Charleston’s Most Haunted Properties

Charleston boasts several things: its rich history, southern charm, coastal culture, and tales of the paranormal. Behind the cobblestone streets and colorful architecture lies a more eerie and haunted history. Below are some of the places that stand out within one of America’s most haunted cities, Charleston, South Carolina.

The Old City Jail

Builders completed the Old City Jail in 1802, and the city operated it as a jail for 136 years. During its time, it housed criminals with rap sheets ranging from petty theft to murderers. During the Civil War, Confederates used it as a POW camp. At times, it got so full that some Union soldiers had to sleep outside.

Throughout the jail’s history, many died from disease, and others from capital punishment. It is recorded that over 10,000 people died in the building. Since then, the city has reopened the jail for tours.

Guides and patrons alike have noted many ghosts, like Lavinia Fisher, America’s first female serial killer, and Jacque Alexander Tardy, a pirate. Several paranormal television shows have featured the jail, and many consider it the most haunted building in Charleston.

Fenwick Hall Plantation | John’s Island

Originally built in the 1730s, Fenwick Hall Plantation, on John’s Island, has a long and storied history with both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, as well as indian raids. From legends of headless horsemen to tales of Star-crossed lovers, the Fenwick Hall Plantation has spooky tales dating back three centuries.

The Commissioner of the Indian Tract originally owned the land and developed it over the remainder of the 18th century. Since then, it has changed hands a number of times and even hosted a luxury rehabilitation center in the 1980s. It has also been the center point for the rumors of Ann and her beloved Tony. Ann was the daughter of Edward Sr., who inherited the plantation in 1747.

She fell in love with her riding companion, Tony, and when the two secretly eloped without her father’s permission, he had Tony hanged. Ann never accepted the fate of her lover and roamed the halls gently calling his name until her death.

Since then, owners and visitors of Fenwick Hall have reported a headless horseman, suggesting Tony was also decapitated. Many also claim to see apparitions of a young couple dressed in white, hoping the star-crossed lovers have finally reunited

The Pink House 17 Chalmers Street

No one knows for certain the year the Pink House at 17 Chalmers Street was constructed; most historians believe it was between 1694 and 1712. This three-story building stands out for its coral color that comes from its Bermuda stone.

Over the years, the structure has hosted a plethora of businesses, from a brothel to a tavern and even a law office. Although the exact history of the Pink House is foggy, many believe that patrons and women who frequented the Pink House have attached themselves to it. Windows open and slam shut by themselves, there are reports of footsteps going up and down the stairs, and ghostly apparitions.

Battery Carriage Inn 20 South Battery 

Built in 1843 by a wealthy Samuel Stevens, the inn’s original purpose was as a private mansion. After the Civil War, Charleston’s once-affluent culture struggled, and many owners abandoned their glamorous mansions. Lathers, a Yankee Colonel, decided to invest in the city and bought the home on 20 South Battery. He renovated the property, which now aligns more closely with its current appearance.

Unfortunately, Charleston never fully rebounded to its pre-war prosperity, dashing his hopes for the city. Over the following decades, several owners took possession of the mansion. In the 1960s, the inn served as student housing for the College of Charleston before turning back into a hotel.

Three rooms stick out for their intense paranormal activity. Rooms 3, 8, and 10 are all known for their restless energy, with guests frequently reporting unexplained noises and the unsettling sensation of someone lying on the bed that is not actually there. 

Charleston’s historical properties are renowned for their ghostly inhabitants. Many of these sites are open to the public through tours, events, or even lodging opportunities. To see these properties and others like them, you can check out the Bulldog Tours website.