Indiana might be better known for cornfields, college basketball, and limestone quarries, but underneath all that Americana is a quieter, darker thread. It’s a state that remembers, and in some corners, refuses to forget.
Across small towns and old roads, the stories passed down aren’t just family lore. They’re experiences people swear by. Not everybody believes in ghosts, sure. But in Indiana, enough people have seen, heard, or felt something strange to keep the legends alive, and to draw in plenty of curious visitors hoping for a brush with the unexplained.
From mansions built in the shadow of tragedy to a bridge where a mother’s cry is said to echo at night, Indiana’s haunted spots offer more than cheap thrills.
They’re stitched directly into the state’s past, sometimes tragic, sometimes bizarre, often both. If you’re looking to explore Indiana’s most haunted places, here’s where history and ghost stories meet face-to-face.
Whispers Estate – Mitchell, Indiana
At first glance, Whispers Estate looks like an elegant turn-of-the-century mansion – big porches, sturdy columns, and a proper Victorian silhouette.
But once inside, it’s hard to ignore the feeling that something’s watching. Built around 1901, the home became infamous for the strange events that followed several family tragedies within its walls.
Visitors and investigators report hearing whispering voices, giggling, coughing, and even the sound of doorknobs turning by themselves.
The most commonly mentioned spirits include a young girl named Rachael, who died in a fire; a baby named Elizabeth; and Mrs. Gibbons, a former resident who passed from pneumonia.
Whispers Estate ranks among the most paranormally active places in Indiana, scoring an 84.9 on the EMF scale, according to IndyStar.
Tours are available for those who want more than just stories: flashlight tours, overnight investigations, and even private group events. It’s not a show. Visitors have walked away shaken. Some come back. Some don’t.
The Story Inn – Nashville, Indiana
In what remains of the old logging town of Story, the inn by the same name holds more than antique furniture and rustic charm.
Built in 1851, The Story Inn is the oldest country inn in Indiana, and its age shows in the best ways. But with that charm comes a guest that never checks out: the Blue Lady.
She’s believed to be the wife of Dr. George Story, and she doesn’t just haunt the place quietly. Guests have reported strange blue lights, the scent of cherry tobacco drifting through the air, and even a full apparition.
One guest swears she walked past her bedroom door—only to vanish as quickly as she appeared.
The inn keeps a guestbook filled with accounts of eerie experiences. Whether you book a room for the ghost or the getaway, the atmosphere alone makes it one of Indiana’s most memorable overnight stays.
French Lick Springs Hotel – French Lick, Indiana
Once a getaway for the rich and powerful, the French Lick Springs Hotel still offers grandeur, but there’s a ghost or two mingling with the guests.
Chief among them is Thomas Taggart, a former owner and Indiana politician, who’s still seen around the hotel, often near the service elevator. Some say he’s helping out when the place gets busy—others say he’s checking in on the place he loved.
Visitors and staff have reported everything from cigar smoke with no source to the sound of a full-blown party in an empty ballroom. And there’s the infamous red stain in a bathtub on the sixth floor, rumored to reappear no matter how many times it’s cleaned.
For ghost lovers, it’s a must-see. For history lovers, it’s just as rich, with ties to prohibition-era politics, resort-town glamour, and the early 20th-century elite.
Hannah House – Indianapolis, Indiana
Built in 1858 by Alexander Hannah, this stately home once served a very different purpose: it was a stop on the Underground Railroad. But with that noble history comes sorrow.
The attic, once a refuge for those fleeing slavery, became the site of a deadly fire. Many of the hidden guests perished, their deaths kept quiet to protect the house’s secret role.
Visitors have reported hearing cries, groans, and feeling sudden cold spots. Some say they’ve seen Mr. Hannah himself, pacing the halls, or a silent older woman standing near the windows. Though currently closed to the public, the house continues to be a focus for paranormal researchers.
Its EMF rating—80.6—suggests a lingering energy that hasn’t quite let go. History isn’t always pretty. Sometimes, it’s deeply unsettling.
Slippery Noodle Inn – Indianapolis, Indiana
It’s easy to miss the haunted part of the Slippery Noodle Inn when the music’s playing and the drinks are flowing. Open since 1850, it’s Indiana’s oldest bar—and it’s seen more than its share of secrets.
