If you’re looking for some spooky tales in time for Halloween, look no further. West Virginia has many ghost stories. Here are just a few of them.
- The murdered slave at Graceland mansion in Elkins
Generic1139 Internet reports said the mansion, now an inn, is haunted by a slave who was beaten to death and buried in the basement. People reported hearing noises and feeling like they were being watching and followed.
- The teenage boy between Jane Lew and Clarksburg
Eric E Johnson A teenage boy reportedly haunts Interstate 79 between Jane Lew and Clarksburg, W.Va. He apparently committed suicide by stepping out in front of an 18-wheeler. According to internet reports, he has been spotted wearing black and standing in the middle of the roadway. He stares at drivers as they pass by. The boy is believed to have been abused in life.
- The Greenbrier Ghost
prairieghosts.com Perhaps the most famous of West Virginia’s ghosts is Zona Heaster Shue, known as the Greenbrier Ghost. Shue was killed by her husband, known as Edward. The man initially covered up Zona’s death by dressing her body himself and not allowing a coroner to get a close look at her. Her cause of death was at first ruled “everlasting faint” and then “childbirth.” After she was buried, Zona’s ghost appeared to her mother and told her that Edward had killed her. The mother in turn eventually convinced the prosecutor of this, and the body was exhumed. When they looked more closely at the body, they found that her neck was broken and her windpipe crushed. Edward was eventually found guilty of murder and sent to prison.
- Sally of the Summersville Food Lion
Sandra F./yelp A young girl called Sally apparently haunts this grocery store in Summersville. She is around 8 years old and is known to knock things off of shelves and then return them to their original spots. She is also said to smash wooden crates into the ground. The managers of the store were reportedly told that the young girl was buried under the store.
- The WVU hitchhikers
Random Michelle/Flickr In the 1970s, two female WVU students were killed while hitchhiking back from seeing a movie. They were apparently picked up in the downtown area and not seen for months until their headless remains were found along route 73 near Fairmont. It is believed that the girls roam the area of Cheat Lake, looking for their heads.
- The soldier and priest at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry
Regimus LaFort/Cardinal John Farley St. Peter’s Catholic Church was used as a hospital during the Civil War. A young soldier apparently haunts the church. He was taken there after he was wounded. The soldier was a Catholic and very glad to be taken to the church. He unfortunately died as he was being carried inside. His last words were reported as “Thank God, I’m saved.” Visitors report a glowing aura from the church and some even say they heard his last words being said. The church is also said to be haunted by a priest.
- The nursing student in Miller Hall at Shepherd University
ShepherdU/Flick Legend has it that a nursing student hung herself in the attic at Miller Hall. In the 1980s, a priest was asked to bless room 201 because students were reporting feeling uncomfortable there, and there were also some strange happenings in the building. Another ghost, that of a 12-year-old girl in Victorian dress with long dark hair, also reportedly roams Miller Hall. She is said to be associated with the Schley family, who owned the building before Shepherd bought it.
- The murdered woman at Babcock State Park
Gabor Eszes A cabin at the state park is reportedly haunted by a woman who was murdered there.
- Nurse Hannah at old Beckley Junior High
Tim Kiser The old Beckley Junior High School used to be a hospital during the Civil War, according to reports on the internet. A nurse named Hannah is said to haunt the building. (Note: this is a picture of downtown Beckley, not the school.)
- The ghost of John Welch in Capitol Theater
Pubdog John Welch is one of two ghosts who reportedly haunt the Capitol Theater in Charleston. He was the son of the man who built the theater and an heir to his fortune. Welch is said to be very protective of the theater. His youngest daughter Molly is also thought to haunt the theater. She can sometimes be seen sitting in the balcony.
- The ghost soldiers of Hilltop Hotel
Brandi K./Tripadvisor The now-closed hotel in Harpers Ferry is reportedly haunted, and apparitions of soldiers marching through the halls have been reported.
Do you know any more West Virginia ghost stories? Ever seen a ghost? Let me know in the comments.
Generic1139
Internet reports said the mansion, now an inn, is haunted by a slave who was beaten to death and buried in the basement. People reported hearing noises and feeling like they were being watching and followed.
Eric E Johnson
A teenage boy reportedly haunts Interstate 79 between Jane Lew and Clarksburg, W.Va. He apparently committed suicide by stepping out in front of an 18-wheeler. According to internet reports, he has been spotted wearing black and standing in the middle of the roadway. He stares at drivers as they pass by. The boy is believed to have been abused in life.
prairieghosts.com
Perhaps the most famous of West Virginia’s ghosts is Zona Heaster Shue, known as the Greenbrier Ghost. Shue was killed by her husband, known as Edward. The man initially covered up Zona’s death by dressing her body himself and not allowing a coroner to get a close look at her. Her cause of death was at first ruled “everlasting faint” and then “childbirth.” After she was buried, Zona’s ghost appeared to her mother and told her that Edward had killed her. The mother in turn eventually convinced the prosecutor of this, and the body was exhumed. When they looked more closely at the body, they found that her neck was broken and her windpipe crushed. Edward was eventually found guilty of murder and sent to prison.
Sandra F./yelp
A young girl called Sally apparently haunts this grocery store in Summersville. She is around 8 years old and is known to knock things off of shelves and then return them to their original spots. She is also said to smash wooden crates into the ground. The managers of the store were reportedly told that the young girl was buried under the store.
Random Michelle/Flickr
In the 1970s, two female WVU students were killed while hitchhiking back from seeing a movie. They were apparently picked up in the downtown area and not seen for months until their headless remains were found along route 73 near Fairmont. It is believed that the girls roam the area of Cheat Lake, looking for their heads.
Regimus LaFort/Cardinal John Farley
St. Peter’s Catholic Church was used as a hospital during the Civil War. A young soldier apparently haunts the church. He was taken there after he was wounded. The soldier was a Catholic and very glad to be taken to the church. He unfortunately died as he was being carried inside. His last words were reported as “Thank God, I’m saved.” Visitors report a glowing aura from the church and some even say they heard his last words being said. The church is also said to be haunted by a priest.
ShepherdU/Flick
Legend has it that a nursing student hung herself in the attic at Miller Hall. In the 1980s, a priest was asked to bless room 201 because students were reporting feeling uncomfortable there, and there were also some strange happenings in the building. Another ghost, that of a 12-year-old girl in Victorian dress with long dark hair, also reportedly roams Miller Hall. She is said to be associated with the Schley family, who owned the building before Shepherd bought it.
Gabor Eszes
A cabin at the state park is reportedly haunted by a woman who was murdered there.
Tim Kiser
The old Beckley Junior High School used to be a hospital during the Civil War, according to reports on the internet. A nurse named Hannah is said to haunt the building. (Note: this is a picture of downtown Beckley, not the school.)
Pubdog
John Welch is one of two ghosts who reportedly haunt the Capitol Theater in Charleston. He was the son of the man who built the theater and an heir to his fortune. Welch is said to be very protective of the theater. His youngest daughter Molly is also thought to haunt the theater. She can sometimes be seen sitting in the balcony.
Brandi K./Tripadvisor
The now-closed hotel in Harpers Ferry is reportedly haunted, and apparitions of soldiers marching through the halls have been reported.
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