Virginia's Former Army Base Is A Haunted National Monument With A Stone Fort & Eerie Museums

The U.S. is full of ethereal, otherworldly, and downright spooky places that make for spine-tingling vacation destinations. From campgrounds in creepy ghost towns to haunted historic mansions, there are loads of places where people can indulge in that delightful feeling of chilling excitement that comes from a good horror story. Dark tourism destinations around the world have never been more popular, and searching for things that go bump in the night can be a great addition to any vacation.

America's decommissioned and abandoned Army forts are some of the eeriest and most mysterious places to visit in the world. Old military bases are filled with myths and legends tied to their complex history, and many have been repurposed as dark tourism attractions. One of the most interesting of these is Fort Monroe National Monument, the largest stone fort ever built in the U.S., which played host to some of the most important figures in American history and is today steeped in ghost stories and spectral sightings.

Fort Monroe National Monument sits on a spit of land known as Old Point Comfort in Chesapeake Bay, just outside Hampton, Virginia, between Newport News and Norfolk. There is no public transportation to the park, but it is only a 10-minute drive from Hampton, a 20-minute drive from Newport News, and a 30-minute drive from Norfolk. The nearest airport is Norfolk International Airport (ORF), a 25-minute drive away, which serves routes across the U.S., as well as a seasonal route to Mexico.

The main attraction of Fort Monroe is the imposing stone fort. Originally constructed after the War of 1812 to defend Hampton Roads waterway, its 10-foot-thick granite walls stretch a total of 1.3 miles around and are surrounded by a moat. The walls contain vaulted chambers known as casemates, designed to house soldiers and provide a safe place to fire cannon in the event of an attack. Today, the casemates house a fascinating museum that explores the military history of the fort, as well as featuring the cell where Jefferson Davis was held after the American Civil War.

A walking tour of the fort takes about an hour and features a number of fascinating historical attractions. Alongside the Casemates Museum, visitors will explore the Flagstaff Bastion, with its commanding views of Hampton Roads, as well as the Lincoln Gun and Parade Ground. The military headquarters of the fort, known as Quarters No. 1, is the oldest surviving building in the fort, and a beautiful example of 19th-century architecture. Another fascinating spot to see within the fort itself, and one that hints at the spookier side of the National Monument, is the pet cemetery on top of the walls, where over 400 animals have been laid to rest.

During its long and fascinating active history, Fort Monroe hosted some of the most significant names in the story of the United States. Jefferson Davis visited twice, once as secretary of war, and a second time as a prisoner following the defeat of the Confederacy. Robert E. Lee was stationed at the fort as a young officer, and his youngest son was born there. President Abraham Lincoln stayed in Quarters No. 1 during a visit, and other prestigious guests include President Andrew Jackson, President John Tyler, and Edgar Allen Poe.

Fort Monroe is said to be haunted by a number of spectral apparitions from its storied past. The ghost of Jefferson Davis, who was held here for two years, is said to walk the battlements after dark, while the ghost of his wife supposedly rattles a window in the fort. Some ghost hunters have reported seeing Abraham Lincoln wandering through the rooms of Quarters No. 1, while Edgar Allen Poe's phantom also loiters outside the nearby Chamberlin Hotel.

Less famous ghosts are also often seen on the site, including a Lady in White walking the boardwalk, and a little girl calling for her cat, as well as a multitude of Civil War soldiers and other unidentified apparitions.

Whether or not you believe in these sightings, the fort is an undoubtedly unearthly and uncanny place to explore, particularly at night, with all manner of inexplicable noises, lights, and strange activity. One of the best ways to get a feel for this otherworldly ambiance is on a ghost walk tour, which takes place after dark at various times during the year.