Captain Grant’s Inn – Haunted Inn in Preston, Connecticut

Tucked away in the quiet countryside of Preston, Connecticut, sits a colonial inn with secrets darker than most travelers realize. Captain Grant’s Inn has welcomed guests since 1754, but not all of them have checked out. The building’s centuries-old walls hold stories of tragedy, mystery, and supernatural encounters that continue to this day. Visitors who stay overnight often report unexplained phenomena that leave them questioning what they experienced.

The inn has earned its reputation as one of Connecticut’s most haunted locations through consistent paranormal activity over decades. Staff members and guests alike have witnessed apparitions, heard disembodied voices, and felt unseen presences throughout the property. What makes this location particularly intriguing is the variety of spirits said to reside within its rooms. These entities seem to have different personalities and origins, creating a complex tapestry of supernatural activity.

The building itself exudes colonial charm with its weathered clapboard siding and period-appropriate architecture. Walking through the front door feels like stepping back in time to Revolutionary War-era New England. However, beneath the quaint exterior lies an atmosphere that many describe as heavy and watchful. Something about Captain Grant’s Inn suggests that the past has never truly left this place.

Historical Background

Captain William Grant constructed the inn in 1754, establishing it as a stagecoach stop along the main thoroughfare. The location proved ideal for weary travelers making the journey between Hartford and the coastal towns. Grant operated the establishment until his death in 1789, building a reputation for hospitality and strong drink. The inn served as more than just lodging—it functioned as a gathering place where locals discussed politics and revolution.

During the Revolutionary War, the inn became a strategic meeting point for colonial militia members and sympathizers. Secret meetings allegedly took place in the basement, where patriots planned their resistance against British forces. Some historians believe the inn served as a safe house for those moving intelligence between Connecticut towns. The walls witnessed countless conversations that shaped the region’s role in America’s fight for independence.

Tragedy struck the establishment multiple times throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. A devastating fire in 1801 claimed the lives of three guests who were trapped on the second floor. The inn was rebuilt using some of the original foundation and timbers that survived the blaze. Records from the Preston town archives document at least two murders that occurred on the property during the 1820s.

One particularly dark event involved a guest named Adelaide Carter who disappeared from her room in 1834. Her belongings remained untouched, but she was never seen alive again. Local authorities conducted an extensive search that ultimately proved fruitless. Her body was discovered six weeks later in a well behind the inn, though her death was never officially explained.

The building changed hands numerous times over the centuries, with each owner reporting strange occurrences. During Prohibition in the 1920s, the inn allegedly operated as a speakeasy with hidden rooms for illegal activities. Some believe violent confrontations during this period added more restless spirits to the location. The structure has been carefully preserved and now operates as both a functioning inn and historical landmark.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Guests at Captain Grant’s Inn consistently report cold spots that appear without explanation throughout various rooms. These temperature drops can be dramatic, sometimes plunging 20 degrees in seconds before returning to normal. The phenomenon occurs even during summer months when the building’s heating and cooling systems are functioning properly. Witnesses describe the cold as penetrating and unnatural, often accompanied by a sense of being watched.

Disembodied footsteps represent one of the most frequent supernatural occurrences at the property. Staff members hear heavy boots walking across the second-floor hallways during late-night hours. The footsteps follow a specific pattern, always starting at the eastern staircase and proceeding toward room seven. When investigators check the hallway, they find it completely empty with no explanation for the sounds.

Objects moving on their own have been documented by multiple witnesses over the years. Glasses slide across tables in the dining room without being touched by human hands. Picture frames hanging on walls suddenly tilt at extreme angles or fall despite being securely fastened. One staff member reported watching a chair in the common room slowly turn in a complete circle. These incidents happen frequently enough that employees have learned to expect them as part of working at the inn.

Shadow figures appear regularly throughout the building, particularly in peripheral vision. These dark silhouettes take humanoid form but lack distinguishable features or details. Guests describe seeing them move through walls or vanish when directly observed. The shadows seem most active during twilight hours and just after midnight. Some witnesses report feeling intense dread when encountering these entities.

Electronic disturbances plague the inn despite modern wiring and updated electrical systems. Lights flicker in patterns that don’t correspond to power fluctuations or faulty switches. Cell phones and cameras often malfunction in specific rooms, draining batteries completely within minutes. Audio recording devices capture unexplained voices and sounds that weren’t audible during the actual recording. These technical anomalies have been documented by paranormal investigators using calibrated equipment.

