Top 10 Most Haunted Cities in the U.S.

It's Top 10 Friday again!  And not only that, it's also my favorite time of year!  Because of my great love of Fall and Halloween, some even call me the "Queen of Halloween".  So what better way to get in the mood than a list of the Top Ten Most Haunted Cities in the U.S.? Are you ready to get spooked and scared? Read on only if you dare . . .

1.  New Orleans, Louisiana.  Rich in culture and history, this coastal city is full of haunted graveyards, mansions and taverns. You may get to see their most famous resident ghost, the voodoo priestess, Marie Laveau "the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans" walking through the French Quarter. Or see the sadistic Lady LaLaurie and her victims in her mansion. Don't forget to take a stroll through St. Louis Cemetery, said to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in the U.S.

2.  Savannah, Georgia.  Home to a Revolutionary War battleground, Historic Savannah, Georgia, was one of the few places that escaped being burned during General Sherman's "March to the Sea" during the Civil War. Sherman was later captured there, making Savannah rich in good and bad American history. The city also played host to its share of pirates and buccaneers. They were known to shanghai unsuspecting drunken patrons from the famous Pirates' House and drag them through a series of tunnels out to their ships to be sold into slavery in the Orient. They say you can still hear the drunken sailors singing in the tunnels today. 

3.  Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  The site of the biggest military clash of the Civil War and the bloodiest ever to occur on U.S. soil, Gettysburg has reports of sightings and "experiences" on nearly a daily basis. It is well known that soldiers haunt the battlefields and many have reported witnessing reenactments of battles only to find out there were none scheduled for that day. 
 
4.  Charleston, South Carolina.  One of the oldest cities in the U.S., Charleston is also one of the most haunted. Haunted Victorian mansions line the downtown area known as the Battery, which was once a protective artillery installation during the Civil War. Guests of the well-known haunted Battery Carriage have reported seeing the gentlemanly ghost of a student who died after leaping off the roof, strange lights, and a headless torso that appears bedside in the middle of the night. Several ghost stories originated with Gullah, a West African culture that populates part of South Carolina and Georgia. Its most famous legend is Boo Hags, a skinless vampire that wears human skin during the day and feeds on its victim's energy through their breath while they sleep.

5.  Los Angeles, California.  Los Angeles has seen a lot of action (no pun intended) over the years. From famous and not so famous actors, scorned lovers, and regular working folks there is one (or several) of every kind haunting L.A. The famous Hollywood hangout, the Knickerbocker Hotel, now a retirement home, is said to be haunted by past patrons Rudolph Valentino and Harry Houdini. Montgomery Clift and Marilyn Monroe are believed to still like the Cabana room 246 of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Howard Hughes' ghost is said to still go to opening night at his once owned, Pantages Theatre. Grauman's Chinese Theatre is said to be haunted by Victor Killian who is in search of his murderer. It has been reported that sightings of an unsuccessful actress who plunged to her death from the Hollywood sign can be seen replaying her final act. In the Hollywood forever Cemetery a black veiled ghost has reportedly been seen placing flowers on Rudolph Valentino's grave weekly since his death in the 1930s. The Queen Mary hosts many ghosts. You can hear slamming doors and see flickering lights in the morgue or view spirits enjoying a swim or an evening in the saloon.

6.  San Francisco, California.  With a rich culture and history, the city boasts a wealth of haunted mansions, hotels, army bases and even its Art Institute. Perhaps one of the most famous haunted sites was a school for girls in the 1890s and is now the Queen Anne Hotel. It is haunted by a former headmistress, Mary Lake. Stories also abound about the "Voodoo Queen of San Francisco," Mary Anne Pleasant. She was a former slave and abolitionist whose knowledge of the black arts gained her wealth and influence among the city's elite. Chinatown and Alcatraz are also hotspots for paranormal activity.

7.  Chicago, Illinois.  Known for its great fire and gangster rich history, Chicago has quite the haunting reputation. Perhaps the best known ghost story is that of Resurrection Mary. Mary was a young girl killed by a car while leaving a dance hall with her boyfriend. She was buried in Resurrection Cemetery and can be periodically seen wandering the streets in her white burial gown trying to get home. Also well-known is the "Devil Baby of Hull House." A child was born in the house with scaly skin and a pointed tail now haunts it. Bachelor's Grove cemetery is a favored dumping ground of prohibition-era gangsters.  Headstones seem to move at will, and several sightings have been reported. The most famous being the "White Lady," a ghost seen in white cradling a baby in her arms.

8.  Salem, Massachusetts.  Infamously known for the Salem Witch Trials beginning in 1692, the city was destined to be haunted. The trials created mass hysteria and turned neighbor against neighbor. In the end 19 were hung on Gallows Hill, said to be haunted by all 19 of the spirits. Also in Salem is the Joshua Ward house. It was built on the foundation of the home of George Corwin. Corwin was Sheriff during the Witch Trials and known for his role in the death of Giles Corey, a local charged with witchcraft. Corey refused to enter a plea in court so Corwin used an old English legal precedent to coerce him into talking. He placed him under a board and loaded it with rocks. Corey never conceded and was eventually crushed to death under the weight. To this day it is said they both haunt the house.

9.  Portland, Oregon.  Established as a shipping hub and port of call in the 1800s, it was a place where many were shanghaied. The elaborate system of tunnels beneath the city made it easy to take the kidnapped to the harbor without notice. These tunnels are said to be haunted by the sailors' victims. The ornate Pittock Mansion is said to be haunted by its original owners, Mr. Pittock and his wife. Many have seen apparitions and heard footsteps coming from empty rooms but the most peculiar is the portrait of Mr. Pittock that moves itself around the house from room to room. Bagdad movie theater plays host to a number of ghosts and you might spy a phantom rowboat on the Willamette River.

10.  Key West, Florida.  Like so many of the cities on this list, Key West has a rich history of buccaneers and rumrunners and thus a seedy history. Haunted Captain Tony's Saloon is located where the island's morgue once was and has a tree growing in the middle that is said to a lynching tree for pirates and other criminals. Along with ghosts of pirates and criminals, Ernest Hemingway is said to haunt his house on the island. And of course no tour is complete without a visit with the infamous Robert the Doll. According to legend, the doll was given to painter Eugene Otto in 1904 by a servant who was displeased with the family and skilled in voodoo and black magic. Eugene's parents could hear the doll and their son have conversations and neighbors could see Robert moving from window to window in the house. Today you can visit Robert at the Key West Art and Historical Society. Beware if you wish to take his picture, according to legend, the person must ask the doll politely, if he does not agree (by tipping his head to one side) and a picture is taken anyway, then the doll will curse the person and their family.

Most of these cities have ghost tours and additional activities around Halloween. I hope this list helps make your Halloween even Spooktacular and fun!