All references, unless otherwiee noted, are from Tho Pitt News ‘Could Your University Be Full Of Spooky Seirite?,” May 12, 2006 PITT — GREENSBURG (Greensburg, Westmoreland County) This Pitt campus began in 1963 when its frst builing, ‘Vogel Hall, welcomed the original clase into its’ halls . Iwas acouired Lynch Hall: Lynch Hall was built in 1922 as the home of Commander Charles Lynchts f by UPG in 1964, and row houses administrative offices. Security guards have allegedly spoited a chost in the building, with one eweating its the apt of Commander Lynch. Not only does he pull poltergeit pranke, but ‘no's decidealy unhappy about boing stuck at home. Two RAs led a posse of studonts into the Lynch basement ‘and had a Ite chat with Commancer Lynen via a Ouja board. He confirmed he was the house split, and he \was stuck in his old ob, because of, as he put i, “Death.” Wall, doh. Oh, Lynch also told the students to "Gel Out." (Pittsburgh Tribune Review "G-E-T O-U-T Chases UPG Students" October 31, 2008.) = Rossetti Hall: Another legacy of the Lynch family, Rossett Hell was the home of the Commander's daughter, Mery Quinn. Nemed for Dr. Guy Rossetti, i's now the admissions office. Strange noises and events have ‘occurred thero, crocited by some to Mary Quinn. References taken from The Llversity Times “Reflections On Pitt Greensburg’s 40 Years, November 20, 2003 BUSHY RUN BATTLEFIELD (Harrison Cty/Jeanette, Westmoreland County) This 213 acre park preservas the site ‘where Colonel Henry Bouquet defeated Pontiac in tne tuming point of Pontiac's War during August, 1793. The victory ‘at Bushy Run saved Fort Pitt and kept the English gateway to westorn expansion opon. The vietory came at a high ‘cost. Bouquet lost 60 of his 400 troops, and ona dacided to stay. Tho ghost of a Scottich Highlander killed in action can stil allegedly be spotted reaming the woodiine of Edge Hil, near the monument that marks the battle site. The legend is that anywhere Scotsmen fight, you can hear bagpipes play on the anniversary ofthe bettle. And you do at Bushy Run, albeit ive ones that play during the battles reenactment every yeer. The Shadonlends: (CHAPEL ROAD FARMHOUSE (Center Twp., Beaver County) In the 1890, a nowy wed couple moved into 2 farmhouse to set up housekeeping. The house had an iron gate, and every right opened and closed itself wth loud ‘creak. When the couple looked out the door, no one was in sight. This went on for months, until a snowy night near Civstmastima. The gale opened 2s usual, but this ime it was followed by a knock on the door. They opaned it, and ‘hore was a tall figura in a black cloak. “My God, it 2 man,” tho wife blurted. At thoso words, tho eprit cowerse, backed off the porch, and ciseppeered into the bizerd, neverto be seen again. The gate stayed shut efter that, 100. ‘The young couple figure thal they exorcised the specter when the wife unintentionally invoked the name of God. Ghosts EDGAR THOMPSON STEEL WORKS (Braddock/Duquesne, Allegheny County) The mill, built over Bractock’s tral. is ‘haunted by the splits of Bilsh redeoats & Colonials who were killed curing the French and indian Wer slaughter of ‘General Edward Braddock’s troops. George Washington allegecly frst saw these ghosts when he organized the retreat ‘of tho romaining forcas back to Fort Necessity after tho defeat. Tho ShacowandsDUQUESNE INCLINE (Mt. Washington South Side, Pittsburgh) This io an example of a manufactured sighting ‘The Dusuesne incline orginally served workers goirg up & down the steep slopes where their homes were nestled on thelr way to anc from work onthe flat var valey below. To save money (t was, after al, 2 cents per tip! eary 20" century workers would walk the steps besie the inane o gett teirjb and then home. To induce them to par with ‘tle panies and rie to Inline, Samuel Dles cher, the enginaor who bul I, Fires pogo o jump out ofthe bushes ‘surounding the sens and fighien the walking workers. The rumor saon sored that the eps were haunted, and vila ~veryona stato riding. (New York Tims “A Stato Of Inclino In Ponssyvania,” July 20, 2007) DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY (Tho Bluff, Pittsburgh) Duquosro was founded in 1978 as the Pittsburgh Catholic Calloge land held classes above a bekery on Wylie Avenue in the Hil District. In 1885, they moved into their curent campus ‘on the Bluf. In 1911, they became the Duquesne University of the Holy Ghost. And like many Catholic colleges, they could use a good exorcism. 