The jack-o-lanterns are being placed on front porches, trick-or-treaters are picking out their costumes, and the ghosts and goblins of Coastal Virginia are making headlines again. Whether you are a Halloween lover, a history lover, or just love scary movies, it’s time you learned the haunted history behind where you live!
The Historic Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach
At the start of the Cavalier Hotel’s history, it was dubbed the “Grand Dame of the Shore,” and attracted many well-known names of the 20s and 30s. Some of the names included F. Scott Fitzgerald, Doris Day, and Frank Sinatra. However, more than one ghost tale seems to haunt this location despite its grandeur. From the ballroom piano playing itself or the phantom phone calls from the sixth floor, this historic beauty also can spook guests. Those who have stayed at the hotel say they have even seen some of the ghosts, including Adolph Coors, the founder of Coors Brewery who died at the hotel in 1929.
Moses Myers House in Norfolk
Moses Myers & Company were known for reconstructing the city of Norfolk post-Civil War. While known for building things back up, the home of Myers is not for the faint of heart. Rumors say today the house is haunted by a figure wearing a top hat and cloak. It’s presumed to be the former business partner of Moses who was killed on the property.
Fort Monroe in Hampton
The 565-acre fort is known for its rich history dating back to the 1830s, but it’s the fort's permanent residents who are said to haunt it. Fort Monroe is the largest stone fort built in the U.S. and visitors pass through daily. Some have described the ghosts here as “The women in white” or the moat monster. These are just a few of the more popular apparitions, but who knows what you may find.
The Great Dismal Swamp in Suffolk
As the legend goes, if you go into the Great Dismal Swamp late at night you will see the image of a woman paddling a white canoe. She will have a lamp and is rumored to be looking for her lover. The history of this swamp goes back centuries, and the swamp nowadays closes before nightfall, saving many from this ghostly encounter.
Believer of ghosts or not, the history behind where you live can be a fun story to tell when family and friends come to visit you this Halloween. Let them enjoy your spooky tales but rest assured, your beautiful Chesapeake Homes house is NOT HAUNTED*.
*Chesapeake Homes is not responsible for any ghost sightings you may have.
