The Haunted History of St. Louis

St. Louis has a long history of hauntings and eerie events. If you enjoy looking into the unknown, or you simply wish to take a unique tour, then one of the many ghost tours offered throughout the city are a great option. Of course, these tours do get a bit spooky, so you'll want to make sure you have an escort so you don't have to go it alone. These are just a few of the many, many legends that abound in St. Louis involving ghosts and paranormal events.

The Lemp Mansion
The Lemp Mansion is often listed among the United States most haunted homes. Home to the illustrious Lemp Brewing family, the home has seen its share of horror and is supposedly haunted by no less than four of the Lemp family members. The Lemp family left a legacy, but it wasn't for their prowess in brewing. It is a penchant for suicide for which they are remembered. William Lemp, one of the founders of the Lemp Brewery committed suicide in 1904 with a single pistol blast to the head. Bizarrely, three of his four children decided upon the same fate. First was Elsa, who shot herself seemingly to escape a bad marriage. Next was William, Jr. who was dealing with depression and the possible loss of the Lemp Company and fortune. He dispatched himself with a shot to the head. Finally, there was Charles Lemp. He has the distinction of being the only family member to leave a suicide note, though it seemed erratic and many topics figments of his imagination. Like his father, sister, and brother he shot himself in the head. Today, residents of the Lemp Mansion (which has been converted into a popular bed and breakfast) complain of hearing knocks and footsteps in the night. Are those sounds the only legacy of the once illustrious Lemp family?

The St. Louis Exorcism
Have you ever read the book or seen the movie entitled "The Exorcist?" That's right, this famous legend has its roots in St. Louis. The story of the famous exorcism begins with the tale of a teenage boy. His name was Roland, but he was known as Robbie Doe. His home life left much to be desired and he was seen as a dysfunctional boy. Early in 1949 Robbie began to hear scratching in the walls. An exterminator was summoned, but the sounds persisted. Soon Robbie was having trouble speaking and developing welts all over his body. To make a long and terrifying story short, Robbie was eventually taken to St. Louis where priests affiliated with the Alexian Brothers Hospital in St. Louis. After many procedures the spirit that seemed to be haunting and attacking poor Robbie was finally exercised from his body. Did this haunting really occur or was it all a hoax? That is for you to decide.

Calvary Road
The only connection between Bellefountaine and Calvary Cemeteries, Calvary Road has its share of ghost stories. Both cemeteries were established in them mid 1800s to contain the bodies of thousands of St. Louisians who had died in the horrible cholera epidemic sweeping the country. While neither cemetery seems to have a resident ghost, the road connecting them is claimed to have several. The first is "Hitchhiking Annie." As the story goes, motorists often see a beautiful young woman with dark hair and pale skin who asks for a ride. If they ride is offered she alwasy disappears as the car comes to the entrance of Bellefountaine Cemetery. Another reputed ghost is that of a small boy dressed in attire from the late 1800s. It is said that he stands in the middle of the road, causing motorists to slam on their brakes. When they get out to search for the small boy, he is simply not there.