Ghost Stories & Reports

Captain William Grant himself is believed to be the most active spirit haunting the inn. Staff members report seeing a tall man in colonial-era clothing walking through the first-floor tavern area. He appears solid and lifelike until witnesses realize his clothing is completely wrong for the modern era. The apparition always wears a dark coat with brass buttons and knee-length breeches typical of the late 1700s.

Grant’s ghost seems particularly attached to the original tavern room, which now serves as the dining area. Employees have watched him examine the bar area as if checking inventory or supervising operations. He never speaks but occasionally makes eye contact with witnesses before fading away. Some believe he continues to oversee his establishment, unwilling to abandon the business he built in life.

Adelaide Carter, the woman who died mysteriously in 1834, manifests primarily in room five on the second floor. Guests staying in this room frequently report seeing a young woman in a white nightgown standing near the window. She appears distressed and seems to be looking for something or someone outside. Her apparition is detailed enough that witnesses can describe her dark hair worn in an elaborate updo.

Adelaide’s presence comes with distinctive phenomena that help identify her supernatural activity. The scent of lavender perfume fills room five without any physical source for the fragrance. Guests report hearing soft crying or whispered prayers coming from empty corners of the room. Some have awakened to find their personal belongings carefully arranged or moved to different locations. She seems curious about modern visitors but poses no apparent threat.

A Revolutionary War soldier’s ghost appears throughout the property, though most frequently in the basement area. He wears a Continental Army uniform with visible battle damage and bloodstains on his coat. Witnesses describe his face as pale and gaunt, suggesting injury or illness. He walks with a pronounced limp and seems unaware of modern observers.

This military spirit has been seen ascending from the basement carrying what appears to be documents or maps. Historians speculate he may have been a courier who died while conducting business at the inn. His route always takes him toward the eastern wall where he vanishes completely. Cold spots consistently appear along his path, and electromagnetic field detectors register significant spikes in these areas.

Local folklore speaks of a malevolent entity residing in the inn’s attic space. This presence lacks a clear identity or human form but manifests as oppressive energy and psychological distress. Guests rarely access the attic, but those who have describe overwhelming feelings of anger and hostility. Some researchers believe this entity may be connected to the violent deaths that occurred on the property.

The attic spirit allegedly pushes, scratches, or otherwise physically interacts with people who venture into its territory. One maintenance worker reported being shoved down the attic stairs by invisible hands. His injuries were minor, but he refused to work alone in that area again. Paranormal investigators have captured audio recordings containing threatening growls and aggressive voice phenomena in the attic.

Children’s laughter echoes through the second-floor corridors despite no children being present on the property. This phenomenon occurs most frequently during afternoon hours between two and four o’clock. The laughter sounds joyful and playful rather than sinister or threatening. Staff members believe these may be the spirits of children who lived at the inn during its long history.

Most Haunted Spot

Room five stands as the epicenter of paranormal activity at Captain Grant’s Inn. This second-floor accommodation is where Adelaide Carter stayed before her mysterious disappearance and death. Guests who book this room often check out early due to intense supernatural experiences throughout the night. The management now warns visitors about the room’s reputation before confirming reservations.

Activity in room five includes full-bodied apparitions, objects moving, unexplained sounds, and overwhelming emotional sensations. The temperature fluctuates wildly without any mechanical explanation for the changes. Visitors report feeling watched constantly and describe an uncomfortable pressure in the air. Many guests refuse to sleep in the room, spending their nights in the common areas instead.

The original well behind the building also generates significant paranormal activity and historical interest. This is where Adelaide Carter’s body was ultimately discovered after weeks of searching. Visitors standing near the well frequently report hearing whispered voices and feeling sudden temperature drops. Some have captured unexplained mists and light anomalies in photographs taken at this location.

Can You Visit?

Captain Grant’s Inn remains open to the public as a functioning bed and breakfast establishment. Guests can book overnight accommodations and experience the historic property firsthand. The inn operates year-round with varying availability depending on the season. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially during autumn months when paranormal tourism peaks.

Room rates vary depending on the accommodation selected and the time of year. Standard rooms typically range from one hundred to two hundred dollars per night. The infamous room five sometimes commands a premium rate due to its reputation among ghost enthusiasts. All rates include a full breakfast served in the historic dining room.

The inn does not offer formal paranormal tours but welcomes guests interested in its supernatural reputation. Staff members are generally willing to share ghost stories and discuss the building’s haunted history. Visitors are permitted to explore the common areas and grounds during their stay. Guests can bring paranormal investigation equipment to use in their own rooms with prior approval.

