October brings beautiful changes in the leaves, mild weather, pumpkin spice lattes, and, perhaps most importantly, Halloween! Spooky season is upon us, so we’ve decided to round up some of the most notoriously haunted places in the great Bluegrass State. Dim the lights and get under the covers … these are the most haunted places in Kentucky!
Updated July 2022 by Liza Graves
Perryville Battlefield — Perryville, KY
On October 8, 1862, Kentucky’s biggest and bloodiest Civil War battle took place at Perryville Battlefield. It is believed that around 7,600 individuals were wounded or killed in battle, and their bodies were left to decompose on the battlefield. As a result, many visitors have reported seeing ghost-like figures wandering the grassy fields, sometimes in complete daylight, so it’s no wonder why Perryville Battlefield makes our list of haunted places in Kentucky.
The Old Talbott Tavern — Bardstown, KY
Most infamously known for hosting outlaw Jesse James of the James-Younger Gang, the Old Talbott Tavern is home to a pretty unique history. Not only was James attacked during his stay, but he also believed he saw someone in his room and fired his gun — leaving bullet holes in a painting and on the wall. It’s rumored that James still visits the tavern to this day. He’s not the only one, however. The ghost stories run rampant here. Tavern guests have reported seeing a strange woman, as well as having their stuff moved or even taken. Ready to book your stay?
The Seelbach Hotel — Louisville, KY
“The Lady in Blue,” widely agreed to be Mrs. Patricia Wilson, still roams the halls looking for her husband, who never made it to the Seelbach Hotel. As the legend goes, they’d gone through a rough patch in their marriage and were taking a vacation to rekindle the romance. Unfortunately, Mr. Wilson died in a car accident on the way to the hotel. Not long after, Mrs. Wilson’s body was found at the bottom of an elevator shaft at the hotel. Whether it was a tragic accident or a suicide is still unknown, but should you ever see her wandering about the mezzanine, you can ask her yourself.
Sleepy Hollow Road/Devil’s Point — Prospect, KY
Kentucky’s own “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” takes place on Sleepy Hollow Road. If you find yourself driving late at night, headlights are your only friend and source of light on this winding road. The story goes that a dark hearse will speed up behind you, too close for comfort, and make you so nervous you lose sight of the turns and crash. But if that’s not enough to scare you, take Sleepy Hollow down a little further, and you’ll find Devil’s Point — a site known for satanic rituals and sacrifices, haunting chants and bonfires with people dressed in black robes.
Kentucky State Penitentiary — Eddyville, KY
If there’s anywhere that hosts “tortured souls,” it’s the Kentucky State Penitentiary. This maximum security and supermax prison can hold up to 856 prisoners at a time. This prison has a long history of abuse, a prison break, two death penalty executions, and one death from a hunger strike. Rumored to be haunted, prison guards and inmates have reported voices and footsteps when no one is there. Disembodied screams and other chilling experiences add to the scare factor.
Bobby Mackey’s Music World — Wilder, KY
Come for a drink, stay for the ghosts! Bobby Mackey’s Music World is not only one of the most haunted places in Kentucky but it has also been given the title of “the most haunted nightclub in America.” With paranormal activity considered the norm, management has even had to put up a sign saying they’re not responsible for anything the ghosts do. This former slaughterhouse-turned-haunted nightclub has been featured on just about every ghost hunter-type TV show there is, and it’s a popular tourist destination for those seeking a spooky experience.
Waverly Hills Sanatorium — Louisville, KY
Known for being Louisville’s most visited haunted house, Waverly has a history like no other. It opened in 1910 due to an outbreak of tuberculosis and was designed to treat up to 50 patients. However, TB spread like wildfire, and the hospital found itself treating 140 people at once. Because the disease was so contagious, patients were not able to live outside of Waverly’s walls. It became its own community, complete with a ZIP code, post office, and more.
Expansions began in the early 1920s, making Waverly capable of hosting over 400 patients. When a cure was found, the tuberculosis hospital was no longer necessary. It was closed down and quarantined, then later reopened as Woodhaven Medical Services. That facility closed as well, and the property owners found no reason to maintain the appearance of the building. In 2001, the building was purchased and restored to serve those who love the paranormal through ghost tours, a commercialized haunted house, and even the opportunity to stay overnight … if you dare.
Do you have chills yet?
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