We're constantly updating this page, and we also invite those who have additional information or personal experiences of paranormal occurances to write us concerning the Texas hauntings below.... Thanks! mina@texashauntsociety.com |
| Our disclaimer: When investigating places such as those listed below, it's best to obtain permission when possible. It's not a good idea to enter a cemetery at night without checking with local police, as this is considered trespassing, and you could be arrested. Same warning goes for abandoned property, since someone out there may still own the property. Abilene ~ Fort Phantom Lake: A lady in a white wedding dress has been seen walking across the lake at night, then vanishes. Albany ~ Railroad Tracks: Ghostly children help stalled motorists off the tracks: A schoolbus was hit on a railroad track, killing children. It is said that if you park your vehicle on the track, you will feel your car being pushed off the track, supposedly by the ghosts of the children. People claim to have sprinkled baby powder over the bumpers of their cars, to find small hand prints in the powder. (We suggest not parking your car on the tracks to see how true this story is, for obvious reasons!) Alice ~ Alice Lake : A little girl supposedly drowned here, and people have claimed to hear her at night, calling for her mother. Alice ~ Old Hospital P and S : An unplugged call bell has been heard going off on the second floor, when no one is there. Alice ~ Old Rialto Theater: Located on Main Street, this theater closed in the 1980s. Patrons and former employees reported to have seen shadowy figures located in upper darkened hallways, and feelings of being watched from the upper levels. Alice ~ Former Wal-Mart, now a Sutherlands: When this store was a Wal-Mart, a ghost that was nicknamed "Matilda" (or "Matilde") would roam the aisles, playing jokes on employees. Another ghost would cause damange to merchandise and equipment. This store was built on an old homestead belonging to the Collins family, who founded Alice. The Old Collins Cemetery is adjacent to this store. Alexander ~ McDow's Hole: A reported legend of a woman and her baby killed in the 1800s. Killed by Indians who also threw her baby into a creek, her headless ghost walks the creek bed looking for her baby. She is also reported to be holding her head in one arm. Cars have been known to stall on the road by the creek, a ball of light chases passersby, and cars get banged on by an unseen person. Allen ~ Eagle Stadium: Supposedly, an ex-football player haunts Eagle Stadium, his death occured approximately 65 years ago. Witnesses claimed to see the shadow of a figure running on the field around midnight. Others claim he has been seen on Friday nights after a game. (Thanks Mavis, for submitting this info). Alton ~ Bus Crash. at gravel pit at the corner of Five -Mile Road and Bryan Road: Claimed to be the worst school bus accident to date in Texas history, a Dr. Pepper truck hit a Mission school bus on September 21, 1989. Twenty-one children drowned, sixty were injured. Now fenced in, people have heard the sounds of screaming children at night, and figures sitting on the ledge of the pit have been seen. (Locals say there's nothing haunted about the gravel pit, it's just a teen hangout.) Amarillo ~ Bonanza Supermarket (now Gebo's): In the 1980s, an employee was killed in the meat department one night. Now the site of Gebo's, the ghost of the Bonanza employee has moved items and placed them elsewhere, causing Gebo associates to try and avoid doing night inventory. Amarillo ~ Tradewinds Airport: When this airport was a private airstrip, a woman caughter her cheating husband and his mistress in their private plane, killing them both, then committing suicide. Phantom lights are seen in an abandoned hangar, the sounds of arguing have been heard when nothing is there, and the smell of perfume has been noticed, even in strong breezes. Andrews (County) ~ Shafter Lake: Now a ghost town, Shafter Lake is the scene of a "Lady in White" who haunts the small cemetery there. In the Fall season on the night of a full moon, Confederate soldiers and their horses can be seen galloping across where the lake is. Shafter Lake, a small, shallow alkalai lake, lies fifty feet below the elevation of the surrounding land. The town's original name was Salt Lake, later it and the lake were renamed after the army officer who had discovered the lake, William R. Shafter, in 1875. (Thank you, Michael, for this corrected info on the lake itself !) Anson ~ Anson Cemetery and Ghost Lights: According to legend, during the time of the Great Depression, a young child wandered from home on a wintry night. The frantic mother rushed out into the night, searching along the road, holding aloft a lantern to light her way. The child was never found, supposedly frozen to death. To this day the spirit of the distraught mother