10/06/2026
Charleston is often called one of the most haunted cities in America, and after three centuries of history, it's easy to see why. Here are five legends you'll hear on almost every ghost tour in town.
⛓️ THE OLD CITY JAIL
In use from 1802 to 1939, the jail held pirates, soldiers, and some of the city's most infamous prisoners. Legend says Lavinia Fisher, often called one of America's first female serial killers, spent her final days here.
🎭 THE DOCK STREET THEATRE
A woman in a red dress, said to be Nettie Dickerson, is reported to drift along the second floor of this historic theater as a lost soul who tragically lost her life due to a lightning strike.
🕯️ THE UNITARIAN CHURCH GRAVEYARD
Local lore connects this churchyard to a young woman named Anna Ravenel, and some say her story inspired Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee."
⚓ THE PROVOST DUNGEON AT THE OLD EXCHANGE
During the Revolution, the British held American patriots, thieves, pirates, and even political figures in the cellar, and visitors say that sometimes, when you take a photo, you can see spirit orbs floating around of the people who suffered here.
And we, of course, can't forget,
🏠 POOGAN'S PORCH
Diners and staff have long reported seeing Zoe St. Amand, a former resident of the house, looking out from the upstairs windows.
📌 Save this for your next tour night and see if you hear any of these famous stories.
