Get ready to explore the eerie tales and haunted histories that linger on our military posts. These sites are steeped in folklore—stories of ghostly apparitions and unexplained events passed down through generations. These legends are woven into the fabric of the posts, as much a part of their history as the battles fought and won.
At IHG® Army Hotels, we offer more than just a place to stay. We give you the chance to experience history firsthand by staying on post, right where these chilling tales began. Whether you're a history buff or interested in the paranormal, join us as we uncover the ghost stories that have haunted these locations for centuries—who knows, you might even become part of the story!
The Ghost of General Custer at Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth, nestled along the Missouri River in Kansas, is the oldest active Army post west of the Mississippi River. Established in 1827, it has played a pivotal role in American military history, serving as a key outpost during westward expansion and as a hub for military training.
Fort Leavenworth is one of the most haunted military installations in the U.S., with sightings of General George Custer's ghost. Custer's spirit is said to appear in several areas of the post, most notably near the Rookery and the General's Residence, where unexplained phenomena have been reported.
Another famous spirit is Catherine Sutter. According to legend, her children disappeared during a winter storm in 1880. Though her children were later found and reunited with their father, Catherine had already succumbed to pneumonia after spending days searching for them. Today, her ghost, dressed in a calico dress and a black shawl, is said to walk among the tombstones of the National Cemetery, still searching for her lost children. Visitors sometimes see her carrying a lantern, while others hear her voice calling out in the darkness.
The Rookery, the oldest home on post, is also a hotspot for paranormal activity. Built in 1832, the Rookery has been home to many strange events. Stories include sightings of a woman with long hair rushing at people, doors opening on their own, and the sound of footsteps when no one is around. The house has even been featured on the fort’s annual Haunted Walking Tour, a popular event that takes place each October.
For those interested in exploring Fort Leavenworth’s haunted history, the Friends of the Frontier Army Museum organizes this walking tour, which lasts about 1.5 hours and covers 1.35 miles. Storytellers share eerie tales of the fort’s past, including sightings of the ghost of General Custer and other paranormal activity reported throughout the post. The tour is open to the public for those aged 13 and up, though participants without a DoD ID card must request a visitor permit online prior to the event.
Stay at IHG® Army Hotels on Fort Leavenworth, conveniently located on post, allowing you to immerse yourself in the haunted history.
Multiple Ghostly Legends at Fort Riley
Fort Riley, set against the backdrop of Kansas's Flint Hills, has been integral to the U.S. Army's history since 1853. It is home to the famed 1st Infantry Division, known as "The Big Red One."
Surveyors chose the site of Fort Riley, Kansas, in the fall of 1852, initially calling it Camp Center due to its location near the geographic center of the United States. On June 27, 1853, the camp was renamed Fort Riley in honor of Major General Bennett C. Riley, who led the first military escort along the Santa Fe Trail. The fort was established to protect pioneers and traders moving along the Oregon-California and Santa Fe Trails.
Fort Riley is steeped in history, and like many military posts, it is known for its ghostly encounters. One haunting tale involves Camp Funston, which was established during World War I. This camp housed over 50,000 soldiers and played a critical role during the 1918 influenza pandemic, which devastated populations worldwide, including soldiers at Fort Riley. It is said that one soldier who perished during the pandemic has never left. His ghost, dressed in a World War I uniform, has been spotted on patrol near the old gymnasium, continuing his duties even in death. Witnesses describe seeing a man in a heavy wool coat pacing back and forth, only to vanish without a trace, leaving no footprints in the snow.
Another eerie encounter at Cavalry Parade Field involves ghostly riders. According to stories, witnesses have felt a low vibration, like the rumbling of distant thunder, before seeing ghost soldiers galloping across the field. The riders slow near the intersection where Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer once lived, and one soldier dismounts, believed by many to be Custer himself.
These are just a few of the many ghostly legends that linger at Fort Riley, adding to the rich history of this important military post. For those visiting the area,, IHG Army Hotels on Fort Riley offers convenient access to the many ghost stories, including the legendary Cavalry Parade Field and Camp Funston.
Western Ghost Legends at Fort Laramie
Like many military posts across the American West, Fort Laramie, now a National Historic Site, has a long and storied history, dating back to 1834. Originally established as a trading post called Fort William, it became an important waypoint for travelers heading west along the Oregon-California Trail. In 1841, Fort John replaced the wooden structure with an adobe fort, and by 1849, the military post we know as Fort Laramie was established to protect pioneers from increasing Indian attacks as westward expansion surged.
But it’s not just the historical significance of Fort Laramie that draws attention—its rich past is steeped in ghostly legends. One of the most famous stories is that of the Lady in Green. According to the tale, the daughter of a fur trader stationed at the fort disappeared one day while riding her black stallion. Despite extensive search efforts, she was never found. Legend has it that her ghost, dressed in a long green riding dress, can still be seen galloping across the plains every seven years, forever haunting the area near the old Oregon Trail.
Another well-known haunted location on the fort is the Captain’s Quarters, built in 1870. Reports of doors opening by themselves, eerie footsteps, and unexplained bright lights have been frequent, even though the building has no electricity. The staff affectionately refers to the resident ghost as "George," adding to the mysterious aura of the place.
Old Bedlam, the oldest military building in Wyoming, is another site of paranormal activity. Once serving as the bachelor officers' quarters, it is said to be haunted by the ghost of a Cavalry Officer who roams the halls, occasionally commanding visitors to "be quiet."
Other eerie sightings have been reported throughout Fort Laramie, including a headless man seen throwing rocks into Deer Creek and the ghost of a Civil War soldier acting erratically near Bovee Draw. Each haunting adds to the fort's rich, supernatural lore, making it a destination not only for history buffs but also for those intrigued by the paranormal.
Ghosts of the Jump Towers: Fort Moore
After the establishment of the School of Musketry at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 1913, the Army realized during World War I that a larger training ground was needed for infantry. In 1918, Columbus, Georgia, was chosen as the site for this new training location. Initially set on the grounds of an old plantation, Fort Benning (now Fort Moore) expanded over time to cover 287 square miles in southern Muscogee and northern Chattahoochee counties.
One of the fort’s most iconic landmarks is the trio of large jump towers at Eubanks Field, installed in 1941. These 255-foot towers serve to train paratroopers, with cables guiding their parachutes to the ground.
Legend has it that a tragic accident occurred during one of these training jumps. A young soldier, after a rigging failure, fell 60 feet, severely injuring himself, including multiple facial fractures. Though he survived initially, he later died from pneumonia due to his injuries. After his death, eerie rumors began circulating about paranormal activity around the jump towers. Witnesses report lights turning on by themselves in the elevator house and sightings of a shadowy figure near the towers.
One chilling account involved a sergeant who, after a fire drill at 4 AM, found a young man lying on the floor at the end of a hallway in the Jump School Barracks. Upon turning the man over, the sergeant saw a face shattered and covered in blood. When he briefly left to get help, he returned to find the young man gone, with no blood or sign of the encounter left behind.
Stay at IHG Army Hotels Gavin House on Fort Moore, conveniently located near the jump towers where eerie paranormal occurrences have been witnessed by soldiers.
Come Stay On Post for a Spooky Experience
At IHG Army Hotels, you have the unique opportunity to experience these historic and haunted locations firsthand. Whether you're a history enthusiast or intrigued by the paranormal, staying on post allows you to immerse yourself in the legacy and legends that have shaped these iconic sites.