still searches for her child. The Anson Ghost Light runs along Highway 180 next to the cemetery. Witnesses have reported that a bright light travels along the road, swinging like a pendulum, as if an unseen hand is carrying a lantern in search of a lost child. Anson ~ Haunted Bridge: There are stories told of an old metal bridge on the outskirts of town that is haunted by a hanging victim. Being that it's a metal bridge, it is loud when driven over. Wind can be heard blowing on one side of the bridge, while it is calm on the other side. (Thanks for this submission, Henry) Aquilla ~ Trains but no tracks: Many long years ago, this city burned down twice dut to trains throwing sparks, so all the rails were removed. Every so often around midnight, phantom trains are heard. Some are so loud that residents have been awakened. Train whistles have been heard along with train light seen. Arlington ~ River Legacy Park : Quite a few stories about this one!: The Hobo: Many years ago a Hobo was killed at this park, shot while attempting to help a woman being attacked by her male companion. He has been seen wandering the grounds at night, and has tapped on the windows of cars parked here, also late at night. Screaming Bridge: Now closed to auto traffic, this bridge was the scene of a head-on collision, killing all the teenaged occupants of both cars. Rumors abound that once the bridge is found (it can be walked to through the park), the date of the collision and names of the dead are glowing in the water. Sit in the middle of the bridge on the anniversary of the accident, and a heavy fog will appear and headlights can be seen from either side of the bridge. Hells Gate: A long trail with swamps on either side, shaded by large trees. At the end of the trail is supposedly a large mound of dirt and two fence posts that used to support a fence. Captured spies of the Civil War union were taken here to be hung. The sounds of sobbing are reported to be heard along with whispered prayers. A red haired General wearing a Confederate uniform has been seen . Arlington ~ Six Flags Over Texas Ghost: In the Texas section of the part is the Texas Candy store. Supposedly a former farmhouse moved to Six Flags, a young girl named Amy haunts it. She supposedly drowned in Johnson's Creek and can also be seen walking the railroad tracks, in her room at the candy store, switching lights off and on, opening and closing the curtains. Arlington ~ University of Texas, Sigma Chi Frat House: A former orphanage stood on property that is now Greek Row. It burned, taking the lives of most of the children. A ghost child by the name of Mary enjoys playing tricks on girls who are invited to the frat house. Athens ~ Monkey Bridge: The paw prints of monkeys are presumed to appear after your car is sprinkled with powder. The story goes that long along a circus came to town via train, but was wrecked underneath a bridge in Athens. All the animals perished, but the bodies of the monkeys were never found. Austin ~ Spaghetti Warehouse : A former employee writes to tell us that the basement was a creepy place, workers who had to venture there felt as if someone was watching them. Lights have been known to flicker on and off all over the restaurant, and nothing was wrong with the building's circuitry. The break room on the second floor emitted strange sounds and noises. Austin ~ Austin Pizza Garden: Reports of faces appearing and disappearing in the walls. Austin Central Market ~ Former site of Austin State School and Austin State Hospital: Central Market was built on a portion of land from Austin State School. Claims that a building had been built over an old cemetery have been disputed, as a coffin popped out of the ground next to one of the condemned buildings. The school was razed in April 2005. Before the demolition however, several buildings have had sightings and sounds heard by staff members. Update, 2009: Central Market was actually built on land that was sold off of the Austin State Hospital parcel, and not the Austin State School, which is another location entirely. This Austin State Hospital was constructed in approximately 1857 as the state insane asylum. The land was sectioned off and sold, and the old buildings of Wardd P and the Children's Ward were demolished. The Central Market shopping center was constructed. The clients housed on the old Ward P were really insane and the children lived a gruesome existence in those days. There are likely tortured souls still roaming the grounds and Central Market. (Thanks so much, Connie, for this update!) Austin ~ Harris Park Ave Ghost: Supposedly a family was haunted in their home by a spirit that would move objects at night and would hear thumping noises in the attic. Whenever the husband approached his wife, he would feel a force pushing him away. After researching, the family discovered that a child had been murdered in 1985, after repeated