The St. Albans Sanatorium in Radford, Virginia, was similar to the others I have covered in the past. These institutions were notoriously cruel, using inhuman methods like shock therapy, lobotomies, and other archaic practices on the patients. Doctors performed trials that had no positive effect on the patients, who acted as test subjects for savage…
The Restless Ghostly Travelers of Bracey General Store
Bracey General Store in Bracey, Virginia, is one of the earliest general stores in the area, dating to 1900. The store allowed locals to purchase goods, other household goods, and even carried caskets. The general store was a hotbed of activity for travelers who passed through town, since the store was near the railroad depot….
The Ghost of the Female Stranger
One place in Alexandria, Virginia, is the site of a curious mystery that has left many wondering who the stranger that allegedly haunts these grounds is. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum was initially built as a tavern and inn. In 1816, a young woman and her husband traveled to Alexandria on a ship. While on the journey,…
The Witch of Pungo
Witch trials in the Southern states are not a new phenomenon. Several places experienced these trials in the late 1700s and early 1800s, but only a few are still told to this day. One person who was also thought to be a “witch” was Grace White Sherwood, also known as the “Witch of Pungo.” Sherwood…
The Spirits of the Ferry Plantation House
The Ferry Plantation House in Virginia Beach, Virginia, dates back to 1642 when the second ferry service in Hampton Roads began carrying passengers across the Lynnhaven River to plantations and the county courthouse along the waterway. Today, the historic home serves as a museum and is on the Virginia Landmarks Register. However, some of the…
The Old Witch of the Great Dismal Swamp
I have written many stories on witches through the years. Actually, in the second book that I am currently writing, I pay homage to them in the “Season of the Witch.” One tale in the Great Dismal Swamp surrounds an old witch who taunts hunters. The legend states that the witch transforms herself into a…
The Dismal Town Bride and Groom
On a night roughly 45 years ago, a young park employee drove down the Washington Ditch Trail in the Great Dismal Swamp in Southeastern Virginia. As he headed out of the swamp, his dog began barking in anger. That’s when his headlights shined brightly on a young man and woman dressed in colonial-era clothing walking…
The Legend of The Lady of the Lake
Lake Drummond in the Great Dismal Swamp is near the North Carolina and Virginia border. The Great Dismal Swamp holds a rich history, numerous secrets, and a few legends. One that you may be unfamiliar with is the ghostly lovers of Lake Drummond. Legend says that a pair of American Indian sweethearts, who were planning…
The Ghosts of Elbow Road
The legend in Virginia Beach, Virginia, says to never stop on Elbow Road, or you may face the spirit of Mrs. Woble. Allegedly, Mrs. Woble was an elderly lady who lived in a small house in the sharp bend of this road. Reportedly, she was murdered, but her body was never found. Some have reported…
Legend of the Bunny Man
On Halloween of 1970, there were sightings of a man dressed as a rabbit committing vandalism in Fairfax County, Virginia. The perpetrator’s weapon of choice was an ax, described in the police report as having a two to three-foot handle with a three to four-inch blade on it. The people of Fairfax were rightfully distressed,…