During Prohibition, it served as a gangster hangout, complete with hidden tunnels and backroom deals.
The spirits aren’t all metaphorical. Ghost sightings here include a cowboy, former caretakers, and enslaved workers. Staff have found knives on the bar where no one left them. Doors open and shut. Shadows move. It’s the kind of place where the past feels close, and maybe just a little annoyed.
With a reported EMF of 66.7, it’s not the most intense location on this list, but it’s one of the most unique. Come for the live music, stay for the sudden cold chill on your neck when no one’s behind you.
Avon Haunted Bridge – Avon, Indiana
Every small town has its local ghost story. In Avon, it’s the haunted bridge built in 1906. The legend goes like this: a mother was walking along the tracks with her baby when she slipped, falling to her death. The baby didn’t survive either.
People swear that if you stop at the bridge and honk three times, you’ll hear her cries echoing through the trees. Some say they’ve heard a woman screaming. Others claim their radios go fuzzy near the tracks.
It’s a popular place for teens looking to scare each other, but even skeptics admit there’s something deeply unsettling about the spot. The bridge’s EMF reading of 84.0, according to IndyStar, rivals that of Whispers Estate.
Rockport Inn – Rockport, Indiana
Built in the 1850s, the Rockport Inn doesn’t wear its ghost story like a badge. It’s quieter than most places on this list, fewer cameras, fewer tours. But visitors and employees keep seeing the same thing: a woman in period clothing, walking the halls, sometimes whispering to herself.
She’s thought to be the wife of a former owner, though records are fuzzy. Some say she’s attached to the inn’s historic role in the Underground Railroad. Others say she’s just… always been there.
The inn earned a 77.5 EMF score, making it paranormally active but not aggressive. It’s a good spot for those curious about ghosts but not quite ready for full-on poltergeist territory.
Culbertson Mansion – New Albany, Indiana
The Culbertson Mansion is one of those places that immediately feels historic. It’s grand, ornate, and full of echoes. But what really sticks is the story of the maid and the owner—two people caught in an affair that ended in death. She hanged herself in the attic. He shot himself in the basement.
Today, guests report hearing footsteps in empty rooms, lights flicking on by themselves, and full-bodied apparitions. It’s now a museum, but the energy in the place hasn’t settled.
No EMF score has been published, but experienced ghost hunters rank it among Indiana’s most emotionally charged locations.
Paranormal Activity by the Numbers
| Location | City | EMF Rating | Reported Paranormal Activity |
| Whispers Estate | Mitchell | 84.9 | Whispering, apparitions, rattling doorknobs |
| Hannah House | Indianapolis | 80.6 | Groans, moans, Mr. Hannah’s ghost |
| Avon Haunted Bridge | Avon | 84.0 | Crying woman after honking three times |
| Rockport Inn | Rockport | 77.5 | Woman’s ghost walking and speaking |
| Slippery Noodle Inn | Indianapolis | 66.7 | Knife appearing, ghost cowboy and caretakers |
| French Lick Springs Hotel | French Lick | Not listed | Thomas Taggart’s ghost, red bathtub stain, ghost party |
| Culbertson Mansion | New Albany | Not listed | Apparitions, footsteps, unexplained electrical activity |
| Story Inn | Nashville | Not listed | Blue Lady sightings, cherry tobacco scent, blue lights |
A State That Remembers
View this post on Instagram
The haunted places in Indiana aren’t just spooky attractions—they’re touchpoints in a long and often painful history.
Some stories are grounded in violence and injustice, like those tied to the Underground Railroad. Others reflect the private grief of families struck by sudden loss.
Why do the stories stick? Maybe it’s because they’re rooted in places we can visit. You can walk the halls of Whispers Estate. You can stay in the room where the Blue Lady appears. You can lean on the bridge rail where someone may still be mourning.
Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or something in between, Indiana’s haunted locations offer more than fright. They offer connection, however strange it might feel at first.
Before You Go
Many of these places offer public tours, guided investigations, or overnight stays. A few are off-limits, like the Hannah House, or located on private or active property, like the Avon Bridge. Always check ahead, follow posted rules, and respect both the location and its history.
