While Indiana doesn’t have traditional ghost towns with overnight stays, you’ll find something better: Story Inn in Brown County, a preserved 1851 frontier community where you can sleep in 14 authentically haunted rooms. The Blue Lady haunts the room above the General Store, leaving blue ribbons and triggering flying coffeepots. Rates run $164-$224 nightly in this Victorian-era village that’s remained virtually unchanged since the Great Depression. Several other paranormal hotspots across Indiana welcome overnight guests seeking genuine supernatural encounters.
Key Takeaways
- Story Inn in Brown County, founded in 1851, is a preserved 19th-century frontier community offering overnight stays in 14-18 haunted guest rooms.
- The historic town at Story Inn includes a general store, restaurant, century-old barn, and cottages available for pet-friendly accommodations nightly.
- Roads Hotel in Atlanta, built in 1893, is a Queen Anne-style landmark on Main Street offering overnight stays with paranormal investigation opportunities.
- Inn at Aberdeen near Columbia City, established in 1830, was originally an Underground Railroad farmhouse now operating as an 11-room boutique inn.
- Canyon Inn at McCormick’s Creek State Park sits on 1888 sanitarium foundations, allowing guests to sleep within the original hospital walls overnight.
Story Inn: Indiana’s Most Haunted Historic Village
Tucked away in the rolling hills of Brown County, Story Inn stands as a remarkably preserved snapshot of 19th-century frontier life. Founded in 1851 by Dr. George Story, this former logging community hasn’t seen modernization since the Great Depression.
You’ll find paranormal activity rivaling medieval folklore throughout the 14 guest rooms and restored buildings. The Blue Lady haunts the original general store, while unexplained footsteps echo through Dr. Story’s preserved home. Guests document their encounters in guestbooks placed in rooms, with the space above the restaurant showing the most activity.
Serious investigators bring ghost hunting techniques during weekday stays when crowds thin. Between paranormal encounters, you’ll explore surrounding public lands—Brown County State Park, Hoosier National Forest, and Yellowwood State Forest.
The onsite restaurant serves gourmet American cuisine, and the century-old barn hosts live music. President Fillmore’s original land patent still hangs inside. Current managers Jacob Ebel and his wife Kate focus on restoring historic buildings while connecting guests with the village’s storied past.
The Blue Lady and Other Spirits at Story Inn
If you’re staying at the Story Inn, you’ll want to know about the Blue Lady—believed to be Dr. George Story’s wife—who appears in a floor-length gown throughout the building, especially in the room named after her.
Turn the blue light to “on” in her dedicated room, and you might spot her blue eyes at the bed’s edge, catch her reflection in the mirror, or smell cherry tobacco at 4 AM.
The inn’s owner converted from skeptic to believer after reading guest testimonials in the paranormal activity books provided in each room, where visitors document coffeepots falling, pictures flipping, and the swoosh of skirts rounding corners. Orbs have been sighted throughout the property, adding to the documented supernatural phenomena. Story Inn was originally founded as a logging community in 1851 and served as the largest settlement in the area before declining during the Great Depression.
The Blue Lady Legend
Among the most haunted locations in Story, Indiana, the Blue Lady Room at Story Inn commands attention from paranormal enthusiasts and curious travelers alike.
You’ll find her spirit—believed to be Dr. George Story’s wife—manifesting through icy blue eyes, cherry tobacco scents at 4 AM, and mysterious blue ribbons left beside your bed. She appears in mirrors and windows, especially when you activate the nightstand’s blue light.
Guest books document decades of spirits‘ communication, with photographers capturing orbs and investigators recording autonomous door movements.
Time travel theories aside, this 1851 logging town preserved without modernization creates an authentic portal to Indiana’s past. The inn originated as a general store before transforming into the bed and breakfast that stands today.
Hoosier Paranormal’s 2005 investigation confirmed multiple entities haunting the eighteen uniquely designed rooms, making your overnight stay a genuine paranormal adventure. The historic room features three windows and a private deck, offering guests both scenic views and potential spectral sightings.
Paranormal Activity Reports
Decades of guest encounters have transformed Story Inn from a historic lodging into one of Indiana’s most documented paranormal hotspots. You’ll find guest books in each room filled with decades of identical reports: the scent of cherry tobacco at 4 AM, apparitions passing through closed doors, and picture frames flipping on their own.
The Blue Lady materializes when you turn on the blue nightstand light, appearing by your bed, mirror, or window—sometimes leaving blue ribbons behind.
Spirit communication intensifies in the room above the restaurant, where investigators captured autonomous door movements and objects launching from shelves.
You might encounter up to three spirits here, including a male presence.
Haunted artifacts and atmospheric pressure shifts create an undeniable paranormal experience that even skeptics can’t ignore. The inn’s cellar bar offers a separate menu where guests can share their supernatural encounters over drinks.
Where to Sleep Among the Ghosts: Story Inn Accommodations
You’ll find 14 to 18 uniquely named rooms and cottages scattered across the property, each decorated with Victorian antiques and period furniture—no two accommodations are alike.
