The Legend of the Horseshoe Curve Tunnel Ghost

      

Altoona Side of Tunnel

     Many local haunts and legends can be classified as urban legends. One popular legend deals driving through a tunnel at night in hopes of seeing a ghost. Usually the driver has to do a ritual of horn beeps and flashing lights. Altoona Pennsylvania just happens to also have its own take on the urban legend. The reason it has survived generations and is still popular, is probably due to its ties with the Horseshoe Curve. This story takes place down the mountain from the Curve at the Tunnel next to the visitor center.

      So what supposedly haunts the Horseshoe Curve Tunnel? Well, from just about every account of the legend, a beautiful young women in a white flowing dress is said to manifest there. This young irish women, when she was alive, would wait on the Altoona side of the tunnel for her man to return from working on the Horseshoe Curve. The story takes two different turns at that point. Some believe she still roams the tunnel awaiting her man who never returned to her. He was either killed in an accident or murdered over some bar room brawl he was part of. When others tell the tale, she was the one murdered in the tunnel and is doomed to never get out.

      The point of visiting this location is to hopefully catch a glimpse of the lonely woman in white. If you dare to try your luck, you are to arrive between 11pm and 3am. Another account says to drive past the three reservoirs before the tunnel approximately seven minutes until Midnight. The best time to visit is on a full moon and when precipitation is present like fog, rain, or snow. Once you arrive to the tunnel at the right moment, drive through heading up hill away from Altoona. Then turn your car around about 50 yards from the tunnel using the pull off. Be sure no cars are coming or behind you, then begin the drive forward into the tunnel at midnight. The next parts do at your own risk. Turn off the lights as you enter and drive slowly. Beep your horn three times in the middle of the tunnel and turn off the engine. Sit quietly as long as you safely can. Listen for the young women's voice and keep alert out the windows to catch sight of her. If nothing happens, drive through and you might see the young irish girl standing on the wall outside.

      Besides seeing the young women or hearing her voice, people also report having multiple hand prints on their car when they get home and look at it. Other witnesses report care trouble or feeling something hit their car while in the tunnel.

      The haunting at the Horseshoe Curve tunnel could be interpreted as a local urban legend. It could also have some merit to it if you believe in the paranormal. The haunting has a semi-believable history behind it, as well as, multiple eye witness accounts from generations that you can not fully discount. However, the best way to make up your mind about this legend is to try and experience it first hand. Please just take caution.

Brumbaugh Homestead

      While a few friends and myself were on our way to go fishing in Raystown Lake, we decided to make a detour trip to an old home I had heard about. Heading north of Marklesburg on Route 26 we made a right hand turn on Weller Road. Traveling back the dirt road we approached a small turn-around area and parked our car. Off in the distance we could make out the top of a building through the trees.

View of Fireplace

      There was not much left of the Brumbaugh home when we got closer. It was once the grand home of Jacob Brumabugh who purchased the land in the early 1800's. The area is also known as the Timothy Meadows Farm due to its location. The oldest part of the stone building was built in 1804, and later several other additions were made to the 2-story house. Some historians believe the homestead was used later for the James Creek Congression.

View inside the Homestead

      The homestead is now just a stone shell with a few old wooden beams and the remnants of a fire-place. Nature is slowly reclaiming the property. If you decided to visit this location, please be respectful of this piece of history.

Walter H. Main Circus Wreck

   

     While on my way to a more known location outside of Tyrone, I just so happened to catch a monument out of the corner of my eye. I found a place to turn my car around and parked along the road. In what many would consider the middle of nowhere, there sat this memorial to a train wreck that happened over 100 years ago. The plaque memorializing this tragic part of local history gave me some insight into what happened on May 30^th 1897, and the internet and other resources help to fill in the gaps.

