I don’t know about you, but growing up in South Carolina (in the Low Country, I might add) I was inundated with ghost stories, haunted houses, and haunted places. Much to my delight, a lot of them were right outside my back door so to speak. However, it didn’t frighten me in the least, on the contrary, I became absolutely enthralled in the history of them and growing up did not diminish my interest. Here are 15 of the most haunted places in South Carolina that will send chills down your spine.
- South Carolina Lunatic Asylum (Columbia, SC)
Kelly Built between 1822-1827, this building had been around for quite some time for it to have its own ghost stories. Whether or not any of these stories are true, would you really want to hang out in an old insane asylum? The building’s roof suffered from a fire in recent years but was repaired at the cost of the state. It’s now owned by a private company that has plans of renovating it into apartments by 2022. Please note: It’s located on private property.
- Admiral’s House (Charleston Naval Base)
itsbrandoyo Built in 1905, it not surprising that this house has a history. The story goes that at night you can see a small slave girl in a clump of trees on the property.
- Baynard Plantation (Hilton Head)
Meridith112 The story states that if you visit, you can hear and/or see the funeral procession of William Baynard passing by the ruins of his home. P.S. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I would be hanging around this place anywhere past the setting of the sun.
- Crybaby Bridge (Anderson, SC)
Jimmy Gilstrap Too many tales to tell. However, it is said that if you stop on this bridge at night, cut off your car, you can hear the crying of a baby and see the mother walking the bridge looking for her child. My sister has personal experience with this phenomena and I have to say that I’ve never seen my sister so scared as when she is recounting the story of that night. It is definitely worthy of being considered one of the most haunted places in South Carolina.
- Cypress Garden Ruins (Monck’s Corner, SC)
Herdintheupstate These ruins are not real as they are left over from the filming of the movie, The Patriot. However, many people have said that they have heard and felt strange things as they passed by them. P.S. I’m sure they are quite bone-chillingly creepy when you see them in person just standing there in the middle of the swamp.
- Hell’s Gate/Oakwood Cemetery (Spartanburg, SC)
Beautiful Cemetery This cemetery has the honor of being known by most as the “most haunted place in South Carolina”. It is said that you will have phone problems during the day, i.e., the phone battery draining, a busy signal, phone ringing when it has been cut off. At night however, it is said you will see orbs, a white shrouding mist, and the laughter of children. NOTE: If you do go there after dark, please be careful and do not go alone. There have been many problems with vandals and such.
- The Abandoned Mansion (Santee, SC)
Matt Teaford It is not known when this place was built nor when it was abandoned. It is known, however, that upstairs lights have been seen flickering.
- Montrose Cemetery (Darlington, SC)
SCNow This cemetery has been explored by paranormal investigators and anyone brave enough to go there after dark. Established ca.1789, this cemetery has quite a history. People have said to have seen orbs, hearing children, the primal scream of a woman, a hulking black figure, and have noted that even though they were using the flash on their camera, the pictures came out pitch black.
- Old Train Buildings and Trestle (Smoaks, SC)
Lastdue Although the railroad is mostly gone and the buildings are falling down, the trestle does remain. It is said that you can still hear a ghost train run through the area.
- Salem Black River Church (Sumter, SC)
Efy96001 It is said to be haunted by a priest whose family died from the plague. In the back of the church is a small building that has been noted to have flickering lights and a shadow of a man.
- Greenville’s Tuberculosis Hospital (Greenville, SC)
Spirit Wind Paranormal What a history this place has! Not only was it a tuberculosis hospital, but it has also been an insane asylum, and a prisoner release site before it finally burned. Paranormal investigators have recorded odd voices and sounds here. The original building unfortunately burned down, but the root cellar was preserved and there is some foundation and signs left in the Herdklotz Park that was built over it, which you can see above. According to legend, some of the rain puddles here turn red with the supposed blood of the tuberculosis patients.
- White Point Gardens (Charleston, SC)
ROBERT BRITTINGHAM There is so much going on here that I don’t believe I would be able to detail all of it. Let’s note that Charleston is rife with history so there is no surprise that there are hauntings in these gardens!
