Discover the haunted cemeteries of Georgia in this spine-chilling episode of The Strange History Podcast. From Savannah’s Colonial Park, Bonaventure, and Laurel Grove to Atlanta’s Oakland and Mount Olive, explore eerie legends, true eyewitness ghost stories, and the chilling history behind Georgia’s most haunted graveyards.
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Like and Subscribe:
Apple
Spotify
IHeart
Audible
This episode of The Strange History Podcast is brought to you by Spreaker — the podcast platform so powerful, even ghosts can’t stop streaming. Seriously, our analytics show 12% of our audience is from “The Beyond.” “Join us… forever…” With Spreaker, you can record, edit, and publish faster than you can say “is that EVP or just bad Wi-Fi?” Whether you’re a living creator or a deceased conductor still riding the rails, Spreaker makes sure your voice echoes across every major platform — and possibly your listeners’ basements. Spreaker: where your podcast never dies — it just gets better CPM rates. Spreaker — because eternity deserves good monetization.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome curious souls to the Strange History Podcast, where we
dive into the eerie, the unexplained, and the downright bizarre
corners of history. I'm your host, Amy, and tonight we're
venturing into a world where moss draped oaks meet centuries
old headstones, and the past refuses to stay buried. Georgia
may be famous for peaches, sweet tea, and charming Southern hospitality,
(00:24):
but it also hides some of the most haunted cemeteries
in the United States. Tonight, we'll explore five of the spookiest,
Savannah's Colonial Park, Bonaventure, and Laurel Grove cemeteries, as well
as Atlanta's Oakland and Mount Olive cemeteries. These are not
just resting places, they are epicenters of ghostly legends, chilling
(00:47):
eyewitness accounts, and centuries of Southern history. So grab your flashlight,
maybe a brave friend or a ghost whispering cat, and
let's stroll down paths where the living rarely tread without
a chill running down their spine.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Colonial Park Cemetery Savannah.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Colonial Park Cemetery was established in seventeen fifty and served
as Savannah's main burial ground for over a century, over
nine thousand people rest here, from early settlers to victims
of yellow fever epidemics and notorious criminals. Its cracked tombstones
and twisted trees give it an aura of mystery that
(01:28):
makes it a prime setting for ghost stories.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Ghostly legends of colonial park.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Renee Rondolier, the notorious eighteenth century murderer executed for killing
two young girls, is said to haunt the Hanging Tree.
Witnesses report seeing a tall, shadowy figure clutching the rope
he was hanged with. One local historian recounted hearing heavy
footsteps behind him, only to find the path empty when
(01:57):
he spun around. Some say Rendolier is still searching for
a way out of the afterlife, or perhaps for someone
to finally explain his poor life choices the Hanging Tree.
This gnarled oak is infamous for alleged public executions. Visitors
hear creaking ropes, faint sobbing, and whispered threats. A ghost
(02:19):
tour guide humorously notes that it's the ultimate arboreal guilt
trip machine. Shadowy figures. Observers often glimpse fleeting shadows darting
between tombstones, vanishing as soon as you focus on them.
Paranormal enthusiasts speculate these are spirits of tragic deaths, still
wandering and searching for peace. A historian described a night
(02:42):
visit where the temperature dropped unnaturally and footsteps echoed around
them alone. They turned repeatedly, only to see shadows that
didn't belong to them, prompting a hasty retreat.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Bonaventure's Cemetery Savannah.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Established in eighteen forty six, Bonaventure is famous for its
haunting beauty and elaborate statuary immortalized in midnight in the
Garden of Good and Evil. The cemetery is a magnet
for ghost stories and photographers chasing eerie mists.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Ghostly legends of Bonaventure's cemetery.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
Little Gracie Watson, the spirit of young Gracie, reportedly lingers
near her life size statue. Visitors feel chills here, whispers,
and some swear her eyes seem to follow them. One
photographer captured a mist above her grave that briefly formed
the face of a child before vanishing. The lady in white,
(03:40):
a flowing spectral woman walks silently between tombstones. Some claim
she appears in photographs as a reflection, even if no
one is behind them. Disembodied voices, ghostly conversations, and laughter
are often heard in empty sections. A night guard once
heard a child call out Mommy in a section that
(04:04):
hadn't seen living children in decades. Photographers and visitors report
feeling tapped on the shoulder or hearing whispers, leaving them
questioning whether Bonaventure is a cemetery or a ghostly social club.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Laurel Grove Cemetery, Savannah.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Laurel Grove, established in eighteen fifty two, is divided into
sections for white residents and African Americans. Beyond its historical significance,
it's rich with ghostly tales.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Ghostly legends of Laurel Grove Cemetery.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
The crying child. Passengers in the nineteenth century reportedly hurt
a child sobbing as they passed. Visitors today claim to
hear the cries on quiet evenings, though no child is
ever seen. Disembodied hands ghostly hands appear to reach from
behind tombstones. One visitor humorously suggested they were just checking
(05:01):
for snacks, then promptly fled, followed by footsteps. Many report
being followed footsteps matching their pace until they vanish. A
local recounted walking at dusk, hearing footsteps perfectly mirroring their own,
only to turn and see nothing. The wind whispered, almost
(05:22):
laughing at their terror. Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Atlanta's oldest and
largest cemetery. Oakland was founded in eighteen fifty. Its groundshouse
Confederate soldiers, notable business figures and author Margaret Mitchell. Victorian monuments,
moss laden oaks, and foggy nights set the stage for hauntings.
