Originally part of Berkley Plantation, Edgewood Plantation was built by Spencer Rowland of New Jersey on land purchased by Benjamin Harrison around 1849. It was built by Harrison’s Mill, a gristmill, originally constructed in 1725. It is this reason that historians believe both the mill and house survived the civil war, it provided food for soldiers of both armies. Today, the haunted Edgewood Plantation is believed to never be fully empty.
There is plenty of history to go around at Edgewood however as it has served as a post office, telephone exchange, restaurant and a nursing home. During the Civil war, the third floor was used as a signal post for the Confederates to spy on McClellan’s Army and JEB Stuart stopped there during his ride to warn General Lee of how big McClellan’s forces were. This first floor was also used by the Westover Episcopal Church during the war as well.
In the early 1900’s, Edgewood became the first restaurant in Charles City called “The Blue Tea Pot”. It was bought by Dot and Julian Boulware in the mid 1970’s and has been lovingly restored ever since. Today, Edgewood Plantation is operated as a bed and breakfast hosting tours, weddings, teas and small corporate events.
Along with the so much history, there has to be tragedy as well. Elizabeth Lizzie Rowland was in love with a man who lived nearby. The man joined the Confederate Army and, like so many, never came home. It is said that Lizzie went to her window every day and waited for her man to come home. She died at the age of 47 and some claim that they still see her occasionally in the window, still waiting. You can see which window still today because she etched her name in one of the window panes.
There are also claims of a Civil War soldier, Aaron Young III, which talked with a guest at length during one stay as well as other civil war soldiers who visit the home. There have been EVP’s recorded from children, strange mists caught on the spiral stairs and footsteps going up and down those same stairs as well.
You can see for yourself if there are ghosts staying overnight at the haunted Edgewood Plantation. Stay the night and enjoy a relaxing evening, walk the grounds and sit for a wonderful breakfast. Dot enjoys telling stories and who knows, maybe you can add a few for yourself.
Most Haunted Places in America: The Charleston County Jail
In 1680, a plot of land consisting of 4 square acres was set aside for public use in what would become Charleston, South Carolina. On that plot of land there was a hospital, poor house, workhouse for runaway slaves, and from 1802 to 1939, the Charleston County Jail. Some say that people are still wandering around making the now haunted Charleston County Jail a great place to visit.
In the beginning, the first structures were a workhouse for slaves and makeshift hospital for “paupers, vagrants, and beggars.” During these years criminals were punished with by way of shackles, whippings, and being deprived of food and water. Over the years the torture and executions seemed to increase with people being branded, drawn and quartered and even burned at the stake.
The current building was built as a jail and asylum. The building was built to house around 128 prisoners yet frequently was seen to have over 300 at any given time. The conditions were horrid as people were locked in cages barely big enough for one person. Disease was widespread and tortures were continued as over 10,000 people died on the property before it was closed in 1939.
Though some of the most notable inmates would include pirates and civil war soldiers, disputable the most famous to be held in the jail would be serial killers John and Lavinia Fisher. Lavinia is considered to be the first female serial killer in America. Lavinia Fisher was hanged at the jail in 1820 and before the noose was put around her neck it is claimed she said, “If anyone has a message for the devil, give it to me– I’ll deliver it.”
There are many claims that have come out of the Charleston County Jail. An apparition of a black male has been seen wandering the halls in old ragged clothes. Lots of visitors as well as tour guides have claimed to be physically touched, grabbed or pushed. During a renovation in 200, workers claimed to see the apparition of a jailer walking on the third floor.
You may even encounter the legendary Lavinia Fisher whose apparition has been seen there along with Union soldiers of the Massachusetts 54th or maybe get a glimpse of the thousands of slaves that were worked to death when beating were no longer working.
Currently you can tour the haunted Charleston County Jail and can get date and times here.
A.L. Thayer was commissioned by Lawrence County in 1925 to build a building that would be suitable to house and care for the helpless, aged and mentally ill of the county. The Lawrence County Poor House opened its doors in 1926 and featured many facilities that were not seen in other structures of its time. To many the current unseen residences still believe the haunted Hill View Manor is the place to be.
Some of the features included separate living quarters for men and woman, a hospital, kitchen, laundry, cemetery, separate section for officers and employees, a chapel as well as its own bomb shelter. After the purchase of some land by the local golf course, the cemetery was later moved. It is claimed that the markers were the only things actually moved and the tombs are still on the property.
It was in 1976 after the skilled care wing was added that the name was changed to Hill View Manor and it was now in total 63,000 sq. feet. It lastly operated as a nursing until early 2004 when it was no longer financially viable for the county to leave the manor open and it was closed.
According to an article in the Elwood City Ledger, building manager Candy Braniff said that
“I have seen them standing right in front of me and I have heard my name called, and I frequently communicate with them,” she also added, “There has been a lot of reported activity, shadow figures, light anomalies, footsteps, objects moved, doors opening and closing on their own.”
According to Braniff and her research, there have been 12 suicides in the facility during a 5 year span in the 1930’s adding to the claims that seem to have started before the Manor closed its doors. According to one staff member the patients would claim to have seen a little boy and if seen in your room it indicated you would be the next to leave this world for the next.
Hill View seems to be a popular spot for the para-tv crowd as well and has been featured on Ghost Lab, Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters. If you are interested in investigating or touring this facility hear is where you can start: Hill View Manor Tours and Events.
Hear is a video featuring Candy Braniff and a disembodied voice from the seemingly haunted Hill View Manor.