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

BELVOIR WINERY

Originally the Odd Fellows Home, this architectural gem has served as an orphanage, nursing home, and hospital, each chapter leaving its mark on the building's character. But beneath the surface lies a chilling secret – Belvoir Winery is teeming with ghosts. From the brooding spirit near the old hospital to the lively hauntings of children once housed in the orphanage, these restless souls continue to make their presence known. As you explore the Inn at Belvoir Winery, a meticulously restored nine-room luxury stay, listen for the echoes of footsteps, distant voices, and the playful laughter of spectral children. The history of this place is as rich as it is enigmatic, dating back to 1900 when the Odd Fellows created a community to support their members, culminating in a unique cemetery holding over 600 souls just steps away from the winery's doors. ? Learn More

THE ELMS HOTEL & SPA

Celebrating its historic roots dating back to the 1880s, the Elms Hotel in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, is a place where history meets the supernatural. This iconic establishment endured two devastating fires but rose from the ashes stronger than ever. Over the years, it played host to famous figures like Al Capone and President Harry Truman, earning a reputation as a speakeasy during the Prohibition era. Today, it stands as a living relic of its past, not only welcoming guests but also harboring tales of ghostly encounters. From a haunted basement pool to benevolent spirits overseeing the housekeeping staff, the Elms offers a unique blend of history and the paranormal in the heart of Missouri.     ? Learn More

EPPERSON HOUSE

The origins of the haunting at the Epperson House can be traced back to Harriet Barse, an organ instructor at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music (now UMKC Conservatory). Living with the Eppersons, who considered her an adopted daughter, the house featured an organ loft in anticipation of musical performances. In a tragic turn of events, Harriet was rushed to the hospital due to a gallbladder infection in December 1922 and died during surgery. Since the house was donated to the University of Kansas City (now UMKC) in 1942, Harriet's ghost has made its presence known. People have reported hearing organ music emanating from the basement, footsteps in empty areas, and lights mysteriously switching on and off. Harriet, who passed away at 47, designed the custom organ for the house's loft space, which was dedicated to her in 1925. Rumors of a darker past, including Uriah Epperson's alleged murder-suicide after his daughter's death, have added to the house's mystique. Witnesses have even claimed to see Harriet's ghost, often adorned in an evening gown as though prepared for a recital, accompanied by inexplicable lights and organ music. Some believe Uriah Epperson himself still roams the halls, with reports of a ghostly arm in a blue suit turning off lights, adding to the house's eerie allure. Over the years, the Epperson House has become a focal point for ghostly tales among college students and staff alike.     ? Learn More

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

St. Mary's Episcopal Church, a historic Kansas City landmark founded in the mid-19th century, boasts a rich history that includes intriguing ghostly tales. The church's neo-Gothic-style building, completed in 1887, has witnessed countless events over the years. Among these stories is the haunting legend of Father Henry David Jardine, a 19th-century priest whose footsteps are said to echo through the sanctuary. However, historical records provide a different account of his life and death. Despite these ghostly tales, St. Mary's remains a unique intersection of history and legend, where the past continues to captivate the imagination.     ? Learn More

THE 21C MUSEUM HOTEL (FORMERLY THE SAVOY)

The 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, combines history with haunting tales. Originally built in 1888 by the "Coffee Kings" John and Charles Arbuckle, it housed the opulent Savoy Grill from 1903, frequented by luminaries like W.C. Fields and Harry S. Truman. Eventually, the Park Central Investment Company took over, but the hotel declined while the restaurant retained its prestige. Don Lee attempted a revival in the 1960s, but it wasn't until 21c Museum Hotels took ownership in 2014 that the property underwent a transformative renovation, re-emerging as the 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City in 2018. However, alongside its history, the hotel has garnered a reputation for being haunted, with peculiar occurrences, particularly in Room 505. Guests have reported unexplained water running, mysterious radio changes, and doors opening by themselves. While recent investigations have found less eerie activity, the ghostly tales remain part of the hotel's mystique.     ? Learn More

UNION STATION

Union Station, now a prominent Kansas City landmark, has undergone a remarkable transformation from its uncertain fate in the 1980s. Built in 1914, it flourished during WWII but eventually saw a decline in railway travel. Despite its historical significance, the station narrowly escaped demolition multiple times until a $234 million renovation was approved in 1996. Today, it stands as a symbol of Kansas City's history, with millions of travelers passing through its doors over the years. Yet, alongside this rich history, Union Station has earned a reputation as one of the most mysterious places in Kansas City. Reports of unexplained footsteps, eerie apparitions like a lady in white and a well-dressed man under the clock, and even sightings of the ghost of gangster Frank Nash, who died in a shootout in 1933, have added an intriguing layer of mystique to this iconic structure.     ? Learn More

VAILE MANSION

Colonel Harvey Merrick Vaile, born in 1831, accumulated wealth through a diverse career before co-owning Star Mail Routes, a U.S. postal contractor. In Independence, Missouri, he and his wife, Cecilia Sophia Vaile, commissioned the renowned architect Asa Beebe Cross to design their opulent home, the Vaile Mansion. Constructed from 1871 to 1881 at a staggering cost of $150,000 (equivalent to $4,000,000 today), the mansion boasted 31 rooms, nine marble fireplaces, ornate painted ceilings, a 48,000-gallon wine cellar, and modern amenities such as flushing toilets and a 6,000-gallon water tank. It hosted esteemed guests, including U.S. senators. However, the Vaile household faced scandal when Colonel Vaile was accused of postal fraud, tarnishing their reputation. Tragedy struck when Sophia, diagnosed with stomach cancer, took her own life on Valentine's Day in 1883. Distraught, Colonel Vaile lived the rest of his days alone in the mansion and died in 1895. Afterward, the mansion served various purposes, including an inn, sanitarium, and museum, with reported ghostly sightings of Sophia, a young man, and other spectral phenomena, making it a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts. The Vaile Mansion is open for visitors, offering daytime and nighttime tours, with a chance to witness these supernatural occurrences.     ? Learn More