Jefferson, a quaint little town in East Texas, has been named the most haunted small town in the state by a variety of sources, and all it takes is one visit to figure out why. Nearly every building has a ghostly story behind it - especially the hotels where you'll be staying if you choose to spend the night. Are you brave enough to endure more than a few hours in what might just be the most haunted small town in Texas?
Perhaps the most famous haunted attraction in Jefferson is the ghost walk that takes place every Friday and Saturday night.
You'll be led around the town's darkest alleyways and emptiest courtyards while listening to stories of the abundant tragedy, murder, and paranormal activity in Jefferson's past. If you're interested in taking the walk, more information can be found here.
The historic property known as "The Grove" has been deemed the most haunted place in Jefferson and one of the most haunted spots in Texas altogether.
The ghost stories date back to the late 1800s - none of its earlier owners were able to occupy the house for very long due to spirit infestations. Today, although still a private residence, The Grove is open to the public for tours. Among the ghosts you'll see are a woman in a white dress, a man in the garden, and a malevolent entity in the basement. You can even hear EVP recordings captured in the house here.
Although the town is incredibly charming, you can't help but notice a heavy presence bearing down on you no matter where you go.
You might feel eyes on the back of your head as you walk through the town square, turning around every so often to ensure it's simply your imagination running wild...but is it?
If you're feeling brave enough, there are two hotels in Jefferson said to be enormous hubs for paranormal activity. After all, the witching hour is in the middle of the night...
Set the mood when you arrive for your stay at the Jefferson Hotel by reading the special book of guests' handwritten ghostly encounters. The amount of detail in them is shocking and will assure you that they aren't merely elaborate tales crafted by adept writers. From a man in a long coat and boots standing at the foot of your bed to a petite, long-haired blonde in room 14, you're sure to get spooked at least once throughout the night.
The Excelsior House, another haunted hotel in Jefferson, has been open since the 1850s, making it the oldest hotel in East Texas.
It's hosted such noteworthy people as Oscar Wilde, Ulysses S. Grant...and several other guests who may not have ever checked out. Reported sightings include a headless man on the second floor, a woman wearing all black holding a baby, and a young prostitute who was murdered for the diamonds she wore. The hotel may have inspired the famous film, "Poltergeist" after its director, Steven Spielberg, spent the night and awakened to a small boy at the foot of his bed asking if he was ready for breakfast.
Many other historic homes and businesses in the town are rumored to be haunted - too many to list, in fact.
And you'll learn all about them during the tour.
I suppose you'll just have to visit for yourself and see where the spirit moves you (pun intended).
Have you ever been to this haunted small town in Texas? Did you have any paranormal encounters? If you haven't been yet, maybe you'd like to add a few places on this list to our haunted road trip and make a spooky vacation out of it!
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