Pickens County Courthouse – Haunted Courthouse in Carrollton, Alabama

The Pickens County Courthouse stands as a haunting monument in the heart of Carrollton, Alabama. This stately Greek Revival structure has earned its reputation as one of the most authentically haunted locations in the American South.

What makes this courthouse particularly eerie is its most famous paranormal feature. A ghostly face permanently etched into a courthouse window has terrified visitors for over 135 years.

The mysterious image appears in a second-story attic window facing the town square. No amount of cleaning, scrubbing, or even glass replacement has ever removed this spectral portrait.

Local historians and paranormal researchers have documented this phenomenon extensively. The face has remained visible through storms, renovations, and countless attempts at explanation.

This isn’t just a case of pareidolia or wishful thinking. Thousands of witnesses have observed the same distinct facial features staring out from behind the glass.

Historical Background

The Pickens County Courthouse was constructed in 1877 following the Civil War. The building replaced an earlier courthouse that had been destroyed during the conflict.

The architect designed the structure in the Greek Revival style popular during that era. Massive white columns support the front portico, giving the building an imposing presence.

The courthouse has served as the center of county government for nearly 150 years. Countless trials, executions, and dramatic legal proceedings have occurred within its walls.

The building witnessed some of the most tumultuous periods in Alabama history. Reconstruction era tensions, Jim Crow laws, and civil rights struggles all played out in its courtrooms.

The most significant event occurred on January 31, 1878, just months after construction finished. A man named Henry Wells stood accused of burning down the previous courthouse.

Wells proclaimed his innocence from a second-floor jail cell inside the new courthouse. An angry mob had gathered outside, demanding justice for the arson.

According to historical accounts, Wells pressed his face against the attic window. He cursed the town and swore his face would remain as proof of his innocence.

Lightning struck the building at that exact moment, witnesses reported. When the flash faded, Wells’ face had been permanently burned into the window glass.

Paranormal Activity Summary

The ghostly face of Henry Wells remains the courthouse’s primary paranormal phenomenon. Visitors describe seeing a clear profile of a human face in the northwest attic window.

The image appears most clearly on overcast days or during late afternoon hours. The face seems to change expression depending on lighting conditions and viewing angles.

Photographers have captured thousands of images of the window over the decades. Each photograph shows the same distinct features including eyes, nose, and mouth.

Beyond the famous face, courthouse employees report numerous other supernatural occurrences. Footsteps echo through empty hallways during early morning and late evening hours.

Cold spots manifest suddenly in specific courtroom areas without any logical explanation. Temperature drops of 15 to 20 degrees have been documented by paranormal investigators.

Doors throughout the building open and close on their own despite being locked. Security systems have captured footage of doors moving with no visible cause.

County clerks working late hours describe feeling an oppressive presence. Several employees have reported sensing someone watching them from empty corners.

Objects mysteriously relocate overnight in offices throughout the building. Files appear on different desks, chairs move positions, and lights turn on inexplicably.

Ghost Stories & Reports

Henry Wells’ story begins with accusations of arson in 1876. The original Pickens County Courthouse had burned under suspicious circumstances.

Wells, a formerly enslaved man, became the primary suspect in the fire. Many historians believe he was targeted due to racial tensions during Reconstruction.

After his arrest, Wells was held in the new courthouse’s second-floor jail. The cell overlooked the town square where crowds often gathered.

On that fateful January day, an angry mob assembled outside the courthouse. They shouted accusations and demanded that Wells be turned over to them.

Wells appeared at the attic window to proclaim his innocence one final time. He reportedly shouted that God would prove him innocent through a sign.

Witnesses described a tremendous lightning bolt striking the courthouse at that exact moment. The flash was so bright that many in the crowd temporarily lost their vision.

When people looked back at the window, Wells’ face had been seared into the glass. The image showed Wells’ profile turned toward the courthouse square.

Wells was later lynched by the mob, never receiving a fair trial. His ghost is said to remain at the courthouse, seeking the justice he never received.

