Favorite Haunts
Mississippi is a perfect destination for all those who like a few chills to go with their travel thrills. You’ll discover lots of supernatural sites and paranormal places in our state, with everything from haunted homes to legendary graveyards to explore. Check out a few of our favorites, if you dare, below.
Grave Concerns
Natchez City Cemetery is home to the peculiar grave of Florence Irene Ford who died of yellow fever in 1871 at the tender age of ten. During her life, Florence was terrified of thunderstorms and would run to her mother for comfort, a fact which led her mother to request a quite unique grave at the cemetery. Steps lead down to a glass window (now covered by concrete) which allowed the grieving mother to descend six feet to be with her departed daughter, singing songs and reading stories, every time a storm threatened.
Creepy Crossing
Stuckey’s Bridge, located 12 miles southwest of Meridian, is a dilapidated truss-style bridge crossing the Chunky River. Here, according to local lore, “Old Man Stuckey,” a member of the infamous Dalton Gang would lure travelers to his nearby inn where the hapless guests would be robbed, murdered and buried in shallow riverside graves. Authorites eventually caught up with Stuckey and hanged him from the bridge, which he reportedly haunts to this day. The bridge was featured on the Travel Channel’s Most Terrifying Places in America in 2018.
Quoth McRaven
Vicksburg’s McRaven House has been called the most haunted house in Mississippi. The home, which dates back to 1797, was used as a field hospital during the Civil War and, in the following years, saw its share of mysterious occupants, scandalous behavior, and tragic deaths. Visitors to McRaven have reported full-body apparitions, disembodied voices, and other spooky phenomena. The home is open for candlelight tours on weekend nights, as well as private ghost investigations for groups.
Tower Terrors
The Towers of Natchez is noteworthy for its unique architecture and the home’s haunted history. The home was first built in 1798, with two additions following during the mid-1800s and a major renovation in recent years to restore the home to its original grandeur. The Towers was used as headquarters for the Federal troops during the Civil War occupation of Natchez. Sightings of ghostly civil war soldiers have been reported over the years, often alongside members of the Fleming family who owned the home during much of the 19th century. Candlelight tours are available in the fall and spring seasons.
Willie’s Witch
Mississippi author Willie Morris popularized the story of the Witch of Yazoo City in his novel Good Ole Boy. According to the legend, a murderous witch had been chased by the Yazoo sheriff and ultimately trapped in quicksand. In her last words before dying, the witch vowed to return from the grave to burn the city to the ground. Years later, in 1904, the city did indeed suffer a devastating fire. Today, heavy chains surround the witch’s grave and local lore warns that the witch will return if the links are broken. The grave is located in Glenwood Cemetery.
Mysterious Meridian
During the Civil War, the Meridian home called Merrehope was declared by General Sherman to be “too beautiful to burn.” In fact, the home was one of only six Meridian homes to be spared from destruction. The 150-year-old home is said to be haunted by two ghosts who have been seen wandering their former home and are believed, by some, to be responsible for making loud unexplained noises. Home tours are available.
Bootique Hotel
Guests to Jackson’s Fairview Inn have reported numerous strange occurrences, including unexplained voices, temperature changes, and even furniture moving throughout the night. The historic inn was investigated in 2018 by the Mississippi Paranormal Research Institute and their spooky findings covered by the Clarion-Ledger that same year. According to the inn owners, the spirits are not malevolent and appear to be fond of dogs.
Haunted Hills
Linden Hill is one of the best-known haunted homes in Mississippi and was recently featured in the Travel Channel series production, Haunted in the Heartland. The Greek Revival home is said to be haunted by the spirit of Beulah Cawthon, a woman who spent 40 years in a mental hospital and was accused of attempted murder against her parents. Visitors have witnessed doors opening seemingly on their own, chandeliers swaying, and lights mysteriously turning on and off. Walking tours of Holly Springs are offered throughout October.
Wailing Waverly
Waverly Mansion was built in 1852 and is one of the state’s most unique and significant historic homes. The home, which is available for tours, is said to be haunted by a young girl, referred to as “little girl lost,” who calls out to her mother and occasionally leaves impressions on one of the home’s beds. Visitors have also reported the ghost of a confederate soldier appearing in mirrors and a ghost rider and horse on the mansion’s grounds.
