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Cursed towns in the US refer to a phenomenon where certain towns or areas are believed to be plagued by bad luck, strange happenings, or paranormal activity. These towns have stories and legends associated with them, often dating back many years. While some may dismiss these claims as mere superstition, the sheer number of reports and witness testimonies have led many to believe that there is something truly sinister at play. One such town is Salem, Massachusetts. Known for the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692, this small town has been synonymous with curses and dark magic ever since. It is believed that the accused witches from the trials placed curses on Salem, resulting in a series of misfortunes and tragedies that have plagued the town for centuries.

If you're interested in a glimpse into the past, we've rounded up the most fascinating ghost towns in the US to discover America’s hidden history. If spooky travel is your thing, don’t forget to visit the scariest real-life haunted houses, take yourself on a ghost tour or pay your respects at the most hauntingly beautiful graveyards.

But some residents claim that Love Canal is still hazardous to human health; after toxic chemicals allegedly spewed from a sewer line in 2011, a fresh round of lawsuits were filed on behalf of former and current residents of the neighborhood. But some residents claim that Love Canal is still hazardous to human health; after toxic chemicals allegedly spewed from a sewer line in 2011, a fresh round of lawsuits were filed on behalf of former and current residents of the neighborhood.

It is believed that the accused witches from the trials placed curses on Salem, resulting in a series of misfortunes and tragedies that have plagued the town for centuries. Visitors to Salem often report unexplained sightings, eerie feelings, and strange occurrences, further adding to its reputation as a cursed town. Another cursed town in the US is Centralia, Pennsylvania.

Cursed towns in the US

With its unique blend of cultural influences, dark history, voodoo practices, ancient churches and graveyards, and eerie, centuries-old oaks looming over it all, New Orleans has been described as “a perfect elixir for the spirit world.” Haunted locations include Faulkner House Books, Old Absinthe House, and the St. Louis Cemetery, a notorious paranormal hot spot. The site is said to be haunted by hundreds of ghosts, among them the infamous Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, Marie Laveau.

Gettysburg is not only one of the most haunted places in America, but arguably one of the most haunted places in the world. It’s the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, and its 40 miles of battleground are reportedly haunted by some of the 50,000+ people killed there.

Savannah is one of the most iconic historic districts in the US, but it’s also earned its reputation as one of the spookiest towns in America. Steeped in the horrors of history from slavery to war, yellow fever, and various disasters, Savannah hosts more than its fair share of paranormal residents. Moon River Brewing Company and The Marshall House are well situated among the most haunted places in the US.

This Florida town is the oldest city in the US, established by the Spanish in 1565. Its long and storied history leaves a lot of room for the paranormal. Key haunts include the St. Augustine Lighthouse and the Castillo de San Marcos, where many say they’ve seen the ghosts of the past.

There are some seriously creepy towns in America, and while Chicago may not seem like one of them at first glance, its violent past can convince you otherwise. The site of Al Capone’s infamous Valentine’s Day Massacre is said to be haunted, along with the Oak Woods Cemetery with its 6,000+ buried Confederate soldiers. And be sure to mind the “vanishing hitchhiker” that’s haunted Archer Avenue since the 1930s.

Notable Mentions

While many of these haunted towns are in the east or south, there are plenty of spooky places on the west coast, too! Famous spots include Alcatraz in San Francisco and the haunted Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in L.A.

Spooky small towns, though lesser-known, are fun to explore, too! Staunton, Virginia, and Atchison, Kansas feature haunted locations and scenic small-town charm.

Here at Scenic America, we value our country’s scenic beauty and want to see it persist. We work to preserve and promote our scenic byways, landscapes, and towns that define our nation’s visual character. Read about our principles of conservation, see what we’ve accomplished in 2021, or sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on our work and how you can help.

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Once a thriving mining community, Centralia is now virtually a ghost town. In 1962, an underground coal mine fire started and has been burning ever since. The fire caused massive sinkholes, releasing dangerous gases, and rendering the town uninhabitable. What was once a bustling community now lies in ruins, its streets abandoned and covered in smoke. Many locals believe that the curse of the coal mine fire has condemned the town to a perpetual state of decay and destruction. Pripyat, Ukraine, also known as the "Ghost City," is often associated with a curse. This once-thriving city was evacuated after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. The catastrophic meltdown of the power plant released a massive amount of radioactive material into the environment, forcing the residents to flee. Pripyat now lies in ruins, its buildings crumbling and overgrown with vegetation. Locals believe that the curse of Chernobyl haunts the city, with reports of ghostly figures, strange sounds, and an eerie atmosphere. While the existence of curses may be debated, these examples of cursed towns in the US illustrate the power that superstitions and legends can hold over a community. Whether these towns are truly cursed or victims of unfortunate circumstances, their stories continue to capture the imagination and fascination of people around the world. Overall, cursed towns in the US are places that have gained a reputation for being plagued by misfortune and unexplained phenomena. Whether it be the consequences of historical events, environmental disasters, or supernatural forces, the notion of curses continues to captivate our curiosity and imagination..

Reviews for "The Lost City of Cahokia: Uncovering the Curse of America's Ancient Civilization"

1. Emily - 1 star

I was really disappointed with "Cursed towns in the US". I found the content to be very repetitive and the stories to be overly dramatic. The narration was also monotonous and lacked enthusiasm. I was hoping for more in-depth information about the towns and their curses, but the documentary barely scratched the surface. Overall, it felt like a wasted opportunity to explore a fascinating topic.

2. Mike - 2 stars

I had high expectations for "Cursed towns in the US" but was left feeling underwhelmed. The storytelling was disjointed, making it difficult to follow the narrative and understand the history behind these towns. The documentary also relied heavily on reenactments, which I found cheesy and distracting. Additionally, the interviews with locals lacked depth and failed to provide any real insights. I wish the filmmakers had taken a more thoughtful approach to exploring these cursed towns.

3. Sarah - 2 stars

"Cursed towns in the US" fell short of my expectations. While the concept of exploring cursed towns is intriguing, the execution was lacking. The pacing of the documentary felt off, with some segments dragging on while others felt rushed. The interviews with experts lacked depth and often repeated the same information. I also found the continuous use of eerie background music to be excessive and cliché. Overall, I was hoping for a more engaging and informative documentary on this fascinating topic.

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