A Guide to Charleston Ghost Stories

The Old City Jail is one of the locations that comes up most often in Charleston ghost stories because of how long it was in use and what happened inside its walls. The jail operated from 1802 until 1939 and held a wide range of prisoners, including thieves, pirates, and Civil War captives. The building sits on land that had already been used as a public workhouse, which adds another layer to its past. Overcrowding was common, and prisoners were kept in small cells with little airflow and poor sanitation.

Several well-known figures passed through the jail, including Lavinia and John Fisher, who were executed for highway robbery in the early 1800s. Their story is still shared today, but many reports focus on the building itself rather than specific names. Visitors often mention heavy footsteps on upper floors that are no longer open, especially near the stairwells. Others describe doors that seem louder than expected or the feeling that someone is standing just out of view while walking past the cells.

The dungeon space remains largely unchanged today, with thick brick walls and low ceilings that still trap sound. Staff and visitors often report noises that seem to come from the same holding rooms, even when the area is empty. Some describe metal scraping sounds near doorways or stairwells, while others hear low voices that fade before words can be made out. Temperature changes are also reported near certain cells, where the air feels colder than surrounding rooms. These same details are shared again and again, which is why the Old Exchange remains closely tied to Charleston ghost stories connected to long confinement and daily suffering.

Established in 1772, the Unitarian Church graveyard follows a design style that allowed nature to reclaim the space over time. Trees, vines, and uneven ground were left in place to reflect 19th-century beliefs about life and death. This setting gives the graveyard a quiet, enclosed feel that many visitors notice right away.

Over time, the graveyard became tied to some of the most repeated Charleston ghost stories, mainly because the details people share tend to stay the same. One of the oldest stories connected to the site involves Annabel Lee, a figure often linked to loss and long waiting. The story is usually described as a woman mourning a lover who never returned, and it’s been passed down in different forms for generations. Guides often mention that her presence is tied to quiet moments rather than sudden movement, which is why the story still comes up during evening walking tours.

Another presence people talk about is the Lady in Black, believed by some to be Anna Nettles. According to local accounts, she dressed in mourning clothes for years after her fiancé was lost at sea and was known to walk the same paths regularly. Visitors today often describe seeing a woman in dark clothing near the same headstones, usually toward the back of the graveyard. Many say they spot her from a distance, then lose sight of her when they move closer. Others mention slow footsteps behind them or the feeling that someone is nearby when no one else is there.

The figure most often linked to the site is Nettie Dickerson, who reportedly died after being struck by lightning while standing on a balcony when the building operated as a hotel. Staff and performers often say activity happens during rehearsals or late at night, when only a few people are inside. Some describe seeing a shadow near the second floor that disappears when the lights come up. Others report footsteps crossing the stage after everyone has cleared out or seats creaking in the upper rows when no one is there. Lights turning on by themselves and doors found unlocked after being secured are also mentioned. These repeated details help explain why Dock Street Theatre remains one of the most talked-about locations tied to Charleston’s paranormal past.

Poogan’s Porch is often mentioned in Charleston ghost stories because it began as a private home long before it became a restaurant. The Victorian house was built in 1888 and later converted into a dining space in the 1970s. Before that, it was the longtime residence of two sisters, Zoe and Elizabeth St. Amand, who lived there for decades. Much of the original layout remained intact after the conversion, including the upstairs rooms and staircases, which helps explain why the space still feels more like a home than a commercial building.

Zoe St. Amand is the figure most often connected to reported activity. Staff members working late shifts describe seeing an older woman in dark clothing near the upstairs dining rooms or standing at the top of the staircase. Some say chairs are found slightly out of place in the morning, especially in the older rooms, or doors are unlocked after being secured the night before. Others mention footsteps moving between floors during early-morning prep hours, when only a few people are inside. These reports tend to follow the same patterns, which is why Poogan’s Porch continues to appear in Charleston ghost stories tied to familiar routines and spaces that still feel lived in.

The Battery and White Point Garden sit at the southern end of the Charleston peninsula and are often mentioned because so much of the city’s public life has passed through this area. During the Civil War, The Battery served as a defensive position overlooking the harbor. Earlier, in the early 1700s, White Point Garden was used for public executions. In 1718, pirate Stede Bonnet and several members of his crew were hanged nearby, and their bodies were displayed along the waterfront as a warning. These events took place out in the open, where residents and sailors would have seen them.

