The Grey Spector of Ridge Road

Outside of the small town of Williamsburg Pennsylvania, there is a place known as Oremenia. Oremenia was once a small village that housed the workers that mined in the local hills. Today, Oremenia is classified as a ghost town and only a few people still live in the area. One way to reach Oremenia from Williamsburg is to travel along an old logging road known as Ridge Road.

If you search hard enough, almost every town big or small has it’s own ghost stories and folklore. In my hometown there always seemed to be plenty of them. One story is about a phantom being that haunts Ridge Road. Part of this road is paved now but the last mile through the woods is still gravel and not maintained well. The “Grey Spector”, as it’s known by, is said to lurk on the Ridge Road and has been seen leaning against trees or crossing the road. People describe the Grey Specter looking like a man in a trench coat and hat. Others have seen a disfigured human/demon being slouched over with long limbs and a gray scaly body. Rumors have circulated of the Specter terrorizing local teenagers on ATV’s and ones having parties along the Ridge Road.

I have never seen the Grey Spector on my trips along Ridge Road but many have claimed to. It’s hard to say if this is just another urban legend handed down generations or if there is some merit to the story. 

Driving down Ridge Road

Lost Resting Places: Askey Cemetery

     

     While out and about in Centre County, I came across a small cemetery outside the town of Moshannon. Askey cemetery is a small unassuming cemetery; however, it has a haunting reputation. Many years ago a car accident took place near the cemetery and a young man died. It is said that the young man that lost his life haunts the perimeter of the cemetery. Another tale tells of a coal miner who was hung in the cemetery for spying on the mine bosses. The cemetery also holds stories of weird things happening like strange lights, sounds and shadows. An old man in a gardener’s outfit and a young girl who died in a fire has also been seen in the cemetery. One of the weirdest accounts is of a demonic deer that chases off intruders late at night.

      During the day, the cemetery is a peaceful and quiet and was a great place to stop and take a walk during my adventures through Centre County. Please be respectful of the cemetery and it’s interments if you decided to visit. The Cemetery is east from Moshannon following Route 144 on the left.

Edgar Allen Poe's Visit to Central Pennsylvania

Eutaw House

Near State College Pennsylvania, there is a former restaurant with a lot of history behind it called the Eutaw House. The Eutaw House has been in existence for over two centuries. General James Potter, who was notably an aide to George Washington during the American Revolution, originally owned the ground where the building sits today. After Gen. Potter’s death, his children built a log cabin on his property. Later the log cabin would become the Eutaw House and go through a few more renovations. During its early years, the house served as a major inn for early pioneers and travelers. The house was named after the local Eutaw Indian tribe.

            As anyone could imagine with the Eutaw House being around for a few centuries, it has gathered some ghost stories through the years. Ghostly shapes have been seen in mirrors throughout the building. In the kitchen and restaurant, trays and plates have been known to flip over or fall off tables. Patrons and employees have seen apparitions and shadows move in the hallways and rooms. One story tells of a prisoner being shot or hung in the attic during the 1800s and a different story says that it was a tree at the corner of the property. During one of the early Indian raids on the Eutaw house, one Indian is said to have been hung on the large old tree. Hearing a rope “thud” or creaking noise has been reported near the tree to this day.

            Even with all the ghostly happenings at the Eutaw House, its most interesting story is the speculation that Edgar Allen Poe had once stayed the night at the Inn. Some early folklorists have written that Edgar Allen Poe had once visited the Centre County area and was even inspired to write a few stories such as the Raven during his travels through Central Pennsylvania. The only evidence that leads some credibility is the initial “EAP” that are carved into one of the oldest tables in the Eutaw House. Historians today doubt the legend of Poe’s journey to Centre County, but it makes for a good story nonetheless.

As for now the Eutaw House remains vacant without any intention to remodel or reopen. This landmark sits in Potters Mills at the intersection of Route 322 and Route 144. The house is still privately owned so please do not trespass.