sexual abuse by her uncle and a cousin. The uncle killed the girl after she told her mother about the abuse, hence her ghost now haunts the house she lived in. NOTE: After we researched this, the only child murder story we found in Austin during 1985 occured at an apartment complex, where a six year old child playing outside the complex was kidnapped, raped, strangled, and thrown into a trash dumpster. Austin ~ Garrison Park, child ghosts shoot hoops: Located on Manacaha Road next to Crockett High School, stories abound of phantom children playing on the basketball court. Austin ~ Home Depot at Brodie Lane and US 290, Fred the Ghost: A former employee, Fred loved his job. When he passed away, his daughter supposedly spread his ashes around the garden section. His ghost has been seen in that section, naturally. Austin ~ Logan's on 6th Street: Supposedly haunted by the ghsot of someone who died when the building was a coffee plantation refinery. Glasses swing by themselves, loud cackling laughter is heard on the second floor, and doors swing open. Austin ~ Richard Moya Park, Moore's Crossing Bridge: Closed to auto traffic since the 1990s, this pedestrian bridge is rumored to be haunted by ghosts. Austin ~ The Tavern Restaurant: The figure of a little girl has been seen in a window, a ghost called "Emily" has been seen. Legend has it that sometime in the 1940s, a fight broke out in the tavern. Emily and her young daughter were killed in the fracas. Televisions in the bar supposedly switch channels by themselves. Perhaps the ghosts don't like what's on TV ! Austin ~ Treasury Department: Employees have seen chairs by themseelves, voices calling their names, and paranormal occurances in the library. Big Thicket, Hardin County ~ Big Thicket Light, or the Sarasota Lights: Bragg Road was a seven-mile railroad bed for a Santa Fe branchline from Bragg Station (now Farm Road 1293), to Saratoga. Rails were laid down in 1901 but pulled in 1934. The bed remained and became a well used road through dense woods in the Big Thicket. According to the Handbook of Texas Online, ghostly lights frequented the area where Spanish conquistadors hid treasure, or the light was a bit of fire that never extinguised after the Kaiser Burnout. The light was also said to be the ghost of a man shot during the burnout, during the 1860s. Another story claims that Mexican road workers were killed by their foreman (who refused to pay their wages), so their uneasy souls haunted the piece of ground that cost them their lives. Yet another story claims the light(s) were from a spectral fire pan carried by a night hunter who got lost in the Big Thicket. The most popular story seems to be of the man who sold his farm to work on the railroad line, becoming a brakeman on the "Saratoga". When the railroad cut down on its runs, the man lost his job and died soon after. His restless spirit, carrying its brakeman's lantern, still walks the road bed. (Thanks Wes, for telling us about this haunted site). Big Spring ~ Rockhouse Road: Legend has it that a little girl was run over and killed by an 18-wheeler while out walking. She is said to have appeared in the back seat of cars who drive to the end of this road. At the end of this road, it is said that if you park and turn off the headlights, a figure can be seen walking across the road. (Thanks, Brittanee!) Big Spring ~ Howard County Library : It is said that the basement is haunte. Librarians and helpers have seen books fly off of shelves, and felt cold spots. (via Email). Brownsville ~ (who let the cows out?) On FM511, many a car accident has occured because people claim to see a cow standing in the middle of the road. As you get close to it, the cow will vanish into nothing. Coldspring ~ The Hanging Tree: All we know is that we were told of the Coldspring Hanging Tree (a tree used to hang criminals and others back in the day), and that it is haunted. If anyone would wish to elaborate, please do contact us. Dallas ~ Conspiracy Museum: Located on Market Street, this former railway building is the site of conspiracy theories concerning the JFK, Robert Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln assassinations. The basement has an exhibit of alien and UFO sightings. It also houses a playful spirit, and books have been flung to the floor on occasion. Voices have also been heard. Dallas ~ Cipango Club: Across the street from the Mansion on Turtle Creek and overlooking Turtle Creek itself in Dallas, it has been said that this club was the scene of quite a few hauntings. Workers and patrons alike experienced seeing spirits. The club has been closed for years. We don't know if it's still there or something else took its place, but we always appreciate feedback! Dallas ~ White Rock Lake, The Lady of the Lake: A great 'legend' which is probably just that...a legend. Nearly every town in every state has their own version of this Dallas