There are plenty of hidden gems tucked away all over the state of Maryland, especially when it comes to haunted spots! We've rounded up a few that you may have never heard of before, or that you may not have known are supposedly haunted. Which ones have you visited before? Did you see anything paranormal? Let us know in the comments!
1. Dr. Samuel Mudd House in Waldorf
After John Wilkes Booth (who came from a well-known family of actors here in Maryland) assassinated President Lincoln in DC, he made his escape on horseback into southern MD. There, his injured leg was treated by Dr. Samuel Mudd. It's said that Booth's ghost still haunts the place where he spent time recovering before going back out on the run. People even claim to see an impression on the bed, as if an invisible person is lying on it.
2. USS Constellation in Baltimore
Yes, this sailing ship is said to be haunted by spirits! It was built in 1797 and served in five different wars, finally retiring in 1955 to spend the rest of its days as a floating museum for Baltimore residents and tourists alike. Spirits of captains, servant boys, and sailors can all be spotted by visitors -- some are even said to talk to people who don't realize they're ghosts, as if they're giving a tour of their beloved ship.
3. St. Paul's Cemetery in Chestertown
Visit St. Paul's Cemetery, and you just might hear encounter one of the 20th century's most iconic starlets -- Tallulah Bankhead. This saucy actress was known for defying the standards of her time, and now rests in peace in Maryland, though it's said that her trademark raspy voice can be heard near her gravestone.
4. Clara Barton National Historic Site in Glen Echo
One of Maryland's most famous historical figures was Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross! The house that honors her, in which she spent the later years of her life, was also an early Red Cross headquarters. Is it possible that the devoted Barton hasn't left the house, even many years after her death? People have reported seeing the dedicated nurse in her former abode. This house is currently closed due to COVID-19, but it's worth visiting when it reopens.
5. Patapsco Female Institute in Ellicott City
This finishing school opened its doors in the 1830s, but closed about sixty years later, and the building is merely a ruin now. Now, it belongs to the state of Maryland, and is open for tours and other events. It's also rumored that some of the students still haunt the grounds that tower over Ellicott City! A famous story says that a wealthy young Southern woman named Annie died of pneumonia her first summer at the Institute. Some say they still see her wandering.
6. Fort McHenry in Baltimore
Most forts have some dark or creepy backstories, and Fort McHenry is no exception! Visitors have felt cold spots and spotted phantom soldiers that once fought and patroled the fort. It's worth noting that there were also bodies buried on site, though supposedly all of them have since been moved to other burying grounds. But perhaps some of them were left behind...and can never leave.
Don't forget you can keep the local thrills and chills going by shopping our Halloween apparel, like our Maryland Things shirt!