1 Fisher Hall: Formerly the Fisher Scientific building, Duguasne took over the century ad structure. The building ‘was extensively renovated, but. per agreement wth Chester Fisher. the second flor. consisting primarily of & cafeteria and museum, was left largely unchanged. But several mysterious happarings led the staff to belove the floor was haunted. Doors would shut on their ow. Pepers would be blown around in a windowiess office. ‘Sounds of screaming could be hoard from the museum hallway. Thon one morning whon the manager trod 10 {um on the lighis, a eold breath was felt on her mist and 2 disembodied voice said “Leave it off. The spr later tolonto, allowing the ewlten to be fckod on ator several toa. A week lator, priests from the Uriverety blessed the cafeteria and is! workers, and so far, tha's tumed the tick. But upstairs, where the building is ‘connected to the main campus by a walkway, an elderly man wil hold the door open forthe crossing students. ‘When they turn to hark him, he's gone. (Duquesne Universily Times “Haunted Fisher Hall Attracts Suspicion and Eerie Caution From Employees," October 26, 1998: Pittsburgh Ghost Hunters - AOL) + Old Main Administration Bullding: The basement of the Old Main was 2 major transfer point in the Underorounc Railroad. Most escaped slaves there were well on ther way to fteedom; others were captured ‘thera. Door and lights operate on thalr own In the basement. The Sound of voleas can be heard through tha building's verts, and sometimes the sounds of rating chains can be heard echoing through the Old Min's halls. (The Tartan “Ghost Stories Around Town: Pit, Duquosn Oftor Collogiste Haunts," Octabor 28, 2002) + St Ann's Learning Center: The spict of a boy allagedly haunts oom #409. He scatters objects and belongings allover. Boys just wanna have fun. The Shadowlands, FALLINGWATER (Beer Run, Fayeite County) Thora’ s a ghost that is sai to haurt Eallingwater's master bedroom. ‘She is allegedly a wornan in ¢ white nighigown staring out the window. She never speaks, just looks sadly atthe falls. [A night watchman, who has since been replaced, Is supposed to have saen her while making his rounds. Is it Lilane Kaufmann, who cied with @ broken heart? She was Edger Kaufman's frst wife, and put up with his constant ‘womanizing. But his last mistrass had cisplaced her in his heart, and in Fling health, she fought back bitterly, the ‘contest encing with her civoree (without eomgensation - she sighed a prenuptial agroement) and eventual death. Sho ‘nas buted in Homewood Cemetery, but her body was retumed to Falingwater after Edga's death, The Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti was commissioned to create the crypts Immense bronze doors for the pair by thelr son. It was sald he was trying to get them together in death, since he couldn do in if. The doors depict two solitary figures in bas- ‘wil, a woman siting against @ vee on the right and a man stancing far away on the lf, facing each other across @ been valley. against a dark, stormy background. It puts one in mind, appropriately enough, of Wiliam Blake's “Martiage of Heaven and Hell" Modem Gothic CIVIC ARENA (Loner Hil, Pittsburgh) The Piltsburgh Civic Arena (now called the Mallon Arena, ard due to be replaced by @ spanking new eulding soon) was ult in the 60, and resulted In tha demolition of a thriving nelghborncod to clear the acreage needed for is! construction. At rich, the Civie Arena is said to fil with the sounds of people, trolley cars, ard traffic ofthe bygone community. The Great One, Mario Lemieux, has even been reported to have seen a 1920's charactor roaming the halls. And while groat story, | worked at the Arena - mostly night shift, too - for yoars, anc never ran across this phenomene, or even a good spooky story essocieted withthe place. Juicy oroupie stories, yes, uly ghost tales, no. The ShacowlandsFAYETTE COUNTY COURTHOUSE (Uniontown) There's @ couple of tales involved with the Eayette County Courthouse. First, thore's the curse of the courthouse clock. A man was on the gallows, and he was asked for his last words five minutes early, and then promptly