Walk through Savannah, Georgia’s historic district at night and you’ll understand why major outlets like USA Today consider the Southern city to be one of America’s most haunted cities. The centuries old architecture, coupled with moss draped oak trees and gas lamps from a Gothic novel make this place truly spooky, especially when compared to cozier American cities, like the iconic Cleveland.
Of course, Savannah’s haunted reputation isn’t just about aesthetics. This spooky getup isn’t just there to fool tourists. Savannah gets that terrifying moniker because It’s rooted in a genuinely dark history that left thousands of restless spirits behind.
Savannah Is Literally Built On Top Of The Dead
Savannah has earned another nickname: “The City Built Upon Her Dead,” and it’s not hyperbole. Colonial Park Cemetery, established in 1750, is the oldest municipal cemetery still standing, but before it existed, Indigenous folks used that very same land as a sacred burial ground. When the historic district expanded, builders simply paved over graves and constructed buildings on top of them. The uneven sidewalks that dominate downtown are actually caused by subsiding graves underneath. How’s that for terrifying?
Fun fact: Colonial Park Cemetery itself holds some 10,000 bodies, but there are fewer than 1,000 grave markers. The Great Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1820 killed as many as 700 people at once, making mass burials the norm. Another outbreak in 1876 killed over a thousand people. more.
And if disease wasn’t enough, Savannah was plagued with a litany of disasters and catastrophes throughout the years. These include a deadly fire, which destroyed 229 houses and 146 outbuildings. Another fire in 1820 wiped out 500 buildings. Death was everywhere as Savannah rapidly expanded and modernized.
America’s Bloody History Is Savannah’s Legacy
The Siege of Savannah in 1779 became known as the bloodiest hour of the American Revolution, with some 240 soldiers killed and 600 wounded in a single battle. Civil War clashes added more bodies to the count. Beyond that, pirates have also made Savannah their home, leaving behind their legacy. For fans of American history, Savannah is a must-visit, as it was the centre of so many defining moments. For others, however, Savannah is the most haunted city of America, and for good reason. If the Georgian city isn’t your cup of tea, consider a weekend getaway to an American city that doesn’t allow cars!
