Something profoundly poetic about cemeteries draws us in to celebrate the lives of lost loved ones – and to contemplate our own life (and death). For those who believe in ghosts, though, cemeteries have another purpose: a chance to convene with those that have passed but may not have fully crossed over, for whatever reason.

The view of a lovely graveyard first thing in the morning, with a burning fog lifting above the earth, is a sight to behold. And such is the case with the captivating Riverside Cemetery that sits on the banks of the French Broad River in Asheville.

Google/Gary Clark Unbeknownst to many, Riverside is one of the most haunted cemeteries in the entire country.

Created in 1885, it is the home to many well-known American figures, particularly those in the literary world. Thomas Wolfe and William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) are among them.

Google/Henry Stewart Unlike many cemeteries of the day, this one did not cater to just one segment of the population. There is a great dissimilarity among those that are buried at Riverside. They range from the very rich to the extremely poor and notable residents like politicians and celebrities to a group of 18 German sailors that all perished on the same day.

Even though the cemetery opened 20 years after the Civil War, a famous land battle of that war took place not even a mile away from Riverside.

Google/M Hall Although the Union troops ultimately retreated from the battle, Confederate casualties were still incurred. To this day, visitors to Riverside Cemetery still report hearing the shouting of the troops as they stroll quietly among the graves.

There have also been reports of nearby phantom gunfire (supposedly from that Civil War battle), and reportedly, an instance where a visitor viewed an apparition of an entire platoon of Confederate soldiers - in uniform.

Google/Erica Alliss Cemeteries are ripe for paranormal encounters. More often than not they are harmless.

The number of souls buried at Riverside in the more than one hundred years since it opened numbers well over 10,000, with some stats reaching as high as 13,000.

Google/Michael Miller FindAGrave.com places the current count at 10,018, with 80% of those having been documented on the site.

Have you ever visited the spookiest cemetery in North Carolina?

Google/Erica Alliss Think it’s profoundly poetic?

And lastly, have you ever encountered a ghost, either at this cemetery or another? We’d love to hear all about it so be sure to leave some feedback!

Google/Gary Clark

Unbeknownst to many, Riverside is one of the most haunted cemeteries in the entire country.

Google/Henry Stewart

Unlike many cemeteries of the day, this one did not cater to just one segment of the population. There is a great dissimilarity among those that are buried at Riverside. They range from the very rich to the extremely poor and notable residents like politicians and celebrities to a group of 18 German sailors that all perished on the same day.

Google/M Hall

Although the Union troops ultimately retreated from the battle, Confederate casualties were still incurred. To this day, visitors to Riverside Cemetery still report hearing the shouting of the troops as they stroll quietly among the graves.

Google/Erica Alliss

Cemeteries are ripe for paranormal encounters. More often than not they are harmless.

Google/Michael Miller

FindAGrave.com places the current count at 10,018, with 80% of those having been documented on the site.

Think it’s profoundly poetic?

For more spooky things to do in North Carolina, take this road trip to some of the most haunted places in the state!

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Address: Riverside Cemetery, 53 Birch St, Asheville, NC 28801, USA