The Charleston Old City Jail might be the most haunted building in the city.
One of the most famous haunted tours in the city is undoubtedly the Old City Jail tour in Magazine Street downtown. This jail operated from 1802 to 1939 and housed some of the scariest criminals in the history of Charleston, including the first female serial killer in the country, Lavinia Fisher, pirates, and Civil War prisoners. However, most of the building’s original structures, like cells and the morgue, have remained intact.
During the tour, you’ll be able to explore the cells and hallways where prisoners spent their life until they died of disease or were executed. The legend says that more than 10 thousand people died within these walls, even though this number has never been confirmed.
Some of the stories will shock you, including the story of little Jeremiah, a kid that supposedly roams the morgue and that puts rocks in your pocket or tries to hold your hand. You might also get scared an eerie feeling while walking through the torture room, space specifically used to torment the inmates and where countless ouija board sessions have been done ever since. Visitors have described feeling like they’re being choked, losing their breath, or even hearing their name being whispered.
Tours of the Old City Jail are done since 2003, and the building has been featured in a variety of paranormal investigation tv shows, including Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures. The tours are made by a Bulldog Tours company, which has since contributed over 1 million dollars to the restoration of the antique building.
This short visit is ideal for paranormal freaks and history lovers. There are tours done in the afternoon and well into the night. However, don’t do them after 8 pm if you get spooked easily. It’ll be an unforgettable one-of-a-kind experience!
Where: 📍21 Magazine St
Admission: Adult $37 Child $27
Tours: ⏰ 7PM, 8PM, 9PM, 10PM
The tour is approximately 45 minutes.
Featured image by Hannah @causingpandemonium.