haunting. (I've even heard similar local stories while growing up in my home state of New Jersey). Take for instance singer Dickey Lee, who in 1965 released a popular song about a ghostly girl he met at a dance, called "Laurie (Strange Things Happen In This World". No, the song isn't about the Dallas legend, but just goes to show you that this 'legend' is everywhere. We've been told that White Rock Lake in Dallas has been the scene of many a haunting, especially when it comes to seeing the spectre of a woman in white who walks along the shoreline. For years, teens parked in their cars for romantic interludes have been startled by the sight of the lady, who appears beside their vehicles, or drifts along the deserted roads surrounding the lake at night. Some report her as being dripping wet, wearing a shimmery white formal gown. There have also been reports of the lady visiting the homes of nearby residents, often ringing their doorbells, and then vanishing. She has often asked for a ride to a house on Gaston Street, then leaving a wet puddle on the seat of the car. This ghostly figure was supposedly the daughter of a wealthy family in the 1920s, who had been on her way home from a Dance when her car drove into the lake. She drowned, while other occupants in the car survived. Update: Oct. 2006: We have been told that the ghost haunting the roads around the lake is believed to be Annie Lawther, who is buried in Oakland Cemetery in Dallas, but upon doing searches of that name for this cemetery, no such name appeared. Cox cemetery in Dallas is on Lawther Drive though...most likely named for former Dallas Mayor Joe E. Lawther, who died in 1943, and isn't buried in either Oakland nor Cox Cemetery. He did have a daughter named Jo Ann, however! Oh, and we can't forget the bridge on Lawther Drive....stop your car, and the engine supposedly dies. Dallas ~ Grand Crystal Palace Theater / Lizard Lounge: Located at 2424 Swiss Ave, the former Grand Crystal Palace was built around 1899. Construction workers were killed during the building process. Ghosts made messes of the old dressing rooms, the painting of a young girl had been haunted by a spirit, and a man in a dark suit has been seen in the audience seating area. Reportedly a dressing room to the left near the stage has felt very cold. Dallas ~ Former Funeral Home / Crematory - turned Nightclub / Bar: This area at Throckmorton and Maple Ave may have been the sight of a former funeral home and crematory. (We've found no such evidence of this yet while researching, hopefully our readers can help us out if it's true)..But the ghost of a woman has been seen on a dance floor, videos fling themselves off of shelves in a DJ booth, and a bar on an adjacent lot has an unexplained stench. Update 2009: We received an email from a website friend who told us that her mother had talked to people who own this home. The owners claim the home had been a sort of 'viewing room' for funerals, the nightclub next door was a crematorium, and the funeral home was across the street to the right. The homeowners claim they have been attacked by an entity in the home. We have the address of the home, but for privacy sake, we're not publishing it here. Dallas ~ LBJ House: 7300 Valley View, near LBJ Freeway, Dallas.. Supposedly, a wife and children were sacrificed in this house. Blood has been seen on walls, cold spots felt in certain areas of the house. It is said to be abandoned for decades, nobody will buy the lot. I came across several different stories about this house when doing online research. While there are the same claims that there was a murder or murder/suicide here, this is where the stories differ. 1): it was the former office of Lambert's Landscape Company, but the owners had problems with the city over pollution in White Rock Creek. It was sold to lawyers in California who then abandoned it. They probably still owned the house, which explains why it's been abandoned for so long. 2) It somehow got the reputation of a murder-suicide/haunted house, but has not been substantiated. 3) The house is marked No Trespassing and is checked by the police often due to vagrants and small fires being set inside the house. Squatters have been living there and the interior reeks of the smells of human excrement and urine, in addition to the exterior being covered in graffiti. 