The Haunted Stone House

Posted: 12.07.2024 | Updated: 12.07.2024

Virginia. In many ways, one could say this state’s history is the story of America. 

From the forced dispersal of the Powhatan tribe upon the arrival of English settlers to its rise into an economic powerhouse brought about by the plantation system to its status as the capital of the Confederacy, Virginia has been the setting of so many formative experiences in American history, from before its founding even. 

And, of course, with so much bloody history, there are bound to be more than a few ghost stories that pop up throughout Virginia, too. One notable ghost-infested city is Alexandria, noted for its proximity to D.C., wealth, and historic Old Town. Looking at its lovely exterior, you wouldn’t think it was host to one of America’s bloodiest battles and some of its bloodiest ghost stories too!

Sound intriguing? 

Keep reading for more information and be sure and take our in-person ghost tour with Alexandria Ghosts to experience its full ghostly history! 

Is the Stone House on Manassas Battlefield Haunted? 

Given that firm evidence of hauntings are notoriously difficult to find, it’s always anyone’s guess as to whether or not a site is haunted. 

But for those who believe, the site of Manassas Battlefield in Alexandria, Virginia is a very strong candidate for a haunted site. Manassas was the site of not one but two incredibly significant and deadly battles of the Civil War (the First and Second Battles of Bull Run, respectively). 

Like all battles of the Civil War, every casualty on either side was an American one and it remains one of America’s darkest periods of history. However, whereas unity escaped the North and South during the 19th century, perhaps, nowadays in the afterlife, some of the soldiers have found a way to coexist with one another.

This would seem a bit of a necessity as so many soldier ghosts make up the haunted tapestry that is the Stone House on Manassas Battlefield. 

History of the Stone House

The Stone House has muddy origins. Some say that it might have been constructed by a John Lee in 1828 while others ascribe its construction to Thomas Otway Clarke, a couple of decades later. What is certain, however, is that it was initially constructed as a tavern stop along the Warrenton Turnpike and Sudley Road to accommodate travelers and traders moving along the Northern Virginia countryside. 

That might have been its initial purpose but by the time the Civil War broke out in the 1860s, the Stone House of Manassas had a different use. After Virginia joined the Confederacy, it quickly became the centerpiece for the Southern cause, supplying the most troops and financial support. The Confederacy realized how important Virginia was and moved its capital from Montgomery, Alabama to Richmond, Virginia. 

This, of course, meant that Virginia became a big target for the Union Army. After the change in capital cities, Northern troops adopted “Forward to Richmond!” as a rallying cry. However, Alexandria stood in between the Northern states and the Confederate capital. The first fighting to take place here was the First Battle of Bull Run (also known as the First Battle of Manassas).

Southern troops posted up in the Stone House, alongside many other structures in the area, and as the battle commenced, the building quickly filled up with wounded Confederate soldiers. The Stone House became a makeshift field hospital, even as the Confederacy won the day. 

The Stone House soon saw combat again at the Second Battle of Bull Run. Again, the building was used as a field hospital, and the Confederacy won the battle. However, this time the building did not escape unmarred – shells damaged the building severely (some of which can still be seen today).

Notable Hauntings

After the war, the Stone House changed ownership several times, but it had already gained a reputation as a haunted house by locals and veterans. 

Although science and the supernatural rarely intersect, the Stone House, being used as a makeshift field hospital in two battles, had several of its doctors remain in the building even after the war ended. 

Perhaps the most notable one involved a Union doctor who is said to have been forced to reluctantly leave his patients behind during one of the Battles of Bull Run when Confederate troops engaged in a counterattack. 

That doctor felt guilty enough about it all, lingering behind after death, as many staff and visitors have reported seeing his presence around. The doctor ghost dresses in period-appropriate, battle-scarred clothing and still maintains a sense of duty. Indeed, he’s known to walk right up near sleeping employees and frown at them if they’re sleeping on the job – giving many quite a scare in the process!

Apart from the strict medic, the Stone House has a few other strange happenings and ghosts. Many visitors will report experiencing icy points in the house. Even on hot Virginia summer days, those who wander into these cold spots will feel as though they’re in the Arctic, only to feel warm again as soon as they exit. 

And not all of the remnants of the soldiers are quite so metaphysical – two wounded soldiers during the Battle of Manassas carved their names into the floorboards -carvings that can still be spotted today! And some say, for sharp-eyed visitors, those two soldiers can be seen hanging around today, too! 

Ghost Lights 

The last eerie phenomenon known to infect the area around the Stone House is a strange one. However, it might not be isolated completely to the Manassas battlefield either. 

Apart from sightings of old soldiers, dutiful doctors, and cold chills in the Stone House itself, many people who have visited the park over the years have reported seeing something very strange. According to one report by L.B. Taylor published in his book about Virginia ghosts, this phenomena is usually only experienced by people driving in cars. 

When driving, the houses near the battlefield, particularly Stone House will inexplicably disappear and be replaced by ghostly orbs of light. This replacement will last anywhere from a few seconds to almost a minute. Inexplicably, the house will return after a time but why this happens and only to motorists is anyone’s guess.

However, one theory is that these strange lights may be will-o’-thewisps. Also known as “hinkypunks” down south, their ephemeral-looking orbs of light match the description of what the Stone House is said to turn into. Many Americans have experienced them over the years and believe they’re some kind of omen or bad things to come. Another camp of believers is of the opinion that they’re dead souls who have been sent back into the land of the living. 

Haunted Alexandria 

We hope you enjoyed learning more about haunted Virginia, the history of the Stone House, and the ghosts who still live there. Be sure and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more information and keep reading our blog for more real Virginia hauntings. And, as always, the best way to experience haunted Alexandria is with one of our in-person ghost tours with Alexandria Ghosts. See you later, ghost hunters! 

Sources:

https://www.loc.gov/resource/hhh.va0866.photos/?sp=1https://hauntedhouses.com/virginia/the-stone-house/https://alexmatsuo.com/haunted-northern-virginia-the-stone-house-of-the-manassas-battlefield/https://www.potomaclocal.com/2012/10/09/civil-war-soldiers-never-left-stone-house/https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsta.2014.0206