Did you know there's a replica of Jesus' tomb in the United States?


Published on July 9, 2025


Credit: Jez Timms

You don't have to travel to Europe to find catacombs, crypts, and old underground tunnels. Here in the United States, we have our fair share of fascinating—and creepy—sites to discover. From church burials and Civil War passageways to underground cities, the country is full of hidden treasures worth visiting. If you're not afraid of the dark, cobwebs, and bones, join us as we unravel 10 spooky underground places you probably didn't know existed.

1

Seattle Underground

Credit: Quark-Dose

Seattle Underground is a sort of hidden city beneath the streets of Seattle, Washington. In the mid-19th century, the city’s streets were at ground level, but after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 destroyed much of downtown, city planners decided to rebuild the streets one story higher, leaving a whole new second floor on top of the existing ruins.

For a time, people continued to use these underground secret passageways, but in 1907, they were closed to prevent illegal occupations. In the 1950s, the abandoned tunnels became a tourist attraction. Today, you can visit them and see the old storefronts, artifacts, and bank vaults for yourself!

2

St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral

Credit: Darndale

St. Patrick's Neo-Gothic Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan is one of New York City's architectural marvels. However, the original building, built in the early 1800s, is more modest and located in Lower Manhattan. This historic site is particularly special, as it houses the only catacombs in New York City and one of the handful that exist in the United States.

These subterranean tunnels served as a burial place for church parishioners for over 200 years. As New York grew, space became scarce, and it became necessary to find alternatives to house the deceased. Today, guided tours offer visitors a chance to explore this emblematic and sacred site.

3

Nashville’s underground tunnels

Credit: minree

Not many people know that Nashville has a network of hidden tunnels beneath its streets. They are mostly hidden from the public, but locals know about them thanks to the many spooky legends that have emerged throughout the years.

Some of these underground passageways date back to the Civil War era and were reportedly used to transport goods and soldiers. Others were constructed in the late 1800s as utility tunnels for steam and coal delivery. According to local lore, the tunnels were also used for secret escapes and Prohibition-era smuggling. Would you visit them?

4

The hidden catacombs of Indianapolis

Credit: kalhh

Who would have guessed there is a hidden underworld in Indiana's capital city? Thousands of people visit the Indianapolis City Market every day, but not many know about the catacombs hidden underneath.

These underground chambers were built in the 1880s as part of Tomlinson Hall. In the 1950s, the building burned down, yet the basement survived and is still standing today. Visitors can walk through the tunnels and admire the beautiful old brick arches. But that’s not all: once used primarily for storage, these catacombs are now open for tours, special events, and even parties!

5

St. Francis Seraph Church

Credit: Agent J

Originally established in 1819 by Cincinnati’s first Catholic settlers, St. Francis Seraph Church is best known today for its underground crypt. The present building was erected years later over the old church, and the remains from the former gravesite were relocated to a newly built crypt beneath it.

The site remains intact to this day and displays the headstones of the 42 individuals buried there nearly 200 years ago.

6

The Crypt of Civilization

Credit: Joseph Sharp

Can you imagine discovering a time capsule sealed for over 6,000 years? The Crypt of Civilization at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, is a glimpse into our future past. It was sealed with a stainless steel door in 1940 and is not supposed to be opened until the year 8113, making it one of the longest-sealed time capsules in the world.

The crypt is located beneath the university, and the entrance is marked with a plaque describing its purpose. Inside are more than 800 items from the 20th century, including books, recordings, and everyday objects meant to preserve the culture and knowledge of the era.

7

Columbia catacombs

Credit: Tyler Mower

The Columbia Catacombs have been part of South Carolina’s capital city for generations. Nobody knows exactly what they were built for, but some believe they were used to move soldiers during the Civil War. Others claim the tunnels served as a hideout for bootleggers during Prohibition.

According to one of the many legends, these creepy tunnels were called ‘catacombs’ because in 1888, a student found human remains in the basement of DeSaussure College. While that story is likely more fiction than fact, if you’re curious—and brave—you might want to consider Columbia for your next haunted vacation.

8

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land

Credit: Thomas Scheiner

There are many landmarks to visit in Washington, DC, but you might want to give the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land a chance. In the early 20th century, Franciscan monks began constructing a full-size replica of Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The building is so faithful to the original that it even includes the underground cave where Jesus' birthplace is supposed to be preserved.

But that's not all; the monks who built this place decided to add Roman-style stone catacombs full of dimly lit passages. Unlike the catacombs in Rome, however, all the graves here are symbolic, except for the preserved bones of a child martyr from the 2nd century dubbed Saint Innocent.