4) Info on another website claims that as of June 2005, the house has burned down. Update: We have been told that as of Aug. 20, 2006, the LBJ house has been demolished, along with other buildings. Only the metal garage/workshop building remains. The area is easily accessible from Valley View Park. There is a bike trail with a bridge that leads from Valley View park. Once you cross over the bridge, you will see the way into the area. Dallas ~ Millermore Mansion: At Old City Park Museum in Dallas, this two story Greek Revival Home from 1861 was the home of a Dallas family for over 100 years. Museum guests, volunteers and staff have sensed the presence of a female spirit there, while on the second floor, ghostly activity is centered around the former Master bedroom and Nursery Dallas ~ Pleasant Grove Christian Church: There has been a rumor circulating that an adult killed some children here long ago. Dallas locals have reported seeing children running and then disappearing, an adult hand brandishing an axe, the sounds of banging and howling within the grounds of the church. The spirit of the adult has been said to appear angry and wants to be left alone, but the spirits of the children don't seem too threatening. Dallas ~ Jerry's Supermarket: On the corner of Jefferson and Llewelyn in Dallas, the second floor of this supermarket is supposedly haunted. Something gives off strange noises which sends the managers and co-workers running. Dallas ~ Oak Cliff, Combs Creek Street: (Dallas) : A little girl who was riding her bike on the railroad tracks supposedly was struck and killed by a train. She now haunts this street by the tracks. Dallas ~ Oak Cliff, Wilbur Street Playground: (Dallas) : In the 1920s, a little girl was playing on the swings when an out of control drunk driver hit and killed her. It is said that you can see the girl swinging on those swings. Dallas ~ Turtle Creek Center: (Dallas) : On September 13, 1989, a successful businessman named Harold was found dead in his office at 9pm, of unexplained causes. His spirit has been seen in the stairways and fire exit of the building. On the 13th and 14th floors a man, with bloody eyes and a fearful look on his face has been seen, then disappears. (note from Mina: we were unable to verify this story, but are leaving it here anyway.) Dallas ~ Majestic Theater, Elm Street: This historic 1920s showplace has been known to experience backdrops moving on their own, phone lines lighting up on their own, strange odors. It's said these occurances are attributed to benefactor Karl Hobilitzelle. Dallas ~ Sons of Hermann Hall: Located at Elm and Exposition since 1911, this music hall venue has had a few unexplained occurances such as voices and the sound of a child's laughter, paintings falling off walls, doors slamming and the sight of a ghost couple. Denton ~ Town Square: "There are stories of the ghost of Sam Bass floating around,but I can't seem to find any online". (via E-mail). Note from Mina: We've searched online ourselves, to no avail. Once again, we always appreciate updates from our web friends! Eagle Pass ~ Texas Ballroom: During the 1950s, an elderly man apparently lost his mind and shot himself in the ballroom. Several people claim to have photos of the man, appearing on film. (We would love to see those photos ! ~ Mina) Eagle Pass ~ Abandoned Radar Base: A party spot for teens, witnesses report seeing spirits and other strange things roaming the former base grounds in Eagle Pass. Edinburgh ~ Museum of South Texas History: Formerly the old courthouse and jail, many a paranormal occurance has been reported here. Voices and the sounds of crying come from the original part of the building. The tower, still standing, had been used to hang convicts sentenced to death. Cold spots are felt in this tower, along with reports of seeing the old hanging rope swinging on occasion, shadows of a hanged man, and feelings of dread while walking up the stairs to the tower. El Dorado ~ Northeast section of town: Sounds of children playing and voices of adults can be heard,when nothing is there. Orbs have been spotted floating along the roads at night. Some homeowners have reported hearing the sounds of dishes breaking, feelings of dread in certain rooms of houses. A hat was seen floating towards the back door of one home, and a ghost dog was spotted at other times. When walking down the streets, additional footsteps can be heard. El Paso ~ Trans Mountain Road, the Ghostly Monk: Sightings of a monk and his donkey walking along this road have been reported over the years. Legend has it that the monk is protecting a lost gold mine where Spanish missionaries hid a large fortune. Transmountain Road runs through the Franklin Mountains of El Paso. El Paso ~ Chase Building: Red lights can be seen on the top floor of this building from a distance, along with the sight of a woman wearing a red dress, on the top floor. El Paso ~ "El Muerto" sightings: A tale from Mexico of a beheaded man who rides his horse through the desert, either holding his head in his lap or hung from a rawhide thong on his saddle. "El Muerto" means "the dead man", or "the dead one." He can be found anywhere along West Texas, Southeast New Mexico, and Northern Chihuahua, Mexico. El Paso ~ Cristo Rey Catholic Church: Part of a cloistered convent, this church is only open to the public during Holy Week. The figure of a kindly older nun, praying at the altar's communion rail has been seen, only