If you are anything like me, you’re done with this hot and humid weather. This feeling always hits around August, so I’m definitely ready for some cooler weather, pumpkin spice (I like it in my coffee, nothing else, I promise!), and as my 5-year-old used to say, “skewatons” (skeletons). With all of this being said, Halloween is just around the corner. So, if you like visiting spooky places, there are definitely a few on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that you need to take a peek at.
Spookiest Places to Visit
1. The Garden of Hope Cemetery
Where: 2813 Chamberlain Road, Gautier, MS
This cemetery is considered to be one of the most haunted graveyards in the United States. Reportedly, there is a family buried in the cemetery, all of whom were murdered. The five children who were part of the family, as well as the father, have reportedly been seen roaming throughout the cemetery. In addition, there have been accounts of other ghosts outside of this specific family living in The Garden of Hope Cemetery. One example being Sarah, who has been said to be wearing a housecoat covered with blood and will run out in front of other drivers scaring them.
2. The Longfellow House
Where: Pascagoula, MS
This home was built in the 1850s, where it originally sat on an extensive piece of property on Pascagoula Bay. There have been reports of paranormal activity that originate from the spirit of a slave who used to work in the house. It was said that he was treated brutally by his employers, as at one point, he was beaten so badly he was almost to the point of death and then was sent into the woods to die. His spirit may be bound to this house as a result of the inhumane treatment, and there have been stories of hearing him move around in the upstairs part of the house.
3. The Cahill Mansion
Where: Gulfport, MS
The home was built in 1915 by William Stewart, and then, it was later leased to different families until the Air Force took it over during World War II as a noncommissioned officers’ club. A sergeant that managed the club brought in prostitution and gambling, and there were stories of enslaved prostitutes, as well as forced abortions. The sergeant’s supervisors learned of everything, resulted in the club being shut down. The mansion was later bought in the 1940s by a chiropractor named Dr. Cahill. Everything went fine for a while until their 14-year-old son was killed riding a tractor. The Cahills moved out four years later. Dr. Gregory and his family were the next occupants who moved into the home in 1957. Almost immediately, Dr. Gregory’s wife had an eerie feeling as if someone was watching her. They started to experience strange activity such as the sound of footsteps throughout the mansion that appeared to be coming from nowhere in particular. One of the kids said that a little boy would come out of the closet and stand by her bed. There was another incident where Mrs. Gregory and her son walked into his room and then the boy’s jacket suddenly burst into flames. One of the most ominous events happened on the day President Kennedy was assassinated. The children woke up that morning screaming as there was blood dripping on the curtains and smeared on the windows. Dr. Gregory took a sample of the blood to his lab and found that it was Rh-positive, just like President Kennedy’s blood. The family ultimately moved out in 1969 due to the damage from Hurricane Camille.
4. Cabana Courtyard Apartments
Where: 1910 Southern Avenue, Biloxi, MS
Residents are said to hear the cries of infants coming from the walls, as well as footsteps when no one is around. In addition, there are have been stories of residents seeing a shadowy figure on the apartment stairs and then hearing the sound of someone falling down the same flight of stairs.
5. Keesler Air Force Base
Where: 4503 M Street, Biloxi, MS
The story revolves around a cadet who hung himself. The room in which he did it was said to be haunted by a malevolent entity until being torn down. The ghost then apparently vanished. There have also been reports of another ghost who haunts the women’s dorms and plays pranks on them. In addition, there is a third ghost that goes by the name of Jeremy and is said to be polite in the sense that he doesn’t go into a room if the doors are closed.
Are there any other spooky places on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that I missed? Comment below or on Facebook and let me know!