People walking through the park after sunset often describe activity that feels tied to specific paths and corners. Some report small points of light near the oak trees that fade when approached. Others mention dark figures near the old cannons or along the seawall, especially on quieter nights when the park is nearly empty. Sudden chills and a heavy feeling are also reported near the same stretches of walkway.

One of the most talked-about accounts involves Sue Howard Hardy, who died in 1888 shortly after losing her child. Visitors often stop near her grave because of a photograph taken in the 1980s that appears to show a pale, hooded figure leaning over the headstone. People who linger in that area sometimes report sudden chills, a heavy feeling in the chest, or the sense that someone is standing close by. Others mention quiet sounds that resemble soft crying or movement near the same grave marker. These reports tend to be brief and focused on that single spot, which is why the cemetery continues to draw attention during evening visits.

The USS Yorktown is often included in Charleston ghost stories because of how long it served and how many people lived and worked on board. Commissioned in 1943, the aircraft carrier played a major role in World War II and later served during the Vietnam War. During its years of active duty, more than 100 sailors died on the ship due to combat, training accidents, and onboard incidents. Today, the ship remains docked at Patriots Point as a museum and memorial.

Guests and staff most often describe activity on the lower decks and in tighter interior spaces. Some report footsteps moving through corridors when no one else is nearby, especially near engine rooms and storage areas. Others mention hearing voices or routine ship sounds, like tools shifting or doors closing, after hours. A few visitors say they’ve seen figures dressed in Navy uniforms carrying out everyday tasks before disappearing when approached. These reports tend to focus on ordinary actions rather than sudden events, which is why the ship feels closely tied to the routines that once defined life at sea.

Stories tied to the Powder Magazine often focus on sounds rather than sightings. Visitors sometimes report scraping or rolling noises that resemble barrels being moved across the floor, even when the room is empty. Others mention footsteps near the entrance or the sense that someone is standing close by in the dim interior. Pirate lore is also often linked to the site, including stories connected to Anne Bonny, who is frequently mentioned in local accounts. These reports tend to follow the same patterns, which is why the building continues to be discussed alongside other long-standing historic locations.

The Circular Congregational Church graveyard dates back to the late 1600s and contains some of the oldest marked graves in Charleston. Many of the headstones feature skulls, wings, and hourglass carvings that reflect early burial customs and views on death. Some markers sit at uneven angles, while others have sunk into the ground over time, making the layout feel unsettled even during the day. Narrow paths run close to the graves, which forces visitors to move slowly and stay aware of where they are stepping.

Reports tied to the graveyard often describe brief sightings rather than long encounters. Some visitors mention seeing a man wearing what looks like a tricorne hat near the back sections of the grounds, usually close to older stones. Others describe shadows that move between headstones and disappear when they turn their head. A strong feeling of being watched is also commonly mentioned, especially when standing still for too long. Temperature changes are reported near certain markers, where the air feels cooler than nearby paths. These experiences tend to follow similar patterns, which is why the graveyard continues to come up when people talk about places that haven’t changed much over centuries.

One of the most talked-about figures is the Lady in Black at the Unitarian Church graveyard. People describe seeing a woman dressed in dark mourning clothes walking between the graves, often near the same paths each time. Sightings are usually brief and quiet, happening during evening hours when the graveyard is still. The consistency of these reports is what keeps her story widely shared.

Yes, the Old City Jail sometimes allows nighttime access through guided programs. Reports tied to the jail often focus on upper floors and former cellblocks that are no longer in regular use. Visitors commonly mention footsteps, distant voices, or a strong sense of being watched while standing near the cells. These experiences are shared during supervised visits that also cover the jail’s documented history.

The Lady in Black is believed by many to be Anna Nettles, a woman who lost her fiancé at sea. According to local accounts, she wore mourning clothes for years and continued walking familiar paths through the graveyard. Visitors today say they see a figure from a distance that disappears when approached. Stories about her tend to center on grief and routine rather than sudden scares.

Stories connected to Poogan’s Porch come from both staff and guests who spend time inside the building after hours. Reports include chairs found slightly moved, doors left unlocked, and sightings of an older woman inside the dining rooms. The figure is believed to be Zoe St. Amand, a former resident of the home. Many of the accounts are shared by employees who work late or arrive early in the morning.

Visitors and staff often report unusual activity aboard the USS Yorktown, especially on lower decks and in interior corridors. Footsteps, voices, and routine ship sounds are commonly mentioned during quiet hours. Some people also describe seeing figures in Navy uniforms carrying out everyday tasks before vanishing. Many of these reports focus on ordinary movement rather than dramatic encounters.