Tell Me a Story
The husband and I decided to get into the Halloween spirit last night, and so we watched “Most Haunted Live.” This is a British show where a woman named Yvette goes with a group of ghost hunters (including a clairvoyant, a sound guy, a camera guy, and usually some other random people) to supposedly haunted locations. It is usually dark and shot in night vision, increasing the creepiness with green eyes. They are constantly jumping or shrieking after hearing bumps, scraping noises, moans, or growling. The clairvoyant senses the identity of the spirits haunting the place. In last night’s episode, people were actually cut and scraped on the legs by spirits. I don’t know whether I believe in ghosts or not, but I definitely don’t NOT believe in them. (I know. Double negative. Sue me.) This show cracks me up, partially because it is so overdramatic and funny, in a British-cum-American kind of way, and partially because it never fails to amaze me how much my usually entertainment-snobbish husband loves it. While watching it, I pulled out the laptop to check out their website and see more information about the evening’s location, the Niddry vaults, below Edinburgh, which is supposedly one of the most haunted places in the world.
I started to wonder about Atlanta’s own ghost stories and haunted locations, and was reminded of the ghost stories of my own hometown. As a teen, living in North Fulton, our most haunted places and the subjects of urban legend were “the Sausage Factory” and “Devil Worshipper’s Road.” We would drive out to Devil Worshipper’s Road year round, but visits increased in October. You can read about the Devil Worshipper’s Road legend and one of my high school graduate’s experiences with it here, but don’t bother trying to find it: It is now North Point Mall. I never did go to the Sausage Factory, so I cannot vouch for its authenticity. I also could not find mention of it while doing a Google search.
All of this trip down memory lane piqued my interest in other Atlanta area ghost stories and haunted places. I came across tons of interesting stuff: The book Haunted Atlanta alludes to a ghost in Kirkwood, among many others. Moore’s Ford Bridge in Monroe, supposedly haunted by 1940’s lynching victims. (Sadly, charges have never been brought in this case.) A local ghost hunters forum. Kennesaw Battlefield. The haunted Donaldson House in Dekalb County. Anthony’s Restaurant. I also found a long list of haunted places all over Georgia.
I would love to hear others. Do you know of any other haunted locales in the Atlanta area? Tell me your favorite local ghost story.
The old Georgia Retardation Center which is now Brook Run off of North Peachtree Rd in Dunwoody is a great place to go. My wife & I snuck in there late one evening and went into a few of the old buildings that were fenced off. We got some great pictures of orbs and such floating around.
Also Devil’s Turnaround in Marietta off of Hwy 41 is an old cemetary near Barrett Pkwy that is a pretty good place to get spooked at night. More orbs as well as a good friend of mine that went with us left with unexplained scratches on his arms & back. He didn’t have these before and there were no briar patches or anything else that he could have been scratched by. Pretty cool.
Not in the ATL area, but if you venture down Southwest Ga. way, there are many haunted places to behold, especially in Sumter County. The local theater, the Rylander, is haunted (http://www.americustimesrecorder.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_005023735), as is the old Victorian hotel, the Windsor. (http://www.americustimesrecorder.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_002205235). In fact the Windsor was just named an Authentic Haunted Hotel by the Big Bend Ghost Trackers from Tallahassee, Fla. in Sept. of this year.
Then there is nearby Andersonville, home of one of the most infamous Prisoner of War camps in the nation. It is been the subject of many a ghostly investigation (http://www.americustimesrecorder.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_365083605)
Even President Carter has experienced an haunting in Sumter county: http://www.americustimesrecorder.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_005050435
Then there is this old house:
http://www.americustimesrecorder.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_364093905
And lastly, but not finally, there is this location, 3 Bridges Road: http://www.americustimesrecorder.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_005072705
So if you are looking for a fun (and haunting) weekend trip, just drive down to Americus, Ga!
Ah, Captain – Yes, both the mental hospital and Devil’s turnaround were mentioned in a few different spots. Forgot about those. Interesting about the friend and the scratches – tres spooky.
Thanks, Deb! SEems like if it is close enough for a day trip, it can count for an atlanta haunt. . . at least until we get Metroblogging Americus set up.
You can also try the Roswell Ghost Tour. It’s open year round and my wife and I have had a blast when we go. Check their calendar because they have guest “ghost” experts join them all the time for their tours.
Found a metblogs entry from a few years ago — http://atlanta.metblogs.com/archives/2004/08/the_masquerade.phtml
Growing up around Marietta I remember being properly terrified of the witch’s graveyard and Kennesaw battlefield at night.
And now I’ve been reading stories about haunted Georgia and am completely and totally spooked. Thanks, Annie :)
Like you, I have just recently become interested in investigating the paranormal. Myself and a few friends are going to Kennesaw this weekend (we live in Atlanta) and would like to visit the Devil’s Turnaround. Can you tell me about where this is located?