Kansas may be known for its sunflowers, Wizard of Oz fascination and Wild West history, but it’s also a haven for ghosts and spirits. From things that go bump in the night to friendly celestial beings, it’s easy to find legitimate haunted locations around the state.
As someone who has experienced unearthly encounters in the state, I went from a skeptic to closer in believing in spiritual visits. Following a trip to Atchison — considered the most-haunted city in Kansas — my wife woke at 2 a.m. claiming to have heard a voice asking for help. I checked every room and came up empty.
It happened a couple of nights later. I wondered if a spirit followed me home. I actually saged the house one day and told any spirit that followed me home to leave as it was not welcomed in our home. The voices stopped.
Then, about two weeks later, I woke up about 2 a.m. (common with me nowadays), decided to watch TV. Then, I heard a voice say, “Help me…” as in “Help me. I’ve fallen and can’t get up.” It was an ad for a safety device.
While our spiritual visitor question was answered, it didn’t resolve other encounters people have had. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, Kansas’ possessed haunts are definitely worth visiting. Here are my recommendations:
Historic Wolf Hotel
Where: Ellinwood, Kan.
If the occult is your thing, the Historic Wolf Hotel offers a perfectly ghostly experience. Having spent a night in the century-old hotel, I was fortunate that the spirit residing in my room was friendly.
Another traveler, armed with an Electronic Voice Phenomenon app on her phone, confirmed my guest (or host… since I was a hotel guest) was nice and agreed to leave me alone. She wasn’t as fortunate. With two spirits occupying her room down the hall – one was a young girl known to run up and down the hallway and jump on beds — and a male who claimed to be mischievous and wouldn’t promise her he’d leave her alone. She said the next morning, she had a decent night’s sleep, so he must have behaved.
Ellinwood once had underground tunnels with saloons and brothels for the cowboys, gamblers and wealthy gentlemen, who didn’t appreciate being seen entering such establishments. A set of tunnels exists under the hotel. Rooms are designed to resemble life in the late 1800s and early 1900s, leading to its bar.
As we visited one room, the EVP lit up like the Griswold house in “Christmas Vacation.” A figure appeared on the device. A gentleman from the early 20th century told us he was traveling the world and wanted to visit a friendly Old West town. He soon disappeared. I didn’t sleep well that night after the encounters.
Midland Railroad Hotel
Where: Wilson, Kan.
If the occult is your thing, the Midland Railroad Hotel offers a perfectly ghostly experience. Having spent a night in the century-old hotel, I was fortunate that the spirit residing in my room was friendly. Another traveler, armed with an Electronic Voice Phenomenon app on her phone, confirmed my guest (host?…since I was a hotel guest) was nice and agreed to leave me alone.
She wasn’t as fortunate. With two spirits occupying her room down the hall – one was a young girl known to run up and down the hallway and jump on beds — and a male who claimed to be mischievous and wouldn’t promise her he’d leave her alone. She said the next morning, she had a decent night’s sleep, so he must have behaved.
Ellsworth once had underground tunnels with saloons and brothels for the cowboys, gamblers and wealthy gentlemen, who didn’t appreciate being seen entering such establishments. A set of tunnels exists under the hotel. Rooms are designed to resemble life in the late 1800s and early 1900s, leading to its bar.
As we visited one room, the EVP lit up like the Griswold house in “Christmas Vacation.” A figure appeared on the device. A gentleman from the early 20th century told us he was traveling the world and wanted to visit a friendly Old West town. He soon disappeared. I didn’t sleep well that night after the encounters.
Columbian Theatre
Where: Wamego, Kan.
Best known as the home of Dorothy from the “Wizard of Oz,” Wamego is home to the Oz Museum, with thousands of items on display related to the book series and movies. However, a short walk takes visitors to the Columbian Theatre. With classic murals on display — from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair – the Columbian is also home to ghosts.
Reports include footsteps climbing stairs during off hours. Stage props seemingly move on their own, enough to send chills down spines. The hair on the back of people’s heads may stand up when they hear voices emanating from thin air. Lights switch on and off by themselves.
Are they spirits of vaudeville performers, eager to take the stage one last time…every night? Or, are they visitors, traveling a spiritual plane?
Fort Scott
Where: Fort Scott, Kan.
Established as a military camp in 1842, Fort Scott served the military during westward expansion and the Civil War. Once part of a series of outposts, Fort Scott’s soldiers’ duties included keeping Euro-Americans out of Indigenous territory. This policy failed as overland trails took priority.
Today, Fort Scott is the scene of haunted houses in the make-believe sense, as well as the otherworldly environment. While people enjoy visiting haunted houses at Fort Scott, they may not know if the person dressed in period-authentic clothing is a human tour guide or a spirit.
Ghosts of soldiers are believed to roam the fort’s grounds and some may have contacted the living guests. The spirit of a woman, widowed when her husband accidentally shot himself in front of her, has been seen and heard as she cries out in agony.
Brown Mansion
Where: Coffeyville, Kan.
Built in 1904 for the Brown family, only one of five children survived to adulthood. The parents lost four sons — two at birth, one at the age of 4 and the last when he was 11. Violet, the Browns’ only daughter, inherited the house when her parents died. It’s been reported that she’d dance by herself in the mansion.
