Posted in Alabama
July 11, 2015
Visit These 8 Creepy Ghost Towns In Alabama At Your Own Risk
It’s surprising how many ghost towns are in Alabama. Some have been completely abandoned, making them TRUE ghost towns. Others may still have residents, but not as many as they once had, making them “living ghost towns in Alabama.” Some abandoned historic sites may even be classified as a ghost town, depending on the size of the site. Ghost towns, especially those that have been completely abandoned, can be a bit creepy. Listed below are 8 amazing abandoned places in Alabama.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Arcola, established in the early 1820s, is a ghost town on the Black Warrior River in Hale County, Alabama - formerly Marengo County. Frederic Ravesies, Arcola's first settler, established himself at what later became known as the Hatch Plantation. In the 1830s, settlers continued to move into the area to use Arcola as a river landing. In the 1850s, the settlement had disappeared and was replaced by adjoining plantations. (Picture: Hatch Plantation)
Between the years 1819-1826, Cahawba was Alabama's state capital. It was also a very thriving town. Shortly after the American Civil War, Cahawba became a ghost town. Sadly, nature has reclaimed much of Old Cahawba. (Picture: Old schoolhouse)
Fort Gaines, a historic fort on Dauphin Island, was established in 1821 and is well known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War. This historic fort is one of the best-preserved Civil War era masonry forts in the U.S. Fort Gaines has become a tourist attraction and on the property you'll find original cannons, a blacksmith shop, kitchens, a museum, gift shop and a few tunnels.
Before the settlement of the original St. Stephens was abandoned, it sat atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River. St. Stephens is located nearly 70 miles north of Mobile and served as the capital of Alabama between the years 1817-1819, until Cahawba became the capital. (Picture: St. Stephens Gravesite)
Riverton, located in Colbert County, Alabama, was an old trade town that was destroyed when the Pickwick Landing Dam was built during the 1930s. It's now underwater and the only remnant left of the town is a cemetery. (Picture: Wheeler Dam Village - 1937)
Bellefonte is a ghost town in Jackson County, Alabama and is situated near the site of the Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station. It served as the Jackson County seat from 1821 to 1859. During the American Civil War, the town suffered a lot of damage and it was completely abandoned by the 1920s. The only things remaining in Bellefonte today are the cemetery, the chimney of the local inn (see picture), and piles of bricks.
Prairie Bluff is a ghost town in Wilcox County, Alabama that first appeared on maps in 1819. This was the exact same year Alabama was admitted to the Union as a state. Prairie Bluff disappeared from maps around 1900. As the river trade continued to increase, the town continued to grow. In 1861, Prairie Bluff was at its height. Unfortunately, the introduction of new railroads following the American Civil War really hurt the town. Also, the construction of Millers Ferry Lock and Dam in 1963 was really overwhelming. Today, the only thing remaining in the area is the Prairie Bluff Cemetery. (Picture: Prairie Bluff, taken from the Alabama River in 1894)
Blakeley, founded in 1813, is a ghost town in Baldwin County, Alabama and was a location of a major fort during the American Civil War. This popular ghost town was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. (Picture: The Boyaux fortification at the Blakeley battleground)
What other ghost towns can be found in Alabama? Comment below!
