Some trips leave you with souvenirs. Others leave you with goosebumps.
I’ve always been deeply curious about places on the edge of myth and memory. That fascination led me to explore the haunted places in Maryland, where American history and supernatural folklore blur in the most intriguing ways.
After years of swapping travel tales with fellow explorers, I heard whispers of eerie corridors, haunted inns, and battlefield apparitions. I knew I had to see for myself when the stories started overlapping.
I mapped out a route connecting some of the most spine-tingling haunted Maryland locations, each with its eerie past and still-thrumming energy.
Point Lookout Lighthouse
A windswept peninsula in St. Mary’s County hides a Civil War-era beacon known for its spectral sightings.
A Light Through the Fog of History
Completed in 1830, the Point Lookout Lighthouse was built where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay, a site of natural beauty and strategic importance. The location quickly became critical during the Civil War, when the Union established a large prisoner-of-war camp nearby, housing thousands of Confederate soldiers under harsh conditions.
Though initially a lifesaving center for ships navigating treacherous waters, the area became notorious for its overcrowded facilities and high mortality rates among prisoners. Over time, the lighthouse underwent numerous upgrades and was maintained by dedicated private keepers.
Eventually, the U.S. Navy took control, and it remained active until 1966. Today, it stands decommissioned, but carefully preserved, bearing the weight of history, war, and whispered hauntings that continue to captivate visitors.
The Restless Prisoners and Phantom Voices
Visitors report hearing disembodied voices calling from the shoreline and lights flickering in sealed rooms, as if unseen hands are reaching through time. Some claim to see a figure in a Civil War uniform pacing near the tower, his expression lost in a permanent state of unrest.
Perhaps most chilling is the story of Ann Davis, a former lighthouse keeper, often seen standing silently at the top of the stairs, her eyes fixed on something no one else can see. Paranormal investigators have captured EVPs of moaning and whispering, and cold spots persist even during the warmest summer months.
Some visitors report sudden waves of nausea, dizziness, or overwhelming sorrow upon entering certain rooms. Shadowy figures are seen darting through hallways, only to vanish before they can be fully perceived. Flashlights die inexplicably, and batteries drain without explanation.
This is undoubtedly one of the most chilling haunted places in Maryland; stepping inside feels like walking into a frozen scream, where time warps and the past refuses to let go.
Lord Baltimore Hotel
This historic downtown Baltimore hotel boasts art deco charm and some unsettling overnight guests.
Elegance Meets the Grit of Time
Constructed in 1928, the Lord Baltimore Hotel was once among the tallest buildings in Maryland, a gleaming symbol of luxury and innovation. With French Renaissance architecture and ornate detailing, the hotel played host to celebrities, politicians, and well-heeled travelers.
Through the Great Depression and beyond, it became a city icon. Extensive renovations brought it into the modern era while maintaining its vintage soul.
Beneath its grandeur, however, lies a darker past tied to tragedy and tales that refuse to fade.
The Girl in the Pink Dress
Guests and staff alike tell of a little girl roaming the 19th floor in a rose-colored dress, who is said to have jumped to her death during a tragic incident in the 1930s. She appears in mirrors, wanders the grand ballroom late at night, and vanishes without a sound when anyone gets too close.
Her giggles are sometimes heard echoing down empty hallways. Elevators mysteriously stop on unoccupied floors, and the buttons seem to press themselves. Lights flicker with no identifiable cause, and sudden cold drafts sweep through rooms even when windows are shut tight.
Several employees have reported feeling unseen hands brushing their arms or tugging at their clothing. Paranormal researchers have documented strange electromagnetic activity and unexplained whispers captured on audio.
It’s not just the history that lingers here; it’s the presence of something else entirely.
Historic Savage Mill
This former cotton mill turned artisan village is home to more than just artists and antique shops.
Threads of the Haunted Places in Maryland
Established in the early 1800s, Savage Mill was a vital hub in Maryland’s cotton and textile industry. The mill thrived on the Little Patuxent River thanks to water-powered machinery and a strategic railway connection.
It supported a bustling workers’ village with housing, stores, and churches. Eventually, like many mills, it declined before being repurposed as a shopping and cultural center.
The Crying Woman and Shifting Shadows
Legends speak of a woman heard weeping softly in the hallways after closing hours, her sorrow echoing through the aged wooden beams. Store owners have reported objects inexplicably flying from shelves and lights flickering or switching on by themselves, even after the building is locked up tight for the night.