If you’re traveling with pets, book one of the standalone cottages like the Treaty House or Doc Story House, which feature modern comforts like heated floors and mini-fridges alongside their historic charm. The inn merges historic character with modern amenities, making it ideal for weekend getaways or special events. Pets stay free of charge, and horses are even welcome if you call ahead to confirm pasture availability.
For the full paranormal experience, request the Blue Lady Room above the General Store, where guestbooks overflow with documented supernatural encounters and a blue light allegedly summons the spirit of Dr. Story’s wife.
Historic Rooms With Character
The Story Inn’s accommodations transport guests into Indiana’s past through fifteen distinctive rooms and cottages fashioned from 19th-century buildings.
You’ll sleep above the historic General Store in rooms like the Blue Lady—named for its resident ghost—featuring a queen bed, claw-footed tub, and panoramic views of Brown County State Park.
The Morrison Kelley offers the most space with Victorian-era furnishings overlooking Main Street, while the Hedrick provides garden vistas.
For complete privacy, book the Treaty House Cottage, a converted sawmill with vaulted ceilings and pet-friendly amenities.
The Doc Story House accommodates groups with three bedrooms and wraparound porches.
Expect haunted decor throughout, and don’t miss the guestbooks documenting ghostly legends—you’ll find no TVs or clocks disrupting the authentic historical atmosphere.
Pet-Friendly Cottage Options
While most Story Inn rooms reside above the General Store, traveling with your four-legged companion means you’ll book one of the property’s standalone cottages that welcome pets.
Pet policies here are delightfully straightforward—select cottages accommodate animals without complicated restrictions or extra fees, though you’ll need to call or email ahead to reserve.
The Treaty House Cottage, transformed from the town’s original sawmill, showcases cottage decor that blends rustic charm with modern comfort: vaulted ceilings soar above heated tile floors, while your private porch offers a hammock and fenced yard where your dog can stretch their legs.
Doc Story House provides even more space with three bedrooms and sweeping views of the orchard and Hoosier National Forest—perfect for families exploring this ghost town with their pets.
Blue Lady’s Haunted Room
Want to test your nerves at Indiana’s most haunted lodging? The Blue Lady Room at Story Inn earned its name from Dr. George Story’s wife, who still visits guests at the bed’s edge or appears in mirrors.
You’ll catch her cherry tobacco scent drifting through at 4 AM, and she leaves blue trinkets behind as calling cards.
What Makes This Room Notorious:
- Spirit whispers captured in guest audio recordings suggest three entities
- Haunted artifacts documented in guestbooks dating back decades
- Unexplained phenomena like coffeepots flying off cabinets
- Blue light triggers appearances of the floor-length gown-wearing specter
For $164-$224 nightly, you’ll get a queen bed, private patio, and no modern distractions—just you and whatever shares your room overlooking Brown County State Park’s wilderness. The room sits at the top of the stairs on State Road 135, positioned exactly where employees and guests most frequently report encounters with the spectral resident.
Roads Hotel in Atlanta: Voices From the Past
Nestled in the heart of Atlanta, Indiana, Roads Hotel stands as a weathered sentinel to a bygone era—its Queen Anne frame creaking with stories that stretch back to 1893.
Since 1893, this Queen Anne sentinel has stood watch over Atlanta’s Main Street, collecting secrets in every weathered board and creaking stairwell.
This historical architecture once sheltered celebrity sightings of Al Capone and John Dillinger during Clara Roads‘ prohibition-era operations as a brothel and speakeasy.
You’ll find genuine paranormal activity here. Disembodied conversations echo through second-floor hallways where Clara’s son Everett died quarantined with tuberculosis. Lights flicker independently. Doors swing open without hands touching them.
The attic where preacher Lester Poole met his controversial end remains particularly active.
Current owner Crystal Couch welcomes overnight investigators at 150 E. Main Street. You’re free to explore hidden rooms and trick doors Clara installed. No sanitized tourist experience—just raw encounters with authenticated hauntings spanning 130 years.
Inn at Aberdeen: A Playful Haunting in Valparaiso
Since 1830, the Inn at Aberdeen has witnessed countless travelers seeking refuge along what would become Indiana State Road 2. First as a humble farmhouse sheltering freedom-seekers through Underground Railroad passages, then as a working dairy operation, and now as an 11-room boutique inn where guests encounter more than historic charm.
You’ll meet “Angel,” a playful girl spirit who’ll hide your belongings in unexpected places. Modern ghost tours document her appearances on the main staircase before she vanishes. Ancient folklore connects her to Sarah Ritter’s daughters who died here.
What You’ll Experience:
- Personal items relocated—lipstick in shoes, missing keys
- Cold spots and phantom footsteps throughout hallways
- Self-igniting fireplaces and spontaneously operating appliances
- Shadow figures in the basement (he prefers solitude)
Book the Aberdeen Suite at 3158 State Road 2 for authentic paranormal encounters.
