The Old Abandoned Mental Institute: Western Alabama

This is a highly popular, well known location that I've investigated many times, located in the western area of Alabama. This is a very old building built in the 1800's. It housed many African American “patients” though most were not mentally ill. They were placed in the hospital after the Civil War because they had nowhere else to go. There is a large field that was formerly cotton. The patients used to work the field as a form of recreation and to have material with which to make their clothes. As is the fate of many older historic buildings such as this, vandalism has proven to be its demise. The roof has been burned off by vandals, which has allowed the weather to hasten the deterioration of this once gorgeous building. It is also heavily damaged by graffiti. Doors and windows have been kicked in and thrown about. Although this is a popular, well known location, Southern Ghost Society will refrain from mentioning its true name to prevent further vandalism.

 It is one of the creepiest looking buildings I have ever investigated! This large building can be confusing to navigate around in. Some stairwells don't go down to the ground floor while others do. Some stairwells lead up to the 3rd floor while others do not.

The 1st and 3rd floor seem to be the calmest for some reason. The ground floor and 2nd floor are the most active and I feel very uncomfortable on both floors. Very odd, unexplainable things happen out there. The hauntings here are both residual and intelligent. There is a long, gravel driveway that leads up to the building. Walking this driveway at night is a pretty creepy experience. Large oak trees line either side and loom over you as you walk and you can hear things moving in the bushes along the way. This building has 4 floors and a sub-basement, which is hidden and rumors are that it contains an evil spirit. I have never been in this basement, nor do I plan to but not because of what others have said. Simply due to the fact that I do not like the feeling I get when I approach this area.

EVPs caught at the old institute consist of both male and female, and includes children’s EVPs as well. Children were said to have lived at the location as well, possibly on the 2nd floor. I and other investigators have witnessed odd, unexplainable flashes of lights. You definitely feel watched in here, particularly when walking through the narrow hallways. Footsteps can be heard crunching around in the debris. You feel followed, like someone is right beside you. We've heard knocks and taps in response to questions asked. Screams have been heard that sound like they're coming from inside the building; however, there is a nearby community, so that could be the origin. Not all the screams sound like they are from outside the building, however. Shadows people have been seen darting about. I have heard whispers near me numerous times.

Although I do have actual documentation (EVPs) here are some of my personal experiences worthy of mentioning. Once, at night, on the 2nd floor, myself and another investigator had our backs to the nurse's desk and facing out towards the room, all of a sudden we both saw a bright, white flash of light on a boarded up window. There was absolutely no one in or near the building, we were sure of that. I ran around to the other side of the wall thinking maybe someone was playing a prank on us but no one was there! I went out onto the fire escape and looked down and saw a bright ball of light that I would describe as looking like a flashlight, however, when I shined my flashlight down where I saw this light there was nothing there! It didn't make sense and the brush was too thick for anyone to have been hiding in it.

I was taking some outside shots of the building during the day and caught a female apparition in one of my pictures! She had a pale face, dark eyes and dark hair and she wore what appeared to be a white uniform. Her arms seemed deformed however. Unfortunately, I do not have this photo anymore.

There have been reports of an old fashioned telephone ringing in the building. There is a large factory near this place that may have a phone that rings out over the loud speaker so I not 100% sure I agree that this is a paranormal occurrence, however, I have heard this phone a few times while in the building.

The most amazing, and one of the most terrifying experiences to date I have had in this building occurred one night when it was just I and another investigator. We had our backs to a station on the 2nd floor during an EVP session. There was a little space in between me and her. It was pitch black. I just happened to look in her direction and I saw this black hand that was darker than the dark reach between us and pull back quickly!! I shined my flashlight back behind us after mentioning what I had seen. There was nothing there! We had heard movement before I saw the hand. We have had flashlight activity on the ground and 3rd floors.

This building is definitely haunted, no doubt about that. Many people refuse to even enter the front door. This is a very intimidating looking building at night, and is a location where you can expect a little bit of every kind of paranormal activity. However, I've never felt anything evil or demonic here and have no reason to believe otherwise.

Author: Shae Nixon

Photo courtesy of: www.freedigitalphotos.net/