Of all the places to become haunted, the haunted house is the most popular in folklore, dating back several thousand years.

According to legend, when a person dies their spirit leaves this world and moves on to the next world. However, sometimes their ghost will remain and haunt the area of its death.

As legend has it, the ghost in the house usually doesn't like having other people there and will do supernatural things to drive out the current occupants like breaking valuables, making strange noises, changing the temperature or displaying themselves in frightening apparitions.

Occasionally there is the story about a house being haunted by relatively friendly ghosts.

However, due to the correlation with ghosts, the haunted house is associated with Halloween.

In fact, the "haunted house" has become a huge Halloween attraction.

At the beginning of October, haunted houses begin springing up all over the place trying to give its patrons the scare of their life. And Putnam County is no different.

If you are looking to be scared this Halloween, visit any of the following Halloween happenings. Not only will you be scared, but helping a good cause, too.

* Lincoln Street Terrors -- This is no haunted house, but a haunted trail. The Cloverdale Music Boosters wants to frighten you on a trail through the cornfield on Lincoln Street south of the Ice Box. Brave souls can tour from 8 to 11 p.m. Oct. 10,17,24 and 31.

But if there are small children involved, take them during "family friendly" tours from 5 to 7 p.m. There is an admission charge of $5 for ages 12 years and older; $3 for ages 3 to 11 years; and children under the age of 3 years can tour for free.

All proceeds will help Cloverdale High School band members purchase letter jackets. So go, be scared and help band students raise money!

* Haunted Trail -- The woods next to the Putnam County Jail will become haunted again this Halloween. The trail will be open to scare its patrons for $1 from 8 to 10 p.m. Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31.

For children age 0 to 4 years and 5 to 12 years, there will be a costume contest at 5 p.m. Oct. 31. Prizes will be awarded for first and second place in each age group.

Candy will be given to everyone who takes the chance and enters the trail of fear.

This Halloween happening will benefit residents of Putnam County at Christmas time. All proceeds will purchase Christmas baskets for those in need during the holiday. Baskets are assembled and delivered by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department.

* Xplosion of Horror -- This frightening haunted house is located in Brazil, but promises to bring terror into your Halloween all the same

Michael Myers and more will be lurking in the shadows to scare the socks off anyone who dares to enter. There are no friendly ghosts here. Xplosion of Horror is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

Patrons will pay $7 each for a terrifying good time. This Halloween happening is open from 7 to 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday beginning Oct. 9. It is located on the south side of US 40, one minute west of Brazil.

Money raised will help the Xplosion softball team make it through its season. Team members are students who attend Greencastle, Cloverdale, Cascade, Avon and Northview high schools.

For the less brave at heart, there will be a hay ride hosted by The Sharks, a softball team for children 10 years or younger. Riders pay $4, but children under the age of 3 can ride for free.

* Haunted hay ride and barn -- If you're not a scaredy-cat, then check out a haunted barn or take a hayride into some terrifying woods.

On the hayride, you are guaranteed to catch a glimpse of the legendary headless horseman, as he races by searching for his next victim. Your senses will be overloaded as ghost and ghouls come flying at you from every angle.

Come, if you dare, to Indiana's scariest haunted barn. You will have to walk, crawl, slide or climb your way through the haunted barn as it takes mayhem to a new level. Every year, the list of people who couldn't handle it grows -- will you be able to handle it?

This Halloween happening is located at 6736 S. CR 500W, Jamestown and open Oct. 9-11, 16-18, 23-25 and 29-31. It will be scaring its patrons from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays; and 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The cost to enter the barn is $10 per person. For the haunted hayride, the cost is $12 per adult and $10 for children 12 years and younger. If you want to doubly scare yourself or family members, choose the combo price of $18 for adults and $16 for children 12 and under.