Haunted Places in Pennsylvania

Students have long whispered about Wanda, a young woman who died here in 1956. Her presence is said to linger in certain halls, where lights flicker and footsteps echo long after the building should be empty.

Altoona — Mishler Theater:

This historic theater carries the spirit of its founder, Isaac Mishler. Visitors describe the scent of cigar smoke drifting through empty aisles, along with footsteps and lights that behave as if someone is still tending the stage.

Bedford — Jean Bonnet Tavern:

A colonial inn with centuries of stories, the Jean Bonnet Tavern is known for lanterns that sway on their own and shadowy figures glimpsed near the stairways. Guests often say the building feels “alive” at night.

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Bethlehem — Historic Hotel Bethlehem:

This elegant hotel is home to several lingering spirits, including a former landlady and a Victorian-era performer. Room 932 is especially active, with reports of lights switching on and off and small objects moving without explanation.

Centralia — The Ghost Town:

With an underground mine fire burning since 1962, Centralia’s abandoned streets and smoking ground already feel otherworldly. Visitors sometimes report shadowy figures near the cemetery or along the empty roads, adding to the town’s eerie reputation.

Concrete City (Luzerne County):

Built in 1911 and abandoned soon after, this concrete company town now sits in silence, slowly being reclaimed by nature. The hollow, windowless structures create an unsettling atmosphere that many explorers describe as “watchful.”

Evans City — Evans City Cemetery:

Famous as the filming location for Night of the Living Dead, the cemetery has its own share of ghostly stories. Visitors mention cold spots and the sense of someone walking just behind them.

Gettysburg — Farnsworth House Inn:

Once used as a Confederate hospital, this inn still bears bullet holes from the battle. Guests report phantom footsteps, the spirit of a midwife, and a child named Jeremy who is said to tug at clothing or giggle in the halls.

Gettysburg — Gettysburg Battlefield:

The fields of Gettysburg remain one of the most haunted landscapes in America. People describe apparitions of soldiers, distant cannon fire, and mists that move against the wind. Little Round Top and Devil’s Den are especially known for strange activity.

Gettysburg — Jennie Wade House:

The home of the only civilian killed during the battle, this small house carries a heavy stillness. Visitors often feel sudden cold drafts or hear footsteps on the stairs.

Gettysburg — The Gettysburg Hotel:

Guests have reported figures in period clothing appearing in hallways or rooms, along with unexplained temperature drops. The hotel’s long history seems to echo through its walls.

Gettysburg — Sachs Covered Bridge:

This peaceful bridge is said to be haunted by Confederate soldiers executed for desertion. Some visitors claim to hear whispers or feel a sudden chill while crossing.

Hershey — Union Canal House:

Room 104 is known for a spirit named Rebecca, who reportedly moves objects or appears briefly in mirrors. The restaurant’s staff often mention unexplained noises after closing.

Jim Thorpe — Old Jail Museum:

Once home to the Molly Maguires, this 19th‑century jail is famous for the mysterious handprint in Cell 17 that refuses to fade. Cold spots, shadows, and a lingering sense of dread are common experiences.

New Castle — Hill View Manor:

Originally a poorhouse and later a nursing home, Hill View Manor has decades of sorrow within its walls. Paranormal investigators frequently capture voices, footsteps, and full‑body apparitions in its long, dim hallways.

Norristown — Selma Mansion:

This historic home is known for disembodied voices and footsteps that travel from room to room. Some visitors report seeing figures in upper windows when the house is empty.

Philadelphia — Baleroy Mansion:

Nicknamed the “House of Death,” Baleroy Mansion is said to host several spirits, including a malevolent presence in the Blue Room. Objects move on their own, and some claim to have seen the ghost of Thomas Jefferson wandering the halls.

Philadelphia — Eastern State Penitentiary:

This crumbling Gothic prison is one of Pennsylvania’s most chilling sites. Shadow figures, eerie laughter, and sudden cold spots are frequently reported, especially in Cellblock 12 and the old Death Row area.

Philadelphia — Fort Mifflin:

Known for the “Screaming Woman,” believed to be Elizabeth Pratt, Fort Mifflin is rich with Revolutionary War history and paranormal activity. Visitors describe whispers, flickering lights, and apparitions of soldiers in the casemates.

Philadelphia — Independence Hall:

Some staff and visitors claim to have seen figures resembling Benjamin Franklin or Benedict Arnold. The long corridors and historic rooms often feel charged with unseen energy.

Pithole City (Venango County):

Once a booming oil town, Pithole was abandoned almost overnight. Today, its empty foundations and quiet fields create a ghostly reminder of a vanished past.

Pittsburgh — Allegheny County Jail:

Former inmates are said to linger in the old jail, where shadowy figures and unexplained noises are common reports.

Pittsburgh — The Riddle House:

This historic home has been the site of multiple paranormal investigations. Visitors describe apparitions, strange noises, and the feeling of being watched from darkened corners.

Spring City — Pennhurst Asylum:

Notorious for its history of neglect, Pennhurst is one of the most active paranormal sites in the state. Shadow figures, children’s voices, and aggressive activity are often reported in the Mayflower Building and the underground tunnels.