Rolling Hills Asylum opened in 1827 as the Genesee County Poor Farm, made to house the poor, drunkards, mentally ill, blind, disabled, or other folks who needed help. In the 1950s it became the Old County Home & Infirmary, then in the 1990s an antiques mall. Store owners and shoppers have witnessed disembodied voices, doors that won’t open, screams, shadow people and moving objects.
Rolling Hills Asylum
Springfield - Des Arc Bridge
At the Springfield Bridge or Des Arc Bridge, an iron bowstring truss bridge over Cadron Creek, witnesses say they have heard a ghostly baby crying, a girl screaming, and other strange noises.
Henderson State University
Henderson State University is said to be haunted by the ghost of a student who fell in love with a girl from a rival college. His friends made fun of him, and under pressure from them, he broke it off with her. The girl was heartbroken and committed suicide. As legend has it, the girl’s ghost comes to visit every year during homecoming week. She is known as the “Lady in Black.”
Star Island
Rumor has it that on Star Island long ago, an old man committed suicide. Now, the ghost of an old man has been seen wandering the Star Island resort. He has white hair and a white beard. Apparitions of a little boy, a lady in white and a black dog also have been reported, as well as footsteps and strange noises from the attic.
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse is believed to be haunted. Witnesses describe dark figures, oily footprints, phantom voices and other activity.
Country Tavern
The historic Country Tavern restaurant is housed in a place that was built in 1741 and was once owned by English sea captain Ford and his young wife Elizabeth. Legend has it that when he was off to sea for an extended time, he came home to find Elizabeth had given birth, and it was not his. In a rage, Ford killed the baby and locked up his wife. When he released Elizabeth, she attacked him for killing her baby, and he stabbed her and threw her body in the well. Today, the place is said to be haunted by Elizabeth, who appears as a woman in white. Witnesses also have reported footsteps, objects that are moved or thrown across the room, cold spots and strange sounds.
The Common Man Restaurant
The Common Man Tavern was built by Matthew Thornton in 1797 as a wedding present for his son James. But a few years later, James committed suicide. Today, witnesses report ghostly footsteps and several apparitions, but not ones belonging to James. Folks have seen a Native American, a little girl, and a woman in a long black dress. Spirits in the building are known to hum, knock things over, and play other tricks on the living.
Kimball Castle
Benjamin Ames Kimball finished his castle in 1899 and died in 1919. In more recent times, the castle, now in disrepair, was put up for sale and Locke’s Hill Nature Preserve was created on the land, with hiking and skiing trails. In the 1960s and 1970s vandals stole every piece of tapestry, furniture and artwork and ripped the gates off their supports. Even the oak banisters and dragon gargoyles on the castle parapets were stolen. Now, apparitions, cold spots, lights and other phenomena are said to occur in the castle, but the castle is not open to the public and trespassers will be prosecuted.
Balsams Grand Resort Hotel
The early 1900s Balsams Grand Resort Hotel became an active haunt hot spot after renovations were made. Ghostly residents who reside here include a beautiful woman who sits in a chair just beyond the landing, a translucent naked man who stood at the foot of the bed of a guest in Room 120, and a trio of laughing elderly ladies.
Alton Town Hall
At Alton Town Hall, a ghost of a rugged outdoorsman is one of the many haunts believed to be in residence.
