Start Your Horror Writing Journey in Savannah, Georgia

Georgia’s gentlest haunt, steeped in shadow and southern hospitality.

cartoon of a georgia peach, an icon for southern horror lovers

Savannah, Georgia, often dubbed America's Most Haunted City, is a haven for horror writers. With its cobblestone streets, moss-draped oaks, and antebellum architecture, the city exudes an eerie ambiance that will still leave you feeling peachy by the end of your visit.

From the haunted halls of historic inns to the shadowy corners of ancient cemeteries, Savannah's rich history and supernatural lore provide endless inspiration for chilling tales.

5 Terrifying Tales Home Grown in Savannah

  • The Pirate's House, over 250 years old, is said to be haunted by long-dead sailors and the ghost of Captain Flint himself. Beneath the building lie old tunnels once used to shanghai unsuspecting patrons, some of whom may still wander below.

  • Madison Square, built atop a Revolutionary War battlefield, often leaves visitors with a chill and the sensation of unseen eyes watching from the trees.

  • The Moon River Brewing Company was once a hotel and hospital, and today it’s a hotspot for paranormal activity, staff and guests have reported shadowy figures, slamming doors, and eerie voices with no source.

  • The elegant Hamilton-Turner Inn, featured in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, hosts ghostly laughter of unseen children and the lingering scent of cigar smoke from a man seen pacing the roof.

  1. The 17 Hundred 90 Inn, Savannah’s oldest inn, is haunted by the spirit of Anna Powers, who died tragically on the property. Room 204 is especially active—many guests report flickering lights, cold spots, and spectral dreams.

Pirate house in savannah georgia, the most haunted usa city

Savannah, Georgia’s Haunted Landmarks

Walk the line between history and horror. From antebellum mansions to crumbling cemeteries, each carry echoes of those who never left.

Savannah Horror Writing Prompts

  • Your character sneaks into Bonaventure Cemetery on a dare and witnesses three tall, pale men digging up graves in perfect silence. They return night after night, always removing something unseen and always one grave closer to your character's family plot.

  • A cheery little lemonade stand appears overnight on the corner of historic Jones Street. The child running it never speaks but stares. Those who drink the lemonade develop an overwhelming obsession with Savannah’s history, eventually vanishing into the walls of historic homes.

  • A city maintenance worker uncovers a sealed brick room beneath Pulaski Square. Inside sits a single porcelain doll with teeth. Not painted teeth, real ones. It speaks once, naming a person the worker knows. That person vanishes from memory and existence entirely, except for the doll.

  • Every night at midnight, the bells at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist ring thirteen times. No one else hears it, except those marked for judgment. Your protagonist is drawn inside, where a ghostly choir sings sins they haven't confessed aloud.

  • While exploring the ruins of Wormsloe, your character finds a locked greenhouse deep in the forest. The plants inside pulse slightly, and a sign reads: “Speak only truth or be consumed.” The moment they lie aloud, vines begin growing in their mouth.

  • A local stage actor gets the role of a lifetime at the Lucas Theatre, but every night during rehearsals, their performance is echoed perfectly by a living shadow just behind them. Only the actor can see it, until opening night, when the shadow takes the lead.

Whispers in the Spanish Moss: Savannah's Haunted Insights

  • Savannah's rich history, marked by wars, epidemics, and fires, has led to numerous ghost stories and reported hauntings throughout the city.

  • Alice Riley was the first woman hanged in Georgia, executed in 1735 for the murder of her master. Her ghost is said to haunt Wright Square, pleading for her innocence.

  • Yes, The Marshall House, once a Civil War hospital, is known for ghostly encounters. Guests have reported apparitions and unexplained noises

  • Cosmic Corner and Ordinary Magic are local shops offering crystals, tarot cards, and other spiritual tools for your creative needs.

  • Absolutely! Tours like Ghosts & Gravestones and Blue Orb Tours offer guided walks through Savannah's haunted history.

  • Built in 1892, the Kehoe House is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of twin children who died there. Guests have reported unexplained sounds and sightings.

  • Yes, Bonaventure Cemetery is famous for its beautiful statuary and reported paranormal activity, making it a popular spot for ghost enthusiasts.

  • The Pirate's House, dating back to 1753, is said to be haunted by seafarers and has underground tunnels linked to its spooky past.

  • Factor's Walk, once a hub for cotton merchants, is now known for its haunted history, with reports of ghostly figures and eerie sounds in its tunnels.

  • The Savannah Theatre, operational since 1818, is one of the oldest in the U.S. and is rumored to be haunted by former performers.

Where the Dead Don’t Rest and the Living Don’t Sleep

Wander deeper than Savannah’s ghost tours with horror locations and uncover The Horror Hub packed with more haunted inspiration for writers.

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