Hillsborough is one of North Carolina's most haunted towns - Axios RaleighLog InLog InAxios Raleigh is an Axios company.

The spookiest town in the triangle

One of the colonial-style homes in downtown Hillsborough. Photo: Zachery Eanes/Axios Nearly everything in the Triangle feels like it has been built, if not in the past decade, then in the past few decades. That's what a surging population since the 1960s will do. But there's one town that has kept its old-time charm more than others. Hillsborough, established in 1754, is the oldest town in the Triangle, but Occaneechi and Eno Native American tribes called it home way before European contact. That rich history also makes it one of the best places to visit during the Halloween season, when the orange-and-yellow fall foliage, colonial architecture and mist from the Eno River make it feel like the setting of a Stephen King novel. The town feeds into that as well, whether it is neighbors and businesses going all out with decorations or the evening ghost tours that wind through the historic streets and neighborhoods. Famed novelist and resident Allan Gurganus every year and there's a from the movie "Halloween" that . Olde Town Cemetery in Hillsborough. Photo: Zachery Eanes/Axios. The most haunted house there is on East King Street. The house, and originally a tavern called William Reed's Ordinary, was owned by the Hayes family from the 19th century into the mid-20th century, , a blog about the state's ghost lore.The Hayes family still haunts the home to this day, according to the legend, including one apparition that is said to appear as "." Your mileage may vary. The current owners have . What to do: Oct. 28-29, the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough is holding a featuring actors from the Orange Community Players. Zach's take: Even if you are not one to join a ghost tour, you can still catch the spooky ambience. Grab dinner and drinks at the , then make your way down to the town's riverwalk around dusk — and try not to get spooked by a sudden noise coming from the woods. You could then end the night catching some live music at the . Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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