- Seven Devil’s Bridge (Woodruff, SC)
Hauntings Do you like to cross bridges on foot late at night? No? Me either! This bridge has a history of seven men being hung here. Now, no one can cross this bridge at the stroke of midnight or they will break down screaming and crying. To make matters worse…this bridge can only be crossed on foot.
- The Hermitage (Murrells Inlet, SC)
Karen and Kelly A sad story of a love lost. Alice Flagg ( the sister of a prominent doctor), loved a lumberman who wasn’t approved in their society. After she had fallen ill and died of what is suspected to be malaria, her brother found the ring on a ribbon around her neck and threw it in the marshes. It is said that she still walks the grounds and she is clutching her chest hoping that one day she will find the ring that her true love gave her. The building was originally situated on the inlet but is now at the end of Chandler Avenue in Murrells Inlet.
- Rose Hill Plantation (Union, SC)
ClemsonStepp Adjacent to Crybaby Bridge, Rose Hill Plantation has its own paranormal activity. Built in 1827, the family lived, died, and was buried in a cemetery on the property. Ready for a ghost hunt? This property is actually open to the public for a small fee. You can take a tour of the house and walk the grounds!
There are so many more stories to be told than just these 15 most haunted places in South Carolina. As I said, South Carolina is a historically rich state with numerous stories to be told. I’m sure that I have missed one or two of your favorite stories and I would absolutely love to hear them. If you would, please comment on your favorite ghost story, haunted building, or haunted place below and if you have a picture then it is even better!
Kelly
Built between 1822-1827, this building had been around for quite some time for it to have its own ghost stories. Whether or not any of these stories are true, would you really want to hang out in an old insane asylum? The building’s roof suffered from a fire in recent years but was repaired at the cost of the state. It’s now owned by a private company that has plans of renovating it into apartments by 2022. Please note: It’s located on private property.
itsbrandoyo
Built in 1905, it not surprising that this house has a history. The story goes that at night you can see a small slave girl in a clump of trees on the property.
Meridith112
The story states that if you visit, you can hear and/or see the funeral procession of William Baynard passing by the ruins of his home. P.S. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I would be hanging around this place anywhere past the setting of the sun.
Jimmy Gilstrap
Too many tales to tell. However, it is said that if you stop on this bridge at night, cut off your car, you can hear the crying of a baby and see the mother walking the bridge looking for her child. My sister has personal experience with this phenomena and I have to say that I’ve never seen my sister so scared as when she is recounting the story of that night. It is definitely worthy of being considered one of the most haunted places in South Carolina.
Herdintheupstate
These ruins are not real as they are left over from the filming of the movie, The Patriot. However, many people have said that they have heard and felt strange things as they passed by them. P.S. I’m sure they are quite bone-chillingly creepy when you see them in person just standing there in the middle of the swamp.
Beautiful Cemetery
This cemetery has the honor of being known by most as the “most haunted place in South Carolina”. It is said that you will have phone problems during the day, i.e., the phone battery draining, a busy signal, phone ringing when it has been cut off. At night however, it is said you will see orbs, a white shrouding mist, and the laughter of children. NOTE: If you do go there after dark, please be careful and do not go alone. There have been many problems with vandals and such.
Matt Teaford
It is not known when this place was built nor when it was abandoned. It is known, however, that upstairs lights have been seen flickering.
SCNow
This cemetery has been explored by paranormal investigators and anyone brave enough to go there after dark. Established ca.1789, this cemetery has quite a history. People have said to have seen orbs, hearing children, the primal scream of a woman, a hulking black figure, and have noted that even though they were using the flash on their camera, the pictures came out pitch black.
Lastdue
Although the railroad is mostly gone and the buildings are falling down, the trestle does remain. It is said that you can still hear a ghost train run through the area.
Efy96001
It is said to be haunted by a priest whose family died from the plague. In the back of the church is a small building that has been noted to have flickering lights and a shadow of a man.
