Take A Ghost Walk Through Historic Stillwater, Minnesota, Then Dine At The Haunted Afton House Inn
By Rachel Raimondi|Published September 14, 2022
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Rachel Raimondi
Author
Writer some days, editor other days, nerd all days. Love to travel to lesser-known spots and give them the love they deserve. Independently owned motor inns, Mom and Pop restaurants, uncrowded National Parks and trails.
In between these, spend my free time virtually adventuring through point-and-click games. Native New Yorker but can frequently be found roaming other parts of the United States.
Looking for some Minnesota hauntings fun visiting the St. Croix Valley during the spooky season? How about taking a haunted tour of a town and grabbing a bite to eat at a haunted inn and restaurant? Located just 20 minutes from each other, you can learn about the real legends and tales of the city of Stillwater with American Ghost Walks: Stillwater and wash that all down with a meal at the Afton House Inn, a spooky establishment built in 1867.
Most cities and towns in Minnesota have legends and tales, no matter its history or when it was established. But Stillwater, the “Birthplace of Minnesota”, most likely has the most, since it goes back to 1848. And American Ghost Walks: Stillwater is here to take you on a spooky tour of some of its most famous.
Over your outdoor walking tour, you’ll see and learn about an assortment of haunts, all peppered with real ghost stories, paranormal encounters, Native American legends, and a whole lot more. The tours range from 90 to 120 minutes.
Among the stops will include the Stillwater Lift Bridge and the story of the beautiful St. Croix River and Fisherman John, who recovered many dead bodies from it.
You’ll learn about local folklore, the history of the city, river stories, and more.
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Then there’s the Arcola High Bridge. Built in 1910, reports of a young woman dressed in white as well as a strange blue light have been reported countless times over the years.
Note that this tour runs during both cold temperatures and light rain, so please dress appropriately.
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You’ll stop by the Warden’s House Museum, built in 1853 and previously home for the wardens of the Minnesota Territorial Prison (later, the Minnesota State Prison).
There have been reports of ghosts here for decades.
There’s the Austin Jenks Home, the first one to ever run on electricity in the Midwest in 1886. And perhaps there are some other things that still run through the house.
Before the tour concludes, you will also see the Zephyr Theatre, Lowell Park, Lolito Cantina, the Lowell Inn, the Bootlegger Caves, the Water Street Inn, and more.
Now, we'll move on to Afton. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, the Afton House Inn dates all the way back to 1867, meaning there has been well over a century of history as well as mystery throughout its existence. From a boarding house to a restaurant to an inn to various additions over the years, it has seen a lot.
Afton House Inn, Historic, 3291 St Croix Trail S, Afton, MN 55001, USA
Just some of the rumored hauntings include Mary Pennington, a previous manager that served meals, Eric, a former innkeeper who did woodwork and the staircase here, and a young male farmer. Then there are also the footsteps without a body, random cold areas, and strange smells like tobacco when no one is smoking nearby. Of course, creaky doors and squeaky floorboards come with the territory for a place this old, but is it just that?
Depending on the time and day you visit, you'll have some choices for dining. For fine dining, there is the Wheel Room and Pennington Room, where you can grab a hearty meal like Goldies’ walleye, duck, pasta, or chicken.
Don’t be surprised to find your forks turned the wrong way or some of the Victorian-era décor and furniture displayed strangely. Most likely, this wasn't done by the staff.
And then of course, there are various meats, such as Steak Diane (prepared at your table), filet mignon, or prime rib.
Since these two MN hauntings are so close to each other, you can even swap them. Grab dinner (or lunch, depending on the time) before your ghost tour. Or extend your visit and book a room at the Afton House Inn.
