12 Haunted Sites in Nebraska That Will Keep You Up at Night
Haunted tales and eerie sites are not the first things you think of when you think of Nebraska. However, the Cornhusker state holds its fair share of ghost stories that will give even the bravest of people reasons to rethink their plans after dark. These sites range from chilling cemeteries to ghostly mansions and have become the settings for a variety of mysterious happenings, strange sightings, and all kinds of hair-raising encounters that have become part of the local lore.
Nebraska’s haunted history gains interest from anyone in between thrill seekers and anyone willing to seek the paranormal, because it’s a fascinating look into the darker side. There are more goosebumps than answers on each site, which tells its own chilling tale. Are you ready to uncover the spine-tingling side of the state? Get ready for a bumpy and possibly ghost-filled ride.
Hummel Park
Located on the outskirts of Omaha, to begin with, Humann Park had long been one of the more notorious hotspots for eerie activity. The morphing stairs in the park are infamous for counting as few or as many steps as you please, it’s different for everyone. Ghostly figures whispered in the woods and unsettling sounds could be heard at night have transformed this tranquil location into the dream—or nightmare—of every paranormal investigator. After sundown, many locals avoid the park, convinced the park is cursed by the troubled history that took place there.
Ball Cemetery
Ball Cemetery may be a small unassuming graveyard tucked away in Springfield, but it’s got a reputation for being a true hotspot for ghostly encounters. What the people who visit the cemetery say they see are shadowy figures running between the headstones and suddenly become cold even on a warm summer night. Skeptics say it’s overactive imaginations, but some say it’s the restless spirits of those buried here. Whatever is true, it’s an eerie vibe.
Arbor Lodge
Nebraska City’s Arbor Lodge might appear like any other historic mansion, but it might have a ghostly reputation to go with it. Theodore Burghardt doesn’t quite know what brought him to Arbor Lodge State Historical Park today, but he hopes he might catch hipster vibes while checking out this stately home that once belonged to J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day. Guests have heard footsteps echoing through empty hallways, and seen a man in period clothing. No one really knows if Morton is just checking on his beloved property or something darker.
Alliance Theater
The Alliance Theater, built in the early 1900s, is a center for local entertainment … and ghost stories. From flickering lights to the sound of phantom applause, employees and guests alike have reported stranger things. The most persistent tale is that of a former projectionist who apparently decided to stick around to keep an eye on his workplace. There could be logic to it, then, in that maybe if you ever feel a cold breeze at a show, it may have actually been AC after all.
Seven Sisters Road
Seven Sisters Road near Nebraska City is one of the few places in Nebraska that inspire dread. A legend exists that, once upon a time, a man hanged his seven sisters on this stretch of road, and to this day their spirits haunt the place. People claim their car stalling for no reason, unexplained screams that the drivers hear, or shadowy figures off in the distance. Such an aura is added by the chilling silence of the area.
Historic Farnam House
This Omaha home is no stranger to strange incidents. The Farnam House was once a funeral home and now houses the ghost hunters. Visitors say they hear disembodied voices, doors open and close by themselves, and other apparitions even appear in the mirrors. A few even stay the night, though few go home without a story — or a scare.
Nebraska State Capitol
Although the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln is an architectural masterpiece, of course, it has its share of creepy stories, too. Staff say they have heard footsteps echoing through empty corridors and tiny voices when no one else is nearby. One of the more popular stories is of a ghostly janitor who continues to patrol the building to make sure everything stays right — only not in the way that you’d think.
Hotel Grand
Besides its historic hauntings, the Hotel Grand in Chadron has a colorful history. Over the years, this historic hotel has been known to be used as a regular site of ghost sightings. Many of the guests who stayed here have reported waking up in shadows standing at the foot of their bed, or hearing whisperings in the halls. If you’re partial to the paranormal, a night here just might offer the thrill you’ve been hunting (if you’re up to it).
Robber’s Cave
Only Lincoln’s Robber’s Cave, which takes its name from the freebooters who plied their nefarious trade after the Civil War, can be considered a tunnel maze with a history shrouded in mystery. It is rumored that the cave never hosted outlaws, that instead it is the final hideout of spirits that never left. The visitors have shared their experiences of ghostly voices, temperature drops, and strange lights. However, if you find yourself in this underground maze you clearly aren’t made of fear and it’s a story you won’t easily forget.
Bellevue Cemetery
Bellevue Cemetery really is a picturesque place to rest during the day, but at night it gets way creepier. This historic site has had long stories of tales of ghostly children playing between the tombstones and strange mists that form out of nowhere. Visitors have even said they feel a hand brushing against theirs when no one is around.
Old Red Cloud Opera House
This beautifully restored opera house in Red Cloud, Nebraska has more in it than the echoes of performances past. Visitors and employees alike have heard voices when the building is empty, and seen ghostly figures in the balcony seats. Another story has it that an old performer never left and that sometimes she could be heard laughing down the halls. You may want to keep the lights on if you’re ever there alone.
Fort Sidney Museum
The bustling military outpost that was Fort Sidney became a museum and lent its name to a few wayward spirits (if the stories are true). Visitors have claimed the sounds of soldiers marching and the sounds of gunshots ringing through the night. Others claim that the spirits are the spirits of soldiers who never left their posts. The atmosphere is certainly eerie whether you believe it or not.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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