The 6 Most Haunted Places in South Carolina

With over 300 years of history, war, and Lowcountry legend, South Carolina — and Charleston in particular — ranks among the most haunted places in America. Here are six of the most haunted spots in the Palmetto State.

1. The Old City Jail — Charleston

Home to Charleston's worst criminals for 137 years, the Old City Jail is considered one of the most haunted buildings in the South. The spirit of Lavinia Fisher, one of America's first female serial killers, is said to still roam its cells.

2. Philadelphia Alley — Charleston

Once known as "Dueler's Alley," this cobblestone passage is haunted by the whistling ghost of Dr. Joseph Ladd, killed in a duel in 1786.

3. The Powder Magazine — Charleston

The oldest public building in the Carolinas, completed in 1713, carries three centuries of turbulent history within its thick walls.

4. The Battery & the Boo Hag — Charleston

Lowcountry Gullah folklore tells of the Boo Hag, a terrifying spirit that slips into homes at night to "ride" its sleeping victims. It remains one of the region's most enduring — and unsettling — legends.

5. Fort Sumter — Charleston Harbor

Where the Civil War began, the echoes of battle are said to linger. Visitors and staff have reported phantom soldiers and unexplained sounds across the harbor fortress.

6. The Gray Man — Pawleys Island

Along the coast, the ghostly "Gray Man" is said to appear before hurricanes, warning residents to flee — a benevolent spirit whose sightings have become Lowcountry legend.

Meet the Ghosts of the Lowcountry

Our Charleston ghost tour and haunted pub crawl brings these South Carolina legends to life, one haunted bar at a time. Come see why the Holy City is one of America's most haunted.