hung. His final statement before they slid the gallows door open was was, to.curse the clock to eunring 5 minutes slow through eternity, o make up forthe five minutes the hangman took from im, Another version has him calling on the four clacks to never koep the came time ac a way of showing his innocence. Either way, the clock feces have never agreed on the time of day. Then there's the ghost of Frank Monaghan, wo was allegedly beaten to death in the Courthouse basement after stabbing an officer. Shorly ater his Ceath, reports of objects moving, sounds ofa fight, and a shadowy figure from the courthouse basement ware made, ‘and thoy continuo to this day. Sorsams of tho Courthouso by Wolford Swimmer and Beverly Pattorson covers all tho chostly going-ons. To see the Courthouse, click on Grave Addiction (CLEMENTE'S PREMONITION (Pitsburgh) The Great One, Roberto Clements, had always had a premonition that he ‘would cio young. Ho had told hie wifo Vora ovor and over that his time on earth would bo limited. But befora hie daath at 98 in a plane crash delivering relief supplies to Nicaragua on New Year's Eve, 1972, he was forewamed by his son, ‘who told him "Daddy, dont go on that plane. It's going to crash Ironically, his son didnt know that his famous father ves even planning @ plane trip. Lose @ great balipleyer, gain a legend. This story wes reported by WTAE-TV. CENTRAL VFO (Elizabeth Tw, Alleghery County) In 1955, volunteer firefighter Albert McKenery was killed during @ blaze. But he's loyally stayad on duty ever since. He haunis the frehouse, keeping the Iights on (whether you want them on or not!) and is sometimes seen runing o a firetruck, coat draped over his shoulder, when a call comes Into the station. They namod the social hal after him, although no mention of his ongoing duty is made by the Coctra, VED web site. Ghost & Hauntings Research Society FORT LIGONIER (Ligonier, Westmoreland County) In October of 1766, the French and Incians attacked Fort Loonies. the last safe haven on the way to Pittsburgh, and were defeated, opaning up Fort Duquesne/Pitt to become the English Gatoway to tho Wost. Tho roconstructod fortis alco a gatoay to the cthorword. Workore and visitors had reported cexceriences of office furniture moving by itself. the feeling of being followed by the eyes of historical figures in ‘photographs and paintings, and the apparition of a warn, thought to be Phoebe St. Clair, wfe of Major Gen. Arthur St ‘Gai, in tho patio. Thoro's also the lore of tho Lone Pipor and tho ghost officor whe posed for a picture with some teenactors. ("Ghosts and Legends of Fort Ligonis by Cassandre Fell and Dr. Walter Powell) FORT NECESSITY (Farmington, Fayotte County) Fort Nocoseity taught Goorga Washington a lesson in quorila, \wetfare - end humility. He took his first whupoing here in 1754, an omen of things to come with General Bradéock a Ite teter, although the lesson cid eventually sin in. I's sad that you can hear muskatry and Indian war cies at hight. There's also boon roports of bodlloss footstops hoard in tho visitors contor. Tho Shadowande FOURTH RIVER PROPHECY (Tiree Rivers) The Mayan calender stops at 2072, when the Earth i aligned with the center of the Milky Way and a new era of cosmic consciousness is upon us. Pittsburgh is linked quite prominently in allthis (bear with me). The Meadoworott Covie pope, living In Westar PA some 1 milonia ago, are considered by ‘some tobe the predecessors ofthe Maya, heading south as so meny Piitsburghers do, to found that greet civilization. ‘Thay also consider the confluence of three rivers to be sacred, There are only 12 inthe weld, all considered to ba "portale". Throw ina fourth river —woll, not actully a river, but the Wisconsin Glacior Flow, an aquifr that foods tho Point State Perk founiain - and we become the key pottl in the upcoming new age. Our role in the prophecy wort be Clear unt 2011-12, but according to it, we wil be the prime player In receiving and spreading the glories of the new lobe! age. Confused? Well, give it a handful of years, end all wil become clear. Pitsburch MayaGEYER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (Seatiedale, Westmoreland County) Originally bull in the late 18008 as the Geyer Opera House, it became the Gaver Theater in 1900 . It shut down for awhile in 