A Look at Haunted Attractions in North Alabama

Halloween is just around the corner, and for me that means embarking on a quest to find haunted houses and attractions in North Alabama. Here are a couple of haunted attractions in North Alabama I’ve set my sights on this October, which includes places with paranormal activity and good-old-fashioned haunted houses.

Haunted Attraction #1: Sloss Furnace

Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Good for: Alabama/Birmingham history buffs, people that want a more interesting haunted house experience
Visit the Sloss Furnace website

The History:

Sloss Furnace is a retired pig-iron production facility built in 1880. Though the furnace closed in 1970, it recently re-opened as Sloss Fright Furnace, thanks to the unusually high levels of paranormal activity. It’s not surprising – working at Sloss was a dangerous business. Countless workers were killed or maimed from accidents, explosions, and some have speculated murder.

The Hauntings:

The oldest reports of paranormal activity date back to 1920’s, shortly after the “accidental” death of notorious foreman James “Slag” Wormwood, though some say his death was intentional. Paranormal activity includes steam whistles blowing on their own, apparitions of former workers, and in extreme cases physical assault. Sloss Furnace has been featured on Ghost Adventures, Ghost Hunters, and Scariest Places on Earth.

Sloss Fright Furnace features three trails:

Other Attractions:

Marathon of Horror: An outdoor movie theater showing continuous horror movies
Roadkill Cafe: the official snack bar
Stages of Death: providing live entertainment
The Conjuring Room: a genuine seance house

Haunted Attraction #2: Arx Mortis

Location: Killen, Alabama
Good for: Classic haunted house fans, fans of elaborate exhibits with sinister back stories
Visit the Arx Mortis website

The main attraction at Arx Mortis is Covington Clinic, an old hospital run by the mad Dr. Covington. This particular mad doc is obsessed with bringing the dead back to life and as researching a secret society called Arx Mortis,Latin for “Death Fortress”. The theme of secret societies and dark rituals is prevalent in the largest haunted attraction in the South. To read more about the backstory of this haunted attraction, visit the Arx Mortis website.

No paranormal activity is attached to these haunted trails, but those looking to be scared won’t be disappointed!

Attractions include:

Covington Clinic: an old hospital that is over 50,000 sq feet of indoor horror
Greystone Manor
Miner’s Hill: an intense outdoor trail rife with gruesome ghouls and psycho hillbillies.
Kreeper’s Corner: the Arx Mortis gift shop
Killing Town Pizza: the official food stand

Haunted Attraction #3: The Victoria Inn and Restaurant

Location: Anniston, Alabama
Good for: History buffs, those a little more faint of heart.
Visit the Victoria Inn and Restaurant website

The History:

Nestled in a small grove of trees off of Quintard Avenue, it’s easy to almost miss the old Victorian mansion with it’s quiet atmosphere and simple, beautiful, sign. The Victoria Inn and Restaurant was built in 1888 by Confederate veteran John Mckleroy and has been lovingly restored to reflect the 1800s/early 1900s.

The Hauntings:

But with the inn’s history comes a few rumored hauntings as well.

Guests and staff have reported:

Hearing footsteps throughout the restaurant and house
Hearing glasses clinking by invisible hands behind the bar
Seeing a female figure on the upstairs landing
The piano plays in the lounge, even when it is completely empty

The phenomena is said to be caused by the spirits of former owners. Tours are not offered, but those that are seeking some history with a little haunted on the side can dine in the upscale restaurant or stay a night (or two) at the inn. To make a reservation, visit the Victoria Inn and Restaurant website.

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