Late in life, Violet Brown donated Brown Mansion to a local historical society. After passing away a few years later, visitors claim they’ve seen her dancing on the third floor. Not to be outdone, her family’s ghosts also allegedly inhabit the house.
Violet has been observed in the third floor ballroom, where she would enjoy dancing by herself. Parents W.P. and Nancy have been seen around the house. Donald, who was 11 when he died, can be seen playing on the third floor. Even the Browns’ servant has been observed near the front door, appearing to greet visitors.
Meanwhile the historical society’s employees haven’t reported any sightings themselves.
Old Saint Mary Hospital
Where: Manhattan, Kan.
Home of Kansas State University and nicknamed “The Little Apple,” Manhattan’s full of nice dining, bars and clubs, as well as tourist attractions.
One place — a former YMCA building-turned-hospital-turned-fraternity house — offers a haunting experience. Known as the Old Saint Mary Hospital, because the spirits started appearing while the hospital was in operation, two spirits were seen patrolling the property. A nurse fell to her death, when she blindly stepped into an elevator shaft. An elderly patient died when he slid between his bed and the wall. He wasn’t found until after he died.
The nurse’s ghost was said to be kind and gentle, as though she was on duty, caring for patients. After a fraternity took over the former hospital, the nurse crossed over, realizing she was no longer needed on this side. The patient, George, embraced the frat way of life, foregoing his elderly form, regaining the vigor of a young man and enjoying life as an unofficial fraternity brother. George has been known to play with electricity, turning lights on and off. He also has a knack for fixing clocks.
Hutchinson Public Library
Where: Hutchinson, Kan.
Hutchinson is home to the world-class Cosmosphere space museum and a former salt mine. One might think that the mine, hundreds of feet below ground, would be prime haunting turf, but it’s a library that is the star attraction when it comes to celestial tourism.
A librarian died in a car accident. Dedicated to her career, the spirit of Ida Day Holzapfel inhabits the Hutchinson Public Library’s basement. Ida worked at the library for about 40 years when she died en route to another library. The librarian’s spirit is believed to primarily appear as a shadowy figure, though she has supposedly taken human form and talked to at least one employee. People have reported hearing footsteps in the basement.
Reno County Museum
Where: Hutchinson, Kan.
Offering a look at the area’s history through its people, transportation and exhibits, the Reno County Museum also provides a glimpse into Hutchinson’s paranormal history. People have been frightened by scary noises and unexplained sounds. The apparition of a young girl wearing white has been seen in the century-old building.
Hotel Eldridge
Where: Lawrence, Kan.
Built in 1855 and named Free State Hotel — to showcase support for Kansas as a non-slave state — the building was destroyed a year later by pro-slavery forces. Colonel Shalor Eldridge rebuilt the hotel. In 1863, the hotel was again destroyed during an attack on Lawrence by Confederate loyalist William Quantrill and his raiders, leaving 150 people dead. Eldridge again rebuilt the hotel, naming it after himself.
Following a series of renovations, Hotel Eldridge is again considered one of Lawrence’s best hotels. However, with it comes the spirit of the colonel himself. Known to crack bottles, move luggage and play with appliances, Colonel Eldridge is a courteous spirit. He is also partial to room 506, so be prepared if you’re assigned it.
Kansas Aviation Museum
Where: Wichita, Kan.
Of course, a museum dedicated to flight has to be haunted, right? Located next door to McConnell Air Force Base, the Kansas Aviation Museum offers a look into the state’s history and fascination with aircraft. From a control tower to rooms full of displays highlighting aviation, visitors get an up-close look at airplanes and what makes them fly. An outdoor gallery features a variety of aircraft – military and civilian.
Meanwhile, people have reported sightings of ghosts roaming the museum. From a figure standing in the control tower to the spirit of a crop duster pilot, shadowy figures reside at the Kansas Aviation Museum. People also report eerie voices and sounds.
Sallie House and McInteer Villa
Where: Atchison, Kan.
Considered the most-haunted city in Kansas, it’s easy to find a haunted location. Almost everywhere a person visits is associated with ghosts. And Atchison’s spirits range from friendly to scary.
The Super Bowl of paranormal activity, the Sallie House is considered the most-haunted house in America. Named after a young girl who died there, Sallie’s spirit is believed to attack men, because the last face she saw before death was the physician attending to her surgery.
A couple bought the house several years ago, but quickly moved out after the man reported scratches mysteriously appearing on his back. People report strange noises, doors opening and closing on their own, footsteps and shadowy figures. Toys have also been seen moving on their own.
McInteer Villa is a beautiful house on a hill in Atchison. The owners are lovely people, who get along with the spirits residing there. However, ghosts are known to slam doors, walk about and make eerie noises. One room may be a portal between worlds.
Whether or not a person believes in the afterlife, ghosts, or whatever you want to call them, people have experienced a few celestial events, leading some to become more open to the presence of spirits. Several cultures believe ancestors and loved ones visit in a variety of ways – dreams or in the shape of animals, such as cardinals. Whatever your beliefs, if you want a close encounter of the paranormal kind, plan a trip to one of these Kansas locations.