Ghosts Of Davidson

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Ghosts Of Davidson

Ghosts of Davidson is a walking tour of Davidson, its history and its hauntings

06/20/2026

20% off with code “SPOOKYSUMMER”

If you haven’t taken our north side tour yet, what are you waiting for? It’s the perfect summer night for a chilling walk through Davidson’s past!

Or how about the gift of local history and terrifying tales for your favorite spooky dad? 👻

Tickets at www.ghostsofdavidson.com

06/19/2026

BUT…WHAT ABOUT THE HORSE???

On our tours we often tell the story of General William Lee Davidson who was shot and killed right off his horse at the Battle of Cowan’s Ford on Feb 1, 1781.

I often get asked if the horse lived. I found the answer today! The horse Gen Davidson rode into battle that day belonged to his cousin, Major John Davidson of Rural Hill. After the General’s death, the riderless horse found his way back home and may be the reason we still have Gen Davidson’s pistols today (I’m holding one here!)

The British had stolen everything off the General’s body, including his clothes and wallet. However, he had a special double holster for his two pistols that was made to fit in front of the horse’s saddle. He was shot before he had time to draw his pistols and therefore more than likely the weapons were carried back to Rural Hill by the horse.

The pistols, holster and a sword belonging to General Davidson now live at the Davidson College Archives and were displayed for public viewing today. Thank you to the Archives & Special Collections and Davidson Historical Society for today’s presentation.

06/11/2026

No, it’s just Rev. Frank Arthur Barnes pictured here with his Davidson College class of 1895 of which he was Valedictorian. The Barnes family moved to Davidson in 1890 and lived in a house located where the “Well Cat Center” at 439 N. Main St. is now.

Unfortunately the Barnes family encountered a series of tragedies after moving to Davidson. Father William H. Barnes died of tuberculosis in 1896 at the age of 46. Two years later son Carl also died of tuberculosis at the age of 21. Son Fred died suddenly of heart failure at the age of 21 in 1904 right in front of the Helper Hotel (Carolina Inn) on Main St.

Sister Florence Barnes stayed in Davidson and ran a very popular boarding house for students out of the family home.

As for Rev. Frank Barnes himself, he had a long career in ministry living in North Carolina, Virginia and Texas. In 1946 he passed away at the age of 68 in nearby Kannapolis where he had recently taken a position at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church. Any resemblance to the deceased “Fast and Furious” star is merely coincidence (or is it????)

1895 class photo from Quips & Cranks yearbook from the Davidson College Archives & Special Collections.

06/02/2026

June 2, 1935 Rufus Hall took his own life. In 1914 as a child in Davidson he had been accused of causing a train derailment which resulted in two deaths.

Do you think he held on to his guilt all those years? The cause of death on the death certificate reads “Suicide by blasting top of his head off with single barrel shot gun.”

Hear more about Rufus and other doomed citizens of Davidson on our “Davidson After Dark” tours. June calendar is up! 👻💀🪦

05/30/2026

20% OFF WITH CODE “SPOOKYSUMMER”

Did you ever wonder about the iconic homes and buildings on the south side of Davidson?

Join us tonight at 7:30 while we spill the true, terrifying tea on the people and places of historic Davidson 👻

05/29/2026

Ready for warm summer nights with true terrifying tales that will chill you to the bone?

We have ONE more tour left in May this Saturday the 30th and our June calendar is now available!

Use promo code “SpookySummer” at checkout to get 20% off your tickets all summer long 👻🪦💀

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is a day to honor those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. In Davidson that includes the Erwin brothers.

Erwin Lodge off of Grey Road was built as a community gathering space to honor Capt. George Phifer Erwin who died in a plane crash in Kansas following a training mission in January 1945 and Lt. Edward J. Erwin Jr. who was killed less than a month later in the Philippines.The Erwin brothers grew up in Davidson and graduated from Davidson College. Their mother was a librarian at the college and their father was an English professor for over 30 years.

The Erwin brothers are both buried in the Davidson College Cemetery off Main St.

05/19/2026

May 18, 1954 - Today in Davidson history, two Davidson College students were apparently involved in a “panty raid” at Queens College!

05/18/2026

May 17, 1927, the Charlotte Observer reported that Davidson College had threatened expulsion to students who continued with their “su***de club.” To be clear the club was for studying su***de, not attempting it. Join us this Friday, May 22 for more dark stories of Davidson’s history. 💀🪦

05/14/2026

I talk about the ghost of General Davidson on my tours - come hear from him in person this Saturday! Free program from Davidson Historical Society

Address

Davidson, NC
28036

Website

https://www.ghostsofdavidson.com/

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