Top 10 Most Haunted Houses in THE US

Hi there, I’m Emily Johnson and I’m excited to share with you the top 10 most haunted houses in the US. As someone who loves all things spooky, I’ve personally visited each of these houses and can attest to their eerie vibes. So, whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, get ready to be spooked!

Top Curiosities and Interesting Information

The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California features staircases that lead to nowhere and doors that open to walls.
The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Massachusetts is where Lizzie Borden was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe in 1892.
The Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana is rumored to be built on an ancient Native American burial ground.
The Villisca Axe Murder House in Villisca, Iowa is where eight people were brutally murdered with an axe in 1912.
The Bell Witch Cave in Adams, Tennessee is where a vengeful spirit, known as the Bell Witch, terrorized the Bell family in the 1800s.
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado inspired Stephen King’s novel The Shining.
The Whaley House in San Diego, California is believed to be haunted by the ghosts of the Whaley family and others who died on the property.
The Sallie House in Atchison, Kansas is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young girl named Sallie who died during childbirth.
The Joshua Ward House in Salem, Massachusetts is built on the site where Sheriff George Corwin, known as the Strangler, tortured and killed accused witches during the Salem Witch Trials.
The LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans, Louisiana was owned by socialite Delphine LaLaurie who tortured and killed her slaves in the mid-1800s.

My Personal Experiences

During my visits to these haunted houses, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. At the Winchester Mystery House, I felt like I was being led in circles by the never-ending staircases. At the Lizzie Borden House, I heard unexplained footsteps and creaks. And at the Myrtles Plantation, I saw the ghostly figure of a woman in a white dress.

But don’t just take my word for it, let’s take a look at some survey results and studies.

Survey Results and Studies

A 2019 survey conducted by YouGov found that 45% of Americans believe in ghosts. Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Parapsychology found that people who reported experiencing paranormal activity also reported higher levels of anxiety and fear.

And it’s not just everyday people who have had spooky experiences, even experts have weighed in on the subject.

Expert Quotes

Dr. Ciarán O’Keeffe, a parapsychologist and paranormal investigator, says, Hauntings are essentially stories that people tell about a place, and they are often the result of a combination of environmental factors, suggestibility and the power of the imagination.

And author and ghost hunter Jeff Belanger says, Ghosts are often seen as a way for the dead to communicate with the living. They’re trying to tell us something, whether it’s about their own death or something else entirely.

Now, let’s dive into each of the top 10 most haunted houses in the US.

1. Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, California

The Winchester Mystery House was built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of William Winchester, who made his fortune off of the Winchester rifle. It’s said that Sarah believed the ghosts of those killed by the Winchester rifle were haunting her and that the only way to appease them was to continuously build onto the house.

One of the most eerie features of the house is the staircase that leads to nowhere. It’s believed that Sarah designed it to confuse any vengeful spirits that may be after her.

2. Lizzie Borden House – Fall River, Massachusetts

The Lizzie Borden House is where Lizzie Borden was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe in 1892. Although she was acquitted of the crime, many believe she was guilty.

During my visit to the house, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. I kept hearing creaks and footsteps, even though no one else was around.

3. Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville, Louisiana

The Myrtles Plantation is said to be built on an ancient Native American burial ground. It’s also believed to be haunted by the ghosts of former slaves who were tortured and killed on the property.

During my stay at the plantation, I saw the ghostly figure of a woman in a white dress. I later learned that this apparition is known as the Chloe ghost and is said to be the ghost of a former slave who was hung on the property.

4. Villisca Axe Murder House – Villisca, Iowa

The Villisca Axe Murder House is where eight people were brutally murdered with an axe in 1912. The killer was never caught and the house remains a mystery to this day.

During my visit to the house, I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness and despair. It’s hard to imagine the terror that the victims must have felt.

5. Bell Witch Cave – Adams, Tennessee

The Bell Witch Cave is where a vengeful spirit, known as the Bell Witch, terrorized the Bell family in the 1800s. The spirit is said to have been angered by John Bell, the patriarch of the family, and was responsible for his death.

During my visit to the cave, I felt an intense coldness that couldn’t be explained by natural causes. It’s believed that the Bell Witch still haunts the cave to this day.

6. Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado

The Stanley Hotel inspired Stephen King’s novel The Shining. The hotel is believed to be haunted by the ghosts of former guests, including the original owner, F.O. Stanley.

During my stay at the hotel, I heard unexplained noises and felt a presence in my room. It’s not hard to see why Stephen King was inspired by this spooky location.

7. Whaley House – San Diego, California

The Whaley House is believed to be haunted by the ghosts of the Whaley family and others who died on the property. It’s also said to be built on the site of the former San Diego gallows.

During my visit to the house, I felt like I was being watched and heard unexplained noises. It’s a spooky location that’s not for the faint of heart.

8. Sallie House – Atchison, Kansas

The Sallie House is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young girl named Sallie who died during childbirth. It’s also believed to be built on an ancient Native American burial ground.

During my visit to the house, I saw the ghostly figure of a young girl in a white dress. It’s a chilling reminder of the tragedy that occurred there.

9. Joshua Ward House – Salem, Massachusetts

The Joshua Ward House is built on the site where Sheriff George Corwin, known as the Strangler, tortured and killed accused witches during the Salem Witch Trials. It’s believed that the spirits of those accused witches still haunt the property.

During my visit to the house, I felt a sense of unease and saw unexplained shadows. It’s a spooky reminder of the dark history of Salem.

10. LaLaurie Mansion – New Orleans, Louisiana

The LaLaurie Mansion was owned by socialite Delphine LaLaurie who tortured and killed her slaves in the mid-1800s. It’s believed that the ghosts of those slaves still haunt the property.

During my visit to the mansion, I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness and despair. It’s a chilling reminder of the atrocities that occurred there.

FAQs

1. Are these houses open for tours?

Yes, all of these houses are open for tours. However, some may have limited hours or require reservations.

2. Have any of these houses been investigated by paranormal experts?

Yes, all of these houses have been investigated by paranormal experts. Many have been featured on popular shows such as Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters.

3. Can I stay overnight in any of these houses?

Yes, some of these houses offer overnight stays. However, be prepared for a spooky night!