HauntBound archive · catalog record
Reported phenomena — as catalogued
A Greek Revival bed-and-breakfast built in 1842 for Macon's mayor, where three distinct apparitions—including the original owner, a little girl, and a tall blonde woman—have been reported by guests and staff for decades.
353 College St, Macon, GA 31201
Research updated June 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
$$
Nightly room rates vary by season; see website for current pricing.
Access
Limited Access
Historic 1842 Greek Revival structure with period stairs and narrow corridors; limited accessibility
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1842 · Greek Revival Antebellum Architecture · Built for Macon Mayor John Gresham · College Hill Historic District
The property at 353 College St was constructed in 1842 for John Gresham, then serving as mayor of Macon, Georgia. The building is a textbook example of Greek Revival residential architecture, featuring a columned facade and symmetrical floor plan typical of prosperous Southern homes of the antebellum period. Macon at the time was a growing commercial center for middle Georgia's cotton economy, and homes like Gresham's reflected that prosperity.
The structure survived the Civil War intact. Macon was largely spared from Union destruction—General Stoneman's cavalry was repulsed at Sunshine Church in August 1864 before reaching the city—leaving the antebellum streetscape along College Street substantially preserved. The block retains several 19th-century structures.
The building operated as a private residence through most of its history before conversion to an inn. It now functions as a boutique bed-and-breakfast with rooms in both the original 1842 structure and a Victorian-era annex added in the late 19th century. Visit Macon and regional travel publications describe it as one of Macon's most historic lodging options, known both for its preserved architecture and for its paranormal reputation among guests.
Sources
Guests and staff at the 1842 Inn have documented paranormal reports over many years, with accounts organized around three recurring figures. The first is associated with the Dogwood Room in the original 1842 wing, where the apparition of John Gresham—the mayor who built the house—is most frequently reported. The second figure is a little girl, seen at various locations throughout the property; no historical record ties this figure to any specific individual.
A third apparition, described consistently as a tall blonde woman, has been observed by multiple guests and staff members in different areas of the inn. Visit Macon's tourism documentation references her as among the most commonly reported figures. Fodor's Travel dispatched a paranormal investigator and psychic medium to the inn as part of a broader survey of Macon's haunted history; their findings identified multiple areas of reported activity, particularly in the original structure.
Unexplained phone calls originating from vacant rooms are among the most frequently cited operational anomalies. Staff have reported these calls occurring with enough regularity that they have become part of the inn's documented lore. Cold spots, particularly in the historic wing's corridors, are also noted in visitor accounts.
Notable Entities
Media Appearances
Guests book one of the inn's rooms in the original 1842 structure. The Dogwood Room is associated with the apparition of former owner John Gresham. Unexplained phone calls from vacant rooms and cold spots have been reported throughout the property. Standard overnight booking; no structured ghost hunt is offered.
The property preserves its Greek Revival architecture including original woodwork, antebellum furnishings, and a courtyard garden. Guests are free to explore the common areas and grounds. Visit Macon includes the 1842 Inn on its haunted Macon itinerary.
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