Welcome to the mysterious world of Asheville, North Carolina, a city with a vibrant history and an alluringly spooky side. As you delve into this captivating journey, you’ll discover the city’s most haunted places, where restless spirits, unexplained phenomena, and spine-chilling stories abound.
Prepare to be enthralled as you explore the eerie atmosphere of Helen’s Bridge, the chilling encounters at the Grove Park Inn, the unsettling activity at the Riverside Cemetery, or the local legend that is Helen’s Bridge.
So, step into the shadows and join us on this thrilling journey through Asheville’s most haunted locations. Embrace the chills, and don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild!
1. The Biltmore Estate
Exploring Asheville’s haunted hotspots is incomplete without visiting the magnificent Biltmore Estate. Built by George Vanderbilt in 1895, the residence housed him, his wife Edith, and their daughter Cornelia. Over time, the estate became known for its ghostly residents and eerie occurrences.
Visitors and employees report paranormal phenomena, including ghostly whispers of Edith and George conversing by the library’s marble fireplace. George’s presence is often felt in the oak sitting room on the second floor and the billiard room.
The pool room is particularly spine-chilling, with an unsettling atmosphere and reports of phantom splashes and swimmers.
To delve into the supernatural side of the Biltmore Estate, consider taking a guided tour. The estate offers various options, including self-guided daytime visits starting at $64 for adults and $32 for children aged 10-16. Specialty tours, like the Rooftop Tour or the Candlelight Christmas Tour, provide a more eerie experience. Check their website or contact the estate for pricing and availability.
With several tour options, you can uncover the spectral secrets of Asheville’s most famous haunted estate while staying informed and entertained.
2. Chicken Alley
While exploring Asheville’s haunted locations, the moniker “Chicken Alley” might not immediately evoke ghostly images.
However, this narrow, historic alley, situated near the intersection of Woodfin Street and North Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville, is reputedly home to the spirit of Dr. Jamie Smith. Smith met a tragic end in 1902, losing his life in a bar brawl at the nearby Broadway’s Tavern.
Ever since, people have reported seeing him haunting Chicken Alley. Witnesses describe Dr. Smith as carrying a medicine bag and wielding a silver-tipped cane.
His attire is said to consist of a duster-style coat, while his head is adorned with a distinctive black fedora hat. Ghost enthusiasts may find Chicken Alley an intriguing, lesser-known destination in Asheville’s paranormal scene.
3. The Grove Park Inn
Some guests who have stayed at the hotel report experiencing a tickling sensation on their feet while trying to sleep, which many attribute to the woman in pink.
A chilling cold spot is often felt near room 545, and both guests and employees have reported hearing laughter, slamming doors, and disembodied conversations in empty rooms.
In addition to its ghostly reputation, the Grove Park Inn offers luxurious accommodations, with room rates typically starting around $250 per night, depending on the season and availability. [BOOK A STAY]
4. Erwin High School
When Asheville required a new high school, planners chose a site that had once been a cemetery. The Old County Home Graveyard, located at 60 Lees Creek Road, saw the removal of its headstones and the relocation of the people interred there. In its place now stands Erwin High School and Potter’s Field.
Ever since the school’s construction, the spirits of those once buried in the former graveyard have made their presence known. Night-shift janitors have found the paranormal activity so unsettling that they refuse to disclose the details of their experiences.
Other witnesses have reported seeing ghosts roaming the premises and hearing inexplicable sounds. Erwin High School’s location on a former cemetery adds an eerie layer to its history, intriguing both students and paranormal enthusiasts alike.
5. Helen’s Bridge (Zealandia's Bridge)
Asheville, North Carolina, is no stranger to haunted locations, with many stories involving mothers and their children. One such place is Helen’s Bridge, which has a tragic connection to the nearby Zealandia Castle, where a distraught mother named Helen once lived.
Tragedy struck the castle when Helen’s only child perished in a fire. Overwhelmed with grief, Helen took her own life by hanging herself from the iconic Helen’s Bridge.
Visitors to the bridge report an eerie atmosphere and strange occurrences. Cars have been known to stall unexpectedly, and people have seen a long-haired woman, believed to be Helen, approaching them. Freshly lit cigarettes mysteriously extinguish, and strong winds seem to appear out of nowhere, accompanied by the sound of breaking sticks.
Even when there’s no wind, trees around the bridge have been observed swaying. Some people claim that if you call out Helen’s name, your car may suddenly develop issues, preventing you from leaving the area.
Related: Haunted Bridges in North Carolina
The tragic history of Helen and her connection to Zealandia Castle make Helen’s Bridge a captivating destination for those intrigued by Asheville’s haunted locations.
6. Thomas Wolfe Memorial
If you are a fan of writer Thomas Wolfe you might find it interesting to visit the Thomas Wolfe Memorial in Asheville.
The building is not only a historic location that is a pleasure to visit it is also the home to no less than two spirits. The spirits that dwell within the walls of the memorial are that of a man and a woman.
Witnesses tend to see the man upstairs sitting in a rocking chair. Other witnesses that have gone into the dining room claim a woman hangs out in that part of the house.
People have also heard the sounds of an old-fashioned typewriter as well as seeing a face in one of the upstairs windows looking out onto the street at night.
7. Basilica of St Lawrence
The Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville is not only an architectural marvel but also one of the city’s haunted locations. Visitors who have toured the Basilica or attended religious services there have experienced a range of paranormal activity. Doors open without anyone nearby, and odd lights and orbs are commonly reported.
Cold spots are another frequent occurrence for people visiting the site. The ghosts believed to haunt the Basilica are thought to be a former priest who died within the building, as well as the ghost of Rafael Guastavino, an architect interred at the location alongside his daughter and wife.
This beautiful and historic site attracts those interested in experiencing both its stunning structure and the mysterious events that occur within its walls.
8. Old Battery Park Hotel
Before the Old Battery Park Hotel was renovated and turned into apartments. Various crimes and atrocities occurred in the hotel leaving behind the spirits of those done wrong.
Numerous past employees have stated one particular ghost liked to appear to the staff. Apparently it is the spirit of a man who was murdered in the former hotel. Most of the past staff members claim to have seen him in the pantry.
The ghost of Helen Clevenger is another permanent resident of the former Battery Park Hotel. She was savagely murdered in the hotel and now people can see her roaming the halls, most specifically on stormy nights.
9. Riverside Cemetery
Located at 53 Birch St in Asheville, North Carolina, Riverside Cemetery is one of the state’s most renowned burial grounds, with over 13,000 individuals interred.
The cemetery is the final resting place for notable figures such as authors Thomas Wolfe and William Sidney Porter, as well as eighteen German sailors from WWI, showcasing its diverse history.
Situated less than a mile from the 1865 Battle of Asheville site, Riverside is steeped in haunting tales.
See also: Most Haunted Cemeteries in NC
Many of the ghostly rumors surrounding Riverside involve the sounds of troops shouting, gunfire exchanges, and, in one extraordinary account, the sighting of an entire Confederate troop in phantom form.
While there may not be specific ghost tours dedicated solely to Riverside Cemetery, some local tour operators in Asheville include the cemetery as a stop on their broader ghost and history tours. Riverside Cemetery continues to captivate visitors with its rich history and eerie legends.
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