Many descendants of Wells have visited the courthouse over the years. They report feeling a strong connection to the face in the window.

Other spirits reportedly haunt the courthouse beyond Henry Wells’ presence. Bailiffs have described seeing shadowy figures moving through courtrooms late at night.

A woman in Victorian-era clothing has been spotted on the main staircase. She appears solid and real before vanishing when approached.

Some believe this female spirit is the widow of a judge who served here. She allegedly died of heartbreak after her husband was killed in a courtroom shooting.

Children’s laughter sometimes echoes through the basement where juvenile cases were once heard. No source for these sounds has ever been identified.

Former judges report feeling cold hands on their shoulders while reviewing cases. This phenomenon seems most common in cases involving potential wrongful convictions.

Most Haunted Spot

The northwest attic window remains the courthouse’s most paranormally active location. This second-story window displays Henry Wells’ face for all to see.

The attic itself is rarely accessed except during special tours or investigations. Those who venture into this space report overwhelming feelings of sadness and anger.

The original jail cells on the second floor also experience significant paranormal activity. Visitors describe hearing chains rattling and men’s voices speaking in hushed tones.

Cell number three, where Wells was allegedly held, produces the strongest sensations. Psychic mediums claim to feel Wells’ presence most powerfully in this specific location.

The main courtroom on the first floor witnesses shadow figures and unexplained sounds. Multiple judges have reported seeing a man standing in the defendant’s box after hours.

Can You Visit?

The Pickens County Courthouse remains an active government building open to the public. Visitors can view the haunted window from the courthouse square at any time.

Access to the building’s interior is available during regular business hours Monday through Friday. The courthouse operates from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays.

Entry to the courthouse is completely free for all visitors. However, respect for ongoing government business is expected from all guests.

Special guided tours can be arranged through the Pickens County Historical Society. These tours provide access to restricted areas including the attic and old jail cells.

Photography is permitted both inside and outside the courthouse building. Many visitors specifically come to photograph the famous window from various angles.

The Carrollton Tourism Board occasionally offers paranormal investigation nights during October. These special events require advance registration and a small participation fee.

Visitors should remember this is an active courthouse with ongoing legal proceedings. Courtrooms may be restricted during trials or other official business.

Best Time to Visit

The haunted face appears most clearly during overcast conditions or late afternoon. Direct sunlight can make the image harder to distinguish against the glass.

Early morning hours between 7:00 and 9:00 AM offer excellent viewing opportunities. The angle of morning light creates dramatic shadows that enhance the facial features.

October and November provide ideal weather conditions for viewing the phenomenon. The lower sun angle during autumn months creates optimal lighting conditions.

Paranormal activity inside the courthouse intensifies during late evening hours after business closes. Security personnel report the most activity between 11:00 PM and 3:00 AM.

Anniversary dates related to Henry Wells’ death see increased supernatural occurrences. January 31st brings many ghost hunters hoping to experience heightened paranormal activity.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Judge J.W. Patterson documented his experiences in the courthouse during the 1920s. He wrote about hearing unexplained footsteps following him through empty corridors.

Patterson specifically mentioned feeling watched while reviewing case files late at night. He described a presence that seemed to judge his decisions.

Court reporter Margaret Simmons recorded her encounter in 1947 after working late. She saw a man’s silhouette standing in the attic window from inside the building.

Simmons ran to investigate but found the attic door locked and undisturbed. When she looked back toward the window, the figure had vanished completely.

In 1978, courthouse maintenance worker David Thompson attempted to clean the window. He reported that water and cleaning solution seemed to evaporate instantly upon contact.

Thompson described feeling an electric sensation when touching the glass near the face. He refused to attempt cleaning that window again after his experience.

Paranormal investigator Rebecca Martinez studied the courthouse extensively in 2003. Her team recorded EVP evidence of a male voice saying “innocent” repeatedly.

Martinez also documented temperature anomalies consistent with intelligent paranormal activity. Her findings were published in “Southern Ghost Stories Quarterly” magazine.

