As one of many earliest cities west of the Mississippi to expertise a increase within the 1800s, San Antonio has a wealthy historical past and many elderly buildings.
Very similar to New Orleans — one of many spookiest cities within the South — the Alamo Metropolis boasts a excessive variety of reported ghost sightings and haunted locales.
And that’s to not point out our metropolis’s a lot deeper historical past from earlier than it was even referred to as San Antonio. We’re speaking about ghosts courting again to the times of the mission settlements and even earlier than, when this was a Native American village — and residential of the Payaya folks —referred to as Yanaguana.
Contemplating Yanaguana interprets to “Land of the Spirit Waters,” is it any surprise spirits stroll amongst us?
Add to {that a} slew of native city legends and the 2-1-0 is an everyday witch’s cauldron of spookiness. Locals wouldn’t have it every other approach.
Satan’s Den
Positioned close to Ingram Park Mall, this eerie spot has a haunting historical past. Referred to as a favorite hangout for ’90s youngsters shenanigans together with smoking, paintball and underage consuming, city legends about supposed satanic rituals and murders have additionally surrounded the locale. Two teenage boys had been in reality murdered in 1996 and had been lacking for a month earlier than their our bodies had been found within the subject behind the Piper’s Creek subdivision in Northwest San Antonio in December of that 12 months. Gossip across the murders led to rumors that the victims, Christian Moldanado and Eric Anderson, had been murdered in a Satanic ritual. Some even say that remnants of a mentioned ritual had been found on the web site, although authorities refuted this declare. The reality is {that a} classmate at Holmes Excessive College allegedly killed the 2 college students.
La Lechuza
This Mexican and Tejano folklore legend includes a shapeshifting witch-owl one may encounter on a darkened rural highway whereas touring late at night time. Those that have lived in SA lengthy sufficient have possible heard a narrative of a supposed encounter with this malevolent spirit. La Lechuza can take the form of a large owl, a girl, or an owl with a girl’s face, relying on who you ask. Watch out not to take a look at her immediately, although. It might spell your doom.
Yorktown Hospital
Positioned about an hour from downtown San Antonio, Yorktown Hospital is taken into account essentially the most haunted constructing in Texas, because of the two,000 souls that reportedly have crossed over inside its partitions. The decaying hospital constructed within the Fifties can be thought of the second-most haunted hospital in the USA. Those that turn out to be members of the non-public membership Scientific Paranormal Investigative Analysis Institute of Texas (SPIRIT) can acquire entry to this haunting locale.
Milam Park
Constructed on the positioning of an 18th-century cemetery, the ghosts of the interred are mentioned to hang-out this public inexperienced house. Legend has it that though the headstones for the park had been eliminated, the graves stay. Native paranormal fanatics additionally report this as the highest location on the town for orbs to look in images, believed to be a tell-tale signal of paranormal exercise.
Terrell Citadel a.ok.a. The Lambermont
Now house to a elaborate wedding ceremony venue, this historic constructing was constructed for the influential Edwin Holland Terrell and customary after European castles, however its eerie historical past has led to its haunted popularity. The property remained a supply of satisfaction till Terrell’s suicide in 1910 after years of struggling with syphilis. Sadly, his preliminary try failed, and it took him 10 days to die. Different tragic tales related to the mansion embody a contractor who threw himself from a balcony throughout development, and a person who killed his spouse and her lover when he caught them in mattress collectively throughout World Warfare II. Luckily, the 12,000-square-foot constructing is expansive sufficient to accommodate loads of visitors, so {couples} shouldn’t be too fearful about ghastly wedding ceremony crashers.
La Villita
Listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, this downtown enclave of galleries, eating places and retailers is taken into account San Antonio’s oldest neighborhood, and the positioning of a former Native American village that predates the San Antonio missions — in fact it has some ghosts. One ghost purportedly sited at La Chamade Jewellery Retailer is a girl in an apron, maybe from a bygone day when the positioning was a bakery or a sweet store. One other, noticed on the River Artwork Gallery, is dubbed the “girl in white,” although there’s no recognized info as to who she was when she was alive. In response to La Villita’s official web site “La Villita home, often known as the Gissi Home, because it was constructed (within the 1850s) by Cirilus Gissi, is believed to be the house of paranormal forces. It was additionally rumored that Gissi (an Alsatian immigrant) buried gold on his property after a enterprise enterprise gone mistaken. No gold was ever present in the home, only a few outdated cash. However, one factor you really may discover for those who enter the home, is the ghost of an enthusiastic little woman. Some consider this little woman was the granddaughter of Gissi.”
