5 of Birmingham’s Most Haunted Locations
With Halloween right around the corner, we wanted to share some of Birmingham’s most historically haunted destinations. While we all love a good scare from time to time, we encourage visiting this list at your own risk!
Sloss Furnace
In 1881, James Withers Sloss began the construction of Sloss Furnace, which opened its gates on April 18, 1882. The factory employed hundreds of workers and saw extremely dangerous working conditions. Industrial accidents were frequent at Sloss as almost every inch of the building held dangers. On September 9, 1887, Richard Jowers was working at Furnace Number One when he slipped and fell into the molten below. As Sloss is now a national landmark, many visitors say they can hear screams of workers who lost their lives in the factory. One of the more sinister hauntings comes from a man known as “Slag,” a cruel foreman who some say can still be heard yelling at his crew. Learn more.
Tutwiler Hotel
The Tutwiler Hotel was opened by Robert Jemison in 1914 and was considered one of the country’s best hotels. Over the years, both workers and guests have reported paranormal activity around the hotel. One of the most significant occurrences was by a hotel bartender in 1995. Each night, the bartender would turn out the lights, only to return the next morning and find the bar lights back on. One morning, his boss called him into work to find a multi-course meal with candles and a bottle of wine displayed. Many believed that this was the work of the ghost of Colonel Tutwiler, after whom the hotel was named. Many guests have also reported being awakened by loud knocking on their doors, only to find no one present. The Tutwiler Hotel has now been renamed the Hampton Inn & Suites Birmingham. Learn more.
Sicard Hollow Road
Sicard Hollow Road was part of the original Alabama interstate highway more than 100 years ago. Many say that just driving up and down the road at night can bring about a strange and unexplainable energy.
Bass Cemetery
If you’re looking to experience the paranormal, Bass Cemetery is located in Irondale off of a dirt road in the middle of the woods. While many argue that the cemetery is more than 200 years old, the oldest marked grave is dated from 1860. Bass Cemetery is the final resting place of Civil War soldiers, slaves from the area, as well as Revolutionary War soldiers. Many brave visitors have reported ghost sounds, and sightings of apparitions. Some believe that the graveyard is haunted by Revolutionary War soldier, Burwell Bass, after whom the cemetery is said to be named. Learn more.
Old Birmingham Public Library
The building is located in downtown Birmingham and was built in 1927. It is now known as the Linn-Henley Research Library and is used for archives and government documents. In the 1950s, Fant Thornley, director of the library at the time, died abruptly from a heart attack. As he was known as a hard worker and lover of books, many believe his spirit still roams the halls of the library. Some report the elevator moving without being summoned, cigarette smoke with no explanation and sightings of apparitions by late-night visitors. Learn more.
