The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has been around since December 12, 1787. Before that it was the Province of Pennsylvania and even before that it was the home of the Lenape and Susquehannock Native American Tribes. It’s not hard to find places throughout the state that are Haunted.
Countless battles were fought in the valleys and hills of Pennsylvania. Many historical and famous people traveled to and lived in the state. With so much rich history, there are bound to be ghost stories.
From the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War to America’s Oldest Prison. See some of the Haunted Places in Pennsylvania to visit below. Be sure to leave us a comment on some of your ghostly experiences below.
Gettysburg
How can any post about haunted locations in Pennsylvania not include Gettysburg as either the first place or last? With an estimated casualty count of over 50,000, there is little wonder why this place is haunted. As many of you are aware, the Battle of Gettysburg, was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War and the turning point of the war.
Sadly, many of the men that died here never got to leave and continue to live the horrors of the battle to this day. It’s not unheard of to hear cannons firing or seeing ghostly figures of soldiers walking the battlefields. Take a walk around the grounds and see what you can hear.
Some of the supposedly haunted areas include Devil’s Den, Spangler Farm, Gettysburg College, Farnsworth House Inn, and Gettysburg Orphanage. Gettysburg is an amazing place to visit for its rich history. Don’t be afraid to visit just because you might hear some ghostly cannons or see a wounded soldier.
Philadelphia
As one of the oldest cities in America it’s not hard to find places that are very old and very haunted. Some of the supposedly haunted places have an interesting or funny story to them. One place is the American Philosophical Society Library. If you believe some people, you can witness the ghost of Ben Franklin dancing in the streets in the area or walking through the building carrying books.
Another place you can witness Ben Franklin or at least his spirit is where he was buried at. At the Christ Church Burial Ground Franklin is said to steal pocket change and sometimes even throws pennies at people. Now if Franklin wants to throw a penny at me from the 1780’s I’ll take it.
Philly is a big city with hundreds of people out and about. Take a stroll down Elfreth Alley at night. Even if you are the only person on the street, you won’t feel alone. It even has an eerie feeling during the day.
Eastern State Penitentiary
I know, Eastern State is in Philadelphia but this place deserves its own spot on this list. Each year hundreds of people experience some kind of paranormal activity within the walls of America’s oldest prison.
From shadowy figures, voices, cold spots, and even screams. Plus we aren’t even talking about what is held for halloween every year. The prison was open for 142 years and housed up to seventy thousand people in that time. The prison is full of history of suicides, disease, torture, and even murder. It is said that those that died never left.
Cellblocks 4,6, and 12 are the most haunted areas at Eastern State Penitentiary. Take a tour and you might just see ghostly faces, echoing voices, hear footsteps, or feel like something or someone is touching you.
Cemeteries
Cemeteries around the country and world are some of the most haunted places you can visit. It’s not uncommon to see floating orbs, feel cold even on warm summer nights, or get goosebumps out of nowhere.
Some of the most famous in the state for haunted sightings include Leverington Cemetery, Laurel Hill Cemetery, Restland Cemetery, Snyder Cemetery and many others all around the state. Do you feel brave enough to sit in one alone at night?
Old Jail Museum
The old Jail Museum in Jim Thorpe is supposedly haunted by Irish coal miners who were executed at the Jail in 1877. Before one of the miners was hung they left a handprint on the wall. Mysteriously, this can still be seen today even after the area has been plastered, washed and painted.
Bolton Mansion
Bolton Mansion in the Holly Hill section of Levittown is known as the haunted house in the area. The mansion has sat at that location since 1687. Look up at the double window on the second floor and you might see a little girl.
Or look and listen closely while outside and you might spot a woman wearing a cloak wandering the grounds crying. Inside you might spot a Civil War soldier standing at the steps. Some people even claim there is a ghost cat walking the grounds.
Delaware River
The Delaware River flows for 282 miles and passes through woodland, towns, and major cities. People have claimed to see ghostly apparitions on some of the small islands in the river. One appears to be a young male of the Lenape tribe who called this area home.
There have even been reports of a ghostly boat traveling up and down the river from Trenton to Philadelphia. Floating orbs have even been witnessed on the river near New Hope.
PA Wilds
The Pennsylvania Wilds is located in North Central Pennsylvania and covers 2 million acres of forest and mountains. The area is filled with legends and ghost stories. Take a hike at Ole Bull State Park to Ole Bull’s castle and it is said you can hear a phantom violin playing when the wind blows.
Route 44 in Potter County is a remote stretch of road that takes travelers to Cherry Springs State Park. At night you might be the only one on the road for miles and miles but you will never feel alone. Many people claim to see orbs of lights in the woods and along the road.
There is even an old ghost story of a man who was murdered in the early 1800’s and his body was buried in the woods. His family never found the body and his spirit is said to roam the area trying to get people to follow him so he can get a proper burial.
The PA Wilds are very peaceful and very dark at night. Some of the darkest skies on the east coast are in this area. You never know what you might see in the dead of night.
Have you witnessed or heard of any of these haunted locations before? Do you know of any stories we should include in our next post about haunted places in Pennsylvania to visit? Make sure to leave us a comment below.
Looking for other haunted places to visit? Check out the Top Ten Haunted places on the East Coast, Haunted and Spooky places around Philadelphia, or Truly Haunted Locations in Pennsylvania. At least one of these locations will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
