Address: 52 N Main St, Jasper, GA 30143, USA
Official Website: https://www.pickensgacourts.org/
The Tale Begins
Welcome to a chilling tale bound between the historic walls and corridors of Pickens County Courthouse in Alabama. Surveying its story is akin to stepping inside a captivating novel, filled with suspense, history, and whispered secrets of the otherworldly kind. This iconic building doesn’t just host cases that ponder on the realms of human conflict, it also harbors tales of spectral sightings that leave even the bravest visitor just a little unsettled.
On this intriguing journey, you’ll meander through the echoing halls and antiquated courtrooms of this structure, rich in history and draped in eerie lore. For those who are brave enough to visit after sundown, you might feel a sudden chill in the air, hear whispers tickle your ears, or even spot fleeting shapes flickering at the edge of your vision.
From captivating tales of past glory and historic turns to the spine-chilling accounts of the ethereal inhabitants, Pickens County Courthouse becomes a warm invitation for lovers of the paranormal. Can these walls really talk? Or more accurately, can they wail, whisper and walk? So gather your courage, and prepare for an enticing exploration of the haunted history of Pickens County Courthouse.
The History of Pickens County Courthouse
Pickens County Courthouse, located in Carrollton, Alabama, has a rich and fascinating history. It was built in 1877–78 in the Italianate-style, replacing the previous courthouse which was burned in 1865 towards the end of the Civil War.
One of the most interesting aspects of the courthouse’s history is the mystery surrounding an image, known locally as the “Face in the Courthouse Window”. This unexplained shadowy image of a face has been visible in a courthouse window for over a century. Local folklore suggests that it is the face of a man named Henry Wells, who was supposedly falsely accused of burning the previous courthouse. According to the tale, as Wells was hiding in the attic from a mob seeking vengeance, lightning struck a window, etching his image into the glass.
The Pickens County Courthouse has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since September 18, 1980. Despite being a functioning courthouse, it also serves a historical and touristic purpose for visitors interested in the ghostly image and the stories surrounding it.
Is it really haunted at Pickens County Courthouse?
Pickens County Courthouse in Carrollton, Alabama is often reputed to be one of the most haunted places in Alabama. Only one haunting is predominantly discussed, the eerily haunting image known as ‘The Face in the Courthouse Window.’
Story goes, this haunting presence dates back to a bizarre incident in 1878. The reports say that there was a resident of the county named Henry Wells who was accused of burning down the second Pickens County Courthouse. Chased by a mob into the attic of the new (third) courthouse, Wells reportedly looked out of the window to observe the raging crowd below. At that exact moment, a bolt of lightning reportedly struck the window. The face of Wells was etched into the pane where he was reportedly looking out.
Interestingly, the face-like smudge on the window can still be seen to this day and has not been able to be cleaned or erased. While some people attribute the image to the ghost of Henry Wells, professional photos taken of the window in different lighting conditions have failed to provide any conclusive evidence about the veracity of the tale.
Despite this, the phenomena of “The Face in the Courthouse Window” continues to draw curious paranormal enthusiasts. Many believe that this eerie face represents the haunted history of the courthouse. On stormy nights, some have even reported seeing the face move or hearing ghostly noises within the courthouse structure. Whether or not these claims are true, they add compelling intrigue to the eerie tale of Pickens County Courthouse.
Please remember, while the above tales are fascinating, they remain largely as folklore and should be interpreted as such. Reality may always not match up with legends and tales.
Wrapping Up
Pickens County Courthouse, located in Carrollton, Alabama, has been the epicenter of numerous supernatural incidences and lore. The courthouse has a rich history dating back to its construction in the 1870s. It was erected after the previous building was destroyed during the Civil War.
Among the many haunting tales, the most popular is the chilling story of Henry Wells, an African American man who was accused of burning down the second courthouse. As the story goes, he was chased by an angry mob into the attic of the new courthouse, where he was struck by lightning while looking out of a window resulting in his face being etched into the window glass. Some visitors claim to have spotted the supposed “face in the courthouse window.”
Another instance involves the tale of a former slave named Bill Sketoe, who was lynched by locals for allegedly aiding a deserter from the Civil War. His ghost is said to haunt an area near the courthouse known as “Hole that Will Not Stay Filled.”
The history of the Pickens County Courthouse is tangled with tales of ghosts, hauntings, and the Civil War, adding a layer of thrill and intrigue to this architectural and historical treasure of Alabama. Together, these tales form a captivating part of the rich tapestry of Southern folklore.
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