Tucked among Baldwin County's scenic beauty are whispers of the past, echoing through the hallways of historic homes and battle-worn forts. For those who enjoy a bit of mystery, these local spots …
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Tucked among Baldwin County's scenic beauty are whispers of the past, echoing through the hallways of historic homes and battle-worn forts. For those who enjoy a bit of mystery, these local spots offer more than just history — they come with tales of the unexplained, keeping both visitors and locals intrigued. From once-bustling battle sites to stately homes, here are some of the most storied locations in Baldwin County, where history and hauntings blend seamlessly.
In the heart of Foley, the Holmes Medical Museum occupies what was once Baldwin County's first hospital, founded in 1936. The hospital operated until 1958, serving the community through births, surgeries and even wartime wounds. Its history is preserved with original medical equipment, including eerie surgical tools, old hospital beds and a 1930s-style operating room.
But to some, it's the ghost stories that truly bring the past alive. Museum staff and visitors alike have reported hearing faint voices and footsteps when the halls are empty. Lights occasionally flicker, and cold drafts of air chill the rooms without explanation. Local paranormal investigators have visited the site, armed with recording devices to capture what might be beyond the physical world.
During one investigation with the Gulf Paranormal Society, Jessica Vaughn, former Gulf Coast Media reporter and editor, caught an unusual voice on her recorder — an EVP, or electronic voice phenomenon. Vaughn was recording quietly while the rest of the group conversed when a whispered female voice seemed to chime in from nowhere.
"There were two women walking ahead of me and talking. One asked, 'What was her name?' and right then, my recording picked up a whispered, almost moaning voice answering, 'It's Agnes.'" Vaughn recounted. "It wasn't me, and it wasn't either of the women. It sounded like someone standing right beside me."
In addition to the whispered response, the paranormal team captured video footage of orbs — small, glowing spheres that some believe represent spirit energy. While orbs remain a point of debate in the ghost-hunting community, with some skeptics dismissing them as dust or light reflections, others believe they offer tangible evidence of supernatural activity.
While Holmes Medical Museum isn't open at night and doesn't offer haunted tours, the Museum offers a rare blend of history with the possible chance for a brush with the unexplained. Admission is free and the museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
The Swift-Coles Historic Home in Bon Secour is a 16-room mansion with deep roots in Baldwin County history. A Tidewater mansion, the large home stands as a snapshot in time. But behind the history, are members of the Swift family still walking the halls?
Built in 1882 as a simple four-room cabin, the house was expanded by Charles Augustus Swift and his wife, Susan Platt Roberts Swift, who raised their 11 children there. By 1908, the family had transformed the home into the mansion that stands today. In 1976, local entrepreneur Norman Nicholas Coles bought the house and continued to preserve its historical charm as well as fill it with antiques.
However, some say Coles and the Swft family never truly left. Visitors to the grand, tree-shaded home often remark on its beauty, but many also sense something more mysterious. The figure of a Southern woman dressed in old-fashioned clothing has been seen wandering the upstairs rooms, and voices and odd noises have been reported, often accompanied by the faint sound of tea cups clinking in the parlor.
One of the most famous ghost sightings involves the home's matriarch, Susan Swift, or so some believe. According to local lore, she still strolls through her former home, keeping an eye on things. Some have even reported that she has asked workers who were moving furniture what they were doing to her bookcase.
Vaughn accompanied The Seekers Paranormal Society for a late-night investigation at the home in 2021. Although she didn't capture photographic evidence, she witnessed electromagnetic field (EMF) detectors light up during questioning sessions, even though there were no visible changes in the environment.
Vaughn herself had a chilling encounter.
"He didn't want me there," she recalled, referring to Coles, the home's previous owner, who some believe is still lingering in the house. "He doesn't like reporters. I had to ask him if I could stay and assured him I wouldn't report anything negative."
And perhaps that's why the activity began. EMF detectors and dowsing rods reacted to the unseen presence, confirming the idea that not all inhabitants of the Swift-Coles house have left.
On Oct. 25, tour the home for yourself during the Haunted Candlelight Tour. Admission is $20. For more information and to register, call (251) 609-4578.
History fact: The porch ceilings of the Swift-Coles home is painted a light blue, and while may believe this color is to deter insects and pets from making nests, it is actually a traditional practice believed to ward off evil spirits known as "haints." This custom has roots in the Gullah Geechee culture, descendants of enslaved Africans who worked on the plantations in the South. They believed that painting ceilings blue would trick spirits into thinking it was the sky, preventing them from entering homes. Today, many people continue the tradition without knowing its spiritual origins.
Blakeley State Park, known for its natural beauty and Civil War history, holds a darker side. As the site of the last major battle of the Civil War, thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers fought here just days before the South's surrender. Though the park is now a peaceful haven for hikers and campers, echoes of its violent past remain.
Visitors to the park often report hearing phantom gunfire, the sound of clashing weapons and even the cries of soldiers echoing through the woods. Some have claimed to see ghostly figures in period uniforms wandering the old battlefield.
