There's just something unnerving about abandoned places in North Dakota that are empty, decaying shells of the past. They are the type of places you want to get close to out of curiosity, but there's always something keeping you from stepping inside. You never know what might be lurking in the shadows within, and the thought of that is probably enough to make you leave and be unable to turn off your lights at night. Alternatively, there are some places that look perfectly normal until you learn the histories and stories behind them. The following eight places in North Dakota are perfect, creepy examples of exactly those things:
1. Ambrose
Now, that looks like something straight from a horror film, luring people inside only for them to find out it is haunted beyond their worst nightmares. This old building in Ambrose, a ghost town in North Dakota, is one of only a few that still stand in the town. Nature is certainly taking its toll on it, and it has turned into a spooky and disturbing spot that most people probably wouldn't explore for too long, especially after dark.
The tiny ghost town of Sims doesn't have much left standing save for this church and parsonage that are actually still in use today. From the outside they look totally normal and quite pretty tucked up in the prairie hills, but there is a history behind these that would make anyone who believed in ghosts stay far, far away. The story goes that a ghost known as the "Gray Lady" has been haunting this place for over half a century. She was the wife of the minister at the church in the early 1910s and died inside the house. Her lingering spirit has scared away multiple preachers and ministers. It got to the point that the locals asked a nearby bishop to come and do something about the ghost, but there aren't any records showing whether or not he ever attempted to. One man even claimed to have spoken to the ghost once. This "Gray Lady" has definitely put this place at the top of North Dakota's most haunted spots.
Although this large home in Bismarck looks grand more than anything, you might want to keep far away from it if you're afraid of ghosts. In 1898, the then-governor of North Dakota, Frank Briggs, died of tuberculosis in the master bedroom of the house. According to legend, his spirit never left the house. Visitors to the mansion, and people who work there today, have heard footsteps, seen doors open and close on their own, and have even recorded a ghostly voice saying not to go up into the attic. Many people believe there is definitely something paranormal going on here. Would you visit this mansion?
Even from the outside, anyone can see this place holds some darkness within it. The deteriorating walls of this huge hospital complex does indeed hold a mysterious and dark past. This sanatorium was once used for treating tuberculosis patients, and it later became an insane asylum before closing its doors due to highly questionable practices being performed on the patients as well as bad living conditions for them. What horrors happened within these walls are unspeakable, and today the entire grounds stand vacant and are slowly withering away. Vandals have contributed greatly to its decline, and many people claim that there are tortured souls still lingering here.
5. Marmarth
Although a handful of people still live in Marmarth, a majority of this place has turned into nothing but a ghost town. Abandoned buildings are common here, just rotting away. It is certainly eerie to see from the outside of these buildings, let alone from the inside. Empty buildings here include both houses and businesses, and it certainly deserves a spot on North Dakota's list of most creepiest towns.
6. State Hospital for the Insane
Even though today this place is a modern hospital still in use, back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was used as an insane asylum taking in more patients than it could handle. It had crowded conditions for the patients who were being treated for their mental disabilities and illnesses in ways we would never even think of doing today. Although asylums of those days had good intentions, there were a large amount of misunderstandings on how to deal with these patients. Some people still believe this place is haunted by some of the patients from long ago.
7.Alkabo
This abandoned ghost town in North Dakota looks like everyone just up and left all at once, leaving nothing but the hint that it was once occupied. The storefronts stand vacant and the schoolhouse stands silent. Not much here stirs, and you'd probably find yourself feeling a bit nervous walking through such a place alone. I know I would!
Located in Fargo, this cemetery is like most others and is frequently visited by those who wish to pay their respects to friends and family who have passed. However, there are other people who visit here to see if a local urban legend is true. It is said that a certain mausoleum in the cemetery has a mysterious presence within it. If you set an audio recording device on it, you might pick up a knocking sound that apparently comes from inside. No one really knows what it is, but it certainly keeps people from going here.
Not scared enough yet? Then you just might be interested in testing your bravery on the North Dakota Haunted Road Trip.
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