One famous Central Pennsylvania ghost story is about the Gettysburg ghosts. Given Gettysburg's history as a major Civil War battle site, many claim to see the apparitions of soldiers. They are often seen wandering the battlefields or in old buildings. Some say they can hear the sounds of gunfire and men shouting as if the battle is still ongoing.
The ghost stories from the State College area are quite well - known. There are stories of a spectral figure that haunts an old dormitory on campus. Students have reported strange noises at night, like footsteps in the hall when no one else is there. It's thought to be the spirit of a student who passed away many years ago.
The strange noises could potentially be due to the hotel's old infrastructure. Old pipes can make creaking sounds, and the building settling over time can also cause various noises. However, the fact that so many people have reported similar experiences over the years does make one wonder. Maybe there's some sort of energy or presence that we don't fully understand yet.
The religious beliefs of the Pennsylvania Dutch also play a part. Their strong faith influenced how they perceived the spirit world. Some stories might be warnings about moral behavior. For example, if someone was greedy or unkind, they might be haunted. And the isolation of the rural areas where they lived made it easier for these spooky tales to spread and be embellished over time. The tales were passed down orally from generation to generation, with each adding their own details, creating a rich tapestry of ghost stories.
In Centralia, there's a story about a little girl's ghost. Legend has it that she was lost in the chaos when the town started to be consumed by the underground fires. Her spirit is said to wander the streets that are now mostly deserted. People who have visited the area at night claim to have heard the faint sound of a girl crying, which gives the whole place an even more eerie atmosphere.
There are also tales of strange noises coming from empty rooms. It could be creaking sounds as if someone was walking around, even when no one was supposed to be there. Some think it might be the spirits of past employees who still feel attached to the place. For example, there was a story of a maintenance worker who passed away on the job, and people claim to hear his tools being moved around at night.
There could very well be. For instance, if there is a story about a haunted lighthouse on the Pennsylvania coast (if there is one). The lonely keeper's ghost might be said to still be tending to the light, even in death. Or a story about a haunted school building, where students and teachers have reported strange happenings like doors slamming on their own, cold spots in certain classrooms, and the apparition of a long - ago principal roaming the halls.
The hauntings at the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia are well - known. Some say Betsy Ross herself haunts the place. There have been sightings of a woman in colonial - era clothing, which is believed to be her spirit. It's thought that she may be lingering because of her strong connection to the house and the history she made there.
The story of the Jennie Wade House tops the list. Jennie was baking bread when she was struck by a stray bullet. Her ghost is often felt in the house. There are reports of a strong sense of unease and the smell of fresh - baked bread, which was what she was doing before she died.
There's a story about a haunted house in Pennsylvania. A family moved into an old Victorian - style home. Strange things started to happen right away. Doors would open and close by themselves, objects would move around, and at night, they could hear whispering voices. They later learned that a tragic event had occurred in the house many years ago, and it was believed that the ghosts were the ones causing all the spooky happenings.