Baughman's Cemetery

Flag and Tree in the Cemetery Center

      I would first like to say, for such a small cemetery this place has acquired a huge reputation. From research I have heard this site even called one of the 'top haunted cemeteries in the United States'. I believe reputation and word of mouth has made this location more of a tall tale; however some truth may lie in the claims.

Driving into Baughman's Cemetery

      Heading north from Tyrone, Pennsylvania on Old Route 220, I made a left turn onto Van Scoyoc Road. Approximately a quarter-mile ahead I kept left onto Baughman Cemetery Rd. I was now driving down an old gravel lane leading up the hill to the cemetery. The site is laid out in a circular fashion with a huge evergreen tree in the center. A small grounds-keeper shed sits in one of the far corners of the old plots.

Old Maintenance Shed

      So why is this place supposedly one of the most haunted locations in the U.S? Frist, there is a story of a person who hung him self in the treeline left of the entrance. The person's spirit is said to be seen hanging when the moon is out to light the woods. A phantom horse is also seen running briskly through the grave yard. Another claim is of ghost children playing and placing their hand prints on curious people's dirty or snow covered vehicles. The childlike spirits have also been known to play a game of Hide and Seek with willing ghost hunters at night.

Trees where spirits play games

      Having been to this area dozens of times in daylight and moonlight, I have had very few and unexplained occurrences happen to me. At night the cemetery does give you an eerie feeling, more so than other cemeteries I have visited at night. Even with very little evidence of a haunting, the stories in the community and internet continue to feed the eager ears of believers who want to get a glimpse of this 'famous' location.

The Old Torrance State Hospital

Graff Building

     A few of my favorite places to investigate are the old sanatoriums and state hospitals in Pennsylvania. My first ghost hunt actually took place at on of the hospitals known the Torrance State Hospital. The hospital was originally built-in the early 1900’s due to the increase need for care of the mentally ill. Torrance Hospital started with a few patients that were transferred from the Danville Hospital and patient census continued to grow to over 3000 by the 1960s. After understanding and treatment for mental illness improved, deinstitutionalization came into effect in the late 1960’s and early 1970s. The move was to provide quick stabilization of mental illness and offer community and outpatient care. Now only a few hundred patients are currently admitted to Torrance State Hospital. Over the years some of the older builds had been torn down or abandon and a new hospital was built. Some of the old buildings remained used but primarily for storage.

First Floor

     As for the hauntings associated with the Old Torrance Hospital, they mainly circulate around the Graff Building/Cottage. The Graff building provided a place for staff to reside, did some patient intake, and housed the print shop. The Graff building is often referred to as the staff quarters and is where many people go to get a glimpse of the afterlife. This site is directly across from the Army Reserves station in Torrance and a short distance down the road from the current Torrance Hospital campus. The Graff Building has been privately owned for years. Years ago the past owner allowed WW2 reenactments to take place on the property and was lenient with people who investigated the building. However, for the past several years the current owner has taken a stand against people trespassing. The grounds have been cleaned up and many of the tress have been removed that people used as cover to get into the building. The owner has now installed a waist-high fence and reportedly motion sensors.

Basement Hallway

     The Graff building has many claims of haunts. Some believe the souls of people are restless because of the primitive therapies used on them that included Electroshock therapy, Hydrotherapy, and even Lobotomies. Some reports that people were even placed in locked rooms without windows or lights, or restrained for long periods of time. Wittiness of the paranormal activity report seeing lights in windows, mist figures and shadow apparitions. Noises of disembodied voices, crying, and doors slammed have been heard. People have also reportedly been hit by gurneys, feeling cold and warm spots, getting grabbed at the ankle, and feeling suddenly weak and unable to move their arms or legs. The epicenter of the activity seems to take place in the basement in the boiler room. The first floor and basement are easily navigated. The 2^nd floor of the Graff Building is falling apart with the ceiling caving in at areas.