to fade away when approached. She is dressed in the traditional habit of the order. El Paso ~ Museum of Modern Art: Formerly located on Montana Street, this museum has moved to the downtown area. The sight of an old woman gazing from a top floor window has been seen. Other paranormal occurances include moaning sounds from the basement, doors opening and closing, flickering lights. El Paso ~ Fire Station #9: A firefighter reportedly died during a fire at this station. It seems that before the call arrives to signal a fire, his ghost will flush toilets and turn lights on to awaken firefighters sleeping at the station. El Paso ~ Fort Bliss: Built in the early 1800s, it is said that a depressed Calvary soldier hung himself in the rafters of building 13, after learning of his forced retirement. The spirit of a Calvary soldier walks the halls, swinging doors in the courtroom often swing by themselves. Building 4 was an old military medical center that has been condemned for decades. The ghost of a soldier who was killed accidentally' in the 1950s by a medic still haunts the building. El Paso ~ La Hacienda Restaurant: On the side of the riverbanks of the Rio Grande which separates El Paso from Juarez, Mexico, the ghostly figure of a woman walks near the restaurant, wailing and asking for her children, who had drowned in the river. Elsa ~ City Hall: At the City Hall there are three buildings shaped in a triangle, where the police station, fire station and city hall are connected. They are said to be haunted. Police and city personnel have witnessed cold spots, shadows, noises and doors that were locked open, and other phenomena. The building used to be a dance hall in the 1960s. (sent via Email). Fort Worth ~ Swift Meat Packing Plant (also Spaghetti Warehouse later on) : The plant is still there, although in very poor condition. Part of the plant succumbed to fire in 1973. Afterwards, the main office building was home to The Spaghetti Warehouse, which closed about four years ago. There were supposedly three ghosts that resided there. When Swift Amour was located there, a mother and little girl were in the office when the receptionist gave the child a piece of candy. The child began to choke on the candy, and the mother took her to the restroom, where she died. The ghost of the little girl has been seen and heard in the downstairs Women's Restroom, slamming the lid of a toilet seat cover. When this building was the Spaghetti Warehouse, the second floor was used for offices and a Banquet room. One of our web friends told us that as soon as she hit the top of the stairs, she felt something there. The temperature dropped suddenly, and she could not move for a few seconds. When she would give tours to the new hires and took them to the third floor (which was never in use and was completely ruined), she would often catch glimpses of a lady. This same lady was also seen walking on the balcony after the building had been locked up for the night. A cage area where dry goods were once stored was said to be frequented by a Cowboy. Strange lights and sounds were said to emanate from this area. The eerie screams of cows at night could also be heard. (This makes sense, it was originally a meat packing plant). There is alot of gang activity in this area, so it's not a safe place to explore. This site is also listed on our Texas Abandoned Places page). (thank you, Sniffles, for updating us and graciously relating your paranormal experiences to us!) Update 2009: "One of the buildings of the plant was used as the set for 'Prison Break' for quite some time but they have moved back to L.A. There are guard towers and a prison fence installed now." (via E-mail) Fort Worth ~ Barbers Books: Once a family-run hotel, then a bookstore and now an antiques store, many have related accounts of the sounds of book pages turning and books slamming shut in vacant store areas, footsteps heard on stairwells, apparitions spotted. One web friend wrote to tell us that a local legend tells the tale of a former building owner who shot his daughter's lover. She later hung herself. (thanks Jack, for relating this legend to us) Fort Worth ~ Scott Theater: Billy Scott, the man who financed this theater, supposedly still haunts the building long after his death from cancer. Paintings from Mr. Scott's personal collection would shift by themselves on the walls. Raucous laughter could be heard from the basement. Presumably an actor named Ken Yandell hung himself from a basement pipe, and haunts the basement's hallways. (our thanks to Millie B, for submitting this story) Fort Worth ~ Del Frisco's Steakhouse: Once the site of a bath house, a man who was bathing was shot through the head and killed. The ghostly apparition of this man is said to be seen in the banquet room and the upstairs bar on occasion. For more Haunted Areas click here |
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