VIRGINIA – PETERSBURG

Centre Hill Mansion, a grand home perched on a hill overlooking downtown Petersburg, Virginia, is one of the city’s most historically significant and reportedly most haunted sites. Built in 1823 by Robert Bolling IV, a wealthy landowner and prominent figure in Petersburg society, the mansion has been a witness to some of the most pivotal events in American history, particularly during the Civil War. It served not only as a residence for wealthy families but also, at times, as a military hospital and headquarters for Union officers after the fall of Petersburg. Over the years, Centre Hill has become famous for its ghost stories, with reports of phantom figures, unexplained footsteps, and other strange occurrences that continue to intrigue both visitors and paranormal investigators.

The Union Officer’s Ghost

One of the most well-known hauntings associated with Centre Hill is the apparition of a Union officer, often seen walking the mansion’s halls. This figure is believed to be connected to Centre Hill’s use as a Union military headquarters after Petersburg fell to Union forces in April 1865. The officer is typically described as wearing a blue Union uniform and is often seen near the second-floor stairway, moving silently through the house before vanishing without a trace.

This haunting is thought to be tied to the intense emotions and significant events that unfolded in the house during the war. After the Siege of Petersburg, Union troops occupied the city, and Centre Hill became a key location for Union leadership. The ghost of the Union officer is likely a residual haunting, with the officer’s presence forever tied to the house due to the dramatic events that occurred there during the war.

Mysterious Footsteps in the Night

In addition to the sightings of the Union officer, one of the most commonly reported paranormal events at Centre Hill involves the sound of unexplained footsteps. Visitors and staff have heard heavy boots walking across the wooden floors, particularly at night when the house is quiet. These footsteps are often described as deliberate, as though someone is marching through the mansion on an important mission.

The footsteps are usually heard on the second floor, near the rooms that were once used by Union officers. Despite numerous reports of this phenomenon, no physical source for the sounds has ever been found, adding to the mystery of Centre Hill’s hauntings. Some believe the footsteps may be those of soldiers who were stationed at the house during its use as a military headquarters, their spirits still patrolling the mansion long after the war ended.

The Phantom Procession on January 24th

One of the most unique ghost stories tied to Centre Hill is the legend of the phantom soldiers’ procession that reportedly takes place every year on January 24th. According to local folklore, on this date, the sound of ghostly soldiers marching up to the mansion can be heard, accompanied by the rhythmic beat of a drum. The origins of this ghostly parade are unclear, but it is believed to be tied to the military history of the house, possibly a residual haunting connected to a significant event that took place during the Civil War or its immediate aftermath.

Some speculate that the procession is a spiritual reenactment of the arrival of Union forces in Petersburg after the fall of the city. Those who have witnessed or heard the procession describe the experience as eerie but non-threatening, as though the spirits are simply marching through time, oblivious to the living world around them.

Other Paranormal Phenomena

Beyond the apparitions and footsteps, Centre Hill has been the site of numerous other paranormal experiences. Visitors have reported cold spots in certain rooms, particularly in the areas that once served as hospital wards during the Civil War. These cold spots are often accompanied by a feeling of sadness or heaviness, as though the suffering of the soldiers who were treated (and possibly died) in the mansion has left a lasting imprint.

Some guests have also claimed to see objects moving on their own, particularly small items like candles or books. Doors have been known to open and close without explanation, and on more than one occasion, lights have flickered or turned off completely, even when the electrical systems were functioning normally.

Centre Hill’s Historical Weight

Centre Hill’s long history as a family residence, military hospital, and headquarters has undoubtedly contributed to its haunted reputation. During the Civil War, the mansion was a key site in the Union’s occupation of Petersburg, and many soldiers passed through its doors—some seeking medical care, others stationed there as part of the Union leadership. The emotional energy of the war, combined with the deaths and suffering that occurred within its walls, may have left a spiritual imprint on the house.

Even after the war, Centre Hill continued to be a significant historical site. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge visited the mansion, further solidifying its place in American history. The weight of all these events, combined with the mansion’s age and historical significance, make it a prime location for paranormal activity.

Residual Hauntings and Emotional Imprints

Many of the hauntings at Centre Hill are thought to be residual, meaning the energy of past events continues to play out, like a recording stuck on repeat. The phantom footsteps, the Union officer’s ghost, and the annual procession of soldiers all point to events from the past that have left a deep mark on the mansion.

Paranormal investigators who have studied the house have documented various unexplained phenomena, including fluctuations in electromagnetic fields, temperature drops, and EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) that seem to capture the faint voices of long-dead soldiers and residents. These investigations have only deepened the belief that Centre Hill is one of the most haunted locations in Petersburg.

Conclusion

Centre Hill Mansion stands as a testament to Petersburg’s rich and complex history, but it is also a place where the past feels incredibly present. The ghostly Union officer, the mysterious footsteps, and the phantom soldiers’ procession all contribute to the mansion’s reputation as one of Petersburg’s most haunted sites. For those who visit, Centre Hill offers a glimpse into the city’s Civil War legacy, where the spirits of the past still seem to roam the halls of this grand and haunted home.

[Main Photo by Taber Andrew Bain (CC)]