Boiler

     Besides the Graff Building, other areas of the Hospital have claims of a haunting as well. Former residents have been seen roaming the halls and property. Elevators have been known to open and close by themselves. An old woman is said to haunt one of the private rooms. The old tunnels that once connected the buildings are also claimed to be haunted.

   
    The Old Torrance State Hospital is still in operation and cares for patients while the Graff building is on private property. Neither of these locations should be visited without proper authority and permission. To get to this location, from Blairsville, PA take 217 south and make a left hand turn at the abandon gas station onto Torrance Road. Approximately after one mile the old Graff building will be on the right-hand side and the Torrance Hospital Campus will be on the left-hand side a short distance up the road.

Boiler Room

Scotia Barrens & The Black Ghost

Remnants of The ghost town Scotia

In Centre County, North-west of State College, there is an area known to the locals as the Scotia Barrens. The barrens are now included in State Game Land 176. Many trails are open to hikers, biking, and hunters. A public shooting range is also located right in the middle of the game lands. The Scotia Barrens is unique to the rest of Central Pennsylvania. Due to its location and geographical constructions, The Barrens has it’s own “micro-climate” where it is generally cooler than its surrounding areas by as much as 10-30 degrees. 

At one time the Soctia Barrens was not so barren and just known as the town of Scotia. The town was named after Angrew Carnegie’s homeland of Scotland and he saw promise with the mineral rich area and set up mining. In the 1800s Scotia was a booming mining town and had all the infrastructure many towns today have including a school, store and even a baseball team. Unfortunately the iron in the area depleted fast and the town met a pretty quick demise. The old road that leads through the Scotia Barrens was once the Railroad. Only a few foundations remain and a few remnants of the Iron Industry.

Besides the Barrens unique climate, it is also home to an equally fascinating ghost story. When Scotia was still a mining town, an African-American by the name of Bert Delige was walking home drunk one October night. Bert had been upset about wages he was owed by his recently deceased boss John Baudis for some time and was seen drunk many nights and had found himself frequently having run-ins with the law. That October night however, he ran into the widow Hulda Baudis. Bert argued with the 51-year-old woman about the back wages and the situation escalated. Bert assaulted Mrs. Baudis and then murdered her by cutting her throat with a razor. Bert Delige would later confess to the murder and was the last man hanged in the Bellefonte Jail yard on April 25^th of 1918. The body of Bert was later laid to rest outside of the Negro cemetery near present-day Marysville in non-hallowed ground.

Multiple sightings of a “black” ghost have been seen in the Scotia Barrens and along the road at night. In the 1980’s a local hunter had spotted the apparition near nightfall on April 25^th. Unknowingly the hunter told some of the locals and was told the story of Bert and how he was hung on April 25^th. Since that times other hikers, hunters, and motorists have witness the dark black figure lurking in the Barrens. The resting place of Bert Delige is lost to only those who know where to look. The stone marking his grave has been gone for some time.

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.

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.

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 Lost Children of the Alleghenys

      In April of 1856, Samuel Cox was having a string of bad luck hunting for food. This was not Samuel's first run with bad luck and it seemed to follow him and his family. Samuel and his wife were married in Johnstown Pennsylvania and soon headed west to the state of Indiana looking for prosperity. The Cox family grew to include two young boys, George and Joseph, but the family fell ill to malaria which was very prevalent in Indiana at the time. The family battled the sickness for months. Finally the family was well again and made a journey back to Pennsylvania to get away from the disease. The Cox family then settled in Spruce Hollow which is located a few miles from present day Pavia.

      On the foggy morning of April 24^th 1856, Samuel again went out to hunt for his family. Again he came home short-handed and disheartened. While at home eating a meager meal, the family dog began to bark and run out of the house. Samuel jumped up with his gun and chased after the dog. Once Samuel caught up with the dog it had treed a squirrel. After getting the squirrel Samuel returned home to find his wife in tears and frantic. He had only been gone for an hour and a half but his two boys were missing. Mrs. Cox thought the boys had followed their dad. Samuel was unaware the boys had followed him and had greatly outran them in the fog. Samuel tried looking can calling for the boys all day without luck, and the fog just became heavier and heavier throughout the day.

      The Next day, a small band of searchers began looking for the two boys without luck. The search party grew over the next week to include over 1000 volunteers from 50 miles away who had heard the tragic story by word of mouth. The search was unfruitful, and rumors started to spread that Samuel and his wife had killed the boys. The accusations went so far, that the Cox family's floor boards were torn up looking for the boys.

      Neighbors of the Cox family started to implement other means to find the boys after their search had come up empty-handed. The belief in magic and witchcraft was very prevalent in the late 1800's. Many of the German pow-wow doctors, not to be confused with indian powwows, blended christianity with old world religion to heal the spirit as well at the body. A local man was said to have the ability to find anything by only using a peach tree limb in the shape of a “Y”. The man was known for finding underground water and lost objects. His search with the peach tree limb proved unsuccessful. The search party went as far as to send for the help of a known witch from Somerset county. She basically duped the men out of money and stumbled in the woods a few days and was unable to find the boys either.

      Things were looking very grim for the Cox family; however, a man eventually came forward with some information about the boys location. Jacob Dibert had a very vivid and weird dream the night after the boys disappearance. Jacob had no idea of the tragedy when he had his dream. While sleeping, Jacob dreamt that he wa walking a path through the woods when he came across a dead deer. Walking further he walked past a childs shoe, and eventually to a small bunch of fallen birch trees. Once he crossed over the tress, he saw two young boys huddled under a fallen tree in the ravine. Jacob had the dream the next two nights, then finally told his wife. After telling his wife, she told him to tell his brother-in-law Harrison Whysong. Harrison immediately recognised the details of the dream and knew of the boys disappearance. They went searching for the boys on May 8^th 1856, following the clues of Jacobs dream and found the two boys dead in the ravine of starvation and exposure.

      Many have speculated that Jacob and Harrison had something to do with the deaths to know exactly where they were to be found. Others who are more open to the supernatural believe Jacob's dream was true. Jacob and Harrison were never prosecuted for the two boys death. In 1906, donations were collected to put up a memorial for the lost children's 50^th anniversary. In 1910, a monument was raised and still stands today. Today the monument is in a roofed building in the ravine where the children were found and a plaque gives a brief history of the boys tragic story. The area is still rumored to be haunted by the two Cox boys. Many say you can still hear them crying and peaking around the trees.

 The Monument is located near Pavia PA. Turning off to Blue Knob Road, you will come to Monument Road. A short drive back will lead to a sign pointing the way to the monument and a parking area. The boys themselves are buried in Mt. Union Cemetery.

 

 

Path and Bridge Leading to the Cox Monument

 

Swamp Church & The Weeping Spirit

 

Bethesda Church aka Swamp Church

     In a secluded area of Centre county on an old dirt road, sits an abandon church with a lot of history. Bethesda Church was one of the first churches in the area and was founded in 1855. More commonly the church is known by its nick-name “Swamp Church” due to the proximity to the marshy land of Penns Creek. The church had been in service for more than 5 generations and even held the wedding of the current owners Hans and Shirley Sennholz. The last public service as held in 1961. It now sits dormant along Swamp Church Rd. a short distance from Penns Cave. Occasionally the doors of the church open for private events and weddings.

Side view of Swamp Church

      A few local legends circulate around Swamp Church, such as, phantom bells ringing, and ghostly apparitions wondering the property. One story has seem to stick around and was first documented by witnesses in the 1880's. On a chilly night in the beginning of May, Mr. and Mrs. Schultz were relaxing on there porch before bed. At first Mr. Schultz thought he saw a faint outline of a person walking along Swamp Church Rd. but dismissed it with a second glance. The couple was about to go into their home when they both saw a women wearing a white dress carrying something. The women in white then approached the stairs of Bethesda Church. Her distant weeping alarmed Mr. Schultz and he went to investigate and offer help. As Mr. Schultz got closer he was able to make out the spirit saying “William”. The account of what happened next is split in two. One surviving account tells that when the women approached the church, there was a baby in her hands. She pleaded and cried to be let into the church but the doors would not open and she faded away. Another account states once she arrived at the church doors, they flung open and the gas lanterns inside burst with light. The weeping woman then proceeded to walk down the rows of pews showing her child and then faded away once she reached the pulpit.

      Most accounts of the story agree upon the history behind the weeping woman. She was to be married to a solider named William. He was a solider during the 1860's in the Civil War. William and his bride to be conceived a child the night before he left for duty. William, or Will as he is sometimes mentioned, was later killed in battle with others in the 148^th Company D regiment of Pennsylvania in 1862 and never returned to her. The congregation rejected her for baring a child out of wed lock and shunned her. The legend claims that her restless spirits still longs for the congregations acceptance. Legend has it, that on the night of May 3^rd when conditions are right you can still see her walking along the road and trying to win the churches favor.

     I would like to end by just reminding my readers that the church and its grounds are privately owned and please be respectful.

Tytoona Cave

     

     Tytoona Cave Pennsylvania is home to countless caves and sinkholes. Many are due to the large amounts of limestone leftover from prehistoric bodies of water. Many small caves are found by simply walking through the wooded areas of Central Pennsylvania. One of the larger cavern lies in

Entrance to Tytoona

Sinking Valley and is called Tytoona Cave. The name comes from its location which is between Altoona and Tyrone in Blair County. The Cavern is listed in historical texts as far back as the 1780s and has had a few attempts at commercialization with no luck. However, the cavern remains a rich historical and educational attraction for the public community. 


     Tytoona cave is about 1 mile beginning-to-end, but has never been traveled through completely due to an underwater blockage of rock. The cave has been confirmed by dye-testing to come out at another landmark known as Arch Spring, but that is for another blog. The cave can be accessed about 900 feet by a novice and than permission and more experience in cave diving is needed. The entrance to the cave is a beautiful wooded sinkhole and is more easily accessible in the dryer seasons

A view inside

when the water flowing thought it is lower. History and folklore tell tales of the cavern being found by early pioneers in the 1750s. One tale is of Bedford Rangers chasing 2 Indians into the cave. The Indians supposedly had killed a few settlers near by and were followed by the rangers. The ranger set up camp and took turns watching for the Indians to emerge. After some time the Indians never came out and it is said that you can still hear them wading and talking in the cave; still trying to find their way out. A more recent and tragic account of the cave tells of women in 1988 who was an experienced cave diver trying to find the end of the cave and never returning. Even after a search party of divers the women was not found until a few days later her body was recovered in the Arch Spring outlet. People speculate that she lost her compass and was unable to retrace her route.

Alternate route inside the cave

The compass was not on her person when they found her body. Tales of a phantom compass being seen in the cave then disappearing have been documented by divers. 

      The cave is now available to the public and is also used by local schools and universities for training and education about caving and conservation. A set of rules to follow are at the entrance and visiting hours are from 6am-9pm. The cave can be found by traveling on Kettle Rd. and then turning onto Morrow Rd. There is a pull off with multiple signs explaining the times permitted to be at the cave. If you wish to visit the  cave bring a flashlight and please be respectful.

Pull off area for Parking

Egg Hill Church

    

     There is a church in Potter Township, Centre County that has been a "hot spot" for paranormal investigators and thrill seekers alike. For a good ghost story a perfect setting is needed, and Egg Hill delivers that setting. First, the church is in a remote site. Secondly, it is old; built-in 1860.Thirdly, it looks creepy; made of unfinished pine on a stone foundation. Finally, it hasn't been in regular use since the 1920's. So lets recap, a church in the middle of nowhere that has not been regularly used and is undoubtedly visually eerie, no wonder so many stories have circulated about it being haunted.

    The most well-known story about Egg Hill is of the supposed mass murder that took place their. The story is ever evolving and is not very consistent. That being said, the story I have gathered goes like this. At the turn of the century in the 1800's, the pastor at that time killed his whole congregation and disposed of the bodies in the near by woods. Other stories say that the pastor only killed the children of the parish. He reportedly would kill them one by one under mysterious circumstances and got away with the murders. Then one day fretting that he would be discovered, he hung himself in the church. These are the largest circulated tales but many other versions exist. I could not find any records of any mass deaths in the area at the time when the church was regularly used. Again this little church just seems unfortunately in the right place for urban legends. Stories include: a murder, phantom bell ringing, apparitions hovering in the near by grave yard, and spirits following your car home as you leave. Normally I am an avid believer in paranormal happenings; however, in this instance very little factual evidence could be found to credit the claims made about Egg Hill. If Egg Hill has any supernatural happenings at all, I believe they reside in the cemetery beside the old one-story church.

     My many experiences at Egg Hill have been pretty fruitless. I have been to this location in the day time to get a better idea of the surroundings and at night. I do admit that it does give off a weird vibe even in daylight. Many of the old grave markers are worn and unreadable. The church is locked from the outside and "No Trespassing" signs mark the outside of the building. During my nighttime experiences, there have been eerie noises coming from the church. They could be easily dismissed as the building settling. However, some unexplainable voices have come from the cemetery while taking pictures that I can not explain. Overall if there is any paranormal activity at this location I believe it minor and in no way related to the folklore about Egg Hill.

    The easiest way to get to Egg hill is to take Rt. 144 north from State College and make a Left on Upper Georges Valley Rd. Approximately after 1 mile you take a right on Egg Hill Rd. The church is about a mile up the hill. A warning that he property is Privately owned and Permission is needed to be on the grounds. Although, most of the church and graveyard is visible from the road.

The House on the Hill

The House before the fire

      Outside of the small town of Williamsburg Pennsylvania there sits a farm and the remains of the former house. Mystery about the original owners has surrounded the property for decades along with unexplainable events. Local residents have handed down stories for generations, but shed little light on its dark history. At first sight, the property does not look any different from any other small farm in rural Pennsylvania. However, the property's docile exterior does little to harbor its restless past.

      On a summer's day in the mid to late 1800's, a family of immigrants moved to the rural area outside of Williamsburg, PA. They built a house, farm, and a few outlying buildings. A few years had passed, then one day a neighbor had noticed the property being neglected. The neighbor soon found out that the family had not been to church the following week either. The neighbor along with a few others went to check on the family and noticed the door unlocked. With no response to the knocking, they began to shout into the house. Finally they decided to walk into the house. Turning the corner from the kitchen into the living room, they came across a gruesome sight and foul smell. The Husband and wife along with their children had all been murdered. They described the family as being ripped and torn. The local people gathered up the remains and buried what was left of the bodies in a plot not far from the house. No evidence was found to solve the horrible crime. With no signs of forced entry or even foot prints, the murder remains a mystery to this day.

One of the Murals

      Since the incident, many reports of paranormal activity have circulated. The property has had many owners and families through the years; often only living there for a few months. The property usually remains vacant until an unsuspecting family from out of the area moves in. Reports range from windows and doors being opened and closed to furniture being rearranged. Two murals of Jesus mark the walls of the living room, which some believe to ward off the evil the lingers in the house. One room in the second floor tends to make a person feel squeezed from all directions. Even with all the activity inside the house, some believe the true evil lies outside. A red demon has been seen running out front of the house along the cornfields that border the property. Grim faces have appeared in the windows. Whispers and the sounds of foot steps from behind in gravel have also been witnessed On occasion dark shadows can also be seen running up and down the lane. 

Front Entrance

    The farm and outlying buildings still remain on the property. The house was burned down as a "test" fire for new firefighters to practice on in 2011. Some people believe the claim of a test was just used to get rid of the horrible building. However, even with the building gone, the property is still claimed to be just as restless.

Inside the house bathroom