The basement: often a forgotten space lurking beneath our homes. Some turn it into a home gym, others a man cave. But more often than not, it becomes a storage ground for forgotten junk. Because it’s so isolated, the basement often invokes a sense of mystery, even dread. It’s no wonder horror movies love to set their scenes in the dark, damp basements, where monsters are said to be biding their time. But what happens when reality surpasses fiction? Get ready to find out as we explore ten of the creepiest things people have actually found in their basements.
10. Nineteenth-Century Well
Wells can be pretty unnerving, especially when you imagine falling into their cold, dark depths. Now, imagine that well is inside your basement. Christopher Town, 67, experienced this firsthand when helping a friend move. The floor cracked, and he fell 20 feet into an old well. He clung to the walls until rescue workers saved him. The well had been located outside but was covered with wood when the house was expanded in the 1980s.
9. A Father’s Bones
Michael Carroll spent years trying to figure out what happened to his father, George, who disappeared in 1961. The mystery was solved when Michael bought his childhood home. After numerous attempts, the remains were dug up. George’s skull showed signs of blunt-force trauma. Michael’s mother passed away in 1998, so the full story of what happened remains a mystery.
8. Alligator
Imagine being a repairman called to fix some appliances and stumbling upon a 6-foot alligator! That’s what happened in Lansing, Illinois. The 200-pound alligator had been held captive in the basement for 26 years, munching on raw chicken. The homeowner, Charles Price, faced charges for illegally possessing an endangered species, but he maintained that he cared for the reptile.
7. Secret Housemate
Living with roommates can be weird, but what if you discovered a secret roommate living in the basement? Residents of a house in Ohio noticed strange occurrences, like open drawers and odd sounds. One brave roommate, Brett, found a man named Jeremy in the basement who wouldn’t answer questions. Police later found personal items in the basement. It was unclear how long Jeremy had been living there.
8. Revolutionary War Soldiers
Renovating an old home can unearth some surprises, but nothing like this. Homeowners in Ridgefield, Connecticut, found human remains under their basement floor. Archaeologists discovered three skeletons of men who lived between 1727 and 1777. This discovery marked the first Revolutionary War-era soldiers found in Connecticut.
5. Snake Infestation
Imagine moving into your dream home only to find out it’s infested with snakes! Royce Robins and Shaynon McFadden in Colorado experienced this nightmare. Hundreds of snakes slithered under their feet, popping up around the property. Pest control removed over 150 snakes from under the home at the cost of $8,000 for a new deck.
4. Nazi Tank
Hiding a small piece of Nazi memorabilia is one thing, but a whole tank? An investigation in Heikendorf, Northern Germany, revealed a WW2 Panther tank hidden in a senior citizen’s basement, along with ammunition. The collector was fined €250,000 and received a suspended sentence. The man’s lawyers claimed a U.S. museum was interested in buying the tank.
3. Chapel
Exploring an old house can reveal fascinating secrets. Pat and Diane Farla discovered an abandoned chapel in their 170-year-old home’s basement, hidden under a metal grid. Inside, they found a cross and hooks hanging from the ceiling. Stairs led to a hidden passage behind a dining room cupboard, likely used by Catholics or other religious groups to conceal their activities.
2. Bear
Hearing strange noises under your house can be alarming. A family in California discovered a full-grown bear hibernating in a hole connected to their basement. Luckily, the BEAR League, a volunteer organization, came to the rescue, waking the bear and safely removing it.
1. Poop-Covered Man
Police were called to a home where a grandson was reportedly breaking things in the basement and threatening to harm himself. They discovered a 23-year-old naked man covered in fecal matter jumping on chairs and hitting his head against the ceiling. The uncooperative man was tasered for his own safety, taken for a mental evaluation, and thoroughly cleaned up.
From skeletons to snakes, basements can hide some truly terrifying secrets. These stories remind us that the space beneath our homes can be full of surprises—some more welcome than others. So, next time you venture into your basement, remember these tales.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever found in your basement? Leave your comment below!