America's most famous real-life haunted places — 10 frightening locations

article  This Colorado hotel has been featured as one of America's most haunted hotels and with the numerous stories from visitors and staff. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images) The Brief Some of the best ghost stories and haunted houses don't need a script, special effects or someone hiding around the corner.These places are tied to decades of reports that have made these sites some of America’s most haunted houses.Whether these locations are truly haunted or simply home to generations of ghost stories remains a matter of belief. Every October, crowds pack pumpkin patches and costume aisles to seek out a good low-stakes fright for the seasonal theme. However, for many places around the country it is not all fun and games.  People often seek out safe scares at haunted houses. But for a number of places, the stories aren’t staged. These places are tied to decades of reports that have made these sites some of America’s most haunted houses. St. Augustine Lighthouse St. Augustine Lighthouse, 1874St. Augustine Lighthouse, St. Augustine, FloridaPhoto by: USCG |  VIRIN: 170603-G-0Y189-434.JPG Best coastal ghost story. The state of Florida has a long history of some of America’s creepiest ghost sightings, dating back to even before there was an America. The historic lighthouse and keeper's house are associated with sightings, unexplained noises and tales involving people who died near the site.  The spirits of past lighthouse keepers and two sisters who died on the property are said to still roam the facility. Staff members who left the grounds locked at night, would come back to find doors mysteriously unlocked.   RMS Queen Mary 5th March 1936:  The newly completed SS Queen Mary, flloodlit at night, at the shipyard on Clydebank, Scotland.  (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images) Most unusual location. The retired ocean liner, now permanently docked in Long Beach, California, the RMS Queen Mary, is associated with reports of ghostly passengers, unexplained sounds and sightings in its corridors and engine rooms. The ship took its maiden voyage in 1936 and was briefly used as a troopship in WWII, being known at the time as "The Grey Ghost." During its heyday it saw several unfortunate incidents that could leave a haunt, from a young sailor crushed by an engine room door, crew member murdered and a number of children who have drowned in the ship’s pools. Coincidentally, the ship ran its last voyage, finally docking for good on Halloween in 1967.  LaLaurie House  This is one of the most notorious residences in New Orleans.  Apparently, some extreme mistreatment of slaves happened in this house.  It shocked the entire community.  The house now has a reputation as being haunted.  It has a prime French Quarter l Expand Darkest historical background. Some stories are linked to some of the darkest moments in our country’s history. Locals in New Orleans are well aware of the history of the LaLaurie Mansion in the French Quarter.  The mansion is associated with the story of Delphine LaLaurie, who held and tortured enslaved people before a fire in the 1830s exposed the abuse. To this day, some visitors and passersby still associate mysterious shouts and moans coming from inside. Later ghost stories have added to its notoriety, although some sensational accounts are historically disputed. The Stanley Hotel The beautiful Stanley Hotel on January 12, 2016 in Estes Park, Colorado. The hotel is located 10.4 miles from the Rocky Mountain National Park. The grand, upscale hotel dates back to 1909.  (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Imag Expand Best Hollywood connection. One hotel in Colorado served as inspiration for horror novelist Stephen King and a movie based on its lore. The Stanley Hotel’s reputation and atmosphere inspired The Shining, giving it enormous recognition beyond paranormal enthusiasts. The Estes Park, Colorado hotel still accepts accommodations for anyone who wants to stay a night, a weekend, or for some spirits, forever.  The White House The White House can be seen on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC on November 13, 2008. (Photo by MICHAEL GOTTSCHALK / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL GOTTSCHALK-/AFP via Getty Images) Best surprise entry. While not usually thought of as a haunted house, our nation’s most famous home is still one of our nation's oldest homes. Built over 200 years ago, the amount of stories those walls have seen can be endless. However, ghost stories involving Abraham Lincoln and other former residents have circulated for generations. The White House Historical Association itself documents these accounts, including claims by prominent visitors. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum View of the main building of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, West Virginia on August 24, 2013. Later called the Armand Auclerc Weston State Hospital, the psychiatric hospital was operated from 1864 until 1994 by the US government. It wa Expand Best institutional haunting story. Many sad and unfortunate stories can develop from our nation’s institutional facilities. The enormous former psychiatric hospital, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, has a troubling history and is known for its ghost tours and paranormal investigations. A home for dozens of mentally ill patients from the mid-1800s all the way until 1994, the place saw many lobotomies, electroshock therapy treatments and other controversial procedures. Several people, unfortunately, would not survive the conditions caused by the facility.  Amityville Horror House  Real estate photograph of a house located at 112 Ocean Avenue in the town of Amityville, New York March 31, 2005. The Amityville Horror house rich history and beauty are overshadowed by the story of George and Kathy Lutz, the previous residents of 11 Expand Best-known paranormal controversy. One haunted house that needs little introduction is the horrific real-life events that took place in a home in Amityville, New Y