San Pedro Playhouse
Performers have lengthy reported paranormal exercise at this longstanding playhouse. In actual fact, one manufacturing was completely plagued by ghosts, culminating in precise bodily harm to its lead actress. The manufacturing crew was so spooked that it could not even say the identify of the play, solely referring to it as “that present.” So many paranormal phenomena happen on the premises that workers suppose it may’t be the work of only one or two ghosts. Normally showing as puffs of smoke, the apparitions are regarded as actors and patrons of the theatre. To ward them away, the playhouse even has a lightweight that’s at all times on, which they name the “ghost gentle.”
Scorching Wells Resort & Resort
Now in ruins, Scorching Wells Resort & Resort was as soon as a premier vacation spot for the elite, together with Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino and others. President Teddy Roosevelt and his Tough Riders had been recognized to raucously drink and benefit from the firm of girls of the night time on the resort. Contemplating its storied previous, it’s no surprise that there have been reviews of spirits wandering the premises, although workers have mentioned they appear benevolent. Including to the spookiness, little doubt, is the “putrid stench of dying” some report, which is admittedly simply its sulfur springs. . . . or is it?
The Ghost Tracks
You’ll be able to’t speak about city legends in San Antonio with out protecting the Ghost Tracks. This long-dispelled fable continues to be an area favourite, and has repeatedly been voted Finest City Legend within the Present’s Better of San Antonio ballot. Because the story goes, you’ll be able to park your automotive at this spot on the practice tracks and get “pushed” ahead by some spectral helpers. As a bonus, for those who put flour on the again of your trunk, you may even see their little handprints. The push purportedly comes from wee ghosts of youngsters who met an premature finish within the early 1900s when a practice rammed right into a bus on the location. Nonetheless, in 2003, archivist Matt De Waelsche traced the story’s origin to a 1938 bus accident in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah. Even worse, the tracks had been “exorcized,” if you’ll, by a development mission. When Union Pacific added a second observe to the intersection, they levelled out the elevation, eradicating the downward slant that automobiles would gently roll down once they had been supposedly being “pushed” by the ghosts. Seems it was only a trick of physics the entire time.
Lady Hollering Creek
Many say this creek situated between San Antonio and Seguin is called based mostly on a unfastened translation of La Llorona, the “Weeping Lady.” Folks say which you can hear the ghastly shrieking of a girl there at night time. In response to the normal fable, La Llorona is the ghost of a girl who drowned her kids in a match of jealous rage after discovering her husband with one other girl, then drowning herself out of remorse. Nonetheless, some say that the screams heard at Lady Hollering Creek had been simply from a woman who’d go there to vent her anger when she was upset at her husband. Both approach, we don’t suggest getting too shut, in case La Llorona pulls you in.Photograph by way of Wikimedia Commons / Dicklyon
Gunter Resort Room 636
With a narrative this grisly, it’s no surprise folks declare this room on the Sheraton Gunter Resort is haunted. The story goes {that a} man named Walter Emmerick checked into the resort underneath the alias “Albert Knox” in early 1965. Although he checked in alone, he was seen with a girl. A couple of days later, a maid entered the room to find the person standing subsequent to a blood-soaked mattress. He then gathered the sheets and fled the room. Upon investigation, workers found that the whole room was coated in blood. Some say Emmerick butchered the lady within the room, whereas others allege that there wasn’t sufficient blood to substantiate that declare. Police later discovered the person on the St. Anthony Resort, the place he had killed himself. True crime followers and ghost hunters alike can get extra particulars in regards to the crime, and subsequent sightings of spirits, from a 2013 publish on the resort’s weblog.
Gray Moss Inn
Mary Howell, the unique proprietor of the Gray Moss Inn, died a long time in the past. However that hasn’t stopped her from hanging round this Hill Nation restaurant. Staff have seen a imaginative and prescient of an older girl they are saying appeared like Howell, and reported poltergeist-esque incidents together with candle flames that sparkled again to life after being blown out. After working for greater than 90 years, the Gray Moss Inn was shuttered in 2020, however it has since reopened underneath new possession as a Mexican restaurant. The brand new homeowners have additionally embraced the inn’s native spirit, whom they name “El Fantasma de Gray Moss Inn.”
Donkey Girl Bridge
You’ll be able to’t reside in San Antonio lengthy with out listening to a model of the story of the Donkey Girl. The story goes one thing like this: Within the Fifties, a younger girl tried to avoid wasting her kids from a home fireplace (that some say was lit by her husband) — however failed. The occasion left her horribly disfigured, together with her fingers and toes melted collectively to create hoof-like nubs and her head warped into an elongated, donkey-like form. Afterward, she was banished to reside within the woods. Ever since, the Donkey Girl has roamed the woods of Bexar County, crying out for her kids and usually pissed off. Need to meet her? It’s mentioned for those who stand on a stone bridge within the Medina River Greenway and name her identify 3 times, she’ll seem.
