The Most Haunted Places in Massachusetts

Where there is history there are sure to be ghosts and Massachusetts is not short on either. Arguably the most haunted state, Massachusetts’ sometimes violent past and the number of historic landmarks still standing, make it an ideal place for spirits who still walk the earth. Here are a few of the most haunted places in Massachusetts.

The Houghton Mansion

Located in North Adams, Massachusetts.

History: The Mansion was built around the year 1890 by Albert Charles Houghton, a former mayor of North Adams. Mr. Houghton died in his mansion from injuries sustained in a car accident. John Widders the family’s chauffer’s also died in the Houghton Mansion. Unable to cope with the guilt of the accident he shot himself in the Houghton barn. A daughter Mary also perished in the accident but passed away in North Adams Hospital.

Hauntings: The Houghton Mansion has been called one of the scariest places in New England and there have been reports of ghostly footsteps and voices. Visitors have been startled by flickering lights, slamming doors and loud knocking on the walls. The mansion has been visited by both mediums and paranormal investigators with many positive results of an active haunting.

The Houghton Mansion is available for walking tours for $ 5.00 per person.

For more information visit www.berkshireparanormal.com

Danvers State Hospital

Located in Danvers, Massachusetts

History: Built in 1878 and originally known as the State Lunatic Hospital at Danvers, the asylum was opened to deal with overcrowding issues at other such hospitals in Massachusetts. A large network of tunnels was built beneath the building to allow staff to move freely from one building to another. The hospital was abandoned in 1992 due to insufficient funding. In 2005 Danvers Hospital was purchased by a development company and most of the buildings were torn down. Two years later, while still under construction, several of the new structures were destroyed by a large fire. The cause of the fire is still unknown. A live webcam left at the site by the developers malfunctioned the night of the fire.

Hauntings: Before it was demolished many reports of voices, laughter and crying were reported by individuals who somehow gained access to the empty hospital. It has also been claimed that faces can be seen peering from the windows of the building. Many people say they felt a sense of dread or sadness when in the presence of the building.

Danvers State Hospital has been demolished and the area where it formerly stood is regularly patrolled by police and security. Trespassers will be prosecuted.

The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast

Located in Fall River, Massachusetts

History: The Lizzie Borden house is the site of one of Massachusetts most brutal and infamous murders. Andrew Borden and his wife Abbey were discovered on August 4, 1892 violently hacked to death in their Fall River home. Andrew’s youngest daughter Lizzie was accused of the crime and acquitted in one of the town’s most sensational murder trials.

Hauntings: Visitors to the Lizzie Borden house have felt ghostly fingers tapping them on the shoulder and heard footsteps coming from empty rooms. One guest even claimed to see the figure of a woman in Victorian dress in one of the bedrooms.

The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast is available for tours and overnight visits.

Contact www.lizzie-borden.com for availability.

The Hoosac Tunnel

Located in North Adams, Massachusetts

History: The Hoosac Tunnel is a railroad tunnel constructed in the 1800’s that took almost twenty-five years to build. In that time it claimed the lives of over 190 people, and an additional 30 after it was completed. One incident involved an explosion in the shaft of the tunnel killing 13 miners and earning it the nickname “The Bloody Pit”.

Hauntings: Individuals have claimed to hear cries of agony coming from the tunnel and seeing strange lights floating near its entrance. Ghostly miners have been seen working here at night.

The Hoosac tunnel is on a working railroad line so it is not available for investigating.

Salem, Massachusetts

History: Salem is known as “The Witch City” for its many landmarks associated with the Salem witch trials. In 1692 over 25 people were executed for practicing witchcraft. The method of death was mainly hanging but also included one man being crushed to death by large stones.

Hauntings: The city of Salem has numerous sightings of ghostly activity such as spirit images caught on film, figures of both the accused and the judges from the witch trials and a mysterious lady in black.

To see more of haunted Salem try taking a tour of the city’s most notorious locations.

www.hauntedhappenings.org

The dark side of Massachusetts stretches farther than can be written. Lost souls gather in every corner of the state. The few mentioned here are known to be some of the most frightening but there are plenty of other supernatural occurrences waiting to be explored in haunted Massachusetts.