“It was drenched in blood, from old battlefields to entire city districts whose streets are shrouded by paranormal mystery, terror, and an abundance of fascinating history lurking below the tall reeds of the Bluegrass State. That is why Speakeasy is bringing you our picks for the most haunted places in Kentucky, starting with number 10: Western Kentucky University.
Western Kentucky University, founded in 1906 in Bowling Green, is known for numerous hauntings across its campus, making it the perfect place to kick off this countdown. Pierce Ford Tower is said to be haunted by a student who tragically fell down an elevator shaft while returning from a shower. His spirit is now reported to be forever roaming the halls in a towel. The apparition of a woman named Casper Ella by staff and students is frequently seen and felt throughout Potter Hall. Believed to be the spirit of a woman who hung herself in the basement in the 1970s, several students have attempted to communicate with her using an Ouija board. The efforts often result in terrifying noises, rattling drawers, objects moving independently, and instances of her spirit pestering students throughout the campus. In addition, many people have reported extreme cold spots, terrifying shadow figures, and the unsettling feeling of being watched.
Number 9 is Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, a religious community near Harrodsburg, active from 1805 to 1910. The area is a well-known haunted hotspot, with staff and visitors reporting numerous full-bodied apparitions of varying age and appearance. Local legend posits it is a supernatural mecca, leading to various speculations about the cause. Multiple investigations have recorded high EMF levels, orbs in photographs, and random cold spots throughout the area. Several people have also reported feeling a heaviness in their chests, breathing on the back of their necks, and being watched by unseen eyes. The most disturbing hauntings are said to occur near the pond, where witnesses have heard the sounds of infants crying in the dark, an unsettling phenomenon that has driven several people to flee the area in terror.
Our number 8 pick is The Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site in Perryville, the site of one of the bloodiest battles in American history. The Battle of Perryville, also known as the Battle of Chaplain Hills, occurred in 1862 and resulted in more than 7,000 casualties. The site is dotted with many old structures, and activity has been reported throughout almost everyone. Reports include orbs in photographs, disembodied boot steps, the smell of tobacco smoke, and phantom musket fire at night. Several people have reported full-bodied apparitions of ghostly soldiers in uniform marching about the grounds. However, the most notable accounts are from unsuspecting guests who report observing what they believe are reenactments, only to witness hundreds, maybe even thousands, of men vanish into thin air.
Coming in at number 7 is The University of Kentucky. Founded in 1865, it’s the state’s largest and possibly most haunted university. Students and faculty have reported an overwhelming number of paranormal occurrences around campus, including light switches flicking on and off by themselves, odd and unexplainable noises emanating from dark corners, and the pervasive feeling of being watched, particularly in the dorms. There are frequent malfunctions of electronics and appliances, often acting as if they have minds of their own; even fully charged cell phones are known to go dead within minutes. In the library, shadowy figures are regularly seen whispering as they move among the rows of books. Castle Hall is said to be haunted by a mysterious dark figure that lurks in the shadows. This apparition has been described as tall and intimidating, with glowing red eyes that pierce the soul.
Number 6 on our list is Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville. Chartered in 1848, it’s the final resting place for many famous figures, including Muhammad Ali and Colonel Sanders. Those brave enough to explore the cemetery, especially at night, report seeing full-bodied apparitions strolling between the headstones, hearing disembodied voices in the dark, and disturbing ghostly laughter. Many say it’s as if the spirits come out to socialize after dark. Investigators have reported shadowy figures floating through the skies, mysterious lights among the graves, and an inexplicable feeling of panic when activity peaks. Orbs have been captured in many photographs and videos, and disembodied footsteps are often heard rushing up from behind. The cemetery’s most famous spirit is Colonel Sanders, dressed in his trademark white suit. He has been known to engage in conversation with the living from time to time.
The Kentucky State Capitol, built in 1905, is our number 5 pick. Multiple full-bodied apparitions dressed in clothing from different eras have been seen throughout its halls, some seemingly oblivious to the living. These spirits are often blamed for lights turning on and off, doors opening and closing on their own, and random extreme cold spots. In addition, several people have reported hearing footsteps when no one else is around, seeing objects move independently, and experiencing strange noises. The most famous spirit seen here is a soldier in full uniform, who is said to patrol the halls with a stern look and a guarded stance.
At number 4, we have The Doe Run Inn. However, it was built initially as Stevenson’s Mill, construction on the more extensive section started in 1780 and took ten years, with a minor part added in the early 1800s. The mill later functioned as a barn for several years before being bought and transformed into a hotel in 1901, renamed the Doe Run Inn. In 1958, the building was believed to be haunted by a single entity: a friendly man with a knack for mischief. Known to hide guests’ belongings, plunge entire rooms into darkness, and frequently appear on the stairway, this ghostly figure seems to enjoy playing pranks on the living. His favorite trick is to tie unsuspecting victims’ shoelaces together, then wait for them to stand and lose their footing.
The Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville, completed in 1886, is our number 3 pick. Known as the Castle on the Cumberland due to its location and appearance, the prison was designed to segregate prisoners as much as possible, a practice that led to extreme psychological distress for the inmates. Nevertheless, many of their souls are believed to linger within the prison walls. Over the years, guards and inmates have reported terrifying happenings such as the disembodied sounds of riots in empty halls, tormented screams from unoccupied cells, and even physical encounters with what feels like invisible hands. Eyewitnesses have described seeing ghostly prisoners in old uniforms within the depths of the building and in work areas like the kitchen and laundry room. Also reported is the shadowy apparition of a sheriff, complete with a traditional sheriff’s hat. Little is known about him, but it is said that all other paranormal activities cease instantly when he enters a room.
At number 2 is The Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville. Opened in 1909 to accommodate the tuberculosis outbreak, it has been featured in numerous movies, television shows, and publications. Throughout its history, many people met gruesome ends here, leaving behind a host of restless spirits. Those brave enough to explore its ominous halls have reported numerous paranormal occurrences, including unusually high EMF levels, ghostly smoke from nowhere, and loud banging sounds. Several people have reported seeing ghostly wheelchairs moving on their own in the halls and faces appearing suddenly in reflections. The most disturbing reports involve translucent doctors, nurses, and decaying patients roaming the grounds at night. The spirits here have become hostile to the living, even shoving and hitting them. If you want to explore this site, please exercise extreme caution.
Number 1 on our list is unique as it’s not an actual specific location but multiple rural areas throughout Kentucky and parts of Tennessee. A mysterious and reportedly dangerous creature, known only as the Beast of the Land Between the Lakes, stalks the forests between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. This creature has been sighted so frequently over the years that it has risen to the ranks of other famous cryptids, such as the Jersey Devil or Bigfoot. Described as a wolf-like creature with the dark torso of a man, it has been seen running on all fours and walking upright on two legs. When standing, many reports it is as tall as eight feet. Local legend suggests the Beast may be the spirit of a Native American shapeshifter who was killed mid-transformation between man and wolf. If true, the spirit would regard the entire area as its home, one with nature. This may explain why it can seemingly appear in various places almost instantly. However, we strongly recommend you avoid trying to find this creature. It has been responsible for property damage, scratches, and bites and has even been linked to several deaths. Given the overwhelming number of reports of this mysterious and dangerous creature and the fact that it seems capable of causing physical harm, it’s no wonder we chose the Beast of the Land Between the Lakes as our pick for the most haunting in Kentucky.
That concludes our list of the most haunted places in Kentucky. If you enjoyed this video, please subscribe to our channel, give us a thumbs up, and share it with all your friends. There’s plenty more to come. Until next time.