynch mob claimed them, dragging their lifeless bodies to the old courthouse, displaying their twisted notion of justice to the town's inhabitants. Adding to the macabre history, a devastating explosion in the basement boiler room claimed the life of an unfortunate employee.

The passage of time ushered in a new courthouse, now the renowned Polk County Historical Museum. Yet, the specters of the past refused to be banished, as the museum became a canvas for paranormal activities.

Descend into the basement, accessible only via the elevator, and the air is thick with the echoes of blood-curdling screams, reminiscent of someone in agonizing pain. Investigations reveal an empty space, suggesting the relentless replaying of the boiler room worker's tragic demise.

On the first floor, within the criminal courtroom, unexplained cold spots chill those who enter. A chamber that once saw the passage of numerous criminals leaves an indistinct impression of spirits that linger.

Journey into the Native American display room, where visitors navigate through mysterious cold spots and witness lights flickering on and off autonomously.

The third floor unfolds a spectral narrative, with sightings of a full-bodied female apparition adorned in a white, antique dress. Her identity remains elusive, leaving an enigmatic presence confined to this floor.

The Rotunda area hosts an air of melancholy, accompanied by inexplicable cold spots. Two apparitions, believed to be the lynched Mann brothers, roam, casting shadows on the chilling history of the museum.

Thus, within the seemingly benign facade of the Polk County Historical Museum, an intricate tapestry of the paranormal weaves through its halls, each corner holding the echoes of a bygone era's unsettling tales.

The Haunting of the Liberty Memorial Building

Liberty Memorial Building – Burleigh County, Bismarck, North Dakota

Photograph ©Bev and Steve

Address:
604 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
(800) 472-2104

Constructed in the early nineteenth century, this venerable edifice initially served as the home to state offices, housing distinguished entities such as the Historical Society, the State Library, and the Supreme Court. The hallowed halls of this building, cloaked in history, have become the backdrop to a series of eerie and unexplained occurrences, unraveling tales of spectral encounters that have left indelible impressions on those who once toiled within.

During the early 1970s, James Sperry, then superintendent of the Historical Society, found himself at the epicenter of inexplicable events. One fateful evening, with his loyal companion "Shadow" by his side, James experienced an unsettling incident. While engaging in a break-time chat with Historical Society archivist Frank Vyzraiek, Shadow, typically a stalwart presence, suddenly exhibited signs of distress. Growling, baring teeth, and ears laid back, the canine dashed down hallways and into the basement, only to return moments later, visibly shaken and whimpering. Another peculiar incident unfolded when, while working late, James took the elevator to the basement. Upon arrival, he witnessed a mysterious man entering a storage room. Intrigued, James followed, only to discover an empty room with a single entrance and the light switched off.

Liess Vantine, another employee, shared an uncanny experience. Working late with colleague Craig Gannon, Liess ventured to the basement, drawn by what he believed were Craig's calls. However, upon reaching the basement, Craig was nowhere to be found. To their mutual bewilderment, Craig insisted he had neither been to the basement nor called out for Liess.

Walter Bailey, a Historic Preservationist, recounted a persistent feeling of being unwelcome when attempting to work late. He attested to the disconcerting sensation that an unseen force urged him to vacate the premises. Bailey also reported hearing footsteps on the first-floor hallways, yet upon investigation, the floors would be eerily vacant.

Accounts of the paranormal extended beyond the personal experiences of employees. Between the early seventies and the early eighties, reports circulated of inexplicable sounds such as coughing, mysterious doors opening and closing, and lights flickering without discernible cause. However, these haunting tales ceased after the Historical Society relocated in the early eighties. Speculation lingers as to whether the spectral presence has moved on or if the absence of reports is simply a consequence of the building being bereft of living occupants during the twilight hours. The echoes of this historic structure, resonating with both tangible history and ethereal mysteries, leave a lingering aura that transcends the passage of time.

The Haunting of the Strawberry Hill Mansion Museum

Strawberry Hill Museum – Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas

Photograph ©Blue Skyways

Address:
720 North Fourth Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
(913) 721-0081



The Historical Evolution of the House:

Constructed in the quaint year of 1887, the original section of the house, as captured in the image above, marked the inception of its architectural journey. Over the subsequent years, the mansion underwent four expansions, metamorphosing into a sprawling structure encompassing three floors, forty-two rooms, an attic, and a basement.

Fast forward to twelve years later, the mansion witnessed a new chapter when Margaret Kerstetter Cruise, a widow and mother of four, married John Scroggs. This blended family chose the mansion as their abode. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when Margaret's eldest son passed away prematurely, leaving three children to grow up, marry, and establish their own families. Following the demise of Margaret and John, one of their offspring inherited the house, eventually selling it to the Sisters of the St. Francis of Christ the King. The nuns, moved by compassion after the 1918 flu epidemic, transformed the mansion into a haven for orphaned children.

