Haunted West Virginia Locations That Are Sure to Give You Chills

With as much unique history as West Virginia has rolling through its hills and mountains, it is no surprise to hear tales of ghostly hauntings, strange noises and unexplained sightings. You can also find West Virginia mentioned on Forbes‘ list of the most haunted states in America. If you’re in search of spooky places, look no further than the Mountain State.

Lake Shawnee Amusement Park

Lake Shawnee Amusement Park is located in Mercer County, just outside of Princeton. The park has quite a dark history that spans back over several centuries. In the 1700s, Mitchell Clay had numerous disputes with local Shawnee Native Americans that led to the deaths of Clay family members and several Shawnee warriors. The Shawnee viewed the land Clay settled on as sacred because it held some of their burial grounds. Fast forward to the 1920s – a local businessman purchased the land around Lake Shawnee and created Lake Shawnee Amusement Park. After many years and several mysterious deaths at the park, Lake Shawnee was closed and sat vacant for most of the 1900s. Today, the park rides still stand, overgrown with weeds and trees and forgotten by time. The crowds left the park, but some say there are some visitors that still remain after all these years. Spirits are said to roam. Tours of the park are offered throughout the year for visitors to investigate for themselves.

Point Pleasant

In mid-November of 1966, a mysterious creature named Mothman began haunting the skies of Point Pleasant and much of the Metro Valley and Mid Ohio Valley of West Virginia. Over the course of roughly a year, many residents reported seeing Mothman up until the collapse of the Silver Bridge on the Ohio River. Mothman was never spotted in Point Pleasant again, and many believe Mothman was attempting to warn the residents of Point Pleasant of impending danger. Today, the Mothman Museum stands in downtown Point Pleasant and offers visitors an inside look at the history of Mothman in the region. There is a large statue of the Mothman outside of the museum, and the McClintock Wildlife Management Area where the creature was spotted can still be visited.

West Virginia Penitentiary

Opened in 1875, the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville is believed by many to be one of the most haunted prisons in the United States. This certainly isn’t far-fetched, as the prison was saw riots, fires and nearly 100 executions within its walls throughout its years of operation. Visitors have reported sightings of phantom inmates and a “shadow man” wandering the premises, as well as unexplained noises, voices and cold spots. Today you can tour the lockup areas and prison yard and view the electric chair dubbed “Old Sparky.” True paranormal enthusiasts have the option to stay for an overnight tour of the prison – guided by their own flashlights and adrenaline. In addition to regular tours year round, the prison hosts a haunted house every October.

Are you up for a scare? Channel your inner paranormal investigator and make a visit to these unique and historic Mountain State locations. You never know what you might find.

This post was last updated on December 23, 2024