Scary season is upon us, and at the end of a cooler day, Austin’s ghosts come out to play.
Lovers of creepy nights and frights will be pleased to know that the Capital City boasts a host of stories that will send chills down your spine, so we rounded up five to know about our scary city.
It’s worth noting that many of these claims have been refuted, but they make for the perfect creepy tales to tell around the campfire or at a Halloween party.
The Driskill
Famously named the most haunted place in Texas, The Driskill is rumored to be home to a plethora of ghosts.
Guests have reported seeing the spirits of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, who frequented the hotel; owner Colonel Jesse Driskill watching over 6th and Brazos streets; the ghosts of room 525; and a little girl named Samantha Houston, who tragically met her end in the hotel. If you’re interested in learning more about the hotel’s history — you can take a tour with the hotel’s staff.
Hairy Man Road
Round Rock is haunted by the “Hairy Man,” a legend that tells of a boy who was separated from his family after a flash flood through Brushy Creek in the 1800s. Though he survived the flood waters, he became a hermit and grew his hair and beard long while living in the woods, scaring passersby. These days, residents say they can feel his presence while driving along Hairy Man Road — named for him — and at the Hairy Man Festival.
Littlefield House
If folk tales are to be believed, Civil War Captain George Littlefield would lock his wife, Alice, in the attic of the Littlefield house when he was away out of fear she would be kidnapped. Alice is rumored to have experienced illness and paranoia, which kept her in the house otherwise. Visitors have reported seeing her ghost from the second-story windows of the home.
Millett Opera House
Visitors of the Millett Opera House may encounter the ghost of Priscilla, a traveling performer who met her untimely demise after falling from the catwalk inside the venue. People have recalled accounts of her riding the elevator in a white gown, tugging on curtains, or knocking objects out of the hands of workers and visitors. The site is not open to the public, but private tours can be scheduled through the website.
Once you’ve heard the legends, you won’t be able to view The Texas Capitol the same.
Photo courtesy Austin History Center, Austin Public Library
Texas State Capitol
One of the most famous buildings in the state, the Capitol building has stood since 1882 and many spirits of legend call the building home. Upon visiting, you may spot the ghost of Comptroller Robert Marshall Love — who was shot at his desk inside the Capitol — appearing near the scene of the crime, and a lady in red who tempts attractive men who come in. Keep an eye on the windows — reports of hand prints that can’t be cleaned off are common.
Are you scared yet? Let us know if you have any other spine-chilling stories about Austin to share.
