4 Haunted Places in Hendricks County, Indiana
In honor of spooky season, what's better than a local haunted road trip? My family loves a good ghost story and if yours does too... Hendricks County is only a short drive from most locations in Indianapolis, and the home to various places with spooky pasts and legends that have intrigued locals and visitors alike for years. From eerie legends to spine-chilling accounts, here are five haunted attractions in Hendricks County that will send shivers down your spine.
Here are 4 Haunted Attractions in Hendricks County, Indiana:
1. Avon Haunted Bridge
The Avon Haunted Bridge, located off County Road 625 East, is perhaps one of the most famous haunted landmarks in Hendricks County history. Built in 1906 for the Big Four Railroad and still in use by CSX today, this bridge - with its distinct archways along a busy road - is shrouded in mystery and folklore. One of the most well-known legends surrounding the railroad bridge is that of a young woman walking on the tracks with her baby, both tragically falling to their deaths. Some claim to sounds of the mother's wails for her infant when passing under the bridge. Another eerie tale involves a drunken rail worker who allegedly met a grim fate during construction of the bridge and is said to haunt the area by moaning when a train crosses by on the railroad tracks.
The haunted bridge of Avon is not only a local landmark but also a must-visit spot for those seeking a thrill in central Indiana. (Discover more on this local legend here.)
Looking for haunted houses in Indiana?
2. Hargrave Hall
Want a good ghost story? According to local lore, Hargrave Hall - a historic building in Hendricks County - holds ghostly clues of past inhabitants too. Not only is it believed to be haunted by a former caretaker who tragically died on the premises, visitors have reported hearing unexplained footsteps, doors slamming shut on their own, and flickering lights in the empty hallways. According to an article by Visit Hendricks County, staff members have also reported hearing footsteps in the old school classrooms and finding no one there. Either way, the amount of stories telling of paranormal activity indicates this belongs on a list of most haunted places in Hendricks County.
3. Sugar Grove Cemetery
Sugar Grove Cemetery - located in Plainfield - is steeped in ghostly tales and eerie encounters. One of the most famous legends associated with the cemetery is a ghostly apparition that is said to wander amongst the gravestones late at night. In the late 1800s, a prominent businessman encountered a mysterious rider who relentlessly pursued him and his companion on horseback. Despite being shot multiple times by the businessman, the rider miraculously remained unharmed and persisted in the chase. Visitors have reported feeling a sense of unease and being watched while exploring the cemetery grounds after dark (and if you choose to go then, take a good flashlight!).
Halloween season is a fun time for corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and more:
4. The Barlow-McClain House
The property at 220 Krewson Street in Plainfield, Indiana has a long history dating back to its construction in the mid-1800s by Isaac Shidler Shideler. Originally owned by Asa Hunt and later by Civil War veteran James M. Barlow, the house remained in the Barlow-McClain family for over 140 years before being sold in 2013. Rich in history and tied to influential figures, the property stands as a historical landmark representing the community's heritage, the current owners have shared seeing apparitions in th home like a young girl in a dressing gown, and hearing footsteps after 2am.
