Myths, legends and stories from Central Pa.’s most haunted locations

Pennsylvania is a very haunted place. Our area is quite spooky.

Young man with short dark hair, mustache and goatee.

By Bret Saveleski

Knightly News Reporter

bret.savelski@mymail.centralpenn.edu

With its rich, and often strange, history, Pennsylvania is adored by historians and ghosthunters alike. The commonwealth is widely regarded as one of, if not the most, haunted state in America.

Here are some of the most haunted areas in each county in South Central Pennsylvania.

Cemeteries are usually spots people believe are haunted. Photo from Stockcake, used under free license.

Adams County: Gettysburg

As the site of the three bloodiest days of the American Civil War, Gettysburg is a hotbed for paranormal activity. This has led it to being regarded as perhaps the most haunted town in the United States.

Countless sightings of deceased soldiers have been reported at Devil’s Den, Gettysburg National Cemetery, Little Round Top, Gettysburg College and The Jennie Wade House.

Being from this area, I can tell you that visiting any one of these locations is likely to bring with it some feeling of paranormal activity.

Cumberland County: Carlisle Barracks

Known as one of the best military schools in the world, Carlisle Barracks is a U.S. Army facility with a rich history dating from the 18th century.

According to the facility’s website, the barracks began as a post in the 1700s, when George Washington recommended it as the site for the newly proposed military academy before it lost out to West Point.

It then became the Carlisle Indian School in 1879 before it was returned to the War Department during World War I and became a hospital that specialized in the treatment of a newly identified trauma known as “shell shock” (known now as post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD). In 1951, the U.S. Army War College relocated to Carlisle Barracks.

One of the most famous stories of hauntings on the base is that the ghost of Olympic gold medalist Jim Thorpe, who attended the Carlisle Indian School, can be heard dribbling basketballs in the school’s gym.

Dauphin County: Harrisburg State Hospital, Harrisburg

Known as the Pennsylvania State Lunatic Hospital from 1851-1937, the hospital was the commonwealth’s first public facility used to house the mentally ill.

According to the Pennsylvania Pressroom, the commonwealth’s official news-release website, the hospital closed in 2006 due to the state downsizing its public mental-health system. The hospital is now used as office space.

There have been countless reports within the facility of screams, strange noises, shadows and footsteps. The exam room in the morgue is said to have bloodstains on the floor that appear from nothing.

Franklin County: Dykeman Pond, Shippensburg

According to Ship NC, the ghost of a woman named Mary may appear at night by the pond in search of her baby who drowned during the 19th century. All you must do is be brave enough to say the words, “Mary, I’ve got your baby” three times.

Juniata County: Academia Girl’s School, Port Royal

Now only ruins, legend has it that the Academia Girl’s School in Juniata County burned down in the 1800s from an unknown cause.

One version of the story is that the school’s gardener set fire to the building to cover his tracks after murdering many students. The girls’ ghosts are said to remain on this property and can sometimes be heard singing “London Bridge.”

Lancaster County: Bube’s Brewery, Mount Joy

This is said to be the only intact brewery from the 19th century remaining in the United States, Bube’s Brewery has been featured on the TV show “Ghost Hunters” and features ghost tours every first and third Friday of each month.

Legend has it that deceased members of the Bube family haunt the building. The apparitions have been described as friendly by those who have seen them.

Lebanon County: Lebanon Farmers Market, Lebanon

Built on the site of a 19th century prison, the Lebanon Farmers Market is seen as one of the most haunted places in Lebanon County.

According to an article from Lebtown, employees have experienced pockets of cold air and a heavy feeling in certain areas, lights flickering with no clear cause and footsteps when nobody is around. Some vendors have even reported seeing apparitions.

York County: Seven Gates of Hell, Hellam Township

Located somewhere in a wooded area off Trout Run in Hellam Township, Seven Gates of Hell is one of the most famous haunted myths in Pennsylvania.

The most popular version of the myth is that somewhere in the woods was an old mental asylum that burned down during the 19th century. Most patients were killed in the fire and gates were built to trap the escapees. Once found, those who escaped were beaten to death.

Legend has it that seven gates will appear while people pass through the area, and anybody who makes it past the fifth will never be seen again.


Comment or story idea? Contact KnightlyEditors@CentralPenn.Edu.

Edited by media-club co-adviser and blog editor Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.