Photo courtesy of Phil Roeder/Flickr.
Explore Texas’ haunted history through six spine-tingling ghost tours. From coastal spirits to Wild West haunts, these guided walks blend local lore with verified historical tales.
As autumn blankets Texas with longer shadows and earlier sunsets, our thoughts turn to the Lone Star State’s spooky stories. Behind the walls of century-old hotels, within the echoing halls of abandoned courthouses, and along the brick-lined streets of our oldest towns, Texas harbors ghostly tales that would make even the most steadfast skeptic’s hair stand on end. From Civil War battlefields to Wild West shootouts, from devastating hurricanes to mysterious murders, our state’s dramatic past has left more than just historical markers in its wake—it’s left lingering spirits (if you believe the stories). For those brave enough to venture into Texas’ haunted history, here are the most haunting ghost tours our state has to offer.
Fort Worth Stockyards Ghost Tour
In Fort Worth’s Stockyards, even the wine has a haunted history. After opening Cowtown Winery in 2010, owner David Besgrove encountered inexplicable events—from mysteriously overturned coffee cups to unexplained crashes—that sparked the creation of the Stockyards Ghost Tour. The tour, running through December 30, includes stops at Miss Molly’s Hotel, a former bordello where paranormal investigators claim to have contacted spirits of 1940s-era workers, and the Swift building, where a small ghost girl reportedly roams.
USS Lexington “Blue Ghost” Tour, Corpus Christi
Photo courtesy of Markus AOG/Flickr.
Nicknamed “The Blue Ghost” for its sinkings and resurrections, this World War II and Vietnam War vessel hosts tours featuring tales of ghostly crew members and an apparition of a nurse holding a baby, searching for her sailor lost in battle. The tour is part of a larger haunted history experience that includes stories of the 1914 Nueces County Courthouse, abandoned since 1977 after reports of screaming and strange noises.
Galveston’s Thunder and Blood: Strand Walking Tour
Galveston’s darker history comes alive on the Thunder and Blood: Strand Walking Tour, where visitors learn about the devastating 1900 hurricane that claimed thousands of lives and transformed local buildings into makeshift morgues. Led by authorized Galveston Historical Foundation representatives, the tour delves into the island’s notorious gang era and Civil War history, including tales of the Maceo crime family and “one-armed George Musey,” a Prohibition-era mob boss. The tour also includes stops at historic Hendley Row, the site of the 1863 Battle of Galveston.
Photo courtesy of Markus AOG/Flickr.
Historic Jefferson Ghost Walk
Historian Jodi Breckenridge has spent 23 years uncovering Jefferson’s haunted history, sharing stories at locations like the Historic Jefferson Hotel. The tour combines carefully researched local history with tales of the paranormal, including the famous Diamond Bessie murder case. As Breckenridge notes, “There are stories that people who have lived here their whole life may not even be aware of.”
Granbury Ghosts and Legends Tours
Created by Brandy Herr, co-owner and author of “Haunted Granbury,” this tour resulted from extensive local history research and firsthand ghost encounter accounts. The family-friendly walks features stops at the Langdon Center Art Gallery, where visitors have captured apparent paranormal activity in photographs. The tour reveals surprising local connections to historical figures including Jesse James and Davy Crockett.
Bryan Ghost Walk
Created by Amber Tindall through research at the Carnegie Public Library and local interviews, this historically focused tour explores downtown Bryan’s colorful past. While you might meet Wendy, a reportedly playful spirit, the emphasis remains on historical accuracy. “We aren’t a haunted house-type tour. We are more history and fact-based, but we do love spirits,” says Tindall, noting the tour includes tales of the town’s Wild West era, complete with downtown shootouts.
Small town spirits and history
Texas’ smaller communities also pack plenty of paranormal punch. In Taylor, the Haunted Taylor tour chronicles the town’s surprisingly violent 1800s history, complete with murders, arson, and confirmed hauntings—plus a complimentary beer from a local microbrewery to steady your nerves.
For those who prefer their ghost stories with a heavy dose of history, several tours deliver educational frights. Victoria’s Cemetery Tours at Evergreen Cemetery features actors portraying historical figures like José María Jesus Carvajal, who helped lay out the town, and Juan Linn, an influential Texas Revolution figure.
Note: All tours are subject to seasonal availability and may require advance reservations. Some locations may have age restrictions or special requirements for participation.
This story was generated in part by AI and edited by The Courier Texas staff.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
