Most Haunted Places in America: Roundhouse Railroad Museum

The Roundhouse Railroad Museum in Savannah, Ga., began construction in the 1830’s as the Central of Georgia Railway and is now a National Historic site and home to the largest and the oldest 19th century railroad complex in the nation still in existence. It was abandoned in the 1960’s and after 12 locals saved the complex from being demolished, the city of Savannah stepped in to stabilize the buildings. Today it is the non-profit group Coastal Heritage Society that is preserving and sharing this place in history with all of us.

There are still 13 original buildings still in existence and 5 of those buildings have permanent exhibits in them. Those that visit can see the Tender Frame Shop and Master Mechanics Office built in 1855 and was used to build frames for steam engine tenders and of course an office.

It was here a staff member told us a story of a current CFO that when into the office and found a check on his desk. The check was numbered 1234567 and dated in the 1950’s. Seeing that it was an odd check number he went out to see who had put this on his desk. When he came back a few seconds later, the check was gone.

Another building available to see is the Blacksmith Shop. Currently it still has a lot of the tools and machines displayed that were being used during that period. During that time blacksmiths had to not only master their tools of the trade but make them as well. It was here that several staff members told stories of hearing machines running when there were locking up, an apparition of a black man in work clothes and voices coming from the building.

The Print Shop is one of the most complete exhibits on the site. The shop was responsible for printing all sorts of forms for the complex as well as an employee newsletter. This building gives some people a real uneasy feeling when walking inside and some report that they can still hear the print press running when inside this building.

The other two buildings would be the boiler room which pumped steam and heat throughout the complex providing all the power. Workers would feed the boiler with either wood chips from the carpenters shop or with coal. The other building is the Colored Shopmen’s Locker and Lavatory when the railroad provided separate washroom facilities for whites and African-American.

This complex is not the only reason there is strong history here. The land that the complex was built on was the site of the October 9th, 1779 Battle of Savannah, the second bloodiest battle of the Revolutionary War. The American and French forces had a plan consisting of a simultaneous attack and overwhelming the British forces entrenched there.

Due to bad communication and some columns arriving late, the attack was disorganized. The American and French forces were soundly defeated which resulted in the British keeping Savannah until 1782. Approximately 800 American and French soldiers were wounded or killed compared to 55 for the British. Before their withdrawal a mass grave was dug and the bodies were hastily buried. There are reports by visitors and staff that a man in a British uniform, a “Red Coat” has been seen wondering around the grounds.

Today there are 800 square slabs in a well groomed field between the roundhouse and the museum commemorating those that died there. You can join the over 40,000 yearly visitors that come see this as well as the Roundhouse and the museum every day. There hours are 9:00 am – 5:00pm daily and they are located at 601 Harris Street Savannah, Georgia. (912) 651-6823.

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