Are you in the mood for a ghost hunt? If so, you are definitely in the right state. There are many confirmed places in West Virginia that have an inordinate amount of paranormal activity, but these 11 top the list.
1. The Blennerhasset Hotel - Parkersburg
Not to be confused with the Blennerhasset Mansion, which is on the nearby island of the same name, this 1889 hotel in Parkersburg has several apparitions roaming the halls. A man dressed in grey roams the halls of the second floor and may be responsible for the elevator randomly moving between floors on its own. Another spirit is that of a crying woman, who is purported be the ghost of a woman who was struck by a car near the front entrance. Other reports claim that a little boy also roams the halls. The hotel is located at 316 Market St.
2. Lake Shawnee Amusement Park - Rock
The land that eventually became Lake Shawnee Amusement Park seems to have been cursed right from the start. In 1775, the Clay family became the first settlers on the land. In 1783, the family was attacked by a tribe of Shawnee warriors. Two of the Clay children were killed and a third was kidnapped, only to be burned alive some time later. In the 1950s, the land was developed as an amusement park. Shortly after opening, tragedy struck when a little girl on a swing was killed by a delivery truck. Many years later, a boy drowned in the community pool. After the park closed, a Native American burial ground was discovered on the property. Many artifacts and hundreds of skeletons were unearthed. Many people have reported hearing and seeing children playing on the amusement rides, and others have reported a little girl on one of the swings. Today, the old park remains desolate, its rusted carnival rides left to the elements like abandoned metal skeletons - as much a graveyard above ground as below.
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park is located at 470 Matoaka Rd.
3. Lewisburg
This small town is known for its paranormal activity at numerous locations. At least 10 locations are known for being haunted, such as the General Lewis Inn, Soldier's Memorial Theater, Glen Ferris Inn and Jeters Chapel of the Brethren Cemetery. Witnesses have reported full body apparitions, disembodied voices, cold spots and other strange noises and sensations at various locations.
4. Droop Mountain Battlefield - near Lewisburg
23 miles outside Lewisburg lies Droop Mountain Battlefield, the site of a Civil War battle in 1863. Witnesses have seen the apparitions of soldiers, one of whom is headless, wandering the hill, while others have reported strange noises, such as hooves and sounds of battle.
5. Harpers Ferry
Here is another historic town known for several haunted locations, such as the John Brown Wax Museum and True Treats Historic Candy. Full body apparitions are seen regularly at both locations. At the candy store, the spirits slam doors and often throw candy. The town regularly hosts ghost tours of the different locations, which has been an ongoing event for 47 years.
6. The Lowe Hotel - Point Pleasant
There is a lot of paranormal activity in Point Pleasant, from ghosts to The Mothman. One such location for this activity is the Lowe Hotel. A man wearing a captain's coat is the most well known apparition. Additionally, a woman dances along the mezzanine level, a child rides a tricycle through the hallway, and a string quartet plays ghostly tunes in the fourth floor ballroom. The hotel is located at 401 Main St.
7. Shepherstown
This is another location with city-wide paranormal activity. Shepherdstown has been called the most haunted town in America. Locations include the Historic Shepherdstown Museum, Shepherd University, The Entler-Weltzheimer House, Shepherdstown Sweet Shop & Bakery, and Old English Cemetery.
8. Moundsville Penitentiary - Moundsville
This prison has seen over 100 deaths and executions, not to mention fires, riots and torture. A lot of bad energy has built up in this now abandoned prison, which has reports of everything from apparitions to phantom sounds, and even shadow men. The prison is located at 818 Jefferson Ave.
9. North Bend Rail Trail Tunnel No. 19 - Cairo
This tunnel is known for being haunted by a black-haired woman in a pale dress. Witnesses have reported her as far back as the late 1800s. She is believed to be the spirit of a young bride who was killed by a passing train at the entrance to the tunnel.
10. Camden Park - Huntington
Camden park sits on an ancient Adena burial mound and witnesses have reported apparitions at the park for many years. Most common are apparitions of native American warriors. One was reported holding a knife and chasing another. Even more well known is the apparition of a woman who is always seen sitting in the last car of the park's wooden roller coaster. The park is located at 5000 Waverly Rd.
11. Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum - Weston
This asylum was known for its deplorable conditions, overcrowding and questionable practices. Among the many spirits that haunt this location is that of Lily, a little girl who apparently died within the walls of the facility. She is just one of many who died at the asylum and have never left.
The asylum is located at 71 Asylum Dr.
Obviously, there are more places in the state known for paranormal activity. Which ones would you add to the list? Feel free to comment below and join the discussion.
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If you would like to delve deeper into the paranormal here in the Mountain State, take a closer look at this haunted asylum that is not for the faint of heart.
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