Spirit Wind Paranormal
What a history this place has! Not only was it a tuberculosis hospital, but it has also been an insane asylum, and a prisoner release site before it finally burned. Paranormal investigators have recorded odd voices and sounds here. The original building unfortunately burned down, but the root cellar was preserved and there is some foundation and signs left in the Herdklotz Park that was built over it, which you can see above. According to legend, some of the rain puddles here turn red with the supposed blood of the tuberculosis patients.
ROBERT BRITTINGHAM
There is so much going on here that I don’t believe I would be able to detail all of it. Let’s note that Charleston is rife with history so there is no surprise that there are hauntings in these gardens!
Hauntings
Do you like to cross bridges on foot late at night? No? Me either! This bridge has a history of seven men being hung here. Now, no one can cross this bridge at the stroke of midnight or they will break down screaming and crying. To make matters worse…this bridge can only be crossed on foot.
Karen and Kelly
A sad story of a love lost. Alice Flagg ( the sister of a prominent doctor), loved a lumberman who wasn’t approved in their society. After she had fallen ill and died of what is suspected to be malaria, her brother found the ring on a ribbon around her neck and threw it in the marshes. It is said that she still walks the grounds and she is clutching her chest hoping that one day she will find the ring that her true love gave her. The building was originally situated on the inlet but is now at the end of Chandler Avenue in Murrells Inlet.
ClemsonStepp
Adjacent to Crybaby Bridge, Rose Hill Plantation has its own paranormal activity. Built in 1827, the family lived, died, and was buried in a cemetery on the property. Ready for a ghost hunt? This property is actually open to the public for a small fee. You can take a tour of the house and walk the grounds!
On a side note, please understand that some of these locations are closed to the public. I, in no way, encourage you to break those rules to go ghost hunting. If you do visit any sites that are open at night, please be careful and take precautions such as a buddy or two, a phone, etc.
Which of these most haunted places in South Carolina have you heard of before? You can take an entire spooky SC road trip to experience the ghosts of the Palmetto State yourself.
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Address: South Carolina State Hospital, 2100 Bull St, Columbia, SC 29201, USAAddress: 1096 Navy Way, North Charleston, SC 29405, USAAddress: Stoney Baynard Ruins, Plantation Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, USAAddress: Crybaby Bridge, 2806 High Shoals Rd, Anderson, SC 29621, USAAddress: Moncks Corner, SC 29461, USAAddress: Oakwood Cemetery, Spartanburg, SC 29302, USAAddress: Santee, SC 29142, USAAddress: 2864 SC-34, Darlington, SC 29532, USAAddress: Smoaks, SC 29481, USAAddress: 1060 Brick Church Rd, Mayesville, SC 29104, USAAddress: Greenville, SC, USAAddress: 2 Murray Blvd, Charleston, SC 29401, USAAddress: Woodruff, SC 29388, USAAddress: Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, USAAddress: 2677 Sardis Rd, Union, SC 29379, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Haunted Places In South Carolina June 13, 2020 Leah What are the creepiest cemeteries in South Carolina? If you’re itching to check out some scary places in South Carolina, it’s hard to beat the eeriness of a cemetery - let alone the downright terror that can be had in supposed haunted cemeteries. South Carolina has a handful of final resting places that are said to see paranormal activity. St. Philips Graveyard in Charleston, for instance, is rumored to have a ghostly woman that can be seen crying over a grave as well as the sounds of baby cries. According to an urban legend, if you circle the Cottageville Cemetery in Cottageville, South Carolina, three times and then honk your horn in the center, spirits of the dead will rise from their graves. Whether that’s true or not is up for debate, but you could be the next brave person to try it. What is the most haunted place in South Carolina? Of all these South Carolina ghost stories, there are few more terrifying than the ones that are rumored to be true at the state’s most haunted place. If the thought of a creepy cabin in the woods freaks you out, then SC’s most haunted cabin will have you keeping the lights on at night. It’s known as The Shamrock House, built back in 1925 as a family dwelling and is now a guest house where you can stay yourself. According to the stories surrounding it, the restless spirit of a young woman who died decades ago haunts the house. Lights turn on and off on their own, and doors are said to open by themselves. Cold spots and the sound of ghostly footsteps have spooked guests. Would you dare to stay? Are there any ghost towns in South Carolina? Ghost stories are fun to talk about around a campfire, but they are just that - stories. The real ghosts of South Carolina can be found in the form of ghost towns. There were many places in the Palmetto State that have been lost to time and are now dilapidated, creepy places in South Carolina that pique people’s interests. Spots like Colonial Dorchester, a town founded in 1696, are now nothing but eerie ruins. That particular town met its demise during the Revolutionary War. Mountville is another abandoned town that has nothing but empty buildings left, with little to no history of it.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Haunted Places In South Carolina
