Phil Skinner/Phil Skinner
Netherworld's proprietor, "The Collector,” likes welcoming Atlantans to his home, which is always decorated for Halloween (and we MEAN always). But if you’re looking to invest in maniacal manses, ghoulish grounds and scary spreads, we ask you -- if you could buy one of the following Georgia haunted houses... well... WOULD you? Let’s start our tour of terror close to home in metro Atlanta...PHIL SKINNER / AJC File Photo
As we head north of Atlanta, we come to the historic Kennesaw House, home to the Marietta Museum of History. Okay, so it’s an old cotton warehouse instead of a residence, but it’s one of the many locations in Marietta believed to be haunted by a number of ghosts. Learn more about how this venerable building survived Sherman’s March to the Sea here: 1 Depot St., Marietta. MARIETTA MUSEUM OF HISTORY / Special to AJC
KIMBERLY SMITH/AJC
Let’s compare some homes to haints on opposite sides of the state, starting in Coweta County. Bonnie Castle, a large 1896 Romanesque Revival Victorian home in the small west Georgia town of Grantville, has operated previously as a bed and breakfast. It’s closed now (so says Yelp, anyway) and we wonder if the reported spirit of an electricity-hating woman called Mary had anything to do with that. You’ll find the big castle in the little town here: Colley St., Grantville. KIMBERLY SMITH / AJC File Photo
Charlotte B. Teagle/AJC
Meanwhile, out east in Milledgeville, the Old Governor's Mansion has its own share of alleged ghosties. The mansion, completed in 1839, housed Georgia governors until 1868. Gen. Sherman liked the place so much he turned it into his headquarters, at least for a night, in late 1864. See the early Georgia capital city and one of its most famed landmarks here: 120 S. Clark St., Milledgeville. CHARLOTTE B. TEAGLE / AJC File Photo
Michael Dibari Jr./Special
The Hay House in Macon, now a museum, gets all dolled up for the holidays to welcome visitors. But folks say doors start slamming on their own and, as the Georgia Haunted Houses website states, “some have reported the feeling of someone breathing over their shoulder.” Maybe all that door-slamming tires out even the hardiest of haints. Let us (chickens) know after you visit, will you? Answers here: 934 Georgia Ave., Macon. MICHAEL DIBARI JR. / Special to AJC
WILLIAM BERRY
Since we’re close to Interstate 16, which connects Macon to Savannah, let’s head on over to what’s sometimes called America’s Most Haunted City. The Kehoe House located on Columbia Square in Savannah, Georgia, was built in 1892. It is now a luxury bed and breakfast. It is also said to be haunted by some of the Kehoe children who died in the house. Did we mention Kehoe House is an adults-only B&B? Ahem. Enjoy a romantic (and historic) getaway here: 123 Habersham St., Savannah. WILLIAM BERRY / AJC File Photo
We could stay in Savannah hunting the local haunts for... well, for at least a couple more photos. But we had to head on over to Americus in deep southwest Georgia because we think the Windsor Hotel, built in 1892, is not to be missed. The Windsor’s website says legend has it that “the ghost of a little girl, daughter of a former housekeeper, runs laughing at night” down the third floor hallway. Take a fun roadtrip and make a new young friend (if you stay on the third floor) here: 125 W. Lamar St., Americus. PHOTO: WINDSOR HOTEL
PAUL LEAVY / VALDOSTA DAILY TIMES
Our friends down south at the Valdosta Daily Times wrote a fine piece in 2014 about how the Bell House, built in 1872 and named for its former owner, Dr. David S. Bell, may still house the doctor -- in some form. Bell, described as “the owner of a medicine-tent show” during the Depression and later as a self-styled fortune teller, died in 1964. But the Daily Times says that “when the Bell House was operated as a restaurant and guest rooms, many employees and guests reported strange sounds around the building.” Learn more about Valdosta’s own famous -- or infamous -- Dr. Bell here: Ashley St., Valdosta. PAUL LEAVY / VALDOSTA DAILY TIMES
