Haunted KC

Welcome to the heartland of America, where history runs deep and spirits linger on. Kansas City with its rich and storied past dating back to the Civil War, Prohibition-era mobsters and the pioneers of jazz, holds secrets that whisper through the ages. Join us for a spine-tingling journey through some of KC’s most haunted locations, where the echoes of the past still resonate today.

1859 JAIL MUSEUM

The Jackson County Jail and Marshal's House in Independence, Missouri, is a historical site dating back to 1859, originally serving as a county jail. This iconic building, designed by A. B. Cross, featured a front section as the jailer's residence and twelve limestone jail cells in the rear. Each cell, measuring six by nine feet, could house up to three prisoners, but during the Civil War, as many as twenty inmates, including women and children, were crammed into these confined spaces. The cells had minimal lighting, with a single kerosene lamp in the hallway, and no heating or cooling, resulting in some prisoner fatalities due to exposure. The building's intriguing history includes notable inmates such as Frank James, brother of the infamous outlaw Jesse James, who enjoyed a somewhat luxurious cell during his stay. Moreover, the jail's history is intertwined with tragic events, including the shooting of the jailer Henry Bugler in 1866, which some speculate may contribute to its haunting legends. Today, the 1859 Jail Museum preserves this history, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and the eerie tales of its alleged hauntings.     ? Learn More