At Arthur’s Tavern, three spirits are said to lurk. Employees say they’ve heard footsteps and seen lights come on and off or flicker and door open by themselves. There also have been reports of a clipboard flying off of a desk, ghostly whispers, and someone’s hair being pulled by something unseen.
Arthur's Tavern
Jenny Jump State Forest
At Jenny Jump State Forest, some say the ghost of Jenny lurks. Legend has it that she was 9 years old when she was playing on the cliffs, and the sudden appearance of a Native American nearby startled her. She called out to her father, who cried out in alarm, “Jump, Jenny, jump!” And Jenny did–unfortunately, to her death. Locals say her small, ghostly form can be seen in the vicinity of the cliffs.
Union Cemetery
Union Cemetery dates back to 1859 and is the burial place of Centenary College murder victim and alleged ghost, Tillie Smith. Witnesses say a girl in white walks along the road nearby and may get in the car with you if you ask her if she’d like a ride. She disappears shortly thereafter.
Southern Virginia University
The former Southern Virginia College, now Southern Virginia University, is said to be haunted by a young boy who rides his bicycle up and down the hallway of the fourth floor od a woman’s dormitory carrying a red balloon. Some also say his mother’s ghost haunts the third floor, looking for him, and calling for him in the bathrooms. And from the Tower Room, witnesses say strange noises can be heard behind its always-locked door.
Centenary College
Centenary College is said to be haunted by Tillie Smith, who has a tragic story. When she was 18, in 1886, she lived and worked at the college. Her body was found in a nearby field, raped and strangled. College maintenance man James Titus was accused of the murder, although he was known to be of high moral character. Despite only circumstantial evidence, Titus was convicted and sentenced to hang. To avoid hanging, he signed a confession of guilt and was allowed to live for 19 years in prison, until he was paroled in 1904. He continued to live in town until his death in 1952 and was buried in Union Cemetery, where there is also a monument to Tillie, unveiled in 1887. A play about Tillie is put on at the Centenary Theatre, written by Jeanne Walker, who did extensive research on Tillie and the trial. The theater also sponsors Tillie Walks, in which actors and actresses follow her trail through town acting out the events of the night she was murdered. And, perhaps, Tillie does still walk. Staff and students alike have reported seeing Tillie’s ghost at the college.
Parker's Battery
Parkers Battery was part of the Confederate defenses known as the Howlett Line, and saw frequent battles. It was occupied by Confederate forces until the fall of Petersburg, and some may still remain today. Witnesses describe apparitions of soldiers in the bunkers, and the soldiers are said to look either very unhappy or very confused.
Aspenvale Cemetery
Aspenvale Cemetery is the burial site of several Revolutionary War heroes such as Gen. William Campbell, famous for the Battle of King’s Mountain, and his wife Elizabeth, sister of Patrick Henry. Witnesses say the strange anomalies happen here along with an odd feeling that there is something unseen around. Orbs also have turned up in photographs of the site.
Winton Country Club
Winton Country Club, constructed in 1769, was the home of Sarah Winston Syme Henry, mother of patriot Patrick Henry. Legend has it that when Patrick Henry visited during the American Revolution, he had to secrete himself from the enemy in a pile of hay here. Rumors also say that Sarah Henry still lingers here, although she died Christmas Day 1784. Folks have felt her presence and heard her footsteps and the rustling of her petticoats.
Danville Museum - Sutherlin Mansion
The Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History, located inside the Sutherlin Mansion (originally built for William T. Sutherlin in 1859), has been called the “Last Capitol of the Confederacy.” It was here that Jefferson Davis spent long hours staring out the parlor window after he heard the news of the Confederacy’s surrender. Witnesses say ghostly activity occasionally is noted here, such as footsteps, a woman who appears in mirrors, phantom cigar smoke and a girl’s moan.
Lanier House
The Lanier House, the oldest documented residence in the city, was built in 1830 by Danville’s first mayor, Captain James Lanier. Although the structure now holds law offices, it has been the office of the city’s first pediatrician as well as a private residence. It is said to be haunted; witnesses attest to seeing apparitions and hearing mysterious voices and footsteps inside the building.