      The Walter H. Main Circus was one of the best and well-known traveling circuses of the time. While traveling on the Tyrone/Clearfield railway it derailed near McCann's Crossing which is about 3 miles from Tyrone Pennsylvania. The train was carrying all of the circus performers and works , as well as, all the animals. Some of the animals remained unharmed from the accident like the elephants and camels, however, nearly 50 horses were killed. Some animals like the snakes escaped from the scene and some never found. One tiger that escaped was caught only a few yards from the train. Another tiger made its way to a nearby farm and killed a cow. The farmer by his surprise and with no other choice had to shot and kill the tiger. Seven men were killed in the derailment, and 19 people were injured and taken to the near by field hospital.

      To get to this location, Head east on Old Route 220 and make a Left onto Vanscoyoc Road. Only a few yards later, you come to a “Y” and follow the road to the left onto Baughman Cemetery Road. The Walter H. Main Circus Wreck memorial is then on the left hand side.

Captian Phillips Ranger's Memorial

      I lucked out growing up in a region of Pennsylvania with such a rich history to it. It was that asset that lead me to one of my first and favorite places to visit; the Captain Phillips Memorial. Many locals and vacationers have probably passed the sign along Rt. 26 if they were heading to Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County. The sign is very easy to pass if you are not looking for it, and my first trip to the location I found myself a few miles off course. I first heard of the location through a local paranormal investigation team, and heard it was haunted. Little did I know at that time, that it also had a fascinating story as well.

      In 1780, Captain William Phillips, was commissioned by Coronel John Piper to recruit a company of men to protect the Morrison's Cove and Wood Cock Valley. The area of Morrison's Cove is a valley of now farmland in central Blair County and the Woodcock valley is in Huntingdon County between the Terrace and Tussy mountains. At that time early pioneer families had started to settle the land in the area, but threats of indian attacks were still very much real. Captain Phillips pulled together a band of rangers including his son, men from the Skelly, Shirley,Gaitrell,Kelly and a few other families. On July 15^th of 1780, the rangers began a scouting trip through the two valleys.

      Along the way, they had found little evidence of any indian raids or attacks, and only a few deserted homes. By Sunday, they had found the deserted house of Fredrick Heater and decided to take up camp for the day of rest. The night passed quietly and safely, however, when the rangers awoke they were surprised to find the home surrounded by 50 plus indians and 2 white men. The men knowing they were grossly outnumbered tried to stay silent and awaited the indians to make the first move. Finally, one indian fired on the house to get the rangers attention. Gaitrell then shot an indian a few yards away in retaliation. The indians then began to take battle formations in the woods around the house.

      The indians began to fire volleys of arrows and bullets at the home. The house was built sturdy and the rangers remained safe, firing back when ever possible. The rangers were able to pick a few of the indians off between the bombardment and wound a few others. The battle was brought to a climax when one member of the Skelly family was able to shoot the chief through the cheek. The indians then took retaliation and set the house ablaze. The rangers tried in vain to stop the fire and remove the roof and were forced to surrender.

      The two white men that were with the indians spoke as interpreters and negotiated the surrender. Phillip's rangers were forced to give up their guns or be killed. Without any other options they did as they were told and their hands were tied and started for Kittanning Pennsylvania. Only after a short distance the indians had split up Captain Phillips and his son from the other rangers. Phillips and his son kept marching with the indians as the other rangers were tied to trees, struck with arrows and scalped. Phillip and his son were worth more to the indians alive since they were officers. They were taken to Detroit Michigan and held as prisoners of war.

      By the end of the Revolutionary war, Captain Phillips and his son were released and made there way back to Blair County. Captain Phillips Son made his home a short distance from Williamsburg where his home still stands today. He is buried in Snively Cemetery about 2 miles south of Williamsburg.

      The story of the Phillips Rangers lived on with there descendants. On April 16^th 1926 , a memorial was placed at Fisher's Summit to dedicate the rangers who lost their lives. Over 1000 people had attended the dedication and 17 acres of land was donated to the Saxton Legion Post 169 by W.A Graffons and his family to preserve the memorial. Later on January 25^th of 1933, while doing some grading around the monument, human remains were found under a few tree bases 18 inches underground within 10 feet of the monument. Only five people's remains were found with 3 unaccounted for. The remains were placed in a casket with a bronze tablet over it beside the memorial.