Emily Morgan Resort
The Emily Morgan has earned its rep as probably the most haunted motels in the USA. Constructed-in 1924, the Gothic-style constructing served as town’s Medical Arts Constructing till 1976, housing 50 hospital beds full with a psychiatric ward and a morgue. Including to the creep issue, 600 males misplaced their lives on the property’s grounds through the battle of the Alamo, in accordance with the Categorical-Information. Among the many tales of the paranormal on the resort are witness accounts of a vanishing apparition of a nurse, unexplained noises together with eerie echoing footsteps on the ninth ground, and even a visitor who allegedly felt the bone-chilling contact of a ghost when ready within the foyer.
Our Girl of the Lake College
When you’re desirous to get a minor in ghost looking whereas in school, you may need to take into account making use of to OLLU. Residents of Pacelli Corridor should deal with Jack, a spirit who’s been accused of stealing college students’ possessions and in any other case making a ruckus. Luckily, for those who ask him properly, Jack will purportedly return your objects and cease making noise. The campus can be rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a wandering nun, however for those who see a creepy girl clad in black wandering round you may need to examine and ensure it’s not somebody dressed up because the demon from that horrible 2018 horror film.
The Majestic Theatre
This historic downtown theatre is so beautiful that it’s no shock that some souls have chosen to linger right here. The Zoroastro, a longtime magician, is claimed to nonetheless have spooky performances right now. There’s been sightings of ghosts attributed to a ballet troupe who supposedly died on the stage as overhead lights crashed on high of them, killing a few of them. It’s not simply performers that hang-out the venue — an apparition of a girl is claimed to have laid declare to a second ground field, presumably to soak up some autopsy leisure. Photograph by Mike Hume / Courtesy of Majestic Theatre
Freeman Coliseum
Paranormal specialists say Teddy Roosevelt skilled the Tough Riders out the place the Freeman stands right now, although different sources say that they really skilled by the San Antonio River within the space that’s now house to Roosevelt Park. Both approach, ghost hunters declare this space was a coaching floor, and that one 6’4″ spirit — we’re unsure how they obtained his actual measurements — suspected to be a Tough Rider, nonetheless hangs out right here right now. Except for the Tough Riders, there’s speak of a circus clown that died of a coronary heart assault and a girl who was trampled by a bull who’re seen on the Freeman.
San Antonio State Hospital
There’s a motive that psychiatric hospitals are sometimes related to hauntings — traditionally, they had been hotbeds of neglect and abuse. The San Antonio State Hospital, previously referred to as the Southwestern Insane Asylum, isn’t any exception, as its historical past is full of corruption, scandal and dying. Established in 1892, the power might home greater than 2,000 sufferers and was nearly at all times above capability. Maybe unsurprisingly, folks say that anguished spirits nonetheless hang-out the hospital right now.Photograph by way of UTSA Libraries Digital Assortment
The Menger Resort
As soon as referred to as the “most interesting resort west of the Mississippi,” this historic resort has been a preferred hang-out for each the dwelling and the lifeless since its development within the 1800s. This Menger is claimed to be haunted by a chambermaid, a U.S. president, and a famed Texas rancher. It additionally sits atop the positioning of the Battle of the Alamo, making it a possible spot to come across the spirits of troopers who misplaced their lives there, for those who’re a believer. Some say 32 ghosts hang-out its premises, and a few put the ghastly determine at nearer to 45.
Company have reported numerous paranormal phenomena, together with witnessing beds levitate to listening to unusual rapping and even seeing faces seem beside their very own whereas trying within the mirror. Generally, the scent of cigar smoke will be detected out of the blue within the resort’s non-smoking rooms, and heavy doorways are recognized to open with out anybody there to push them ajar.
