#1 Hampton Lillibridge House

The Cape Cod-style Cape Cod home was built by Hampton Lillibridge, a Rhode Islander. It has survived a lifetime full of hardship. It survived the 1820 great fire, but it was destroyed by Lillibridge’s suicide. It was abandoned for decades and passed through many hands before Jim Williams, the preservationist described in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” bought it in 1963. Strange things began to happen. These events are now part of the house’s cultural legend. First, an accident death occurred when a worker was crushed by the fallen roof of the house while it was being physically moved. The crew also discovered an ancient crypt beneath the foundation of the house during restoration.

Jim Williams’ efforts led to supernatural activity in the house. The supernatural activity began with disembodied laughter, voices and footsteps. Their equipment was vulnerable to uncanny interference. Tools and other construction materials could move inexplicably or disappear completely. Unseen forces attempted to drag a laborer down a three-story chimney shaft. His fellow workers found him desperately grasping the floorboards and saved his life. All heard the gut-wrenching cry of a woman when someone suggested that an exorcism was necessary. One was indeed performed, and it is the only one documented in this mysterious city of Savannah. Unfortunately, it failed.

#2 Moon River Brewing Company

Many consider this beerhouse to be Savannah’s most haunted spot. The building that houses the famedly haunted and frequently filmed Moon River Brewing Company was Savannah’s first hotel. The City Hotel was built in 1821 and saw a lot of violence, from drunken shootings to beatings by lynch mobs.

It is clear that hauntings at these properties are influenced by the dark, troubled past. Many people have seen the aggressive apparitions that still haunt these properties. There’s also “Toby”, a shadowy figure who enjoys pushing customers around the billiards area. Another ghost is the appearance of a woman who appears to have ordered a drink from the bar.

Many have reported seeing a young woman in white walking up the restaurant’s stairs. Ghosts are also known to throw bottles at patrons and play tricks on staff members. Moon River Brewing Co. guests have nothing to be concerned as long as they avoid the basement or upstairs, which are two of the most active paranormal spots within the brewery.

For those participating in our FACEBOOK contest … YES, this is the second most haunted building in Savannah, built in 1821!  Now go back to our FACEBOOK PAGE (CLICK FOR LINK), comment on our post “FOUND IT. CHECK PM.”, and send us a Private Message (PM) with the answer.  All correct answers will get a chance to win one of our 3 prizes!  Yippee! 

#3 Hamilton-Turner Inn 

This historic Savannah home is a landmark. It was featured in the novel “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and it has been renamed. This home was built by Samuel Pugh Hamilton in 1873 for his family. He and his wife built a home that became the social hub of Savannah’s elite with their exuberant wealth. The fire that decimated Savannah in 1898 spared the home.

Children running and pitter-patting on the third floor have been reported by guests. They have caused child-like laughters. The stairs have been snuckered down by small footsteps. Many have reported hearing and seeing billiard balls roll around on the upper floors. (See the second gallery for the photo). Maybe these children’s spirits are still wondering about their parents from so many years back.

Historical accounts indicate that most likely! The Hamilton children would spend their time in the billiards room, while they were being relegated upstairs for one of Turner’s many parties. As they explored the downstairs, their boredom became curiosity. The clever children came up with a plan together to find out what their parents were doing. The children would use the home’s spiral staircase to roll the billiard ball. They would pretend it was an accident and run downstairs to retrieve the ball. They were able to see what the adults were doing at that moment.

A little girl tried to climb up the top stairway to throw a ball down. She fell and tumbled down the flight. That evening, the young guest died tragically in the home. Stories also relate that the young guest smoked a cigar on the roof and heard gunshots when the house was vacant.

As many houses in the area, this house was built on top of an old cemetery. These sounds were created by Confederate soldiers still suffering from the terrible effects of the Civil War.

#4 The Marshall House

The Marshall House is Savannah’s oldest hotel. It was built in 1851 and used as a hospital during yellow fever epidemics in the mid-1800s. It was also used to house Union soldiers during the American Civil War. In 1999, the Marshall House was reopened after being closed by its original owners in 1957. Human remains were discovered under the floorboards during renovations. These are thought to be original amputated limbs from soldiers who were wounded during the Civil War. Doctors would not be able to freeze the many amputated legs and arms. They devised a bizarre solution by hiding the remains of the human body under the floorboards in the hotel.

Staff and guests have also reported traditional ghostly activity. Children can also be seen running down long narrow hallways at night. Sometimes, they sneak into your bedroom and tickle you when you’re asleep. Unseen hands have turned faucets on. A woman’s spirit is believed to haunt the lobby ladies’ toilet and lock herself in one the stalls.

Many apparitions have been seen in foyers and hallways, including some of the Union Soldiers. Many of them have amputated limbs and are likely looking for bones from the renovations. It has been reported that nurses are using a variety of devices to try to determine the pulse rate from the living. A lonely phantom bugle also heard TAPS. Joel Chandler Harris, an author, is also a phantom that has taken refuge at Marshall Inn. People have heard the sound of his typewriter clacking in the old room where he used to live.

#5 Kehoe House

This Queen Ann mansion on Columbia Square was built in 1892 by William Kehoe (Irishman). He moved Annie and their ten children from Ireland to celebrate their success with the iron trade. Unfortunately, this was the end of their happy tale. Legend has it that the twins, aged 5 and 6, were playing hide-and-seek when they tried to climb into a fireplace to hide. Both boys reached for the fireplace and climbed up, until they were stuck. They stopped calling for help when ash fell upon them. Both boys died. Annie, their mother, found them both dead. The Kehoes died, and the rest of the children became the owners. The family sold the house in 1930, and it was renamed the Goette Funeral Home.

Even though the landmark’s ownership and usage have changed several times over the years, the hauntings have remained consistent.

Many people have shared stories about shadowy figures lurking in corners and disappearing as fast as they appear. A residual haunting, or spiritual replays of Mr. and Mrs. Kehoe wandering down the halls, is also possible. According to legend, Mr. William loves to turn on the lights and ring the front doorbell. On occasion, he will open the front door like a gentleman. Mrs. Annie is a great mother. She will wander up and down the hallways of the second floor, assuring that she is checking on her guests.

Every once in a while, guests will experience a sweet goodnight kiss on their cheeks. The Kehoe House twin boys, who died in the Kehoe House, are the most experienced and powerful phantoms at Inn. Visitors may hear their sweet voices and toys brought by them will move on its own. The lights will flicker and gentle, childlike footsteps will be heard throughout night. Both the owners and guests agree that the inn provides all the comforts of home while still taking good care of the living.