Davidson, North Carolina is a college town known for its picturesque setting on the banks of Lake Norman and its vibrant college-town atmosphere. However, beneath the surface lies a shadowy history that has earned it an additional, unofficial motto: “Haunted Town.”
Archives: Main Street Davidson, NC (c.1910)
Image Courtesy of: ghostsofdavidson.com
The Lantern recently spoke with Rachel Workman, the owner of the Ghosts of Davidson Walking Tour, to uncover the spine-chilling tales that haunt this seemingly serene town.
According to Workman, Davidson’s past is riddled with dark events, particularly for those who lived there around 1914. That year was marked by the mysterious death of a doctor, and a tragic train derailment near the old railroad depot, resulting in several fatalities.
This historic site has since become notorious for ghostly sightings, with reports of a spectral figure appearing on the train tracks.
Rachel Workman
Owner: Ghosts of Davidson
Adding to the eerie ambiance, in 1932, a man employed by the local asbestos mill met a grim fate while attempting to form a union, further cementing the depot’s reputation as a hotspot for paranormal activity.
Workman’s 90-minute tours, which depart every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, offer an immersive experience of Davidson’s haunted history. Visitors are not only regaled with tales of the town’s past but are also encouraged to snap photographs in front of the old train depot, hoping to capture a glimpse of the otherworldly entities said to linger there.
For those eager to delve deeper into these ghostly narratives, Rachel Workman will be featured on an upcoming episode of The Lantern’s podcast. In the meantime, curious souls can visit the depot at the corner of Depot and Jackson Street or book a spot on the Ghosts of Davidson Walking Tour for an evening of spectral encounters and historical intrigue.