In 1987, the Strawberry Hill Ethnic Cultural Society acquired the property, heralding the establishment of the Strawberry Hill Museum—a beacon of cultural history.

Accounts of Paranormal Phenomena:

The ethereal tapestry woven around the mansion includes the spectral presence of the "Lady in Red," purportedly a homeless woman sheltered by the nuns. Legend has it that she met her tragic end during a failed abortion. Her apparition, adorned in 1940s-style red attire with flowing red hair, has been encountered by numerous witnesses. The Lady in Red first materialized before two nuns during a chapel moment, inquiring about the "house of the priest" before vanishing. She has since posed the same question to others, appearing as a solid figure and even greeting visitors amicably.

Another ghostly inhabitant, an unidentified male entity, predominantly roams the third floor. Unappreciative of visitors on his floor, he's been known to startle and scare those who dare to explore. One particularly chilling encounter involved a woman who stumbled upon the apparition inside a closet; she claimed to have been pursued down the stairs, with the specter tapping her shoulder throughout.

A spectral child, often perceived in the first-floor tower room seated in an antique rocking chair, adds another layer to the paranormal narrative. Reports extend to sensing or hearing the child's presence, as well as playful movements in the basement.

The house is no stranger to various anomalies, including lights flickering autonomously, phantom footsteps echoing through empty corridors, mysterious music or singing resonating through unseen vocal cords, and doors engaging in a curious dance of unlocking, locking, opening, and closing—all seemingly orchestrated by the unseen forces lingering within its historical walls.

The Haunting of the Mathias Ham House Museum

Ham House Museum– Dubuque County, Dubuque, Iowa

Photograph ©Online Tour of Dubuque

Address:
2241 Lincoln Avenue
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
(563) 557-9545


Constructed in 1837 by Mathias Ham, this residence began as a two-story structure with five rooms, offering a picturesque view of the meandering Mississippi River. Initially serving as a modest abode for Mathias, his wife, and their five children, the house underwent a significant transformation after the untimely demise of Mathias's wife. An additional three stories were added, expanding the dwelling to a grand total of twenty-three rooms.

Mathias, a prosperous entrepreneur involved in mining, lumber, agriculture, and shipping along the Mississippi, frequently occupied the topmost room of the house. From this vantage point, he could oversee his ships navigating the river. Legend has it that Mathias once spotted pirates on the river, promptly alerting the authorities. Subsequently, the pirates, vowing revenge, were apprehended.

By the late 1800s, the only surviving family member, Sarah Ham, one of Mr. Ham's daughters, resided alone in the sprawling mansion. One fateful night, Sarah, reading in bed, heard mysterious movements below. Investigating, she found no intruder but decided to enlist her neighbors' help if the situation recurred. When the sounds persisted, Sarah placed a lantern in her window as a distress signal.

The following night, Sarah, armed with a shotgun, confronted the intruder outside her bedroom. She fired two shots, and when neighbors arrived, they traced a bloody trail to the riverbank, discovering the deceased pirate captain who had threatened Mathias.

Today, the mansion functions as a museum with a reputation for harboring spectral entities. Witnesses have reported inexplicable lights drifting through the corridors and staircases. The top room, where Mathias once kept watch over the river, is believed to be haunted, with chilling sensations and the feeling of being observed reported by visitors.

Some attribute these eerie occurrences to the pirate who met an untimely end within the mansion's walls. Unexplained cold spots, gusts of icy air, and a general feeling of unease have been linked to this particular spirit. Employees have recounted instances of an old pump organ playing after the lights were extinguished, despite it being supposedly non-functional and closed.

Various auditory phenomena, such as disembodied voices and footsteps, have been reported both inside and outside the museum. The basement, near the site of a collapsed tunnel from years past, is a hotspot for strange noises. Despite the wealth of paranormal activity, documented research on the property remains elusive. The rich history and mysterious occurrences make this historical mansion a captivating subject for potential investigations into the supernatural.

The Haunting of the Willard Library

Willard Library – Vanderburgh County, Evansville, Indiana

Photograph ©Proof Paranormal.com

This beautiful Victorian-Gothic library was built in the early-to-mid eighteen-hundreds. Willard Carpenter, the same man that the library was named after, funded the project with freedom of education on his mind. Mr. Willard wanted a library where anyone could learn; regardless of age, sex, gender or social status. When Mr. Willard died, his last Will and Testament stated that the library was to remain free of charge for anyone who wished to gain knowledge there.

Soon after Mr. Willard’s passing, his daughter, Louise, sued the library trustees for her share of the holdings and property. Louise lost the court battle and remained bitter until she died.

Today, the library still stands in its admired grandeur and, as Mr. Willard desired, it is used by anyone who wishes to use it; including a spirit who has made it her permanent resting place.

Ghost sightings and phenomena have been reported at this library since it opened its doors to the public!

