The Spooky Side of Charleston

Graveyards, back alleyways, historical locations, dungeons and the foreboding Old City Jail await the brave

Imagine you're a lone traveler in the early 19th century, barreling down country roads in the hopes of reaching the bustling seaport of Charleston. As the sun begins to set and the horse tires, a country inn replete with tavern and stables beckons invitingly from the roadside: Six Mile House, says the sign indicating the inn's distance from town. You enter and are greeted by a lovely young woman and her husband—Lavinia and John Fisher—who offer libations and food and a warm bed for the evening. As fog descends outside, a similar feeling creeps through your head, lulling you to sleep. Unbeknownst to you, it will be the last time you close your eyes.

According to reports, the Fishers and their gang of criminals operated a deadly scam for some time, poisoning heedless men, robbing them and beating them to death. The Six Mile House finally came to the attention of Charleston authorities in 1819, when a lodger who failed to consume his laced beverage shrewdly chose to sleep on the floor rather than the bed and awoke to the sounds of the couple breaking into his room with murderous intentions.

The Fishers were sentenced to death by hanging and on the day of the execution a crowd gathered at the gallows. While John went quietly to his doom, Lavinia struggled, cursed the judge who sealed her fate and wept until she was forcibly marched to the noose. Asked for a statement, Lavinia responded: "If you have a message for hell, give it to me—I'll carry it."

The story of Lavinia Fisher, whose ghost is said to haunt the Unitarian Churchyard, is just one of the intriguing and mysterious tales told on the ghost tours offered by Bulldog Tours. The company, owned and operated by John LaVerne for nearly 10 years, has exclusive nighttime access to three of Charleston's spookiest locales: the Old City Jail, the Provost Dungeon and the Unitarian Churchyard. Experienced and licensed guides lead groups through Charleston's "Haunted Historic District," sharing anecdotes and folklore about the "Holy City" (or rather, the "Unholy City").

"You will learn an enormous amount of information with our tours, whereas by yourself you're going to be extremely limited to the amount you can learn," LaVerne says. "You can read the plaques on the houses, but that's just the very basics. [For] the 'inside scoop,' though... you're going to need to take a tour to get that."

Bulldog offers a wide range of options for the potential Ghostbuster, with tours that take guests through graveyards, back alleyways, historical locations, dungeons and the foreboding Old City Jail—an architectural masterwork that housed violent criminals, pirates, pickpockets, and the mentally insane for more than 100 years before it was shut down in 1939. Although the jail now hosts modern-day events like the creepiest Halloween party in town, a nighttime stroll through the stone structure can be hair-raising, indeed.

"As far as spooky, the building really has its own personality," LaVerne says. "I've gotten scared in the middle of the day there. It's just such an amazing place, with all the bad things that have happened there; it's a little overwhelming to think about all the misery and heartache that took place there."

For the fainter of heart, graveyard tours may be the best option. Although the spirits rumored to be floating around town may not appear, the history of downtown Charleston's cemeteries is undeniable. The yards adjacent to St. Michael's and St. Philip's, two of the city's oldest churches, are the final resting places of many notable politicians, war heroes and founding families. The Circular Congregational Church & Graveyard is packed with varied tombs and crypts and just as many stories about those resting inside.

While today's Charleston is a beautiful, well-preserved city rich in history and culture, with a church on every corner, the early years of Charles Towne were fraught with corruption, violence, prostitution, drunkenness and scandal. The uncensored "Dark Side of Charleston" tour sheds some light on the sordid underbelly of historic downtown while entertaining and titillating participants.

Fare thee well, traveler, and always remember that there's no such thing as a free meal…

St. Michael's Church 71 Broad St. - The oldest church in Charleston has a graveyard containing many of the same names that adorn the city's street signs.

Unitarian Churchyard
8 Archdale St. - A unique graveyard/garden rumored to be haunted by Annabel Lee.

St. Philip's Episcopal cemeteries
142 Church St. - Spread across three areas adjacent to the church, St. Philip's is the internment place of DuBose Heyward and Charles Pinckney.

Magnolia Cemetery
70 Cunnington Ave. - The oldest public cemetery in Charleston proper, and one of the biggest and most picturesque, is the final resting place for a number of Confederate soldiers.

Circular Congregational Church & Graveyard
150 Meeting St. - Located in the heart of downtown and home to a wide variety of tombs, crypts and graves.

National Geographic Adventure Magazine called Charleston one of the 50 Next Great Adventure Towns in Which to Live and Play in 2008.

Check out our guide to tours, attractions and what to do in Charleston.

Saffire Charleston's Oven Saffire is located in the elegant Charleston Marriott Hotel on the Ashley River, Lockwood Boulevard. Enjoy the bold flavors of Saffire’s seasonally inspired menu which reflects a belief in “the cuisine of today,”. Always healthy, always evolving. Eclectic, imaginative and unrestricted by ethnic boundaries.... Superb selection of wine. Free parking. Warm and welcoming. Tel: (843) 723-3000.

Tommy Condon's Charleston's favorite Irish Pub. Tommy Condon’s Irish Pub and Seafood Restaurant has made its name by becoming one of Charleston's favorite local spots. Try popular Lowcountry specialties such as shrimp and grits and fish and chips. A family-oriented establishment where children are welcome as they are. Serving food and fun into the wee hours of the night. Live Irish music Wednesday through Sunday nights.

Bulldog Tours Charleston's premier walking tours with exclusive access to some locations. Behind the scenes of the Holy City's graveyards, back alleyways, and dungeon. As seen on Travel Channel's America's Most Haunted Places. Ghost Dungeon, Dark Side Charleston, Ghost Graveyard Walking Tours. Haunted Jail Tour, Charleston Strolls Walk With History and more.