The sound of both measured and deliberate footsteps often trails down the wooden corridors, though no one is ever visible. Some say the restless energy stems from a worker who died tragically in an industrial accident decades ago, his spirit unable to move on.
Others believe it’s the collective imprint of countless lives that passed through during the mill’s bustling peak. Strange drafts are often felt in sealed rooms, and security cameras occasionally catch fleeting shadows moving in locked areas.
Whether tied to one entity or many, Savage Mill radiates an eerie stillness that settles deep in your bones. It’s one of those quietly unsettling haunted Maryland locations where the past never feels quite done with the present.
Baltimore County Almshouse
Once a shelter for society’s forgotten, this building carries the residue of suffering and forgotten souls.
An Institution for the Vulnerable
The Baltimore County Almshouse opened in 1874 to house the county’s impoverished, elderly, and mentally ill residents.
Designed as a self-sustaining farm and care facility, the Almshouse operated under harsh and often unforgiving conditions, reflecting the era’s social policies and limited resources. Over time, it evolved to include a hospital wing and dormitories for various occupants, serving as a complex institution that tried to manage widespread poverty and illness.
Today, the building is home to a historical society and museum, preserving its legacy. Its exterior remains mostly unchanged, standing as an austere and somber reminder of the state’s historical treatment of the destitute and vulnerable populations.
Spooky Spots in Maryland and Whispered Names
Ghost hunters have reported feeling sudden and dramatic drops in temperature, as if the warmth is being sucked out of the room. Whispers are frequently heard when individuals are alone in the building, low and unintelligible, but undeniably present.
Footsteps echo from empty rooms, their pacing steady and deliberate, despite the absence of any visible source. Some claim to see dark figures drifting past doorways that lead to bricked-off hallways or sealed-off wings.
The most haunting sight is that of a woman in white, often seen rocking silently in a corner of what once served as a patient room: her face obscured, her presence deeply unsettling. Others speak of inexplicable knocking sounds, disembodied cries, and feelings of being watched.
Antietam National Battlefield
The site of one of the bloodiest days in American history, this battlefield still reverberates with the cries of soldiers.
A Field Drenched in Blood
On September 17, 1862, the Battle of Antietam unfolded near Sharpsburg, Maryland, resulting in over 22,000 dead, wounded, or missing soldiers. Though tactically a draw, it remains the single bloodiest day in U.S. military history, a brutal clash that marked a turning point in the Civil War.
The battle halted a Confederate advance into the North and gave President Abraham Lincoln the political capital he needed to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.
Today, the Antietam National Battlefield preserves extensive trenches, fences, and monuments honoring the fallen soldiers, offering visitors a powerful, solemn reminder of the cost of freedom and the intensity of this historic conflict.
Maryland Urban Legends and Ghostly Regiments
Many visitors report hearing the unmistakable sound of marching boots or distant drum rolls echoing across the battlefield in the dead of night, even when no one is around.
Shadowy figures have been seen moving slowly across Burnside Bridge, vanishing as quickly as they appear. Lantern lights often flicker along Bloody Lane with no visible source, their glow dancing eerily in the darkness.
Some people describe sudden, unshakable sorrow, dread, or even nausea when standing in certain field areas, especially those known to have seen the worst fighting. There are also accounts of phantom cannon fire and cries of men calling for help that never come.
Maryland urban legends claim the spirits of thousands still rally here, trapped in the chaos and horror of a battle too devastating to forget. Antietam remains one of the most emotionally charged and haunted places in Maryland, where time feels warped and history breathes through the silence.
Ellicott City
This historic town proudly wears its age and carries a few ghosts.
Old Bones and Iron Rails
Founded in 1772, Ellicott City rose to prominence through its gristmills and railroads. The B&O Railroad made its first terminus here, and cobblestone streets remain lined with colonial-era buildings and tightly packed storefronts.
Though it’s experienced floods and fires, the town has rebuilt, leaning into its deep roots. With its preserved architecture and scenic vistas, Ellicott City feels like stepping into a living diorama of the past.
Spirits in the Cellars of Maryland Ghost Tours
Several buildings in Ellicott City are reportedly haunted, from the old firehouse to the historic taverns tucked along its winding streets.
