Start Your Horror Novel in San Antonio, Texas

The ghosts remember the Alamo too

Zombie cowboy in front of the Alamo, illustrated in bold neon colors, representing horror writing inspiration in San Antonio for authors and creatives

Whether you're drafting your next haunted battle scene in the shadow of the Alamo or outlining a ghost story after wandering the San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio serves horror writers a rich blend of history and hauntings.

This city is more than old, it’s layered. The River Walk may look charming by day, but at night, its quiet curves and flickering lamplight feel like the perfect setting for something sinister. With ghost-filled hotels, cursed railroad tracks, and legends etched into nearly every stone, San Antonio is a gothic goldmine for writers who love their fiction soaked in spirits (and we’re not just talking tequila).

5 Ghostly Facts and Legends of San Antonio

  • The Alamo might be Texas’ most famous landmark but it’s also crawling with ghost stories. Visitors talk about phantom footsteps, strange chills, and ghostly soldiers standing watch long after the battle ended. Some say the fallen defenders never actually left.

  • San Fernando Cathedral is stunning by day and unsettling by night. Built in 1738, it’s one of the oldest cathedrals in the country and rumored to house more than just prayers. Shadow figures and whispering voices have been reported by night visitors.

  • The Emily Morgan Hotel is as haunted as it is historic. Once a hospital, it now welcomes guests brave enough to sleep through flickering lights, cold spots, and the occasional sighting of a figure in a hospital gown silently watching from the hallway.

  • Victoria’s Black Swan Inn is beautiful, historic, and absolutely crawling with ghosts. Built where the Battle of Salado took place, it’s known for moving furniture, mysterious cold drafts, and laughter that comes from rooms you know are empty.

  • At the old Ghost Tracks off Shane and Villamain, drivers swear their cars get pushed uphill by invisible hands. Some even claim to see fingerprints in the dust afterward. Whether you buy into the legend or not, it’s one of San Antonio’s most beloved spooky traditions.

The Riverwalk in San Antonio a great place for horror writers

Haunted Locations in San Antonio

Write your next nightmare with help from ghost-filled cathedrals, battle-worn missions, and stories that refuse to stay buried.

San Antonio Horror Writing Prompts

  • Your character shops at Market Square just before closing when they see a child standing alone. As they approach, the child vanishes behind a stall that hasn’t been used in decades.

  • During a late-night River Walk stroll, your protagonist hears their name whispered from beneath a bridge. Each time they ignore it, the voice gets louder and closer.

  • A local artist rents a studio near the old Pearl Brewery. Strange symbols start appearing in their sketches, and the air always smells like copper and burnt wood.

  • While visiting San Pedro Springs Park, your character finds an old journal buried near the water. Its entries detail a ritual and the final pages are written in their own handwriting.

  • Your protagonist attends a play at the Majestic Theatre. Something seems off about the performers on stage. Later your character reads an article about those same actors who have been dead for years.

  • A historian researching forgotten graves in City Cemetery No. 3 stumbles across a marker with their own birthdate. The ground underneath is soft and something below it is tapping back.

Frequently Asked Questions About Historically Haunted San Antonio

  • Yes, some visitors report seeing a small child wandering alone at night, only to vanish near the stalls. Many believe it's the spirit of a lost child from the 1800s.

  • Definitely. The River Walk is scenic by day but eerie at night. Some spots, especially near the old mills, are said to be haunted by former workers and lost souls.

  • Mission Espada is rumored to host the spirit of a monk who appears near the chapel steps after dark. Locals say he’s guarding something… or someone.

  • Yes, many allow quiet visitors during open hours. The Central Library near downtown is also a great spot with a view of the city’s oldest buildings.

  • Some say yes. It’s one of the oldest parks in the U.S., and ghost stories tied to drownings and ancient rituals have been whispered about for decades.

  • Yes. The San Antonio Horrific Film Fest and various haunted house events during Halloween season make it a haven for horror fans.

  • Yes, ghost tours and private investigations have cited cold spots and strange sightings, especially near the balconies.

  • Now repurposed, it still gives visitors the creeps. Past guards and workers reported voices, footsteps, and shadow figures in unused cells.

  • Yes. Old cemeteries like City Cemetery No. 1 and No. 3 have reputations for ghostly sightings and mysterious lights at night.

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