      I have visited the memorial many times. It is well landscaped and paved up to the memorial site. If you plan to visit, I would recommend going midday in the autumn with the trees changing colors but anytime during the spring, summer or fall would do. As far as this place being haunted, I leave you to make your own decisions. Many believe the area is haunted by the Indians who lost their lives during the battle. People also believe you can hear drums in the woods or see shadow people around the monument. If you do visit this location, all I ask is to please be respectful.

Ghost Town of Bennington

Bennington Cemetery

 

     Traveling from Altoona to Gallitzin, you can still see some remains of nearly 100 old coke furnaces that follow the road. The furnaces were part of a small operation that mined iron from the nearby valley. With the need for labor in the area the town of Bennington was founded in 1846. The town was at its peak during the construction of the Gallitzin tunnels and began as a shanty town to house the migrant workers. The Pennsylvania Railroad and the Blair Iron & Coal Company,later Cambria Iron Company, were the primary employers of the town and encouraged growth of the town. Life was especially hard during the winter and the town was only reachable by train during the winter months. The only road at that time, Sugar Run Road, was impassable in winter conditions. On February 18^th, 1947 one of the largest train disasters took place on the Bennington Curve; the wreck of the Red Arrow. Over 20 people lost their lives and even more were injured. It was later found during an autopsy, that the engine-man was blind in one eye and did not see a train on the same track that was running late.

View Looking Towards Altoona

      All that remains of the town now is a small cemetery, a few remnants of mining, and coke furnaces. The cemetery is reachable by car. Take Rt. 22 to the Gallitzen exit then take the first right. Then take the 2^nd left back an old forest road and then parallel to the train tracks. The cemetery is marked and it is a few yards up a hill from the parking area.

Royer Mansion & Cemetery

Royer Mansion

      Many small communities in the early 1800's had an iron furnace in Pennsylvania. The village of Royer was no different. Samuel Royer and his family, by which the town was named, settled a short distance south of Williamsburg PA on what is now Route 866.

      Their original home had accidentally burned down and the second home was built in 1815 which still stands today known as the Royer Mansion. Across the street from the mansion, the Springfield Furnace was built to smelt iron. descendents of the Royer family lived in the home up until the death of Carrie Hartman which was the wife of Samuel Royer's grandson. The house was later sold to the fish and game commission and then purchased by the Blair County Historical Society in 1984. The mansion is occupied by a Tennent in the upstairs who maintains the property. The downstairs of the mansion is like walking back in time with little changes from its original decor. Tours and various events are still held on the property to this day.

Spring House

      Besides being of historical interest, the Royer Mansion has acquired a paranormal interest as well. Stories are told of ghostly children laughing outside the adjacent spring house and apparitions seen in the windows of the mansion. One witnesses story even claims that the spirit of Carrie Hartman gave a tour of the mansion to unsuspecting tourist. They later called the Blair county historical society to praise how well the tour went. However, they found out that the tour guide had taken ill that day and no one from the society was on the property to give the tour they experienced.

      The Mansion is used throughout the year for local gatherings and events namely the Halloween ghost story tellings and haunted tours. To have a tour of the building simply contact the Blair County Historical Society.

      The ghost stories don't end with the mansion, the Royer Cemetery has a few as well. Royer Cemetery sits at the base of Lock Mountain between Williamsburg and Hollidaysburg. Stories have circulated about shadow people and mysterious lights seen through the cemetery. 

Royer Cemetery

The Bedford Coffee Pot

     Along the Lincoln highway/Rt. 30 many roadside attractions used to litter the side of the road. Many of the tourist traps that sat along American's first coast-to-coast highway have been torn down or are now privately owned. However, in Bedford one of the old attractions still stands. On the Bedford county fairgrounds a huge coffee pot sits just a few yards from the highway. The Coffee pot was originally owned by the Koontz family and operated as a service station. Through the years the building became unkempt and almost burnt down. The building was marked for demolition until a government grant was given to restore and move the coffee pot from its prior location to the county fair grounds. Today people can still stop and get a glimpse of the roadside giant at the entrance of the fair grounds.