Think you know Hickory’s history? Look a little closer. Behind some of Catawba County’s oldest walls are stories of unexplained footsteps, mysterious voices, moving furniture and other happenings that have left people wondering what, exactly, is going on. From a Halloween pop-up bar filled with eerie surprises to historic homes with decades of local lore, there’s a spooky side of the area waiting to be explored. Is it just a little hocus pocus, or is there some truth to the stories? We’ll let you be the judge.
History Museum of Catawba County
The History Museum of Catawba County has plenty of history to explore, housed inside the former Catawba County Courthouse, an imposing 1924 Renaissance Revival building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But look a little closer, and you’ll find a few stories that don’t quite belong in a textbook. Three spaces inside the Newton museum have picked up unusual reputations, adding a spooky twist to a trip through Catawba County’s past.
The Munday Parlor offers a rare chance to step inside a piece of Catawba County history. The room comes from the original Munday Plantation House, a one-room log cabin built in 1840 that remained in use until the 1970s. In the 1990s, workers carefully disassembled it and moved it to the History Museum, where it was reconstructed using the original boards and floors. Today, you can step inside and see what a 19th-century home looked like, almost like a time capsule. But there’s a little more to the room than history. It’s noticeably cooler than the spaces around it, and chairs around the table have reportedly been found moved. Maybe the old house is simply settling into its new home. Or maybe someone still likes a seat at the table.
Dr. Hambrick’s Medical Office gives visitors a look inside the recreated office of one of the area’s early physicians and founder of the region’s first hospital. Museum workers have reported trouble with the office door and lock, but the story that gets the most attention comes from a nighttime recording made inside the room. A woman’s voice was reportedly heard saying, “Get out. Get out.” Some believe the voice could belong to a former patient. Medical care was far more limited during his era, and many patients did not survive their illnesses.
The Old Jail Cell offers a look inside an original prison cell from the 1939 Catawba County Jail. Inside, visitors can see an image of one of the last public hangings in Catawba County, which took place in 1896. According to reports of paranormal activity at the museum, groaning sounds have sometimes been heard coming from inside the cell. Standing inside an original jail cell while looking at a piece of Catawba County’s darker history is enough to give you goosebumps.
Hickory’s Historic Homes
Hickory’s historic homes have plenty of stories tucked behind their beautiful facades. Harper House, Propst House and Maple Grove each offer a glimpse into the people and families who shaped early Hickory, along with a few details that have become part of their local lore.
Harper House was built in 1887 by Daniel Webster Shuler, who founded Hickory’s first bank, opened the town’s first opera house and became involved in several businesses that helped shape early Hickory. But in 1890, his bank failed, and just two days later, Shuler died. A newspaper reported his death as “apoplexy,” a term commonly used for a stroke, while later accounts described it as “melancholy,” a Victorian-era term that could refer to suicide. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, and local stories even suggest that Shuler may have faked his own death.
Propst House dates to 1882 and was home to carpenter, homebuilder and woodcarver John Summie Propst and his wife. The couple had no children and eventually opened their home to boarders. Today, some volunteer docents have reported the unexplained smell of sugar cookies and the sensation of someone touching them. But one of the strangest details is hanging right on the walls. Found at both Propst House and Maple Grove, Victorian hair wreaths were intricate decorations woven from human hair and displayed in the home to remember loved ones. The tradition was once surprisingly common. Seeing curls of someone’s hair woven into an ornate wall decoration today? Let’s just say they had a very different idea of home décor.
Maple Grove was built in 1883 and became home to Adolphus Lafayette Shuford, one of Hickory’s founders, his wife and their youngest child. Shuford helped establish Hickory Tavern as the community that would become the city of Hickory, while also developing several businesses in the area. But one of the home’s most intriguing details involves a cabinet in the oldest part of the house. Inside is a collection of French Limoges china that belonged to the Shuford family, given as a wedding gift in 1905 and later donated to Maple Grove by Adelaide Shuford, the last Shuford child born in the home. She requested that the china always remain on display. According to local lore, the cabinet doors have been known to open on their own. Some believe Adelaide herself could be making sure her beloved china is still right where she left it.
Old St. Paul's Church & Graveyard
Old St. Paul’s Church and Graveyard in Newton looks like the kind of place where a ghost story would feel right at home. The weathered log walls, uneven headstones and quiet churchyard are striking during the day, but after dark, the setting takes on an entirely different feeling. Built in 1818, the two-story log church is one of the oldest existing churches in North Carolina west of the Catawba River, and the graveyard includes headstones dating to the late 18th century. But the church’s reputation goes beyond its age and appearance. In 1861, a man who had escaped enslavement was shot in the church’s balcony. According to local legend, his spirit never quite left. There have been reports of unexplained movement inside the church, along with stories of the organ playing when no one is nearby. The setting is spooky enough. The stories make it even harder to shake the feeling that you’re not quite alone.
Haunting on City Walk
And if you’d rather your Halloween scares stay strictly decorative, skip the ghost stories and head here for a little spirited fun instead. Step inside No Entry Cocktail Lounge, the hidden speakeasy tucked inside City Walk Brewing & Distilling in Downtown Hickory, where Halloween takes over for the month of October. Following the success of last year’s Miracle on City Walk Christmas pop-up, Haunting on City Walk brings the same over-the-top spirit with a decidedly spookier twist. Flickering candlelight, dark corners, creepy details and vintage Halloween touches transform the space, where even the drinks get in on the fun. Your cocktail might arrive in a creepy doll’s head, a clown mug or even a cauldron. The menu features unexpected flavor combinations, including the Widow’s Whisper, with chocolate, melon and lychee, and the Scream-Sicle, a spicy take on an orange creamsicle made with tequila, orange, carrot and habanero. Not drinking? Mocktails are available, too. At least here, the only thing haunting you is the question of which drink to order.
You don’t have to wait until Halloween night to get a little spooked. Sometimes it’s hiding inside an old courthouse, woven into the walls of a historic home or tucked away in a quiet churchyard. Other times, it comes with a side of tequila and a creepy doll’s head. Whether the stories are folklore, coincidence or something harder to explain, they all offer a different way to look at the places and history that make Catawba County what it is. So the next time you’re out exploring, look a little closer. You never know what you might find.
Please note: Check with each location before visiting for current information on tickets, tours, hours and availability. Please respect private property and historic sites. No trespassing.