In addition to its ghostly soldiers, Blakeley is also home to the stories of the Tensaw Ghost Fleet — a collection of Liberty ships that once floated on the Tensaw River, now resting deep beneath the water. After World War II, these ships were decommissioned and anchored in the river until many were later sunk to form artificial reefs.
Some locals claim that, even today, you can still hear the creaking of ships on the water, especially at dawn or dusk, when the fog rolls in over the river.
In her 2014 essay on the Ghost Fleet, Brittany Clay, then a student from the University of South Alabama, described these hauntings.
"Creak, swish, creakyyy….
"That's the sound you might hear if you travel the Mobile-Tensaw Delta early in the morning, or when the sun is setting for the day. It is known as 'Ghost Fleet,' yet there are no boats or any water vessels in sight. Bay Minette locals, however, claim they can hear the banging of these 'Ghost Ships' in the still of the night."
Whether it's the soldiers who fought here or the spirits of those who once manned the Ghost Fleet, Blakeley State Park offers more than just history — it's a place where the past lingers just beneath the surface. The park offers many tours throughout the year. While the current Guided Ghost Tours led by Ghost Hunting Housewives are sold out, be on the lookout for future events as well as Blakeley's historical Ghost Fleet Cruises.
Fort Mims, located near Tensaw, is the site of one of the most devastating massacres in Alabama history. In August 1813, hundreds of settlers, soldiers and allied Native Americans were killed in a surprise attack by Red Stick Creek Indian warriors. The attack left a lasting mark on the region, and some believe the souls of those lost that day still haunt the site.
On quiet days, visitors report hearing gunfire and the cries of the fallen, as if the battle is being relived in the thick woods surrounding the fort. Shadows dart between the trees, and some claim to have seen figures in period clothing patrolling the site.
Vaughn who visited the site earlier this year said the area was unsettling.
"It was quiet despite being midday. There were no animals, no birds, not even insects, on the ground or in the trees of (of the site)," Vaughn said. "It didn't feel scary; more sad and haunting."
Nearby, the grave of Red Eagle, the legendary William Weatherford also known as Truth Maker by his Tribesmen, is also said to be a site of paranormal activity according to posters on the subreddit r/Alabama. Weatherford, a Red Stick Indian warrior, led the attack on Fort Mims in 1813. Despite the violent past, he became a celebrated figure later in life. His gravesite has since become a point of interest for both history buffs and those curious about the paranormal.
Whether these ghostly encounters are the spirits of soldiers, settlers or warriors, the tragic history of Fort Mims continues to reverberate through the land.
Fort Mims can be visited any time of day. Each year in August there is a reenactment of the Battle of Fort Mims.
Perched at the entrance of Mobile Bay, Fort Morgan has stood watch over the Gulf Coast for centuries. It saw action in multiple conflicts, from the War of 1812 to the Civil War. But it's the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864 that cemented its place in history, as Admiral Farragut famously is believed to have ordered, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"
Visitors and staff at Fort Morgan often report strange encounters — ghostly figures in military uniforms, voices echoing through the tunnels and the sensation of being watched. Even in the blazing heat of summer, a cold breeze frequently sweeps through certain parts of the fort.
One visitor on AlabamaHauntedHouses.com recounted their eerie experience: "Outside of the beautiful fort, facts and artifacts, me and my family went there not thinking at all that we would experience anything haunted because at that time we didn't even know people experienced that. We caught a soldier leaning over one of the open cannons on the ground level through a photograph. No one was around us to cause a glitch. Plus staring at one of the rooms that was behind glass, we took a picture and the face of a man appeared as well!! No man was around us. A beautiful and haunted location. You just know there are some souls still there."
Fort Morgan is also known for the ghost of a young woman, believed to possibly be the daughter of a soldier, who wanders the grounds, forever searching for her lost loved ones or for vengeance on whoever attacked her. With so many lives touched by the conflicts fought here, it's no wonder that the spirits of Fort Morgan still guard the coast.
During October, Second Sight Paranormal TV are hosting Fort Morgan After Dark Ghost Investigation and Historical Haunted Tours. Admission is $45 and registration is required. Call (850) 941-4321 to register or for more information.
Baldwin County and the surrounding region offer more than just historical sites — they invite you into a world where the past is always present. Whether you're drawn to the eerie tales of ghostly soldiers at Blakeley State Park, the unexplained footsteps in the Swift-Coles Historic Home or the voices calling down Holmes Medical Museum's halls, these local haunts provide a deeper connection to history than any textbook ever could.
If you've had your own brush with the supernatural in Baldwin County, we want to hear your story. Whether it's a strange encounter at a local landmark or tales passed down through generations, share your haunted experiences with us. We've heard whispers of the fourth floor of Thomas Hospital being haunted, eerie sightings at the old Bay Minette Library, and ghostly tales from the now-demolished Loxley Hotel. And, of course, there's no shortage of spooky stories from nearby Pensacola and Mobile. Drop me a line at whisper@gulfcoastmedia.com and let me know if you've experienced something out of the ordinary in Baldwin County or beyond.