June 13, 2020
Leah
What are the creepiest cemeteries in South Carolina? If you’re itching to check out some scary places in South Carolina, it’s hard to beat the eeriness of a cemetery - let alone the downright terror that can be had in supposed haunted cemeteries. South Carolina has a handful of final resting places that are said to see paranormal activity. St. Philips Graveyard in Charleston, for instance, is rumored to have a ghostly woman that can be seen crying over a grave as well as the sounds of baby cries. According to an urban legend, if you circle the Cottageville Cemetery in Cottageville, South Carolina, three times and then honk your horn in the center, spirits of the dead will rise from their graves. Whether that’s true or not is up for debate, but you could be the next brave person to try it. What is the most haunted place in South Carolina? Of all these South Carolina ghost stories, there are few more terrifying than the ones that are rumored to be true at the state’s most haunted place. If the thought of a creepy cabin in the woods freaks you out, then SC’s most haunted cabin will have you keeping the lights on at night. It’s known as The Shamrock House, built back in 1925 as a family dwelling and is now a guest house where you can stay yourself. According to the stories surrounding it, the restless spirit of a young woman who died decades ago haunts the house. Lights turn on and off on their own, and doors are said to open by themselves. Cold spots and the sound of ghostly footsteps have spooked guests. Would you dare to stay? Are there any ghost towns in South Carolina? Ghost stories are fun to talk about around a campfire, but they are just that - stories. The real ghosts of South Carolina can be found in the form of ghost towns. There were many places in the Palmetto State that have been lost to time and are now dilapidated, creepy places in South Carolina that pique people’s interests. Spots like Colonial Dorchester, a town founded in 1696, are now nothing but eerie ruins. That particular town met its demise during the Revolutionary War. Mountville is another abandoned town that has nothing but empty buildings left, with little to no history of it.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you’re itching to check out some scary places in South Carolina, it’s hard to beat the eeriness of a cemetery - let alone the downright terror that can be had in supposed haunted cemeteries. South Carolina has a handful of final resting places that are said to see paranormal activity. St. Philips Graveyard in Charleston, for instance, is rumored to have a ghostly woman that can be seen crying over a grave as well as the sounds of baby cries. According to an urban legend, if you circle the Cottageville Cemetery in Cottageville, South Carolina, three times and then honk your horn in the center, spirits of the dead will rise from their graves. Whether that’s true or not is up for debate, but you could be the next brave person to try it.
What is the most haunted place in South Carolina?
Of all these South Carolina ghost stories, there are few more terrifying than the ones that are rumored to be true at the state’s most haunted place. If the thought of a creepy cabin in the woods freaks you out, then SC’s most haunted cabin will have you keeping the lights on at night. It’s known as The Shamrock House, built back in 1925 as a family dwelling and is now a guest house where you can stay yourself. According to the stories surrounding it, the restless spirit of a young woman who died decades ago haunts the house. Lights turn on and off on their own, and doors are said to open by themselves. Cold spots and the sound of ghostly footsteps have spooked guests. Would you dare to stay?
Are there any ghost towns in South Carolina?
Ghost stories are fun to talk about around a campfire, but they are just that - stories. The real ghosts of South Carolina can be found in the form of ghost towns. There were many places in the Palmetto State that have been lost to time and are now dilapidated, creepy places in South Carolina that pique people’s interests. Spots like Colonial Dorchester, a town founded in 1696, are now nothing but eerie ruins. That particular town met its demise during the Revolutionary War. Mountville is another abandoned town that has nothing but empty buildings left, with little to no history of it.