Haunted Sites of Rhode Island

October 28, 2024

The Ocean State is rich in ghost stories and haunted sites, thanks to its long history and colonial past. Here are some of the most famous ghostly tales and haunted places in Rhode Island:

1. Tower Hill Road, Cumberland

• Legend: The “Lady in White” is a well-known ghostly figure said to haunt Tower Hill Road. According to legend, she is the spirit of a woman who died in a car accident in the early 1900s. Drivers have reported seeing a woman in a white dress standing by the roadside or appearing suddenly in their rearview mirrors.
• Phenomena: The ghost is known to disappear suddenly, leaving witnesses shaken by the encounter.

2. Belcourt Castle, Newport

• History: Built in 1894, Belcourt Castle is a Gilded Age mansion with a storied past. Because it has changed hands several times and has been the site of various social events, is has layers of history.
• Ghosts: The castle is reputed to be haunted by several spirits. One story tells of a monk seen walking through the halls. Another is a phantom figure in armor. Some visitors have reported objects moving on their own and feeling sudden drops in temperature.

3. The White Horse Tavern, Newport

• History: The White Horse Tavern, established in 1673, is one of the oldest continuously operating taverns in the United States. Over the centuries, it has served as a meeting place for colonists, revolutionaries, and later, as a restaurant.
• Ghosts: The tavern is said to be haunted by multiple spirits. There’s a story of a man who died upstairs after being stabbed. Visitors and staff report cold spots, the feeling of being watched, and the sight of ghostly apparitions in colonial attire.

4. The Ladd School, Exeter

• History: The Ladd School was originally a school for the developmentally disabled. It originally opened in 1908. It became notorious for poor conditions and mistreatment of its residents,. The school closed in 1986.
• Ghosts: Becuase of its past, the abandoned buildings of the Ladd School are said to be haunted by the spirits of former patients. Reports include eerie sounds, disembodied voices, and sightings of shadowy figures.

5. The Carriage Inn, North Kingstown

• History: The Carriage Inn, originally established in 1760, served as an inn and tavern stop in North Kingstown. It’s reported that George Washington did stop here, which is probable.
• Ghosts: Today the Carriage House Inn is a beloved South County landmark. The restaurant gained national attention in 2008 when it was featured on the popular paranormal TV show Ghost Hunters. The episode followed reports from owners who had heard drawers slamming and witnessed lights flickering unexpectedly. Guests and staff have also reported seeing a woman in period attire from the late 1700s or early 1800s in the main house’s dining room. There were also reported sightings of a man dressed in black carrying a book have occurred in the bar area.

6. The Sprague Mansion, Cranston

• History: The Sprague Mansion dates back to 1790 and was home to the influential Sprague family, who were prominent in Rhode Island’s textile industry. The mansion has a history of tragedy, including the mysterious death of Amasa Sprague.
• Ghosts: The mansion is said to be haunted by several spirits, including that of Amasa Sprague and a little girl named “Theodora.” Visitors report hearing children’s laughter, seeing apparitions, and experiencing unexplained cold spots.

7. Benefit Street, Providence

• History: Known as the “Mile of History,” Benefit Street in Providence is lined with historic homes dating back to the 18th century. Many of these buildings have stories of hauntings.
• Ghosts: Residents and visitors have reported seeing ghostly figures in old-fashioned clothing, hearing footsteps, and experiencing unexplained phenomena in several of the street’s historic homes.

8. The Grave of Mercy Brown, Exeter

• Legend: Mercy Brown was a young woman who died of tuberculosis in 1892. Her family, believing she was a vampire, exhumed her body and performed a ritual to stop her from “feeding” on her family. Mercy’s story is one of the most famous cases of vampire hysteria in New England.
• Phenomena: While there’s no evidence that Mercy herself haunts the area, her grave in Exeter has become a site of eerie fascination, with visitors reporting strange sensations and the feeling of being watched.

9. Fort Adams, Newport

• History: Fort Adams in Newport, built in 1799, is a large coastal fortification that played a role in various military conflicts. It has a network of underground tunnels and dark corridors, which add to its eerie atmosphere.
• Ghosts: The fort is believed to be haunted by the spirits of soldiers who died there. Visitors report hearing phantom footsteps, seeing shadowy figures, and experiencing other paranormal activities during ghost tours.

10. The General Stanton Inn, Charlestown

• History: The General Stanton Inn dates back to 1667 and has served as a tavern, inn, and stagecoach stop over the centuries.
• Ghosts: The inn is said to be haunted by several spirits, including a woman in white who roams the halls and a former innkeeper who still watches over the property. Guests have reported seeing apparitions, hearing strange noises, and feeling an otherworldly presence.

These stories contribute to Rhode Island’s reputation as one of New England’s most haunted states, making it a popular destination for those interested in the paranormal.