Photography is allowed throughout the property with respect for other guests’ privacy. Many visitors capture compelling photographic anomalies including orbs, light streaks, and shadow figures. The management requests that flash photography be avoided in the dining room during meal times. Posting photos and experiences to social media is encouraged and helps promote the inn’s unique character.

The inn maintains regular operating hours with check-in typically available between three and eight in the evening. Check-out time is eleven o’clock in the morning to allow for room preparation. The common areas remain accessible to guests twenty-four hours a day during their stay. The dining room serves breakfast from seven to nine-thirty each morning.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity at Captain Grant’s Inn occurs consistently throughout the year without clear seasonal patterns. However, staff members report increased phenomena during the autumn months of September through November. This could relate to historical events that occurred during these months or simply reflect increased attention. Many paranormal enthusiasts specifically book visits during October to coincide with Halloween traditions.

The overnight hours between midnight and four in the morning produce the most dramatic supernatural encounters. Guests report heightened activity during these traditional “witching hours” when the building falls quiet. The spirit of Captain Grant appears most frequently around two-thirty in the morning. Adelaide Carter’s manifestations peak between midnight and one o’clock according to guest reports and investigation data.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Jennifer Martinez from Rhode Island documented her experience in room five during October 2019. She reported waking at one-fifteen to find a woman in white standing beside her bed. The apparition appeared solid and three-dimensional, wearing a nightgown from the 1830s era. Martinez described making direct eye contact with the spirit before it faded slowly from view.

Robert Chen, a paranormal investigator from Massachusetts, conducted an overnight study at the inn in 2021. His team captured compelling audio evidence including voice phenomena responding to direct questions. The recordings contain a male voice saying “leave now” and a female voice calling out “help me.” His electromagnetic field detectors registered sustained spikes in room five and the basement area throughout the night.

Former employee Patricia Dunham worked at the inn for twelve years before retiring in 2018. She recalls numerous encounters with Captain Grant’s apparition during her early morning preparation shifts. Dunham described him as protective rather than threatening, as if he still watched over the establishment. She witnessed him vanish through solid walls on at least thirty separate occasions during her tenure.

A couple from New York, Michael and Susan Torres, experienced dramatic poltergeist activity in 2020. They watched their luggage unpack itself with clothes floating from their suitcase to the dresser drawers. The television turned on and off repeatedly despite being unplugged from the wall outlet. They described feeling welcomed rather than threatened by the presence, as if someone wanted them comfortable.

Local historian Thomas Bradford has investigated the inn’s paranormal claims since the 1990s. He documented over two hundred individual reports of supernatural activity during his research. Bradford believes the concentration of phenomena suggests multiple spirits inhabit the property simultaneously. His written accounts provide valuable historical context for understanding the inn’s haunted reputation.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Atlantic Paranormal Society conducted a preliminary investigation of Captain Grant’s Inn in 2015. Their team spent seventy-two hours monitoring the property with various scientific instruments and recording devices. Investigators documented unexplained temperature fluctuations, electromagnetic anomalies, and compelling audio evidence. They classified the location as genuinely haunted based on their findings and recommended further study.

Multiple independent paranormal research groups have investigated the inn over the past two decades. These teams consistently report similar phenomena across different visits and seasons. The correlation between independent findings lends credibility to the supernatural claims. Equipment malfunctions and battery drainage occur frequently during investigations despite fully charged backup power sources.

Thermal imaging cameras have captured heat signatures moving through rooms when no living persons are present. These thermal anomalies take humanoid shapes and move with purposeful direction rather than random patterns. One investigation team recorded a cold spot measuring forty-two degrees while surrounding areas remained at sixty-eight degrees. The temperature differential lasted seventeen minutes before dissipating without explanation.

Spirit box sessions conducted in room five have produced responsive communication suggesting intelligent haunting. Investigators ask questions and receive relevant answers through the device’s radio frequency sweeps. One session captured a female voice stating “Adelaide” when asked for the spirit’s name. Another investigation recorded “find him” when asking what the spirit wanted from the living.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

Visitors should exercise caution when exploring the basement and attic areas of the inn. These spaces contain low ceilings, exposed beams, and potential trip hazards from the building’s original construction. The management restricts attic access due to both structural concerns and the aggressive entity reported there. Guests must obtain permission before entering any staff-only or private areas of the property.

The well behind the building poses a significant safety hazard despite protective barriers installed around it. Visitors should observe the structure from a safe distance and never attempt to look inside. The ground around the well can be uneven and slippery, particularly during wet weather. Parents should closely supervise children when exploring the outdoor areas of the property.