A few of y’all might imagine bigfoot solely hangs out within the PNW, however the gargantuan apelike cryptid has been noticed everywhere in the U.S., together with Texas. Within the Nineteen Seventies, Sasquatch apparently swung all the way down to SA, the place he was noticed a number of occasions close to Kelly AFB. In response to cryptozoology weblog Cryptomundo, the San Antonio Mild ran an article in ‘76 protecting the sightings. One man claimed to see a 7-foot tall furry monster run out of his yard after being scared by a practice whistle, and later a neighbor claimed she noticed a smaller, similarly-furred creature that ran on two toes. Was Bigfoot taking a South Texas trip with the youngsters? We could by no means know.Photograph by way of Instagram / dailybigfoot
Fang Child of Previous Pearsall Highway
In a story that supposedly originated within the Nineteen Sixties, a gaggle of younger guys had been driving down Previous Pearsall Highway after an evening of consuming once they had a creepy encounter. The driving force noticed one thing within the highway that appeared like a toddler, which gave the impression to be damage, with blood round its mouth. He swerved to keep away from the maybe-baby, however didn’t cease. The buddies argued about what it was, and the driving force in the end determined that they need to simply go house. Nonetheless, as soon as house, he felt responsible that he had presumably left a child in the midst of nowhere. Armed with a cooler of beer, he went again to Previous Pearsall Highway. Sadly, he obtained a flat, and located two small puncture marks within the tire. After changing the tire, he cracked a beer and chilled in his automotive for some time earlier than falling asleep. A pointy ache in his neck woke him up, the place he discovered the fanged child in his lap with a bloody mouth and shirt.Photograph by way of Google Maps
Gillespie Mansion, a.ok.a. “Midget Mansion”
Whereas its identify actually hasn’t aged nicely, this fable nonetheless endures. In response to native legend, the Gillespie Mansion was situated on the Northwest Aspect off Medical Drive. Residence to a bit of one who moved to SA within the ‘20s along with his spouse — additionally a bit of particular person — the mansion was specifically constructed to match their shorter stature, with their two daughters, who had been of typical human stature. The house reportedly had lowered fixtures and ceilings to accommodate its occupants’ peak. Although all variations of this story have a grisly finish, the main points differ — some say the husband killed his household then dedicated suicide, whereas one other model goes {that a} servant snapped after enduring abuse from the household, killing them with an axe and hiding them in a closet in addition to setting the house on fireplace. Although it was a preferred hang-out for ghost-seekers for some time, it has since been demolished.Photograph by way of Instagram / ghoulsjustwannahavefunpodcast
The Dancing Satan of El Camaroncito
We’re unsure why, however apparently the ‘70s had been a banner decade for spooky happenings San Antonio. In response to this satanic story, on Halloween 1975 a good-looking man clad in white made fairly the doorway at El Camaroncito Evening Membership. Legend says he was a tremendous dancer, and wooed ladies left and proper. Because the night time wore on, one of many ladies glanced down on the man’s toes and, as a substitute of fashionable footwear, noticed that he had clawed rooster’s toes. Some folks says she really noticed a goat’s cloven hooves. Both approach, folks declare he was the satan himself. The story goes that he fled to a toilet and escaped by a window, forsaking a cloud of smoke and a sulfuric odor. We’re unsure why Beelzebub himself would really feel the necessity to sneak out like that, however no matter.Photograph by way of Google Maps
Victoria’s Black Swan Inn
Tucked off of Austin Freeway, Victoria’s Black Swan Inn is taken into account probably the most haunted locations within the nation, and is a vacation spot for ghosthunters and thrillseekers alike. Whereas folks declare that ghosts from way back to a Native American encampment, in addition to from The Battle of Salado Creek — during which the Mexican Military and Texans clashed in 1842 — more moderen ghosts additionally apparently hang-out the property. A pair, Jolene Woods and Park Road (sure, that was his actual identify), beforehand lived right here. Jolene died of most cancers and Park later killed himself. Jolene will be purportedly seen strolling to the gazebo within the entrance yard. There’s additionally a lady named Sarah who’s mentioned to speak by way of Ouija board. When you don’t consider in ghosts however like creepy enjoyable, the Inn typically hosts supernatural and spooky-themed occasions.
Huge Chicken
No, we don’t imply the pleasant yellow muppet from Sesame Road — suppose extra alongside the traces of a dinosaur. Within the ‘70s, a slew of sightings of a large airborne creature had been reported in South Texas. Nearly all of the flap befell in 1975-76, the place a so-called “Huge Chicken” was noticed in San Benito, Brownsville and the Alamo Metropolis. In response to Jerome Clark’s e-book Unexplained, three San Antonio academics claimed to see a large creature with a wingspan of 15-20 toes that swooped over their automotive. Within the scholarly spirit of their occupation, they checked an encyclopedia as soon as they reached their college, and got here to the conclusion that it was a pterodactyl, the long-extinct flying reptile. Photograph by way of Wikimedia Commons / Archives of Pearson Scott Foresman
Huebner-Onion Homestead
This historic homestead has an accompanying tragic story, that of Joseph Huebner, who met his premature finish within the late 1800s. In response to the story, Huebner actually appreciated his liquor, however by chance quaffed some kerosene as a substitute of whiskey. When neighbors discovered him, they weren’t certain if he was lifeless or handed out drunk. The neighbors determined to inter him close to a creek behind the house — presumably burying him alive. When Choose John F. Onion and his spouse, Harriet, purchased the homestead in 1930, it was already rumored to be haunted by Huebner’s stressed spirit, with tales of unusual noises coming from the property.
The Alamo
It ought to come as no shock that the Alamo is claimed to be very haunted. In response to TPR, ghosts which have been seen on the historic web site embody troopers in addition to a small little one that purportedly wanders the grounds.
