Thedailymiaminews– Connecticut has a long and rich history. It was one of the first portions of the United States to be inhabited by colonists, and it was also one of the key areas of the Revolutionary War. In 1640, just twenty years after the Mayflower docked at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts, some of the first Europeans came to this place. Connecticut has seen the lives and deaths of numerous individuals over the past three hundred years, so it is not surprising that some of their ghosts have chosen to remain in the area for a little longer.
There are many ghost stories, and a lot of them have turned into urban legends that have been told and retold for many years. As a result, this small state in New England is said to have several spots that are haunted. Because of its compact size, it is ideal for ghost seekers who enjoy nothing more than a spine-tingling road trip!
Connecticut’s Most Frightening Locations
Connecticut has full of spooky and strange attractions, including abandoned buildings, haunted mansions, and hotels. We have compiled a list of the most haunted locations in Connecticut to assist you in getting started with your preparation. We have provided the haunting history of each location, along with the paranormal activity that has been reported there. We hope this may assist you in deciding where you would like to begin your experience!
1. Easton Union Cemetery
No matter where you go in the globe, cemeteries are always a little creepy. It can be quite unsettling to realize that the dirt beneath your feet is the ultimate resting place for hundreds or even thousands of people. Is this the reason that there are so many ghost stories associated with graves, or is there something more sinister going on?
Ed and Lorraine Warren, who are well-known for their work as paranormal investigators, are definitely of the opinion that this is true. The two of them went to the cemetery and said that they had a variety of paranormal experiences, such as seeing orbs and feeling cold shivers. The White Lady and Red Eyes are two of the most well-known spirits that haunt the cemetery. The identity of the White Lady is a mystery, however it is thought that Red Eyes is the ghost of Earle Kellog, a man from the area who was burned to death in 1935. His death occurred across the street from the cemetery.
2. Preston, Norwich State Hospital
The Norwich State Hospital, which was once called the Norwich State Hospital for the Insane, began accepting its first patients in 1904. The Norwich Hospital, like most asylums of the time, had grand buildings that were built to instill a sense of terror and awe in visitors. When it was opened, it was able to house 95 patients in just one structure. As the number of patients admitted to the facility increased, this figure rose quickly. The hospital was originally intended to treat persons with mental illnesses and those who were criminally insane. However, it also provided care for aged patients, people with chemical dependence disorders, and people suffering from tuberculosis.
In order to handle the growing number of patients and make the complex more self-sufficient, more structures were constructed. At its height, the hospital had its own apartments for physicians, an on-site laboratory, a club for employees, a barn, a main kitchen, two garages, a paint shop, and a garden.
In the 1970s, the level of treatment in most hospitals began to shift, which ultimately resulted in the closure of several of the structures at Norwich State Hospital. When the institution officially closed its doors in the 1990s, most of the buildings had been abandoned for a long time, with only two of them continuing in service. The National Register of Historic Places now has the facility on its list. The only individuals that are now in this deserted hospital are urban explorers and ghost hunters who are hoping to find some supernatural activity.
3. Newtown’s Fairfield Hills State Hospital
Fairfield Hills State Hospital was one of the biggest psychiatric hospitals in New England at one time. The facility began operating in the 1930s with only 500 beds and continued to treat patients until it was permanently closed in 1995. At its highest capacity, it accommodated more than 4,000 patients, with 200 patients assigned to each doctor and 80 patients assigned to each nurse. A network of underground tunnels connected the numerous brick buildings that served as confinement chambers, operating rooms, psychosurgery facilities, and a morgue. It was totally self-sufficient, just like many other hospitals at the time.
The city of Newtown took control of the hospital after it was shut down. A lot of the buildings were demolished, and the numerous tunnels were filled up. On the other hand, the old staff dining hall has been turned into a craft brewery, which is a great chance for you to hang out with the spirits! While you are there, make sure to check out the large grounds that are filled with walking pathways that cross each other.
