The jack-o-lanterns are being placed on front porches, trick-or-treaters are picking out their costumes, and the ghosts and goblins of North Carolina 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 Mordecai House in Raleigh
This two-story mansion built in 1785, was passed down to Mary Willis Mordecai Turk in the 19th century. She was known to love parties, playing the piano, and having people over to gauk at her amazing home. The oldest house in Raleigh to this day, it is also know for its paranormal activity. Those who visit the grounds say they have seen a woman wearing a long black skirt moving quietly throughout the home. Others say in recent years, you may even hear a piano playing but no one at the keys.
The North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh
Even the state’s capital has a spooky backstory. While the North Carolina State Capitol’s structure hasn’t changed in its 160-year history, those who occupy it have. According to a night watchman at the Capitol, said he heard noises from screams, breaking glass, doors slamming and books hitting the floor in the third story library. In 1981, there were reports of people even encountering an apparition late at night.
Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh
This cemetery has an interesting angel watching out over all those who are buried here. The beautiful grave marker of Etta Ratcliffe is a statue of an angel that shares many of Etta’s features. It’s what happens at night that makes this statue special. The legend says that the statues life-like eyes follow you while you walk past. Others claim her entire head spins around 12 times at midnight on Halloween. If you don’t believe in the spinning angel you may just have to visit it for yourself.
Cabelands Cemetery in Durham
This abandoned cemetery in the middle of the woods has more than just the remains of bodies. The orginial homesteads, mills and farms are also hidden in the woods in Durham. Hikers on the Cabelands section of the Eno’s trail can spy on a piece of history. Some have even reported having heard whispering voices and screams in the woods. If you look closely you could see the shadow people in the trees on your hike as well.
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.
