Cahawba, or Cahaba as it is also spelled, was Alabama's first state capital from 1820-1825. A state house was set to be built on top of a large hill, a beautiful setting. The problem? It wasn't a hill at all, but a burial ground for Native Americans from centuries before. The plan was scrapped, fortunately, though it is thought that some of the graves were disturbed in the process.
The town did well in its first years as the capital. It was a lovely town, but due to extensive flooding by the two nearby rivers, the town's population began to decline. During the Civil War, the Confederates took over the town's railroad and converted a warehouse for cotton to a prison, named Castle Morgan, which held roughly 3,000 Union soldiers during its two year run. By 1865, most of the town had been abandoned when a major flood struck, driving the remaining citizens away.
Today, Cahawba is a ghost town, both figuratively and literally. It has been abandoned for well over a hundred years, many of the original buildings destroyed, though some still remained. A cemetery too. People from all over visit the former state capital each year to explore the history, but many come for the hauntings.
The hauntings at Chawaba are widespread. From the cemetery, to the Barker House Slave Quarters, to the site of the former prison, and beyond, there is no shortage of paranormal activity. Apparitions have been spotted, disembodied voices can be heard, feelings of being touched, large orbs, shadow figures have been witnessed, and even a few objects have moved on their own.
The location of the the former state capital in now an archaeological state park known as Old Cahawba Archaeological Park. Though it can be visited during the day, to gain access at night, you will have to visit in October when there is a Haunted History Tour. I highly recommend checking it out. Maybe I will be lucky enough to visit this Halloween.
Photo by: Low Flite
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