The “gray lady” is the library’s famed apparition and she has made her presence known on countless occasions. The first person to report seeing her was a janitor who worked for the library. The janitor came in one evening to ready the library for patrons who would visit the following morning. He made his way to the basement to stoke the fires and found the gray lady starring at him. The gray lady quickly vanished and so did the janitor; he left the building and never returned.

The gray lady has appeared to many people over the years. Usually she is described as being timid and kind. Children have even reported seeing her in their reading section and described her appearance to their parents.

The gray lady wears early nineteen-hundreds clothing and her hair is usually described as being parted and braided down her back. She is often seen floating throughout various parts of the building. In addition to her appearances, some have reported seeing water faucets turn themselves on and off, lights turn on and off, cold spots and the lingering scent of perfume.

Some say the gray lady is the spirit of Louise, the daughter of Mr. Willard. This is doubtful since the gray lady is described as being so friendly and Louise was so bitter and angry when she died.

Others claim that the gray lady is the spirit of a former librarian, however, how could that be; the hauntings started as soon as the library opened?

Whoever she is, she seems quite content with the home she’s made for herself and it seems that she has no intentions of leaving.

Address:
21 North First Avenue
Evansville, Indiana 47710
(812) 425-4309
Website

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Photos taken from the ghost cam in Willard Library

The Haunting of the Arkansas Old State House Museum

Old State House – Pulaski County, Little Rock, Arkansas

Photograph ©Andy & Frank, 2005-2006

The Old State House was constructed between the years of 1833 – 1842. This building was formerly the state capital of Arkansas until a new capital building was built in 1912. The structure served as a barracks during the Civil War, to the Union troops and also served as a medical school at one point in time. In 1947, the building became, what is now known to be, the Arkansas History Museum or the Old State House Museum.

In 1837, when the house was still the state capital building, a fight broke out between two house members. Member, John Wilson, apparently stabbed another house member to death during this fight. Mr. Wilson was acquitted of the murder and it was deemed “excusable homicide”. However, the incident ruined his career and he apparently never got over it. Mr. Wilson’s apparition is said to haunt the building, perhaps, in death, he has regained his esteemed position that he could not salvage in life. The spirit has been seen walking the aisles of the central hall on the second floor and is reported to wear nineteen-hundreds clothing.


Address:
300 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
(501) 324-9685
Website

The Haunting of Ringwood Manor Museum

Ringwood Manor – Passaic County, Ringwood, New Jersey

Photograph © DeBee1015

Originally a smaller home was built where the fifty-one room manor now stands. The original house was much smaller and was constructed by the Ogden family in 1740. This home was later sold to Robert Erskine, a map maker for George Washington. In 1807 the original house was torn down and a new home was built in its place by Martin Ryerson. Over the years, this main house changed hands several times and was significantly added on to until 1924, when it was left to the state of New Jersey.

The phantom footsteps of a former African/Indian servant have been heard echoing throughout the corridors of the mansion late at night. This apparition is believed to be Jackson White who lived in the manor during the nineteen-hundreds.

Doors throughout the enormous mansion have been known to be hanging wide open in the mornings. These same doors were locked and secure the previous evening at closing time. Many believe that this phenomenon is carried out by the restless spirit of Mrs. Erskine. Hans Holzer, a psychic who visited the mansion, believed that Mrs. Erskine was not pleased with all of the visitors who now walk thorough her former home.

The spirit of Eleanor Hewitt, the woman who is primarily responsible for building most of the accompaniments onto the house, is said to restlessly roam the manor as well. She is believed to be the one to blame for following visitors around the place, moving or stealing objects, unexplainable cold spots and the profound scent of women’s floral perfume.

In the Ringwood Cemetery, the apparition of Robert Erskine has been seen sitting on top of his own tombstone. This same specter has also been said to walk the night carrying a lantern or chasing visitors out of the graveyard. Robert Erskine’s apparition has been witnessed by many over the years.

Also in the graveyard, many have claimed to hear the voices of men speaking in French. Consequently, there are numerous unmarked graves belonging to French soldiers from the Revolutionary War.

Address:
Sloatsburg Road
Ringwood, New Jersey 07456
(973) 962-2240

The Haunting of the Nebraska State Capitol Building

Nebraska State Capitol Building – Lancaster County, Lincoln, Nebraska

Photograph ©Mawhamba

Several tragedies have taken place in this building. One of these tragedies involved a man visiting the building that climbed the stairwell to the dome and leaned over the railing to look down to the bottom. The man became dizzy and fell over the railing to his death.

Many who have visited here have claimed they saw a black mass on the stairs. Other have reported hearing a scream or crying. Some of the other activity reported here includes: loud footsteps in the stairwell (which is now blocked off), disembodied voices, loud and unexplainable banging noises and the feeling of not being alone.

Address:
1445 K Street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
(402) 471-0448
Website