OTHERWORLDLY MYSTERIES
Haunted History
Some of the more adventurous readers will be thrilled to learn that ghost stories abound at Kehoe House, a four-story mansion built in 1892. William Kehoe lived in the house with his 10 children and wife, Anne. Over the years, the Inn has become one of the more popular stops on local Ghost Tours.
(It would be wise to stop reading now if you’d rather stay in the dark…) For the better part of the twentieth century, Kehoe House served as a funeral home. The Official Savannah Ghost Tours reports that “it’s believed that two of the Kehoe children died in the home as a result of a careless accident, and their spirits are thought to still roam the mansion. Annie and William Kehoe themselves are also commonly reported apparitions throughout the inn, frequently appearing in Room 201 and the mansion’s cupola.”
THE BED & BREAKFAST'S GHOSTS
You'll hear lots of different stories on the tours, but a reoccurring one is about the children. It's said that two rooms on the second floor have reports from guests who have been awakened by loving caresses of small children.
Other guests have said they heard children running and playing in the hallways after hours, when no families with children had checked in. The spirit of Anne Kehoe has also been rumored to make a house-call every now and then.
If you wish to indulge in some of Savannah's ghostly folklore and happenings, we'll be happy to assist you with arranging one of the many Savannah Ghost Tours.
THE HAUNTED HOTELS & INNS OF SAVANNAH
Savannah, Georgia is known for its rich history and Southern charm, but it's also known for its thrilling ghosts and haunted sites. If you're looking to explore Savannah's haunted past, we invite you to stay with us—in our authentic historic inn—as you visit the city's most notorious specters and haunts.
WHY IS SAVANNAH CONSIDERED HAUNTED?
Along with New Orleans, Charleston, and Salem, Savannah often finds herself on the list of “America’s Most Haunted Cities.” With a history that dates back to the colonial period, there are ample tales of haunts in Savannah – and equally as many ghost tours and trolleys you can take to commune with the spirits.
So why the haunted reputation? Here are a few reasons haunted rumors abound in our lovely city.
From the Siege of Savannah in 1779 (240 killed, 600 wounded), to the Civil War, clashes have left their mark. Many stories you'll hear on the haunted tours involve unsettled soldiers lingering around and inside buildings.
In 1796 and in 1820, devastating fires destroyed hundreds of Savannah buildings. Also in 1820 and again in 1854, the Yellow Fever epidemic took the lives of a tenth of Savannah’s population. More epidemics followed—including one in 1876 killed 1,066 Savannahians.
Colonial Park Cemetery and other Savannah burial grounds are another reason for the haunted vibes. Colonial Park opened in 1750, and is the oldest intact municipal cemetery in Savannah. Its previous names include the Old Cemetery, Old Brick Graveyard, South Broad Street Cemetery, and Christ Church Cemetery. More than 10,000 people are buried in Colonial Park Cemetery, but there are fewer than 1,000 grave markers.
There are a number of burial grounds since 1750 that have now been covered up, built on top of, or paved over – earning Savannah the title “The City that Lives on her Dead.”