The North Carolina Executive Mansion is the official residence of governors and their families since 1891. You might say the mansion exists because of Gov. Thomas Jarvis, the 44th governor from 1879 to 1885 who later served as U.S. Senator, successfully appealed to the General Assembly to build a governor’s mansion on Raleigh’s Burke Square. And though he never lived there, this story — based on reports from the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources — is about the first governor who moved in and whose spirit may remain, making it possibly the state’s most haunted house. 

Now, the Executive Mansion looks something like this.
Mark Turner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Just nine years after its completion in 1891, this photo was taken in about 1900 in front of the stately home.
State Archives of North Carolina, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Daniel Gould Fowle was the 46th governor of North Carolina from 1889 until he died in 1891.
State Archives of North Carolina, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
And Fowle was the first to move into the new Executive Mansion on Jan. 5, 1891, two years into his term and before construction was complete.
State Archives of North Carolina, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
He moved in with his daughter, Helen Fowle, who became first lady as her mother, Mary Eagles Haywood Fowle, had died in 1886.
Gov. Fowle lived in the mansion only three months before his death in April 1891.
State Archives of North Carolina, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
While he lived there, he had a new bed made.
State Archives of North Carolina, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
This 1936 photo shows a bedroom inside the mansion.

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The bed remained in the room until 1969 when Gov. Robert Scott, the 67th governor, took office and moved into the room.
State Archives of North Carolina, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
His portrait was painted by Daniel E. Greene.
The bed was moved into storage and replaced as Gov. Scott found it too small.
State Archives of North Carolina, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Gov. Scott claimed that shortly after the bed was moved, he and his wife heard a loud knocking sound from within the wall behind the headboard.
The mysterious sound could be heard at about the same time every night after.
State Archives of North Carolina, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
It is reported that Gov. Scott thought the disembodied noises were from Gov. Fowle's spirit, asking for the bed's return to his room.
The bed has since been returned to the room, with no more reports of the knocking.
State Archives of North Carolina, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Do you believe the ghost of Gov. Fowle haunts the Executive Mansion?
Or maybe there are other ghosts as 30 governer families have lived here.
State Archives of North Carolina, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Gov. Thomas Walter Bickett, the 54th governor of North Carolina from 1917 to 1921, is pictured here at the mansion with his wife, Fannie.
And in 1929, Gov. Oliver Max Gardner stands with his family in front of the Executive Mansion on his inauguration day.
State Archives of North Carolina, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Perhaps one would have to move in there to find out.
State Archives of North Carolina, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons

Have you heard stories about the North Carolina Executive Mansion being haunted? If so, please tell us about them in the comments below. And while you’re in Raleigh, be sure to visit the indoor State Farmers Market in Raleigh open year-round.

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North Carolina Executive Mansion, 200 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA