Ghost Town of Alvira

Some call Alvira a ghost town; however, the town itself has been gone for the past 70+ years and is now part of State Game Land(SGL) 252. Originally named Wisetown, the area had been populated since the early 1800’s, and by the early 1900’s it was a booming American small town with the entire infrastructure. All that would come to change after the start of World War II. The government fearing there would be a huge need for explosives seized over 8500 acres by Eminent Domain in Gregg, Union, Brady, and Clinton Counties. Unfortunately the town of Alvira was part of the over 200 farms and properties seized. At the time of the land seize, it was paid for at market value and even promised back to the owners once the need for the land was finished. Later after the war, the residents of the area would come to known the false hope the government gave them. Most of the property was never distributed back to the people. Some of the land went to build a prison, some sold to build a golf course, and the  3000 acres that  was left went to be known as SGL 252.

After the land of Alvira was seized, the Susquehana Ordnance Depot was built to manufacture and store explosives. A TNT factory and 100 some bunkers where built to hold the explosives. Only after 11 months of operation, the need for TNT was greatly over estimated and the Ordnance was closed. In the 1950’s the land was distributed and the factory torn down, but the TNT bunkers still remained and are now part of SGL 252. As for the town of Alviria, no buildings were left after the government came in, but two cemeteries still remain on the border of the SGL.

This past year, hunting season was quickly approaching and I wanted to explore what was left of Alvira. A friend of mine and I set out on an early autumn day and thankfully didn’t run into or upset any hunters. To get to SGL 252, we came from the west on Route 220 and took the exit at Jersey Shore to get onto route 44. After a few miles we took a left onto mill road then a right onto Alvira Road. Soon we were greeted with SGL signs and a parking area. The first thing we noticed when we parked the car was a sign that paid homage to the town of Alvira. Only a few feet away we found our first bunker. Unfortunately it was locked up but nonetheless it sparked our curiosity even more. Hopeful, we began to walk into the game lands.

 

It was not long until we found another bunker. I had downloaded a SGL map that had many of the bunkers marked, it was just a matter of finding one that was open to explore. After about 100 yards, we came across our next bunker. The bunker was in a dome shape and looked like a small hill. A large steel door was the only entrance and to our luck was open. The first thing we realized as we stepped into the bunker was its amazing acoustic ability, probably due in part to its shape. Besides some junk, nothing else was really found in the bunker. A small exhaust hole was at the top. We continued to walk the game lands and stumbled upon many other bunkers.

After we got our thrill of finding several bunkers, we made our way back to the car. I knew from research that there were 2 cemeteries supposed to be near by. We continued down Alvira road and soon came across one of the cemeteries to our right. There looked to be a horticulture class walking along the road and cemetery, observing the trees and plants, so we didn’t stop and continued on. At the end of Alvira road we found a dead end; however, it was also a parking area for the Washington Presbyterian Church and cemetery. One stone pillar and another foundation of one marked the entrance. To the right, a small grade could be noticed that was once the foundation to the church that sat adjacent to the cemetery. I was surprised to see the cemetery it such good condition. From the far end of the cemetery, the fence and tower of the nearby prison could be seen. We walked the cemetery and took a few pictures and then headed back to the car. All in all it was a well worth drive to witness this bit of history.

 

 

The White Lady of Wopsy

Overlooking Altoona on Wopsononock Mountain

     To continue with the last couple blog themes of women in white, I felt it was time to write about the White Lady of Wopsy. This legend comes from the Wopsononock, aka Wopsy, mountain west of Altoona, PA. It was one of the first ghost stories I was made aware of growing up. Chances are most people living near Altoona have heard some variation of the tale also. Stories about the White Lady started around the mid 19^th century and now a few different versions exist. Sometimes she is also referred to as the White Lady of the Buckhorn, named after an adjacent mountain she is often seen on.

     Wopsononck mountain during the turn of the 19^th century was a popular attraction. At the top of the mountain, there once stood a 3 story and 60 room hotel-resort. At the edge of the mountain a 4-story observation tower looked out over the valley of Altoona. The resort also featured its own railroad line that would accommodate picnickers, and sightseers up and down the mountain. In 1903, a forest fire started and took the hotel with other small cottages and vacation homes. A few years after the fire, the railroad and lookout tower were dismantled due to poor funding and lack of interest. Stories of a woman in white really started to spread after the resort was gone. To visit the site of the old resort, follow Wopsy road from Altoona and make a right-hand turn onto Look Out road. The area now is filled with radio and TV towers.

 

     The White Lady of Wopsy is seen as a beautiful young woman wearing a long, white, flowing dress. Sometimes she is seen holding a candle or lantern and always seems to be searching for something. The story goes that her and her newly married husband are traveling the roads on Wopsy mountain by horse and carriage, maybe from the old resort, and are victims of a horrible accident. In a lot of the tales the accident takes place during the colder months. Her husband dies in the wreck and she dies shortly after wandering the mountain due to exposure.

     Other variations explain that their baby was in a carriage with them when they wrecked. Sometimes the baby is said to have been thrown out of the carriage rounding devil's elbow. Devil's elbow is a sharp turn on Wopsononck mountain that has had many accidents throughout the years. Some believe the White Lady died searching for her lost baby in the woods along the Buckhorn and Wopsy mountains and is doomed to keep looking. Yet another story explains the husband was decapitated and the woman died while looking for her husbands head.

     Some speculation is made that the White Lady actually lived on Wopsy mountain. Possibly even an old cottage left from the Resort. Local hunters and thrill seekers have reported finding an old abandon house on the mountain, but no exact location is known. The White Lady is said to haunt the old house as well.

     Many people to this day still claim to see a woman in white roaming the roads along the Buckhorn and Wopsy. People have reported seeing her reflection in their rear-view mirror. Others have admitted to offering a young woman a ride along the mountain roads. She normally smiles and fades away. Reports have taken place at no particular time of the year. The stories are so well known, even a local bar is named “The White Lady Tavern”. So be alert if you are ever traveling the mountains late at night west of Altoona.

A Ghostly Chase at Coles Station

Coles Water Tank Shelter

      Recently I heard a lead about a ghost that used to terrorize locals near the Coles Station of the East Broad Top Railroad (EBT). Living only about an hour away from parts of the EBT, I never really looked into the history of the rail line or its importance. I was pleased to find out some new history and places to explore, but that is for another blog. 

      With a little research online and at the library, I was able to find an account of a haunting near Coles Station. On a late evening in May of 1906 two men, Luther Chilcote and William Elias, were walking back from a social evening with friends. They choose to walk the easiest route over Coles Summit to their homes. At the summit, near Coles Station of the EBT, they saw in the distance a woman in a white dress. The men began to try to get her attention but she didn't respond to them. The men began to realize she was an apparition as she came closer. The men fired their hand guns in fright as the women drew nearer. After the volley of shots, the apparition started to chase them into the valley. The men reached their home and quickly shut the door behind them. In the days that followed, the men actually reported the incident to the local papers. Thankfully they did to preserve this piece of history.

      Coles Station has sadly razed for many years now and can be found as a rectangular foundation being reclaimed by nature. However, the Coles Water Tank shelter has survived due to recent volunteer work and its difficulty to get access to. The Station was just a little west of the water tank shelter. The water tank structure housed a large wood tub that provided water to the steam locomotives of the EBT. Water was pumped by an engine out of a cistern from a nearby spring. The structure you can visit now was built sometime around 1919 and replaced an earlier building. Thankfully this piece of history has been restored and gives a good sign to where the ghostly women in white was seen. Coles Summit lies east of Three Springs in Huntingdon County near Route 994/Old plank road.

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.