The old hospital has very few ghost stories connected to it, which is unexpected. There are rumors that the ghost of a little girl in a white dress has been seen appearing from time to time, though this has not been confirmed. The whole facility has a spooky atmosphere that is certain to give you goosebumps.
4. Derby’s Sterling Opera House
The Sterling Opera House has been a prominent feature of Derby since 1889. It is situated in the Birmingham Green Historic District. When it first opened, it had elaborate decorations, complex wrought ironwork, keystone arches, and sweeping balconies, just like many of the magnificent theaters from the Gilded Era.
This stunning opera building has previously been the venue for performances by entertainment legends such as Harry Houdini, Bob Hope, and Bing Crosby. Sadly, the curtain fell for the last time in 1945. For the next twenty years, it served as a city hall, police station, and even a jail. At this historic opera house, the only ones who are putting on a performance are the ghosts that still hang around there.
The National Register of Historic Places was the first to include the opera house in Connecticut as a historic site. Some visitors have reported seeing a children’s ball moving around the theater by itself and hearing the sound of a child’s voice, even though the theater is closed to the public. As a result, people think that the theater is haunted by the spirit of a little boy or girl.
5. Waterford Seaside Sanatorium
The Seaside Sanatorium was established in the 1930s to provide treatment for children with tuberculosis. Later, it was repurposed to serve as a residence for the elderly and for those with mental disabilities. The institution is located in a perfect location right on the Long Island Sound since it was widely believed that fresh air, rest, and proper nourishment could cure tuberculosis. The Woolworth Building in Lower Manhattan and the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. are two more projects that were created by the well-known architect Cass Gilbert. The original brick complex included a gabled porch and stone archways, which made the hospital appear inviting and comfortable to its young patients.
The sanatorium primarily provided care for children until 1958, when it was transformed into a nursing home after the discovery that tuberculosis could be cured with antibiotics. By the 1970s, reports began to surface that the employees at the hospital had been mistreating patients and that many patients had experienced terrible mistreatment. The hospital’s death rate was far higher than anticipated by the middle of the 1990s. In 1996, the facility was finally closed down after a number of accusations, and the state took possession of the land. The sanatorium is progressively being repaired (but at a very slow pace).
The property is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the grounds surrounding the former hospital are open to the public. Visitors have claimed to have seen orbs all over the building and to have heard voices that did not have a physical body. Additionally, some reported experiencing intense sensations there that could be connected to paranormal activity.
6. Curtis House Restaurant and Inn, located in Woodbury
The Curtis House was initially designed by Reverend Anthony Stoddard to be a single-family home, which is different from some of the other haunted hotels located throughout the United States. In 1754, the property was finally opened as an inn. The lower level had several guest rooms, while the upper level included a ballroom that was ideal for social functions. The home changed ownership many times during the next 150 years. In 1900, a man called Levi Curtis decided to extend the hotel by building a third story, bringing the inn’s total number of rooms to 18. It has remained in operation as a guest lodging till now, making it the oldest inn still in business in Connecticut.
A number of guests who have visited here have claimed seeing paranormal activity, and it is said that several guests continue to haunt the place. The spirit of Lucius Foot, who was the owner of the inn from 1852 to 1857, is one of the most famous spirits. He was discovered in a nearby cemetery, and visitors have reported seeing the ghost of a Confederate gentleman, who they believe to be Foot, walking into several rooms of the inn before vanishing.
Anthony Stoddard is another well-known ghost. He is often seen wandering the halls on the first level of the building. The ghost legends started when a portrait of Anthony was set up in the inn. The painting was eventually moved to another location in the house after some reported feeling uncomfortable or said that they had a strange sensation when they looked at it. There are other ghosts as well, including a young woman named Sally who shows up on the second floor and a man in 19th-century garb who suddenly emerges in the Pub Room or dining room.
Recently, guests and staff members have reported seeing a man named Joe, who worked as a dishwasher at the inn before he died in 1985. Other paranormal activity that has been claimed there includes white apparitions seen in the lobby, whispering heard late at night, and bed covers being ripped off of guests who are asleep. The inn is open all year long, so be sure to spend the night there yourself and let us know what you think!
