Vampires and ghosts all in one place in historic Covington? That’s right, Gaither Plantation is used for the filming of The Vampire Diaries, and is also supposedly haunted. The plantation was originally home to the Gaither family and their slaves during the 19th century, but is now a historic home open to the public for tours.
Dr. Henry Gaither was a rich Newton County physician who owned the home. His son, William Hubert Gaither, and his wife Cecelia, who had two children, operated the 875-acre plantation, with assistance from 130 slaves. During the Civil War, the farm was also used by soldiers during Sherman’s March to the Sea.
Several paranormal societies and ghost hunters have spent the night in this historic Covington plantation searching for ghosts, and they believe that that various members of the Gaither family, as well as Civil War soldiers, haunt the plantation.
Along the road in the plantation is also the Harris Springs Primitive Baptist Church, which is said to be haunted as well. Music and yelling have been heard by ghost hunters visiting the location.
For more information about the historic Covington ghost tours or to reserve a spot on an overnight investigation (which runs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.), contact parahunters@yahoo.com.
