The Definitive Guide To All Things Haunted And Creepy In Nebraska
Don’t let all that serene rolling farmland fool you – Nebraska is full of creepy and haunted places that will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
Between haunted houses, haunted hotels, and even a haunted prison or two, this state is positively teeming in ghosts. And of course, Nebraska may reign supreme when it comes to haunted corn mazes and hayrides. There are ghost stories and creepy facts lurking around every corner.
Let’s take a deep dive into the haunted history of this state and all the best spooky attractions in Nebraska.
The Most Haunted House In Nebraska
The most haunted house in Nebraska may be the former Bailey residence, which is now a museum. Located in Brownsville, this stunning Victorian house was once the home of Civil War veteran Captain Bailey. His ghost is said to wander the home, spooking museum visitors and staff alike.
Learn more about the Bailey House here.
Nebraska’s Freakiest Haunted Prison
The Nebraska State Penitentiary, located in Lincoln, has a long history of hauntings. The prison first opened in 1869, making it the oldest in Nebraska. Spooky occurrences include the reported apparitions of former inmates, the ghostly clanging of metal chains, and mysterious cold spots. Check out more haunted spots in Nebraska here.
The Best Haunted Corn Maze In Nebraska
Nebraska knows a thing or two about corn, and Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch proves that corn mazes can be just as spooky as haunted houses. This spot is family-friendly during the day, but the maze transforms into a shadowy haunted attraction by night. You’ll need to find your way out by flashlight as you encounter costumed actors and spooky apparitions. You never know what may be lurking around the next turn.
The Most Haunted Road In Nebraska (And Maybe America)
Smitty’s Curve may be one of the most infamous haunted roads in Nebraska. Located just outside of Geneva, the road is supposedly named for a young man who careened off one of the road’s bridges while driving late at night. The story goes that he escaped the frozen waters and crawled into a nearby barn to take shelter, but either froze to death or succumbed to his injuries. To this day, people report seeing the phantom figure of Smitty crawling across the road on dark evenings. Do you have the guts to drive here alone at night?
The 3 Most Haunted Places In Nebraska
1. The Alliance Theater in Alliance was built in 1903 as a hotel, but transitioned to a theater in the 1930s. Spooky stories about the theater abound. Guests and staff report shadowy figures and unexplained sounds. Luckily, the spirit haunting this old playhouse seems to be friendly. Learn more about the theater (and other haunted spots) right here.
2. Centennial Hall, formerly known as Valentine Public School, first opened to students in 1897. It’s Nebraska’s oldest standing high school and surely one of its most haunted places. In 1944, someone killed a student by poisoning her clarinet reed. Teachers and other students reported seeing the ghost of the little girl, and passersby have claimed to hear ghostly music floating out of the old structure.
3. You wouldn’t think to look at it, but Barnard Park in Fremont is actually the home of a reportedly haunted playground. The land was once Green Grove Cemetery and the final resting place of hundreds of early Fremont residents. When the area was converted to a park, the bodies were moved to Ridge Cemetery … but some believe that several bodies were missed. People report seeing ghostly figures around the play equipment. Learn more about this haunted spot here.
The Scariest Haunted House In Nebraska
Haunted Hollow is one of the scariest haunted houses in Nebraska, if not the scariest one of all. This seasonal spot in La Vista, Omaha features multiple terrifying areas, including a three-story haunted house. Costumed actors will do their best to horrify you as you make your way through the attraction. Not willing to venture inside? You can also enjoy tarot card readings, a bonfire, and outdoor horror movies. Are you brave enough to enter this haunted house attraction?
4 Creepy Photos From Nebraska
A shot of a train trestle bridge in Wilderness Park, Lincoln. The park was the site of a major train disaster in 1894.
A moody shot of Mystery Manor in Omaha, a haunted attraction with a murderous past.
Brocksburg in Keya Paha County is one of Nebraska’s most enigmatic ghost towns.
Prospect Hill Cemetery in Omaha is rumored to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in Nebraska.
5 Creepy Facts About Nebraska
- Nebraska has its very own Loch Ness monster. The Alkali Lake Monster is thought to dwell in Walgren Lake near Hay Springs. It’s said to be up to 100 feet long with horns and an unbearable stench.
- Mystery Manor in Omaha is said to be haunted by the ghosts of Greta and William Hall. The story goes that William murdered his wife with an axe and buried her body on the property. He was then murdered by Greta’s brother, who was later also found dead with that same axe buried in his skull.
- The Lincoln capitol building is rumored to be haunted by a number of spirits, including the ghost of a visitor who plummeted to his death from one of the building’s upper floors.
- Faceless Fred is the moniker of a ghost that supposedly dwells at the Speakeasy restaurant in Holdrege. He is thought to be the spirit of a man whose wife caught him cheating. The legend goes that she cut off his face and threw him down a well on the property.
- Hummel Park in Omaha is rumored to be the site of occult rituals, and at least one murder victim has been found in the park.