The Top 5 Most Haunted Places in Kentucky

From all over Kentucky, these haunted places will give you goosebumps

Credit%3A+Miles+Davis%2C+via+Flickr

Credit: Miles Davis, via Flickr

Robert Sunseri, Staff Reporter

5. Campbell House 

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Credit: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ 

Created in Lexington in 1951, this historic hotel has been famous for its southern charm and elegant style. However, in the late 60’s, local legend says there were two murders on the premises of the hotel. First, a woman was stabbed on the main stairwell of the hotel, where you can still see her bloodstains to this day. The second murder was a woman shot in her room. The hotel has not publicly announced which room she was shot in, but visitors today still report hearing screams from women in the lobby and in other rooms.

4. Cave Hill Cemetery

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Credit: https://www.cavehillcemetery.com/ 

Cave Hill Cemetary, located in Louisville, is known for its housing of famous deceased souls. Built in 1800, its Victorian style architecture is made very evident. Many famous icons that are buried here include Colonel Sanders and Mohammed Ali. But like many cemeteries, this one has numerous reports of ghosts. Guests claim to hear unembodied footsteps and unexplained sounds in the cemetery. One thing is for sure – don’t go alone at night.

3. Kentucky State Capitol

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Credit: https://www.kentucky.com/

The Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort is one of the most beautiful buildings made in Kentucky. Not only its outside but its inside resembles a castle. Officially completed in 1830, this ancient building has no absence of haunting essences. On the afternoon of Friday, February 28, 1890, a congressman was fatally shot in the back on the marble staircase leading to the press room. Nowadays, many who work at the building who have no knowledge of the incident report their legs being grabbed when walking down that very staircase.

2. Belle of Louisville

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Credit: https://www.gotolouisville.com

The Belle of Louisville is a steamboat that is now docked on the Louisville Harbor. Built in 1914, the boat was operated by the City of Louisville under the West Memphis Packet Company. Many people know of the boat, but few know about the hauntings that occurred there. During WWII, Captain Ben Winters was installing slot machines, which was considered gambling and illegal at the time. The police were tipped and, as they were raiding the boat, Captain Winters had a heart attack and died in his cabin. Today, workers of the boat see the boat’s wheel turning on its own and strange noises coming from the cabin. Not only does Captain Winters haunt the vessel, but many workers also report a man named Floyd, who was a former deckhand, roaming the boat. Floyd died when he was crushed by one of the pitman’s arms. Reports say workers can hear his whistling, the same whistling he did when he was alive.

1. Waverly Hills Sanatorium

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Credit: https://www.ghostlyactivities.com 

Waverly Hills Sanatorium — just its name gives you chills. In the early 20th century, Tuberculosis was on the rise in Louisville. The city ordered the construction of a building to act as a hospital in order to treat the outbreak. Opened in 1910, it could house 40-50 patients, and, by 1912, a children’s wing was added to treat another 40 patients. Countless deaths and suffering occurred in the building. By 1943, the building was practically useless since a cure had been found. Although the Sanatorium officially closed its doors in 1963, the patients never truly left. Many people have tried to use the building and/or land but have not been successful. Guests and trespassers hear screaming and clawing noises throughout the halls. Most say the scariest part of the hospital is the children’s pavilion, where you can still hear their screeching cries. In 2001, the owners of the land turned the building into a haunted house attraction each Halloween. During the rest of the year, you can take a paranormal tour of the building. To learn more about the haunted house or tours, click here.