Local historian Dr. James Warren has interviewed over 200 witnesses since 1985. He maintains a comprehensive database of paranormal experiences at the courthouse.

Warren’s research confirms consistent patterns in reported phenomena across different decades. The testimonies show remarkable similarity despite witnesses having no contact with each other.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The courthouse has been investigated by numerous professional paranormal research teams. The Alabama Ghost Hunters Society conducted their first investigation in 1999.

That initial investigation yielded multiple EVP recordings and unexplained photographic anomalies. Thermal imaging cameras detected human-shaped heat signatures in empty rooms.

The Southeast Paranormal Research team spent three nights investigating in 2008. They recorded over 40 distinct EVP samples throughout the building.

One particularly clear recording captured a voice stating “they were wrong about me.” Investigators believe this refers to Wells’ wrongful accusation and execution.

Electromagnetic field detectors consistently spike near the haunted window and jail cells. These readings suggest concentrated energy sources consistent with paranormal theories.

A 2015 investigation by University of West Alabama researchers used advanced equipment. Their study documented unexplained light anomalies visible only on infrared cameras.

The courthouse appeared on an episode of “America’s Most Haunted” in 2017. The television crew experienced equipment malfunctions and captured compelling video evidence.

Their footage showed a shadowy figure moving across a courtroom despite no one being present. Audio equipment recorded unexplained knocking sounds during their overnight investigation.

Local Legends & Myths

Beyond the historical account of Henry Wells, several legends have developed over time. Some locals believe the face in the window changes expressions to reflect courthouse events.

According to this legend, the face appears angry before unjust verdicts are delivered. Witnesses claim the expression softens when justice is properly served.

Another persistent myth suggests that touching the window brings bad luck. Several people who allegedly touched the glass experienced unfortunate events shortly afterward.

Some versions of the legend claim Wells cursed not just the window but the entire building. This supposedly explains why multiple spirits haunt the courthouse rather than just Wells.

Elderly residents tell stories of hearing chains rattling on stormy nights. They interpret this as Wells’ ghost reliving his imprisonment and eventual lynching.

A lesser-known legend involves a Confederate soldier who allegedly haunts the courthouse basement. He supposedly died hiding there during Sherman’s march through Alabama.

Some witnesses claim to smell gunpowder in certain courthouse areas with no source. This is attributed to various violent incidents that occurred during the building’s history.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

Visitors must remember that the Pickens County Courthouse is an active government building. Disruption of official business or court proceedings can result in legal consequences.

The attic and certain restricted areas require special permission to access. Unauthorized entry into these spaces constitutes trespassing and is prosecuted accordingly.

After-hours access is strictly prohibited without prior arrangement through proper channels. Security systems monitor the building 24 hours a day.

The building’s age means some areas have structural concerns that require caution. Uneven floors, steep stairs, and low clearances present potential hazards.

Visitors should never attempt to touch or damage the famous window. The window is considered a historical artifact protected by local preservation ordinances.

Cursed or Haunted Objects

The glass pane containing Henry Wells’ face is considered the primary haunted object. Multiple attempts to replace this window have resulted in the face reappearing mysteriously.

In 1948, officials replaced the entire window with new glass. Within weeks, the face had somehow transferred to the replacement pane.

Some historians claim the original judge’s bench from the 1878 era carries residual energy. Judges sitting at this antique bench report feeling influenced toward merciful decisions.

An old wooden chair in the second-floor hallway allegedly belonged to Henry Wells. People who sit in this chair describe feeling sudden overwhelming sadness.

Court records from Wells’ case are kept in a special climate-controlled archive. Staff members avoid handling these documents due to the unsettling feelings they produce.

The original iron shackles used in the jail cells remain in the courthouse museum. Touching these artifacts reportedly produces visions of prisoners who were once held here.

A portrait of Judge Henry Clay that hung in the main courtroom had to be removed. Too many people reported the judge’s eyes seemed to follow them around the room.