7 Pennsylvania ghost stories: from Gettysburg to Eastern State Penitentiary
Read about the ghosts that haunt Pennsylvania’s historic sites, fields, and forests.
Ghost stories aren’t just about things that go bump in the night. They help us work through our fear of the unknown—and connect us to history. Whether or not you believe in the supernatural, many ghost stories are rooted in real people and real events, offering a window into the lives and struggles of the communities that keep the folklore alive. They remind us of the people who came before us—and let’s be honest, they also add a little mystery and atmosphere to spooky season. Here are some of Pennsylvania’s most enduring ghost tales, from historic hotels and a notorious prison to the battlefields of the past.
Gettysburg Ghosts (Adams County)
As the site of the famous Battle of Gettysburg, the pivotal, three-day Civil War battle where more than 50,000 Union and Confederate soldiers lost their lives, Gettysburg is rich with ghost stories and paranormal tales. From reported apparitions of soldiers to phantom sounds of gunfire, the town is considered one of the most haunted places in the United States, and numerous ghost tours explore its historic sites each day. Ghosts have been reported at Devil’s Den, a rock formation where many soldiers died, and photographers have said their equipment unexpectedly malfunctions at the site. Visitors have also claimed to hear the sounds of drumbeats and marching on the battlefield. And as legend has it, three Confederate deserters were hanged at Sachs Covered Bridge, and their spirits are said to linger—visitors have reported seeing three ghostly figures at the bridge and even smelling cigar smoke when no one else is around.
The Ghost Bride of Hotel Conneaut–Lake Conneaut (Crawford County)
Northwestern Pennsylvania’s Hotel Conneaut first opened in 1903, and according to the ghost stories, some of its guests never left. The historic hotel was built as a summertime destination for tourists visiting the shores of adjacent Lake Conneaut. The most famous resident ghost is Elizabeth, a newlywed who stayed at the hotel with her husband in 1943. According to the tale, a fire broke out, and Elizabeth was trapped on the third floor and perished. (Though there is some dispute as to whether anyone actually died in the fire.) Today, guests have claimed to see Elizabeth walking the halls of the third floor, wearing her wedding gown and searching for her husband, who escaped the flames. Others say they can smell her jasmine perfume.
Maxo Vanka and the Millvale Apparition–Millvale (Allegheny County)
Just across the river from Pittsburgh, Millvale’s St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church features the famed Maxo Vanka Murals. These 25 murals, painted in 1937 and 1941 by Croatian American artist Maxo Vanka, are powerful statements on American industry, war, immigration, and inequality. And according to Vanka himself, they were created despite a ghostly distraction.
Vanka painted at night by himself, since he worked best undisturbed. But during the 1937 session, he kept seeing a black-cloaked figure in the church. He assumed it was the church’s pastor, but after the figure’s mutterings interrupted his painting, Vanka went to confront the pastor—and found him asleep. The pastor, Father Albert Zagar, began to accompany Vanka during his nighttime painting sessions, as the presence of the spirit was making the artist uneasy. Soon, even Father Zagar started noticing strange occurrences. Vanka ended up wearing blinders and earplugs to keep his focus away from the “Millvale Apparition.” Today, you can visit the murals yourself by way of a guided tour—perhaps you’ll encounter the spirit that was so intent on distracting the famous artist.
Friendly Spirits at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem–Bethlehem (Northampton County)
Historic Hotel Bethlehem was built in 1921, but it stands on the site of the First House of Bethlehem, which dates back to 1741, and became the Golden Eagle Hotel in 1823. That being said, it has welcomed guests—including some ghostly ones—for centuries. The spirits here are so well known that the hotel itself acknowledges them (repeatedly using the word “friendly,” mind you). Indeed, the spirits said to inhabit the hotel shouldn’t keep you from staying there, because they don’t seem intent on terrorizing visitors. Guests have reported hearing the ghostly song of May Augusta Yohé, the original owner’s granddaughter, who was known for her voice. Others, like one couple who stayed in the famously haunted Room 932, have awoken to the ghost of a man politely wondering, “Why are you in my room?”
The Legend of Betty Knox–Dunbar (Fayette County)
The fishers who cast their rods at Dunbar Creek share a legend about a young woman who lived and worked in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains of southwestern Pennsylvania, but who eventually disappeared without a trace—that is, until she came back to haunt the area. Betty Knox lived alone and hauled grain by oxen, several miles each day through unforgiving terrain, around the time of the Civil War. She eschewed the advances of the local men, though she did attempt to nurse a wounded Union soldier back to health until his death. One day, she stopped showing up at the grist mill, and neighbors formed a search party to find her. They never did, so it’s unclear whether she died or simply left the area. But a local park and street were named after her, and legend has it that if you whisper “Betty Knox” three times in the woods, her ghostly figure will appear.
Penn State’s Old Coaly–State College (Centre County)
My favorite ghost on this list (apologies to the others, please don’t haunt me) is definitely that of Old Coaly, a mule who helped build Pennsylvania State University and reportedly never left. Old Coaly helped build the original Old Main building in 1857, stayed on with the school to help with various tasks for more than 30 years, and soon gained fame as an early mascot. The students loved him so much that when he died in 1893, his bones were preserved—you can even see them today, on display in the student union. But that’s apparently not the only place where you may encounter (or rather, hear) Old Coaly. Some students have reported hearing ghostly clip-clopping through the halls and phantom sounds of neighing. (They’re so lucky.)
Lingering Spirits at Eastern State Penitentiary–Philadelphia
Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829 as a model of a new form of prisoner detainment. The penitentiary—a word derived from “penitent”—was intended to rehabilitate prisoners rather than simply punish them. In practice, prisoners endured harsh conditions, maltreatment, and isolation, and their suffering has inspired ghost stories for more than a century, long after the prison closed in 1971. Visitors have reported ghostly figures in the cellblocks, a shadowy guard atop the building, strange voices, and sudden cold spots. Paranormal investigations held at the prison have aired on TV shows including “Ghost Hunters,” “Ghost Adventures,” and “Portals to Hell.” Today, the historic site no longer allows ghost hunts (though it hosts some haunted attractions), with the organization explaining they detract from its mission to educate about the penitentiary’s history and advocate for criminal justice reform.
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