Charleston is one of the oldest cities in the United States with more than 300 years of history, which means it comes as no surprise that there are plenty of ghostly places of interest to get spooked.
If you’re looking to rent an apartment in this historic city, this guide will also let you know exactly which haunts to avoid if you’re a bit faint of heart.
The Old Exchange Building is a landmark that played an important role in Charleston’s past. During the American Revolution, the building served as a prison, housing soldiers accused of treason, thieves, and violent thugs. At one point, Blackbeard, one of the most infamous pirates to ever sail the seas, was locked inside this building awaiting trial.
Now, there are reports that the ghosts of tortured souls roam the building, making this one of the most haunted places in Charleston. People who have ventured inside have reported hearing the sound of sliding chains, moans coming from hallways and corners, and the screams of ghosts who are still trying to find their way out of the prison.
One particularly famous haunt is the Unitarian Church Graveyard, which features faded gravestones and thick foliage that helps guard the secrets of this mysterious cemetery. On a dark night, it’s said that you can see the phantom of Annabel Lee roaming the grounds.
You may be familiar with the name, as it is the same title of one of Edgar Allen Poe’s most famous poems. The two were lovers who would meet secretly inside the cemetery. Lee’s father opposed the two seeing one another, mainly due to Poe being only a low-born sailor in the Navy. As a result, Poe was deemed unworthy of courting the much wealthier Lee.
When Poe’s lover died of yellow or dengue fever–it’s not clear exactly what disease brought Lee’s untimely death–the father made sure that Poe couldn’t find which gravestone was hers by leaving her grave unmarked. As a result, the lovers never got a chance to make their proper farewells, and now her anguished ghost must walk the graveyard for eternity, searching for her lost lover.
When living in Charleston, it’s possible to get a bite to eat in a haunted setting. Sure, that might not be for everyone, but Poogan’s Porch does serve some great food that can make having a ghost at your dinner table a slightly more tolerable experience. The reported ghost, Zoe Armand, who used to live in the house, was a spinster and reportedly very fond of children, but not such a big fan of adults.
When she passed away, she never left the home she loved and continues to haunt those who stop by Poogan’s Porch. The restaurant has seen dishes rotating in the air and strange apparitions that appear in the photos taken on the property. Next time you’re having a meal here, don’t be surprised to feel a gentle brushing on your shoulder. That’s just Zoe letting you know she’s there.
Charleston is well known for its performing arts scene, featuring plenty of places to catch a play or watch a live show. The Dock Street Theater has been around since 1735 and has experienced plenty in terms of catastrophe over the centuries, including an earthquake and multiple fires.
Although the theater still puts on shows, cast members, stagehands and theatergoers must also contend with two ghosts who still roam throughout this old theater. The more famous of the two ghosts is the southern actor Junius Brutus Booth, none other than the father of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin who killed Abraham Lincoln. It is said that Junius is especially unfriendly towards those with northern roots, in sympathy toward his son.
Unfortunately, if you’re a man from the north enjoying a show at this theater, let’s just say that it might be a good idea to watch your back during intermission.
Charleston provides a great standard of living for the non-living, which might be why it attracts so many ghosts–but it also happens to be a great place for cultural activities, recreation and fun, making it a great city for the living, too.
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