The Haunting of the Adams House in Deadwood, South Dakota

The Haunted Adams House

Deadwood, Lawrence County, South Dakota

Photo BoozingAbroad.com

At the edge of historic Deadwood, where the Black Hills cradle stories of gold rushes and gunfighters, one grand Victorian home stands frozen in time — and haunted by it. The Adams House, built in 1892 by prosperous merchant Harris Franklin, was a marvel of its day, with indoor plumbing, electricity, and steam heat. But behind its elegant façade lies a legacy steeped in grief, mystery, and spectral whispers.

After being purchased by W.E. Adams — a local businessman, mayor, and civic leader — the house took on a more tragic tone. Adams’ wife, Mary, passed away in the home in 1934, just a few short years after he gifted her the restored mansion. Her sudden death devastated Adams, who abandoned the house that very year. He left everything exactly as it was — dishes on the table, clothes in the closets, personal items untouched. For over five decades, the house sat like a sealed tomb, a perfect time capsule… or a vessel waiting to whisper.

Visitors and museum staff have long reported strange occurrences within the stately home. Footsteps echo on staircases no one is climbing. Cold spots chill the air in rooms warmed by the sun. Lights flicker without explanation. Some even claim to see a veiled woman peering from the upstairs windows — always watching, yet never seen up close. Could it be Mary Adams still longing for her beloved home?

Others believe the energy of the house itself holds residual echoes — a deep sadness that settled into the walls when W.E. Adams left in mourning. The parlor, where music once played and guests were entertained, now carries an eerie stillness. EVP recordings have captured faint voices, and motion sensors have triggered without a soul in sight.

Now part of the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, the Adams House operates as a museum. Its preserved interior offers a glimpse into upper-class life at the turn of the 20th century — but also invites those brave enough to face the whispers of the past.

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Visiting Information

Address: 22 Van Buren Street, Deadwood, SD 57732

Phone: (605) 578-3724

Tours: The Adams House is open to the public for guided tours. Seasonal hours may apply. Visit www.deadwoodhistory.com for the latest details.

Note: While ghost tours are not officially part of the offering, many paranormal enthusiasts include the Adams House on their haunted road trip itineraries. Respect the space — and listen closely.

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 Sage Hill Bed and Breakfast Country Inn

Sage Hill Bed & Breakfast – McHenry County, Anamoose, North Dakota


Photograph ©Sage Hill Bed & Breakfast Country Inn

Built in the eighteen-hundreds, this building was originally a schoolhouse and is thought to be the first one in the state. During its schooling years, one of the superintendents died a strange and horrible death. This superintendent, described as large with bushy hair, was inspecting the school with the help of a young student. They had made their way through the school and then ventured to the basement to inspect the broiler. Somehow, the broiler caught fire and the man and young pupil were burned too death.

The school thrived over the years until its population surpassed its maximum capacity. By the early nineteen-hundreds, the building sat vacant and dilapidating. It was then purchased by a group of investors with the intentions of renovating it and putting it to good use for the community of Anamoose.

In 1996, the old schoolhouse was turned into a bed and breakfast by new owners, Jacqueline Fix and Brad Mincher. During the renovations, the new owners began to notice some strange happenings that they could not explain.

Since that time, the owners and many visitors have made reports of items being moved or simply disappearing, the scent of cigar smoke that seems to come out of nowhere and then quickly disappears and shadows moving in ones peripheral vision.

Other complaints consist of toilets flushing by themselves, lights turning on and off for no reason and unexplainable cold spots. Many here have also claimed to see apparitions, especially in the basement area, and most refuse to go down there.

Today, the Sage Hill Country Inn still has reports of unexplainable phenomena and it seems to haunted as ever.

Address:
2091 33rd Street NE
Anamoose, North Dakota 58710
(701) 465-0225
Website