Most Haunted Places in Missouri

Some people believe in ghosts, others are skeptical. So finding the most haunted places in Missouri can be a difficult task, because believers of the paranormal believe they know where the most haunted places are while others will say there are NO haunted locations.  So the best way to go about ranking haunted sites is to see what the ghost hunters most often agree.  We studied many of their reports and lists and came up with researchers feel must be included in any list of the Most Haunted Places in the State of Missouri. 

Missouri State Penitentiary

Jefferson City

Included on almost every list and named by most every ghost hunter, the Missouri State Penitentiary certainly ranks as one of the creepiest places in the state. The old prison in Jefferson City has been shown to have an amazing amount of paranormal activity. The State Pen has been nicknamed the “Bloodiest 47 Acres in America”, housing some of the most dangerous criminals ever known. 

Some guests have reported hearing unexplained noises and seeing apparitions when visiting the grounds. When you’ve had more than three dozen executions on one small piece of property, you can see why people think the ground might have a few unhappy spirits. And if you want to explore the paranormal for yourself, the State Pen even hosts a 2-hour ghost tour on the grounds.

Landers Theatre

Springfield

This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but is also known among ghost hunters as a place with plenty of paranormal activity.  The old Springfield Little Theater opened in 1909 and was damaged in a fire in 1920 when a janitor lost his life.  Some witnesses report seeing that janitor roaming the balcony.  Another story surrounding the Landers Theater is that of hearing a baby crying.  Legend has it that a baby did fall to its death after being dropped from the balcony. The theatre is still in operation and hosts numerous performances every year at the Springfield Little Theatre, so you can stop by and check it out for yourself. The theater remains one of the oldest in operation in Missouri.

Lemp Mansion

St. Louis

This historic mansion has such a tragic history that if one place were to be haunted in Missouri, this would likely be it.  The St. Louis mansion was owned by the Lemp family who made their fortune in the beer business.  Tragedy first struck in 1949 when one family member committed suicide in the home.  Before the family finally moved, three members of the family died in the house in tragic circumstances and are reported to still be walking the halls today.

Life magazine labeled this home as “One of America’s 9 Most Haunted Houses.”

The Epperson House

Kansas City

This building on the campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City is on most every haunted list available.  The Epperson House is formerly owned by Uriah Epperson.  Epperson was a wealthy insurance executive that made his fortune in the early 1900s. His daughter died in the home during construction and witnesses say they still see her late at night wearing an evening gown.  Some also report seeing the father himself turning off lights in the house. 

This home was even included the show “TV’s Unsolved Mysteries” as one of the Top 5 Haunted Houses in the United States.

Ravenswood Mansion

Bunceton

I’ve been in this house. Once. And I’ve never been so creeped out in my life until I got to college (but that’s a different story below). This is one of the most beautiful, yet creepy, historic mansions in the state of Missouri. 

Ravenswood was built for the Leonard family in the late 1800’s, but some say they never left.  The elder woman died in the home, which is when the reports of paranormal activity began.  A servant tried to get into her bedroom shortly after her death, but discovered that the door was locked from the inside.  Upon further inspection, no one was inside that room, which would have made it impossible to lock.  Several other creepy stories have emerged over the years including the historic music box suddenly playing and laughter coming from various rooms at night.

It used to be open for tours, but was a private home once again at last check.

Prosperity School Bed and Breakfast

Joplin

This old school was just an empty building for three decades, but some believe the children never left. The building has been converted into a Bed and Breakfast and many of the guests say they still get the creeps at night.  There are reports of kids still running up and down the halls and the ghost of the school nurse have also been seen.  The TV show Ghost Hunters even captured what they say is a picture of the kids in the hallway.  To top it off, some guests even report the feeling that kids are crawling into bed with them at night.

The old school was put up for auction several years ago and no bidder came forward, so the property went back to the bank. According to the Facebook page, it doesn’t appear the Bed and Breakfast is open again at this point. If you know differently, let us know!

Glore Psychiatric Museum

St. Joseph, Missouri

Any locations that have the words “Lunatic Asylum” are a good place to start looking for the unusual or paranormal.  The current-day museum was once the Missouri State Lunatic Asylum Number 2. 

Numerous psychiatric patients died there over the years and witnesses say they are still there looking for a cure to their mental illness.  Reports are that the motion detectors often go off, even when no one is around.  Others actual report seeing people walking the halls and still hearing people screaming and asking for help. 

Cupples Hall/Smiley Memorial Library

Fayette

I added this one because I have personal experience with it. I have told a few people from Central Methodist University about it over the years and some of them say they experienced similar things in the old Cupples Hall. There is an old part of the library called “the stacks”, where very few people would go because it’s basically just stacks of old periodicals and research materials. This was where I liked to study because it was so quiet and you could spread your things out and relax. But this was the last night I went back there.

I propped open the old window by my desk by stacking two books on top of each other, but facing opposite directions. I did this because it was sturdier with the spines on opposite sides of the stack (this is important later). It was a warm night, so this was the only way to get a breeze through the area, although it was still a warm breeze. But suddenly a bitterly cold chill went by as if it walked past me. That got my attention because the area obviously didn’t have air conditioning. Then I started hearing things in the stacks, which was impossible because I was alone. So the mind games began.

The last thought I had was “if there really is something here, just show me and I’ll get out.” Then the old window came crashing down with a thud, but it didn’t close all the way. Both books were still propping up the window, but now lying flat, with both spines facing me where I could read them. So I quickly packed my things and never went back to my favorite place to get away on the campus. As I tell people, I don’t really care who believes me, because I experienced something that could not happen naturally, and that’s all I need to know.

Other great sites to check out for hauntings in Missouri include:

Thespian Hall, Boonville

Pythian Castle, Springfield

Jefferson Barracks and Cemetery, St. Louis

The Exorcist House, St. Louis