Savannah's known for its rich history and Southern charm, but it's also known for its ghosts and haunts. If you're looking to explore Savannah's haunted past, we invite you to stay with us --- in an authentic historic inn --- as you visit the city's most notorious ghosts and haunts.
Along with New Orleans and Salem, Savannah often finds herself on the list of “America’s Most Haunted Cities.” With a history that dates back to the colonial period, there are ample tales of spooks and haunts in Savannah, and equally as many ghost tours and trolleys you can take to enjoy the spirits. So why the haunted reputation? Here are a few reasons haunted rumors abound in our lovely city.
Savannah's history is filled with wars and conflicts. From the Siege of Savannah in 1779 (240 killed, 600 wounded), to the Civil War, clashes have left their mark. Many stories you'll hear on the haunted tours involve unsettled soldiers lingering around and inside buildings.
Fire and sickness are also to blame. In 1796 and in 1820, devastating fires destroyed hundreds of Savannah buildings. Also in 1820 and again in 1854, the Yellow Fever epidemic took the lives of a tenth of Savannah’s population. More epidemics followed—including one in 1876 killed 1,066 Savannahians.
Colonial Park Cemetery and other Savannah burial grounds are another reason for the haunted vibes. Colonial Park opened in 1750, and is the oldest intact municipal cemetery in Savannah. Prior to 1750, there were a few burial grounds that have now been covered up, built on top of, or paved over, earning Savannah the title the City that Lives on her Dead. More than 10,000 people are buried in Colonial Park Cemetery, but there are fewer than 1,000 grave markers.
Many of the buildings in Savannah that were constructed in the 1800s have haunted reputations. Here are the rumors and reasons our inns are mentioned on Savannah's haunted tours.
The Marshall House is one of the most talked-about "haunted hotels" in the United States. It was named #3 in a USA Today 10 Best Haunted Hotels survey, and its history has headlined on The Travel Channel, Today Show, TripAdvisor, Savannah Morning News and others.
The Marshall House opened in 1851, and has a history that's very conducive to ghostly experiences, including its role as a hospital during the Civil War. The Marshall House was shuttered for many years before making its way back to a hotel in 1999. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and many of its original features remain untouched, including 19th-century doors, windows, moldings, staircases and railings.
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Olde Harbour Inn's history goes back to 1812—making it one of the oldest inns in Savannah's historic district. Once a warehouse, the original structure was burned to the ground, and then rebuilt with brick in 1892. The building is mentioned in several books about Savannah ghosts, including Ghost From The Coast by Nancy Roberts.
Olde Harbour Inn's ghost is named "Hank," and he is the most-often sited ghost among the six inns. Guests have reported smelling cigar smoke when no smokers were present, experienced things moving around and seeing coins drop on the floor. Although there is no evidence that anyone perished in the fire of the building's early years, legend has it that "Hank" is the spirit of a worker who died in the fire.
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