Canyon Inn: Spencer’s Mysterious Former Asylum
Deep within McCormick’s Creek State Park—Indiana’s oldest state park—stands the Canyon Inn, where sanitarium foundations laid in 1888 still support guest rooms that echo with unexplained screams.
Sleep atop 1888 sanitarium foundations where tuberculosis patients’ screams still pierce the darkness of Indiana’s most haunted historic inn.
You’ll sleep where tuberculosis patients once sought medical breakthroughs before fresh-air treatments became obsolete. The architectural preservation transformed Dr. Denkewalter’s white-sided retreat into today’s 76-room lodge, though brick siding from the 1920s remodel now conceals its asylum origins.
Don’t be surprised when phantom footsteps pace your hallway at 3 a.m., or when disembodied crying interrupts your morning coffee. Guests regularly report these disturbances—remnants of patients who never left their sanctuary.
The landscaped grounds still offer the tranquility that drew wealthy sanitarium seekers here. You’re free to explore wooded trails by day, then test your courage in possibly Indiana’s most authentically haunted historic lodge by night.
Whispers Estate: Mitchell’s Investigation Headquarters
Built in 1894 on Mitchell’s Warren Street, Whispers Estate earned its name from the disembodied voices guests hear murmuring directly into their ears—an unnerving phenomenon you’ll likely experience during your stay.
This Victorian architectural style bed and breakfast welcomes ghost hunters 18+ for overnight investigations at 714 West Warren Street.
You’ll encounter activity throughout Dr. John Gibbons’ former medical practice, where tragedy struck repeatedly:
- Master bedroom: Historical artifacts remain where infant Elizabeth and Jessie Gibbons died; expect labored breathing and closet doors popping open.
- Third floor attic: Portal nightmares and doorknob rattling.
- Front staircase: Site of young boy’s mysterious fatal fall.
- Backyard: Four graves plus alleged unmarked burial site.
Call (855) 557-7665 for reservations—just leave your pets home.
The Sanatorium: Upgraded Paranormal Overnight Experiences
When darkness falls over Rockville’s Indiana State Sanatorium, you’ll step into more than 100,000 square feet of documented paranormal activity spanning 12 interconnected buildings and underground tunnels.
This former tuberculosis hospital—where suffering once echoed through corridors—now offers upgraded overnight ghost hunts from 8 PM to 5 AM for $149-$169 per person.
You’ll get hands-on equipment training and exclusive access to the most active areas, including operation rooms where shadow figures and apparitions regularly appear.
The historical architecture tells stories of wellness retreats turned deadly, with spirits that’ll interact if you’re bold enough to provoke them.
Book a private room with queen bed for $40 extra, and use your complimentary day tour ticket (10 AM-5 PM) to scout locations before nightfall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Children Allowed to Stay at These Haunted Locations?
Yes, you’ll find no age restrictions at these haunted Indiana inns. They’re family-friendly destinations where child safety isn’t compromised by ghostly guests. Story Inn even offers special Halloween tours, welcoming kids to experience paranormal adventures alongside adults.
What Should I Bring for an Overnight Paranormal Investigation?
You’ll need equipment essentials like EMF meters, digital recorders, and flashlights to document ghost stories properly. Don’t forget backup batteries, a first aid kit, and warm layers—abandoned buildings get freezing at night, trust me on this one.
Can I Request a Non-Haunted Room if Available?
You can absolutely request a non-haunted room when booking at Story Inn. With 14-15 uniquely renovated spaces featuring historical architecture, you’ll find comfortable alternatives to local legends like the Blue Lady Room—just contact them directly at reservations@storyinn.com.
Do These Locations Offer Refunds if I’m Too Scared to Stay?
None of these haunted locations explicitly advertise fear-based refunds in their Cost Policies. You’ll want to discuss Reservation Procedures directly when booking—call ahead to negotiate terms before committing, protecting your freedom to leave if overwhelmed.
Are Paranormal Experiences Guaranteed During My Visit?
Like chasing wild lightning, paranormal experiences aren’t guaranteed during your visit. These historical preservation sites prioritize safety precautions over spectral promises. You’re free to explore, but ghosts keep their own schedules—they don’t perform on demand.
References
- https://emptynesterstraveling.blog/2023/04/23/a-ghost-in-indiana-the-blue-lady-of-the-story-inn/
- https://www.hauntworld.com/haunted-hotel-in-nashville-indiana-the-story-inn-in-nashville-indiana
- https://www.hauntedrooms.com/indiana/haunted-places/haunted-hotels
- https://storyinn.com/overnight-accommodations
- https://browncounty.com/stay-list/story-inn/
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g37329-d5121786-Reviews-Whispers_Estate-Mitchell_Indiana.html
- https://thesanatorium.net
- https://103gbfrocks.com/you-can-stay-overnight-at-the-most-haunted-place-in-indiana/
- https://www.hauntedrooms.com/indiana/haunted-places/haunted-hotels/the-story-inn-nashville
- https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/whats-the-story-behind-story-indiana