9

Old North Church Crypt

Credit: Всеволод Машарский

Did you know that beneath Boston's Old North Church lies a crypt containing more than 1,100 burials? It's also an extremely significant place in our nation's history. The church itself is famously associated with Paul Revere’s midnight ride during the American Revolution. Imagine that!

Today, the crypt is full of old wooden coffins, and some of them are in surprisingly good condition despite being nearly 200 years old. Next time you visit the city, you can take a tour to learn more about the church's history and its permanent residents.

10

Louisville’s Mega Cavern

Credit: vale

One of Kentucky’s best-kept secrets is sitting right below the surface for everyone to enjoy. The Louisville Mega Cavern is a huge underground space that once served as a limestone mine.

Now it’s used for storage, events, and even an underground bike park. One of the largest caverns in the United States, this hidden gem covers 100 acres, has 17 miles of tunnels to explore, and stays at 58ºF all year round. Visitors can ride bikes, take tram tours, and experience the world’s only underground zip line! Would you dare to try it?


How about Ezra?

Time for a comeback: 12 great names that nobody uses anymore


Published on July 9, 2025


Credit: Nattalia Nuñez

As with many other things in life, baby names follow trends. In certain decades, thousands of Michaels seem to appear from everywhere, only to be overshadowed by legions of James in the next. For this very reason, we don’t hear of many babies named Herbert, or Edna anymore. So, if you are in the market for a baby name, maybe you can pick one that is not being over-used these days. Here are 12 suggestions for you!

1

Clifford

Credit: Paul Hanaoka

As George Carlin once said, strong names create strong men. So, why not give your boy a good old-fashioned serious name, like Clifford? This name of English and Germanic origin was once a last name meaning "ford by the cliff."

2

Mildred

Credit: Jeremiah Lawrence

Once a popular name in the past century, Mildred seems to have fallen out of favor in recent decades and it is currently hard to find anybody named Mildred who doesn’t have grey hair. This Anglo-Saxon name is composed of mild ("mild") and þryð ("power), meaning "gentle strength."

3

Longfellow

Credit: Henley Design Studio

A name that evokes a time gone by, Longfellow is a poetic name that was in demand back in the early 20th century. The name of English origin means, to no one’s surprise, "tall one."

4

Ethel

Credit: Jonathan Borba

If the last person named Ethel you remember is Ethel Merman, you are not alone. This aristocratic name means "Noble," and it has been sitting on the bleachers for far too long. Ethel is the short form of Etheldreda and was first used as an independent name in the 1840s.

5

Laverne

Credit: Humphrey Muleba

A name that was popular in the mid-20th century, Laverne has two different meanings. And one of them is much more flattering than the other, at least for most. According to Roman mythology, Laverna was the goddess of thieves, which doesn’t sound all that great. But the French origin for this name means "springlike." Much more agreeable.

6

Clarence

Credit: Jamie Coupaud

This name has been used until not so long ago but it has lost some of its popularity in recent years. This boy’s name has Latin origins and it means "bright." Not a bad omen for a baby!

7

Wilma

Credit: Anastasia Shageeva

A popular name when The Flintstones cartoon was originally airing, due to the leading character Wilma Flintstone, this name of German origin is a short version of Wilhelmina, meaning "will helmet."

8

Bessie

Credit: Juan Encalada

Bessie was originally a nickname for Elizabeth but it became a name in its own right quite some time ago. And, while it was a popular name back in the day, it has since fallen out of use.

9

Jethro

Credit: Kelly Romano

A serious name, indeed, Jethro is rarely heard these days. It has a biblical meaning in Hebrew scripture, where Jethro was an illustrious figure, renowned for his wisdom and leadership.

10

Gertrude

Credit: Jimmy Conover

A strong name for a strong girl, Gertrude is derived from Germanic roots meaning "spear" and "strength." And, if the name sounds too serious, Gertrudes can also go by the shorter nickname, Trudy.

11

Bertha

Credit: saiid bel

It may sound like a granny name but no one can deny that it has a lot of character and personality. And, besides, its German roots add a deeper meaning to it, since it translates to "the bright one."

12

Elmer

Credit: Luke Michael

Yes, it may sound like an antiquated name. Yes, the only known reference to it is the Warner Brothers cartoon, Elmer Fudd. But, still, it is a great name and no one is using it. This name of British origin means "noble" and "famous."

Looking for an extra scoop of literary fun?

Learn more with our Word of the day

calamitous

/kəˈlæmədəs/