Disclaimer: To keep the “journalist” integrity of this blog, all of the stories have been debunked or found to be false. I have personally spoken with people who have worked at some of these locations; while they personally never experience anything paranormal, they have confirmed the presence of odd energy. With that in mind, I will only share the myths and folk history of these places.
With Halloween just around the corner, now is the perfect time to explore some of the most haunted places in the Augusta area. While Augusta is not considered a haunted town like Savannah or other places, a historic town such as our city has witnessed its share of paranormal activity. Like any other city, Augusta has seen and heard things over the many years of its existence. It has its tales and spine-tingling places. Some of which are open to the public. Why not pay a little visit to those?
Augusta State University
This location is rumored to have the most paranormal activity in the city. Staff and students alike claim to have seen strange things among its many historical buildings. Spirits will cause people to hear chains rattling and screaming. People who have had encounters with the unknown tell of an entity dressed in a Confederate army uniform and another in a black suit. While many stories float around campus, the most popular is of the ghost of Emily Galt.
The Bellevue Hall was built in 1806 as the summer home of Freeman Walker. The first occupants of the building were John Galt and his family — his wife and two daughters, Emily and Lucy. According to the myth, Emily falls in love with a soldier that worked at the Arsenal. Soon, the soldier presented her with a diamond ring. John’s daughter was very proud of the ring and would show it off to anyone who cared to look at it. Further, in 1861, it is said that Emily and Lucy used the ring to scratch their names in one of the upstairs windows.
Here where is where everything turns south. There are several versions of this story, but the most prominent are as follows:
However, after the Civil War started, her fiance was deployed and killed in action. Emily can’t bear the pain of the loss and goes insane, throwing herself off the second-floor window. Many people have reported seeing the girls playing ball around the Bellevue building. Others swear they can hear loud screaming coming from the building. Supposedly, this is Emily and her fiance arguing about him going to the war.
Ezekiel Harris House
Once considered the most haunted place in the area, Ezekiel Harris House sits in downtown Augusta. According to historian Dr. Leeann Caldwell, not much is known about Ezekiel Harris. Records indicate that he fought on the Confederate side in the civil war and later became a tobacco merchant. He became a very wealthy businessman.
According to the legend, during the revolutionary war, when Augusta was sieged, thirteen patriots were hung on the porch of the house. The staff and visitors have reported the soldiers’ ghost appearances and creaking sounds. Some have even said they feel a rope around their neck. Also, people have reported the apparition of a female spirit, but no one is sure who it is.
It is important to note that this particular location which was once thought to be Ezekiel Harris’ house, is, in fact, the Mackay trading post. That would technically debunk the theory of the house being haunted. However, it does not explain what some people have seen or felt.
Redcliff Plantation, Beech Island.
The house was initially built in 1859; visitors can come and visit the house and slave quarters. The house was owned by three generations of Hammonds. James Hammond, the patriarch, was a congressman, senator, and later SC governor. He was also a pedophile and kept the accounts of his assaults in his diary. History reports that he was a demanding and difficult man.
Due to its cruel past history, lots of activity is believed to occur. Reports indicate that the plantation house is haunted by James Hammond himself. Many visitors have reported seeing his shadowy figure and even feeling him touching them when visiting the grounds. Other entities are said to haunt the plantations. According to legends, if you wander near certain fields, eerie things start to happen.
Rosemary Inn, North Augusta
Not to be confused with Rosemary’s baby. This historic inn was built by James U. Jackson, North Augusta’s founder and manager of the North Augusta Land Company, around 1902. Folks reported seeing the spirit of a woman, which is believed to be Mrs. Jackson, the wife of James U. Jackson.
Guests have reported a number of eery and unexplained things happening in the property, including objects disappearing. Also, footsteps and other different noises have been reported. Unfortunately, the current owners have decided to close the inn business, so the state is no longer accessible.
Sibley Mill, Augusta
Sibley Mill is one of my favorite stories. This historic building was built on the site of Powder Works. It was one of just two mills 19th Century textile mills that operated till the early 2000s. If all legendary stories were true, the mill would be one of the most haunted places in Augusta.
According to the myth, in the early 1900s, men and women worked side-by-side in the weaving machines. One of the women, Maude Williams was having an affair with a married co-worker, Arthur Glover. In 1906, to put an end to the relationship, Glover shot and killed Maude at the mill.
Several former employees have reported seeing Maude in the weaving room. Some even said they talked to her.
The Partridge Inn, Augusta
Probably the most popular haunted place in the CSRA. The Partridge Inn has been in business for over a century. The historic architecture is appealing to many guests. But it is allegedly haunted by the presence of a heartbroken bride named Emily. Not the same Emily at Augusta University.
The beautiful young bride died of a broken heart shortly after receiving the message that her groom was shot dead. He was riding into town for the wedding when he was mistaken for a soldier wanted for treason.
Staff and guests alike have reported seeing Emily in her wedding gown in the corridors of the hotel.