Abandoned US ghost town said to be one of the country’s most haunted

The US has hundreds of ghost towns which were once thriving but this particular location has a particularly spooky backstory. Virginia City in Nevada used to be home to over 10,000 people. Now, just a handful live in the area and the place turns into a ghost town at night - quite literally. Read on to find out more about the town considered to be one of the US's most haunted... (Picture: Getty Images)

Virginia City first came into being in 1859 as a boomtown in the wake of the Comstock Lode - the first major discovery of silver in the United States. The population peaked in the mid-1870s, when it was thought that around 25,000 people lived there, but this number began to dwindle after 1878, once the output of the local mines went into decline (Picture: Getty Images/ iStockphoto)

According to the 2020 census just 787 people still live in and around Virginia City, many of whom work in the tourism industry. The place might effectively be a ghost town but it still offers plenty of old buildings and sights to draw the crowds, and as it's been designated a National Historic Landmark everything has been perfectly preserved. But only the bravest souls would venture into the town after dark, with some seriously creepy stories about the ghosts that haunt the place once the sun goes down (Picture: Getty Images)

One of the most famous buildings in the town is the Old Washoe Club, which served as a luxury gentlemen's club when it was built in 1870. It became steeped in tragedy after 12 people were killed in an explosion there in 1873, while several workers of the upstairs premises were also said to have gone missing. The club is said to be haunted by some of the spirits of those who died there, and as well as daytime tours those who are brave enough can also stay there during an overnight lock-in (Picture: Getty Images)

The town's Silver Queen Hotel, meanwhile, is open for business, but be aware you might be disturbed by ghosts in the middle of the night - particularly if you stay in rooms 11 or 13. Room 11 is said to be haunted by 'lady of the night' Rosie, who died in the room's bathtub and can apparently still be heard tapping on the door (although she only haunts male guests). Meanwhile a ghost named Annie is said to be responsible for disturbances in room 13, with guests reporting hearing disembodied voices as well as footsteps that sound like the creak of floorboards (Picture: Getty Images)

Meanwhile the town's Mackay Mansion was owned by businessman John Mackay, who made his money in the Comstock Lode, and is said to have also made a deal with the Devil to keep his property safe from the Great Fire which ravaged the town in 1875. While the blaze caused around $12 million in damage and left 2,000 people homeless, the mansion remained untouched. However it's said to be haunted by at least seven spirits - including that of Mackay's wife, who is said to wander the corridors looking for his mistress (Picture: Getty Images)

And let's not forget about the Storey County Courthouse, where local Peter Larkin was convicted of murder following his girlfriend's testimony against him. Legend has it that his cries for justice can still be heard echoing around the building (Picture: Getty Images)

And while we're at it let's not forget about the old Opera House, which burned down twice in the past before being restored to its current glory. The attic, balcony and basement of the venue are said to be heavily haunted and some visitors have even claimed that they can see the ghosts of people performing there, or setting up for a show (Picture: Getty Images)

Other parts of the town are also said to be haunted by miners who were killed in one of the many accidents which plagued the town in the 1860s, with one in particular resulting in the deaths of 37 miners whose bodies were never recovered. While the grounds of a museum in town which was once a school are said to be haunted by the ghost of a teacher searching for her students (Picture: Getty Images) This article was originally published in March 2024