This Halloween, you don’t have to travel far in Charlotte to stumble upon some frightening places. We’re not just referring to I-277’s Exit 3A or the Dowd YMCA at 5 p.m.
While new development is abundant in the Queen City, there’s also no shortage of history. Time has revealed some scary stories that have become local lore.
Whether you’re ready to join the next ghost tour or stay far, far away, here are some of the city’s most haunted places.
Carolina Theatre — A pesky ghost named “Fred” is rumored to be spotted gazing down from the balcony and is blamed for lights mysteriously going out. Let’s hope Fred sticks around after renovations are finished.
Founders Hall — Legend has it, medical students snuck into a Salisbury cemetery in the late 1800s to steal the body of a young woman named Louise. Her spirit is said to be trapped in Founders Hall.
Old Settler’s Cemetery — The city’s earliest settlers rest here, including Charlotteans like Nathaniel Alexander, Thomas Polk, and William Davidson. The most recent burial was in 1878.
Dunhill Hotel — Constructed in 1929 as “Mayfair Manor,” construction workers discovered a human skull in the basement in 1988. The mystery of who the bones belonged to has never been solved.
Bootlegger House — This Fourth Ward landmark used to hide black market alcohol during Prohibition. The owner claims many cases of paranormal activity have happened here, like hearing footsteps, chairs leaning on two legs, and a figure of a man in a raincoat and hat suddenly appearing.
Ri Ra Irish Pub — Ghosts abound in Uptown’s second-oldest building, including men with thick Irish accents and a girl dressed in Victorian clothing writing the alphabet on the entry way bricks.
Charlotte Fire Department, Station 4 — The ghost of firefighter Pruitt L. Black is said to loom after dying on the job in 1934. Visitors claim to see his cigar smoke hanging in the air.
McGlohon Theatre — The former First Baptist Church became a theater in the 1950s, housing ghosts who roam the halls and sing on stage.
Scary, huh? Shoot us a note, and let us know where you think is the most haunted place in Charlotte.
