With a historic district spanning more than 230 blocks and an authentic heritage stretching back several centuries, it is not surprising that spirits from Wilmington’s storied past still linger today. Read on for a preview of the apparitions you might encounter while exploring one of the South’s most actively haunted cities.
Boos and Brews
In the early 18th century, Wilmington was a notoriously rough and rowdy seaport – a far cry from the city’s current reputation as a welcoming cultural hub. As pirates circled the coast, sailors flocked to the Blue Post, a bar in the area now known as Michael’s on the Waterfront. The bartender, Gallus Meg, ruled the Blue Post with an iron fist. Her nickname was derived from the word “gallows,” for her infamous way of handling unruly patrons, as she was known to grab men by the neck and lift them off their feet, making it appear as though they were being hanged. Today, her ghostly presence is said to roam the area, a piece of lore you'll uncover during a Haunted Pub Crawl. Raise a glass to spirits, both liquid and supernatural, as you visit haunted pubs and unearth the hidden tales of Wilmington's past.
Stories from Beyond the Grave
Market Street’s St. James Parish serves as the final resting place for Samuel Jocelyn Jr., who, in a fit of rage, rode off on horseback and was later found lying in a shallow swamp. While his loved ones mourned his supposed death, Samuel appeared to one of his friends, Sandy, pleading for his body to be exhumed. In disbelief, Sandy waited three days before visiting his friend’s gravesite, only to discover Samuel had been buried alive. To this day, some locals avoid walking by the graveyard, haunted by rumors that you can still hear Samuel’s muffled cries and scratching noises as he attempts to escape his grave. Ask for all the chilling details of Samuel’s story, on the Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington, as seen on MTV and Discovery Channel. This year-round, 90-minute tour led by expert storytellers and ghosthunters takes you through the city’s eeriest homes and burial grounds.
Historically Haunted Buildings
On select evenings throughout October, Poplar Grove Plantation opens up to ghost hunters eager to search for the spirits that haunt the manor. The Paranormal Investigation Tours uncover the true stories of the deceased family members and why their spirits linger in the earthly realm. Another historic property, the Latimer House Museum, sheds light on darker elements of upper-class life in Victorian Wilmington through In Memoriam: A Victorian Mourning. This house tour, available in late October, focuses on the era’s death practices, including customary decorations, mourning clothes and burial traditions. Tickets for both of these hair-raising experiences are sure to sell out quickly, so be sure to plan ahead!
By day, the Cotton Exchange is a unique shopping experience full of art galleries, specialty shops and restaurants. But as the sun sets, the complex’s 19th century brick buildings transform into a hotspot for ghostly activity, earning the reputation as one of Wilmington’s most paranormal locations. Tour Old Wilmington’s year-round Haunted Cotton Exchange Tour travels through the eight interconnected buildings filled with eerie tales and paranormal activity. Don’t forget to grab your ghost hunting gadgets to capture all the strange things that are said to happen during this tour.
Ghostly Wartime Legends
The area’s rich military history echoes with ghostly lore surrounding battles on land and sea. Wilmington was named the nation’s first WWII Heritage City for its contributions to U.S. wartime effort – a legacy honored by the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA. Formerly described as “the greatest sea weapon in the world,” the vessel now rests across from the Riverwalk on the Cape Fear River. The ship welcomes both believers and doubters aboard to search for supernatural activity. With a ticket to join the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Ghost Hunt and Tour, which usually sells out quickly, in mid-October and late November, you can investigate haunted areas of the ship that are normally off-limits to the public. Guided by a psychic medium and equipped with electromagnetic field radiation (EMF) readers and trigger objects, you might just encounter the ghost of a young blonde sailor who is said to have lost his life during a Japanese torpedo strike.
Kure Beach’s Fort Fisher State Historic Site was the stage for the largest land-sea battle of the Civil War, and legend maintains that certain fallen soldiers’ restless spirits linger on long after the fateful Battle of Fort Fisher. Reports from visitors suggest sightings of a uniformed soldier fulfilling his duty by standing guard along the fort. Another spectral presence, known as “the sentinel” or “the watcher of the woods," is said to protect Fort Fisher State Recreation Area’s grounds and maritime forest. This elusive spirit has been spotted several times and is rumored to open doors without apparent cause.
Fright-Free Family Fun
Wilmington’s haunted history offers frights for serious thrill seekers, as well as several not-so-scary activities everyone can enjoy. Visit Poplar Grove Plantation during Hallo-weekend for Goosebumps in the Grove, a festival full of tricks and treats for the whole crew. Check out all the holiday happenings in Wilmington here.
From haunted houses and bars to spine-chilling ships and forests, there is no shortage of paranormal activity in Wilmington and its nearby beaches. Plan your trip to discover the historical depths and captivating darker tales of this must-see Southern destination.
