While it's unlikely that every historic building in Virginia is haunted, there are several that have an undeniably eerie allure to them. One example that comes to mind is Bacon's Castle in Virginia, the oldest brick house in the state. Constructed in the 1600s, this ancient building is filled with history, intrigue, and a healthy dose of hauntings. Here's more about the mysterious Bacon's Castle in Virginia:
There's a spectacular mansion located in Surry County, Virginia that has been called many names in the past, yet most would identify it as Bacon's Castle. The house is impressive on many counts: architecture, history, and perhaps most intriguing of all, hauntings.
The first thing you'll notice about Bacon's Castle in Virginia is its distinctive style. It's the oldest surviving High Jacobean building in the nation, in addition to being the oldest brick dwelling in the continental U.S.
The house was given the peculiar nickname of a castle because it was used as a fortress by Nathanial Bacon's followers during the famous rebellion of 1676. Yet Bacon was never known to have even set foot on this property.
Today, there's another group that frequents Bacon's Castle, and they're not there to admire the architecture or history. Paranormal researchers have found that this site is most definitely haunted.
Over the years, visitors have remarked on the disembodied voices, spectral fireballs, and even floating heads noticed around the property. These disturbing phenomena were confirmed by EVPs, photographs, and flashlight communications.
The tragedies endured at Bacon's Castle are numerous, and many of them were endured by the slaves that were kept there under horrible circumstances. During the colonial years, there were as many as 300 slaves on the property. There were 18 slave quarters, and only one remains today (photographed below).
Investigators believe that many of the disembodied spirits are those of the slaves who were subject to insufferable living conditions. While the mansion was decorated lavishly, the slave quarters hardly had any furniture at all. In place of beds, servants were expected to sleep on piles of hay and rags.
It seems as if no area of the property is exempt from hauntings. Inside the mansion, furniture has been known to move about on its own, and there are even disembodied voices telling visitors to get out. Perhaps most disturbing of all, visitors have reported hearing the sound of gunshots echoing through an otherwise silent room.
In 2014, after having conducted a paranormal investigation of Bacon's Castle in Virginia, Brad Bradley concluded, "We have yet to find a location that has more activity than Bacon’s Castle and we do research all over the state."
So if you're brave enough to tour this incredibly haunted site, or simply wish to gain a unique perspective on a complicated piece of Virginia history, you'll find there's plenty to learn about at this historic landmark.
If you're curious to learn more about the investigation performed on Bacon's Castle in Virginia by the Center For Paranormal Research and Investigation, you can read the full project report here. What are your thoughts on these haunted discoveries at one of Virginia's most fascinating historical landmarks? Be sure to share your thoughts with us!
Bacon's Castle is located at 465 Bacons Castle Trl., Surry, VA 23883. For additional details regarding a visit, you can click here.
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