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Haunted America
Roswell: History, Haunts and Legends
The town of Roswell is haunted by the lingering ghosts of generations long dead. In this historic Georgia town, spirits roam through ruined mills, antebellum mansions and slave cabins, searching for those lost in the battles of the Civil War. From the banks of the Chattahoochee to the streets of Roswell s historic district, chilling specters remind us of this charming Southern town s shocking past. Author Dianna Avena blends Roswell s history with tales of the city s most famous haunts from the slave quarters of Bulloch Hall to the cracked graves in Founder s Cemetery to send chills down the spines of locals and visitors alike."
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
130 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 5, 2023
Growing up my dad always used to book ghost tours in the cities we explored on vacations. When he moved to Hawaii, he took us many times to see Glen Grant, a master storyteller, recount us spooky “obake” tales. I got spoiled. In the 2000s, a new trend overtook the ghost world, and that was ghost “hunting.” Since then, every single ghost tour I take is more concerned with encountering ghosts, telling stories about people that once encountered ghosts and showing pictures of weird orbs.
Alas, the Roswell ghost tour in Roswell, GA is just like this. You move through the town, encountering old buildings and cemeteries, only to be told tales about how 21st century people got spooked there. The old traditional ghost tours used to talk about actual people who once lived, only to meet gruesome or sad ends. Stories that made you grateful for your life, and while romanticizing the past, also made you glad you didn’t live through it, when death was seemingly constant. Not anymore. On the Roswell tour, we literally visited a modern playground and were told that sometimes the swings swing…by themselves! Disappointed is too light a word to describe my feelings.
So this book was written by the originator of the Roswell ghost tour. She wrote her best stories I guess. Sadly there are no historic tales of people who actually lived only to be now turned into ghosts. Instead it is about ghost hunting, of which the author has starred on some ghost hunting show season or been a guest star. And mentioning people who feel cold or avoid basements. Sigh.
The truth is, I don’t even believe in ghosts. As a Muslim I believe in the unseen, which includes invisible entities that can sometimes make themselves seen like jinn and angels. However I love a good ghost story. Stories about people getting scared or seeing lights are not ghost stories. Stories about electrical objects not working are not ghost stories. Stories about cold spots and ugly houses that make you feel weird are not ghost stories.
I miss the old days when ghosts were about dead people and not the living.
Alas, the Roswell ghost tour in Roswell, GA is just like this. You move through the town, encountering old buildings and cemeteries, only to be told tales about how 21st century people got spooked there. The old traditional ghost tours used to talk about actual people who once lived, only to meet gruesome or sad ends. Stories that made you grateful for your life, and while romanticizing the past, also made you glad you didn’t live through it, when death was seemingly constant. Not anymore. On the Roswell tour, we literally visited a modern playground and were told that sometimes the swings swing…by themselves! Disappointed is too light a word to describe my feelings.
So this book was written by the originator of the Roswell ghost tour. She wrote her best stories I guess. Sadly there are no historic tales of people who actually lived only to be now turned into ghosts. Instead it is about ghost hunting, of which the author has starred on some ghost hunting show season or been a guest star. And mentioning people who feel cold or avoid basements. Sigh.
The truth is, I don’t even believe in ghosts. As a Muslim I believe in the unseen, which includes invisible entities that can sometimes make themselves seen like jinn and angels. However I love a good ghost story. Stories about people getting scared or seeing lights are not ghost stories. Stories about electrical objects not working are not ghost stories. Stories about cold spots and ugly houses that make you feel weird are not ghost stories.
I miss the old days when ghosts were about dead people and not the living.
November 2, 2018
OMG I LOVED IT! BEST HISTORY AND PARANORMAL BOOK EVER! I GOT IT SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR THE NIGHT BEFORE I TURNED TWELVE! MY MOM IS FREINDS WITH THE AUTHOR!
November 2, 2023
Interesting mix of stories. Overall, a great read!
October 12, 2025
Lots of history. Now I need to see if I can spot a ghost.
February 14, 2017
Thrilling!
I recently moved to the neighboring town of Sandy Springs and when I saw this book was about Roswell I decided to check it out. Now not only do I want to go on the ghost tour, but I wish I had moved to Roswell instead! Fascinating read and well worth the time.
I recently moved to the neighboring town of Sandy Springs and when I saw this book was about Roswell I decided to check it out. Now not only do I want to go on the ghost tour, but I wish I had moved to Roswell instead! Fascinating read and well worth the time.
September 23, 2013
I picked this up after a recent tour with Roswell Ghost Tour. The book offered a lot of information, both historic and paranormal that continued the tour even after coming home. Really the pair go hand in hand for anyone who is a serious history buff, and or interested in the paranormal. Very well written, enjoyable to read both historic facts and personal experiences. Having read various historic/haunt type books of several locations I have visited through the years, this has actually been one of the better. I especially liked the careful balance of fact and experience, it wasn't pushy or trying to sell you on anything. At any rate, I recommend it for anyone who likes either history or paranormal books, and especially anyone who has been on this tour.
September 27, 2011
Was cool to read it after going on the Ghost Tour. Can't wait to go back and do it again!
February 12, 2018
For a book that boasts history, this book has zero citations. And oral account is still an oral history and should be treated and cited as such.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews