The Historic Ballard House, built in 1840, stands as one of the oldest properties in La Grange, Kentucky. Having remained in the Ballard family the entire time, it was once owned by Livinia Ballard. Livinia is the first woman to own property in Oldham County, winning a lawsuit against her brother-in-law after her husband’s passing. The property has been used for many purposes, from a single family home, to apartments, and now commercial businesses. Even though it once housed squatters and drug dealers, it is currently the home for From the Ground Up Books and Mystic Bliss Creations, a bookstore, gift shop, and art gallery.
As a part of the La Grange, Kentucky Ghost Tour, its rich history is intertwined with tales of hauntings and paranormal occurrences. Witnesses have reported seeing a full-bodied apparition of a woman after man and woman were fighting upstairs, with the apparition attempting to push observers down the stairs. Ghostly manifestations of children have also been spotted within the building.
Remaining in the Ballard family since its construction prior to the arrival of the railroad in La Grange, KY, the house has accumulated numerous paranormal stories over the years. One notable account involves a potential renter peering through a window and witnessing a ghost child playing in the rear of the property.
The Ballard House is also known for encounters with shadow people—a phenomenon where dark, humanoid figures are seen moving through the rooms or corridors, often disappearing when approached. Visitors and residents alike have reported these unsettling sightings, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the house.
Furthermore, unexplained sounds and voices are frequently heard within the building. These mysterious noises range from footsteps echoing through empty rooms to faint whispers or conversations heard when no one else is present. Such auditory phenomena have puzzled investigators and intrigued visitors, contributing to the house's reputation as a site of ongoing paranormal activity.
In addition to its documented paranormal phenomena, the Ballard House holds a personal story of a former resident who, as a child, had an imaginary friend—a little girl. Over the years, this resident came to believe that their imaginary companion was not imaginary at all, but a spirit residing within the house.
The town of La Grange, where the Ballard House is located, is renowned for its haunted reputation. Nestled on limestone bedrock and intertwined with underground waterways, the town's geological features are believed to contribute to heightened paranormal activity. Ghostly sightings and experiences have been reported not only within individual homes but also in various businesses throughout La Grange. This unique geological backdrop has earned the town a reputation as a hotspot for supernatural encounters, drawing paranormal enthusiasts and investigators seeking to uncover the mysteries hidden within its historic streets and buildings.