Those who adore mystery and horror often look for haunted places that can increase their adrenaline and make their blood flow faster. South Dakota is among the US states that stand out with its spooky locations and mysterious tales. As a matter of fact, the residents of South Dakota can explore not just a single spot but multiple haunted spots that host paranormal activities. If youâre in for a hunt, then take a look at our hand-picked hotspots of ghosts, mysteries, and weird tales that take place in these 5 places in South Dakota.
1. Bullock Hotel
The Bullock Hotel is one of the most famous hotels located in the heart of Deadwood, South Dakota. Many people who walk past arenât even aware of the mysterious history behind the building. The hotel was built by Deadwood’s first sheriff, Seth Bullock, in 1895. At first glance, thereâs nothing unusual about the history of this building, but interestingly, some guests have reported strange footsteps, flickering lights, and even ghostly figures in some areas of this hotel.
As they claim, the sensation of being watched is especially common in the casino part of the hotel. As a result of the spooky noises, some people even stopped using slot machines in this casino and switched to the realm of online slots, where nothing can interrupt their gaming experience. No one knows for sure whether Seth Bullockâs ghost actually walks in the halls of the casino but for horror enthusiasts, this haunted hotel is actually worth a visit.
2. Homestake Opera House
Operas, in general, are some of the most common places for paranormal activities. Itâs hard to explain what the thing ghosts and other supernatural creatures enjoy the most about operas is, but as a matter of fact, thereâs at least one place in most states that is considered haunted.
Homestake Opera House is one of those places in South Dakota, specifically in Lead. Not only visitors but the staff of this building have reported seeing paranormal activities multiple times. For example, sometimes they hear spooky voices, see ghosts, and feel strange sensations. According to experts, this place has been haunted since the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918-1920 when it became a hospital for infected people.
3. Mount Marty College
Other than hotels and operas, educational facilities in South Dakota also seem to be haunted by paranormal creatures. Mount Marty College is one of them. This college is located close to the Missouri River and is a Catholic Benedictine liberal arts college that has been operating since 1936. For decades since its opening, nobody has reported any type of unusual activity. But in 1955, since the residence Whitby Hall was opened, people started witnessing ghosts in blue suits.
Interestingly, Whitby Hall was a dormitory specifically dedicated to priests. Maybe those men in blue suits who walk through the corridors, as the students claim, are the priests from earlier times. Currently, Mount Marty College has around 800 students and most of them will probably share some interesting stories if you happen to be around this facility in South Dakota.
4. Devilâs Gulch
Hearing the name of this place is enough for ghost hunters and horror enthusiasts to think about visiting this palace in South Dakota. But the story of Devilâs Gulch is even more interesting than the name itself.
Devilâs Gulch is an 18-foot gorge that once served as a sacred hunting ground for Native American tribes. This historical site is famous for the story related to Jesse James, who jumped across the gulch in order to escape from the capture. Some visitors think that this place is haunted by the ghosts of a couple who couldnât manage to escape and died in captivity. Even if itâs just a legend, the breathtaking views of Devilâs Gulch will indeed captivate you from the first minute you visit it.
5. Dakota Theatre
The final haunted place on our list is the Dakota Theatre â a building that is familiar to every single resident of the state. This theatre opened in 1902 and is still active. Itâs located in the center of Yankton and continues to host a variety of plays and live performances. But most of the visitors probably donât have any idea about its haunted past.
As members of various plates report, they see a spectral face that floats around in the auditorium. Experts say that itâs the ghost of a young boy named Little Eddie, who still enjoys playing pranks on guests. Maybe it will make an appearance during the time youâre there. But even if it doesnât appear, you still need to know that you and the rest of the audience arenât watching the performance alone.
Final Thoughts
All in all, there are plenty of haunted places in South Dakota where people have witnessed ghosts, eerie sounds, strange feelings, and supernatural creatures. This means that South Dakota could be a great starting point for anyone who plans to join the community of so-called ghost hunters and explore the mysterious stories of hotels, casinos, operas, theatres, and other haunted places.
Copyright Statement: Unless explicitly stated, all stories published on Creepypasta.com are the property of (and under copyright to) their respective authors, and may not be narrated or performed under any circumstance.