Tales speak of former patrons who never truly checked out, their laughter sometimes echoing in the dead of night. Some bartenders have shared accounts of spectral colleagues, of figures appearing behind the bar before vanishing into thin air.
Cellars are particularly active, with reports of shadowy figures and sudden cold spots. One shop owner swears her mannequin changes poses overnight, always just slightly, but never in front of anyone.
Locals have long embraced the paranormal, making this picturesque town a staple on Maryland ghost tours. Paranormal investigators frequent the area, noting spikes in EMF readings and disembodied voices caught on tape.
Every weather-worn brick seems to hold a secret, every lamppost a witness to something otherworldly. Ellicott City is a living museum of haunted Maryland locations, where the past walks beside you, just out of reach.
Jericho Covered Bridge
A pastoral setting conceals one of the state’s most unsettling legends.
Spanning Generations
The Jericho Covered Bridge, built in 1865, crosses the Little Gunpowder Falls between Baltimore and Harford counties.
Designed in the Burr truss style, the bridge served local communities and farm traffic for over a century. Renovated in the 20th century, it retains its wooden charm and historical character, offering a peaceful view of rural Maryland.
Nocturnal Screams and Hanging Shadows
After dark, the atmosphere around Jericho Covered Bridge shifts from tranquil to deeply unsettling. Local lore tells of ghostly children glimpsed darting across the wooden span, their laughter becoming cries as they vanish into the shadows.
Anguished screams echo through the trees, chilling even the most skeptical visitors. Some believe the bridge was the site of executions during the Civil War, with enslaved individuals allegedly hanged from its beams, an origin for the heavy sorrow that clings to the air.
Others recount a tragic carriage accident that claimed several lives, their apparitions now seen wandering aimlessly at dusk.
Paranormal investigators report cold spots, electromagnetic fluctuations, and the distinct sound of dragging footsteps.
Governor Calvert House
This colonial landmark in Annapolis holds the elegance of a bygone era (and a few uninvited guests).
Seat of Power, Home of Mystery
Built in the 18th century, Governor Calvert House was originally the residence of Maryland’s first provincial governor. Located on State Circle, it’s been a private home, office, and hotel across centuries.
Restored several times, the building now forms part of the Historic Inns of Annapolis. Rich woodwork, fireplaces, and antiques bring the colonial ambiance to life.
Haunted Maryland Locations With Vanishing Figures
Guests at the Governor Calvert House have long reported phantom footsteps echoing through the hallways, often accompanied by doors opening on their own with no one around. One of the most enduring tales is that of a former servant who is said to still tidy the rooms: fluffing pillows, rearranging furniture, and even folding linens left out overnight.
Visitors have glimpsed figures dressed in 18th-century garb from the corners of their eyes, always disappearing when given a second look. Some have described the sensation of being watched or lightly touched on the shoulder when standing alone in certain suites.
Historic Haunted Places Maryland: FAQs
Is It Safe to Visit Maryland’s Haunted Places at Night?
Most historic haunted sites in Maryland have set operating hours. Visiting at night, while tempting, can be considered trespassing if not done through an official ghost tour. Always check ahead!
Do I Need to Book a Tour to See These Places?
Some places, like Antietam Battlefield or Ellicott City, can be explored independently. However, guided Maryland ghost tours often provide additional access, context, and safety.
Are Any of the Haunted Places in Maryland Kid-Friendly?
Some sites, such as Historic Savage Mill and Ellicott City, are fine for children. Remember that places like the Baltimore County Almshouse might be too intense for younger visitors.
Are Overnight Stays Available at Any of These Spots?
Yes, hotels like the Lord Baltimore offer both luxury and potential paranormal experiences. Just request the right floor, if you’re feeling brave.
My Experience Visiting Haunted Spots in Maryland
I would do this spooky trip again in a heartbeat. Something about the layers of history and humanity wrapped in these places makes them endlessly fascinating. Each site offers a distinct atmosphere; some hushed and reverent, others crackling with energy.
I left with a deeper appreciation for Maryland’s cultural fabric and the power of storytelling, both lived and imagined. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or a history buff, the haunted places in Maryland will leave a lasting impression.
Plan your route, keep your senses sharp, and let the shadows guide you. The stories are waiting, and Maryland’s haunted past is eager to be explored.