7. Bridgeport Remington Arms Munitions Factory
The Remington Arms Munitions Factory was built in 1867 by the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, shortly after the Civil War ended. It was established to meet the growing demand for shotgun shells and bullets worldwide. The factory, which was made up of 38 buildings and covered an area of 73 acres, was at its largest during World War I. At the beginning of the 20th century, the factory was the highest building in Connecticut. The 10-story, 190-foot tall tower was used to create shots (and no, not the good kind that contains salt and lime). With a workforce of 17,000 personnel, it produced over 10,000 guns each day and was referred to as the “greatest small arms and ammunition plant in the world.”
The armaments factory was extremely dangerous, with deadly incidents occurring rather frequently, just like many factories from the Industrial era. In 1905, a huge explosion took place in one of the structures, resulting in the deaths of three men and injuries to many others. This was one of the most serious catastrophes that occurred. Due of the terrible working conditions, 100 employees went on strike in 1914. The Bridgeport police met them with extreme violence, which resulted in the death of 18-year-old Frank Monte and several others being injured.
The workers’ requests for safety were mostly disregarded, and in 1942, another explosion took place, resulting in the deaths of seven men and injuries to 80 more. To make matters worse, the fire caused gunshots to bounce off of adjacent buildings and neighborhoods. The plant was officially closed in 1986, despite its efforts to remain operating. This was due to a significant decrease in the demand for rifles and ammunition following the conclusion of World War II.
Local locals claim that the building is haunted due to the numerous fatalities that took place there. They have reported seeing shadowy figures, hearing disembodied voices, and experiencing other unusual paranormal activity.
8. Pomfret: The Abandoned Village of Bara-Hack
There are a few stone foundations and an old graveyard located just outside of Pomfret. These are the last remaining pieces of the settlement of Bara-Hack, which was formerly prosperous. Obadiah Higginbotham, who had a great name, and Johnathan Randall, who had a less fascinating one, were the founders of the town. Randall had just arrived there from Rhode Island. The year was 1790. They started a linen industry there, and the hamlet quickly developed into a little village that included a waterwheel and mill, family dwellings, slave quarters, and, of course, a community graveyard.
The hamlet was abandoned as early as the beginning of the Civil War, and it disappeared almost as swiftly as it had grown. However, when visitors visit the ghost town, they encounter a series of unusual occurrences that cause them to think that the abandoned settlement is haunted. Numerous individuals have claimed to have seen a ghost infant, a bearded face, orbs, and flashing lights in the graveyard. They also hear the sounds of disembodied voices, agricultural animals, and horse-drawn carriages. The remains of Bara-Hack are currently closed to the public, but if you would like to see them in person, you may be able to schedule a visit with the proprietors in advance.
9. Devil’s Hopyard State Park, located in East Haddam
Devil’s Hopyard State Park is a beautiful area to spend some time getting to know Mother Nature. The park features a stunning waterfall and a towering forest. On the other hand, this area has been the subject of ghost stories and urban legends for hundreds of years, which is why it is considered one of the most haunted locations in Connecticut.
Native Americans once used the region where the park is located for their rituals. Once the Puritans moved in that area, they started to associate a lot of the natural features there with the devil. Since that time, individuals have reported seeing Satan at the top of the waterfall, seated on a boulder and playing his fiddle with great enthusiasm. At the same time, it is stated that black shadows, odd mists, and orbs are hiding in the woods. As you can imagine, the neighborhood is very busy around Halloween and is a fun spot to explore… if you are brave enough!
10. Charles Island: Milford
Charles Island is said to be the location of Captain Kidd’s lost treasure, and it has a history that is both interesting and a little bit sinister! It is said that this island is one of the most cursed locations on the planet. The island is only accessible during low tide, and many people have drowned while attempting to get there. The island is currently a natural reserve and serves as a crucial breeding site for numerous species that migrate. You can access it through Silver Sands State Park two times a day. However, be careful when you cross so that this cursed island does not take your soul!