(05:46):
Ghostly legends of Oakland Cemetery Confederate soldiers. Visitors report apparitions
in period uniforms. Cold touches, and fleeting shadows are common.
The Lion of Atlanta. This monument is said to be
haunted by spirits of fallen soldiers. At night, visitors report
(06:06):
faint murmurs of commands echoing across the tombstones. Mysterious lights,
tiny glowing orbs appear among graves before vanishing. Some suggest
they are wandering souls, Others just hope they're not attracted
to phone cameras. A paranormal investigator recorded an EVP whispering,
we are here near the soldier's graves. The chill lingering
(06:29):
even in daylight.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Mount Olive Cemetery, Atlanta.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Mount Olive preserves the history of Buckhead's African American community
and is a focal point for spectral activity.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Ghostly legends of Mount Olive Cemetery.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
The Woman in White glide silently between graves, vanishing when approached.
Visitors joke about her punctual appearances, always on time for
a haunting. Whispers in the wind, names are called in voices,
leaving visitors frozen with fear and curiosity. Cold spots, sudden
(07:07):
icy chills hit even in summer, attributed to residual energy
from lives of hardship and resilience. A historian felt watched
and followed during a solitary visit. The temperature dropped sharply
and the feeling of eyes on him lingered. Proof perhaps
that history never truly lets go. And there you have it,
(07:27):
Brave listeners, a guided tour of Georgia's most haunted cemeteries,
where the living tread lightly and the dead apparently enjoy
a good stroll or a ghostly prank or two. If
you enjoyed tonight's episode, don't forget to subscribe to the
Strange History podcast. Leave a review and share your own
haunted experiences. Remember history is never really dead, and sometimes
(07:53):
it might just walk right beside you until next time,
keep your lanterns lit, your wits about you, and maybe
just maybe watch your back in the shadows of George's graveyards.
Welcome curious souls to the Strange History Podcast, where we
dive into the eerie, the unexplained, and the downright bizarre
corners of history. I'm your host, Amy, and tonight we're
venturing into a world where moss draped oaks meet centuries
old headstones, and the past refuses to stay buried. Georgia
may be famous for peaches, sweet tea, and charming Southern hospitality,
(00:24):
but it also hides some of the most haunted cemeteries
in the United States. Tonight, we'll explore five of the spookiest,
Savannah's Colonial Park, Bonaventure, and Laurel Grove cemeteries, as well
as Atlanta's Oakland and Mount Olive cemeteries. These are not
just resting places, they are epicenters of ghostly legends, chilling
(00:47):
eyewitness accounts, and centuries of Southern history. So grab your flashlight,
maybe a brave friend or a ghost whispering cat, and
let's stroll down paths where the living rarely tread without
a chill running down their spine.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Colonial Park Cemetery Savannah.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Colonial Park Cemetery was established in seventeen fifty and served
as Savannah's main burial ground for over a century, over
nine thousand people rest here, from early settlers to victims
of yellow fever epidemics and notorious criminals. Its cracked tombstones
and twisted trees give it an aura of mystery that
(01:28):
makes it a prime setting for ghost stories.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Ghostly legends of colonial park.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Renee Rondolier, the notorious eighteenth century murderer executed for killing
two young girls, is said to haunt the Hanging Tree.
Witnesses report seeing a tall, shadowy figure clutching the rope
he was hanged with. One local historian recounted hearing heavy
footsteps behind him, only to find the path empty when
(01:57):
he spun around. Some say Rendolier is still searching for
a way out of the afterlife, or perhaps for someone
to finally explain his poor life choices the Hanging Tree.
