Do you enjoy exploring forgotten places? If so, Maryland offers plenty of unique opportunities.
Maryland, a state teeming with historical significance and storied pasts, is home to some fascinatingly eerie abandoned locations, begging to be explored. These deserted sites, our very own ghost towns, hold tales of bygone eras, whispers of forgotten lives and echoes of a time long past.
Each location is a time capsule, a snapshot frozen in time, bearing a unique blend of beauty, mystery, and a touch of the uncanny. Brace yourself, dear reader, as we embark on a chilling journey through 15 of the most hauntingly beautiful abandoned places in Maryland.
A Journey through Maryland’s Abandoned Relics
From crumbling schools to deserted towns, these are the places that time has forgotten. Each carries a piece of Maryland’s history, a piece of its soul.Abandoned places in Maryland attract a lot of curious tourists who want to explore these sites and learn about their history.
Join us as we traverse through these ghostly remnants of Maryland’s past, each with its own story waiting to be told.
Are you ready to step into the unknown? Let’s begin.
The Enchanted Forest
Located in Ellicott City, The Enchanted Forest was once a popular amusement park for families. It opened in 1955 and featured fairy tale-themed attractions, including a castle, a gingerbread house, and a pumpkin coach. However, due to declining attendance and financial struggles, the park closed in 1989.
Today, The Enchanted Forest is a ghostly reminder of its former self. Its once vibrant colors have faded, and the structures are covered in graffiti. The castle, which was the main attraction, is now just a shell of what it used to be.
However, there are efforts to preserve this historic site and turn it into a museum.
Glenn Dale Hospital
Glenn Dale Hospital in Prince George’s County has a dark past that has left an eerie presence in its abandoned buildings. The hospital opened in 1934 and primarily treated tuberculosis patients.
However, in the 1950s, it expanded to include a psychiatric ward and a nursing home.
But as medical advancements were made, Glenn Dale Hospital became obsolete, and it closed its doors in 1981. Since then, the buildings have been left to decay and have become a popular spot for ghost hunters and urban explorers.
It is said that the spirits of patients still roam the hallways, making Glenn Dale Hospital one of the most haunted places in Maryland.
Hell House
In 1900, a wealthy businessman built a house in what is now known as Brookeville. However, it was not long before the town’s people began to spread rumors about evil rituals and hauntings taking place in the house. The rumors became so widespread that the house was nicknamed “Hell House.”
The original owner died in a car accident, and the house was abandoned for many years until it was purchased by another family in the 1960s. However, they too reported strange occurrences and eventually moved out after only six months of living there.
Today, Hell House is privately owned and has been renovated, but its dark history still lingers. Visitors have reported seeing strange lights and hearing voices when passing by the house.
Druid Ridge Cemetery
Cemeteries are often considered to be creepy places, especially at night. But Druid Ridge Cemetery takes it to a whole new level. Located in Pikesville, this cemetery was established in 1927 and has been the final resting place for many prominent Marylanders.
However, Druid Ridge Cemetery is known for its hauntings. One of the most famous ghosts that are said to roam the grounds is a phantom dog that is seen running around the gravesites. There have also been reports of spectral figures and strange noises coming from empty mausoleums.
Fort Carroll
Located in the Patapsco River, Fort Carroll was built in the mid-19th century to defend Baltimore from potential attacks. However, the fort never saw any action and was abandoned in 1876.
Today, Fort Carroll is a popular destination for urban explorers, but many report feeling uneasy when exploring the abandoned fort. Some even claim to have seen ghostly apparitions of soldiers and heard whispers in the empty halls.
Forest Haven Asylum
Located in Laurel, Forest Haven Asylum was a psychiatric hospital that operated from 1925 to 1991. It was known for its harsh and sometimes cruel treatments of patients, leading to rumors of abuse and neglect.
Today, the abandoned asylum is a popular spot for urban explorers and paranormal investigators.
Visitors have reported hearing strange noises and seeing apparitions of former patients wandering the halls. Some have even claimed to have been physically touched by unseen forces.
Daniels
Nestled in Patapsco Valley State Park, Daniels is a ghost town that was once a thriving company town for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. But after the railroad closed its operations in 1972, the town slowly became abandoned.
Today, all that remains of Daniels are the crumbling ruins of its former buildings and a few scattered homes.
Visitors to Daniels have reported feelings of being watched, hearing disembodied footsteps, and seeing strange lights in the abandoned buildings.
Seneca Quarry
Once a bustling quarry that supplied stone for famous landmarks such as the Washington Monument and the Smithsonian Castle, Seneca Quarry is now a forgotten relic of Maryland’s industrial past.
Located in Poolesville, this abandoned quarry is now home to large cliffs and pools of water. While it may seem like a peaceful spot now.Visitors have reported feeling an eerie presence and hearing unexplained noises.Making it a popular spot for ghost hunters.
The Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay
Mallows Bay is home to the largest collection of shipwrecks in the Western Hemisphere, with over 200 abandoned vessels scattered along its shores. These ships were originally built for World War I but never saw service and were left to rot in the bay.
Today, visitors can kayak through the eerie waters and see the decaying ships up close. Many believe that these ghostly remains hold the spirits of the sailors who once manned them.
Winderbourne Mansion
Located in Anne Arundel County, Winderbourne Mansion was once a grand estate owned by the influential Carroll family. But after being abandoned for years, it has fallen into a state of decay and disrepair.
According to local legend, the mansion is haunted by the ghost of Sarah Hughes Carroll, who died tragically on her wedding day and is said to roam the halls of the abandoned mansion.
Tome School for Boys
Founded in 1894, the Tome School for Boys was a prestigious private school for young men. However, financial troubles and declining enrollment forced the school to close its doors in 1978.
Today, the abandoned campus is overrun with vegetation and graffiti, but many believe that the spirits of former students still roam the halls.
Visitors have reported hearing voices and seeing apparitions, making it a popular spot for ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts.
Elk Neck Radar Tower
Located in Elk Neck State Forest, this abandoned radar tower was once used by the United States Air Force during the Cold War.
It was part of the Nike missile defense system, designed to protect against potential Soviet nuclear attacks. But after being decommissioned in the 1970s, the tower was left abandoned and has since become a popular spot for urban explorers.
Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens
Once a beautiful cemetery, Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens is now an abandoned and overgrown final resting place. Due to financial difficulties, the cemetery’s owners could no longer afford to maintain the grounds and it was quickly abandoned.
Today, the cemetery is a haunting reminder of its former glory, with headstones covered in moss and broken graves scattered throughout.
Urban Legends at Crybaby Bridge
Located in Millington, this bridge has gained a notorious reputation among locals as being haunted by the ghost of a baby who drowned in the creek below. Legend says that if you park your car on the bridge and turn off the engine, you can hear the cries of the baby.
Some have even reported seeing a ghostly apparition of a woman holding a child. While the validity of these claims is up for debate, it’s still a popular spot for thrill-seekers and ghost hunters.
Conclusion:
Maryland is home to many abandoned places, each with its own unique history and haunting stories. From former asylums and schools to forgotten towns and cemeteries, these locations offer a glimpse into the past and a reminder of what once was.
But be warned, these abandoned places may hold secrets and restless spirits that continue to haunt them.
So if you’re feeling brave, why not explore some of these abandoned places in Maryland and discover their hidden histories for yourself?
Just make sure to respect the locations and leave nothing but footprints behind. Happy exploring!
Don’t forget to share your experiences with us, we’d love to hear about your adventures in these abandoned places in Maryland. And if you know of any other haunted locations in Maryland, feel free to add them to our list. Until then, stay safe and keep exploring!
Happy haunting!