This gnarled oak is infamous for alleged public executions. Visitors
hear creaking ropes, faint sobbing, and whispered threats. A ghost
(02:19):
tour guide humorously notes that it's the ultimate arboreal guilt
trip machine. Shadowy figures. Observers often glimpse fleeting shadows darting
between tombstones, vanishing as soon as you focus on them.
Paranormal enthusiasts speculate these are spirits of tragic deaths, still
wandering and searching for peace. A historian described a night
(02:42):
visit where the temperature dropped unnaturally and footsteps echoed around
them alone. They turned repeatedly, only to see shadows that
didn't belong to them, prompting a hasty retreat.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Bonaventure's Cemetery Savannah.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Established in eighteen forty six, Bonaventure is famous for its
haunting beauty and elaborate statuary immortalized in midnight in the
Garden of Good and Evil. The cemetery is a magnet
for ghost stories and photographers chasing eerie mists.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Ghostly legends of Bonaventure's cemetery.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
Little Gracie Watson, the spirit of young Gracie, reportedly lingers
near her life size statue. Visitors feel chills here, whispers,
and some swear her eyes seem to follow them. One
photographer captured a mist above her grave that briefly formed
the face of a child before vanishing. The lady in white,
(03:40):
a flowing spectral woman walks silently between tombstones. Some claim
she appears in photographs as a reflection, even if no
one is behind them. Disembodied voices, ghostly conversations, and laughter
are often heard in empty sections. A night guard once
heard a child call out Mommy in a section that
(04:04):
hadn't seen living children in decades. Photographers and visitors report
feeling tapped on the shoulder or hearing whispers, leaving them
questioning whether Bonaventure is a cemetery or a ghostly social club.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Laurel Grove Cemetery, Savannah.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Laurel Grove, established in eighteen fifty two, is divided into
sections for white residents and African Americans. Beyond its historical significance,
it's rich with ghostly tales.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Ghostly legends of Laurel Grove Cemetery.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
The crying child. Passengers in the nineteenth century reportedly hurt
a child sobbing as they passed. Visitors today claim to
hear the cries on quiet evenings, though no child is
ever seen. Disembodied hands ghostly hands appear to reach from
behind tombstones. One visitor humorously suggested they were just checking
(05:01):
for snacks, then promptly fled, followed by footsteps. Many report
being followed footsteps matching their pace until they vanish. A
local recounted walking at dusk, hearing footsteps perfectly mirroring their own,
only to turn and see nothing. The wind whispered, almost
(05:22):
laughing at their terror. Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Atlanta's oldest and
largest cemetery. Oakland was founded in eighteen fifty. Its groundshouse
Confederate soldiers, notable business figures and author Margaret Mitchell. Victorian monuments,
moss laden oaks, and foggy nights set the stage for hauntings.
(05:46):
Ghostly legends of Oakland Cemetery Confederate soldiers. Visitors report apparitions
in period uniforms. Cold touches, and fleeting shadows are common.
The Lion of Atlanta. This monument is said to be
haunted by spirits of fallen soldiers. At night, visitors report
(06:06):
faint murmurs of commands echoing across the tombstones. Mysterious lights,
tiny glowing orbs appear among graves before vanishing. Some suggest
they are wandering souls, Others just hope they're not attracted
to phone cameras. A paranormal investigator recorded an EVP whispering,
we are here near the soldier's graves. The chill lingering
(06:29):
even in daylight.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Mount Olive Cemetery, Atlanta.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Mount Olive preserves the history of Buckhead's African American community
and is a focal point for spectral activity.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Ghostly legends of Mount Olive Cemetery.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
The Woman in White glide silently between graves, vanishing when approached.
Visitors joke about her punctual appearances, always on time for
a haunting. Whispers in the wind, names are called in voices,
leaving visitors frozen with fear and curiosity. Cold spots, sudden
(07:07):
icy chills hit even in summer, attributed to residual energy
from lives of hardship and resilience. A historian felt watched
and followed during a solitary visit. The temperature dropped sharply
and the feeling of eyes on him lingered. Proof perhaps
that history never truly lets go. And there you have it,
(07:27):
Brave listeners, a guided tour of Georgia's most haunted cemeteries,
where the living tread lightly and the dead apparently enjoy
a good stroll or a ghostly prank or two. If
you enjoyed tonight's episode, don't forget to subscribe to the
Strange History podcast. Leave a review and share your own
haunted experiences. Remember history is never really dead, and sometimes
(07:53):
it might just walk right beside you until next time,
keep your lanterns lit, your wits about you, and maybe
just maybe watch your back in the shadows of George's graveyards.
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