1971, but was renovated and ready for business by 1988. I's spooks must enjoy the new digs. The most prominent spook is thal of Job Bisler, ‘one ofthe early onners of the Theater, who's been spotted in a natty white suit on the balcony, wetching the stage (and protbly courting the house.) Another spit has been dubbed Mary, a young gif that lkes to create a bit of havoc withthe igting. Other workers have heard voices calling theirrame in an otherwise empty building To boot, the group uses the old Scottsdale Bank Building for storage, and that place is supposed to have its awn spook. The Westmoreland and [UP Parenormsl Societies investigated the place. They both found cold spots end taped voices, bt neither was ready to daclare the Theater haunted quite yet. (Daly Courier 'Gayer Theater Haunted? Maybs." Ap 12, 2008) GRAVITY HILL (Noxih Park, Allegheny County) If youve ever stalled on McKinnay Road in North Patk, yout! notice ‘something strange. Your car may start to crit uphill. Dont worry, you haves run into a magnetic anomaly or a dark hole. Youte just the victim of an optical ilsion called a Gravity Hill. There are hundreds of them around the word and ‘several in the region, caused when the layout ofthe land procuces the ilusion that a very slight downhil grace appears 10_bo an upnil slope. The human cence of ealanee can bo overrdson by eubtio visual eves, and thls road provides tho ‘cue, This Gravity Hl made the grade in Weird Pennsylvania by Matt Laks. GHOST TUNNEL (VYas! Deer Twp., Allaghany County) This citca 1807 tunnel is located on Dawson Road, between ‘Saxonburg Boulevart and Quarry Road, under the old Bessemer and Lake Ere tracks. We cant tell you way its ‘haunted, but the local urban lagend is that f you sit in the middle of the short tunnel fora few minutes, a blue light wil appoar at its ond. A word to tho wise -koop an ayo on that roar-view ior while youre waiting for tho aura, unloss yyoute on a firstname basis with your auto insurance dude. Tunnels of Allegheny Coury HEINZ HISTORY CENTER/CHAUTAUGUA ICE COMPANY (Strip. Pitsburgh) The John Heinz History Center i built (on the sito of the Chautauqua Lake Ice Company, which was gutted In @ tremendous explosion and tra in 1898, 18 people dad in that disaster. Bulding guards and staff members have reportad some strange going-ors in the center the fifth tloor is reportedly the center ofthe buiding’s phenomena). People have been seen inthe building who isappear when approachad. Alame go off. Lights go out. Its said thatthe spooks interact with the exhibits — and what ‘could be cooler for the center than some hands-on history? The Mon Valley Ghos! Research Association took some readings, and found out that ther is an ley column of arin tho building, and photographs showed freflysizod orbs inhabiting the center. They ratad the building a 6 or 7 on a 10 point scale for paranormal activity. However, the spirits ‘seem to coexist fairy well withthe staff and guests, and as one staffer put it, ‘We welcome all vistors’. (Pittsburgh Post Gazette ‘Fire, Ice: A Chilag Tale," February 3, 2002) ‘SARAH HEINZ HOUSE (Troy Hil, Pittsburgh) In 1912, Howard Heinz, H's son, opened the Sarah Heinz House, a youth activity center, naming it for his mom. Allegedly, Sarah Heinz keeps a close eye onthe building. Staff members Claim to haar her footsteps and faint voice, with tho lights fickering as sho goos by. We qucés sho wants to koop a hand in what's going on in her name, even though she died in 1894, nearly two decades before the building existed. A boy also haunts the gym, which is surounded by overhanging belconies for the fans. He fel to his death from there, and to this day, people can hear his baskeiball bouncing in the emply gym. The ShadowlandsINDIAN SPRINGS (Ross Township, Alagheny County) This is bit of Native American lore dating back to pre- European times. A princess was infove with a regular hoi polloi member of her tbe; her father, the chief, would have ‘one ofthat marrying bolow your status stuff and promised hor to another chiofs con. Tho prince came to claim nis princess; she fled into the woods, folowed by her betrathed and her lover. She ran unl she passed out; her lover killed the ches son, and lay by her, badly wounded and knocking on heaven's door. (Other versions ofthe tale say the pair escaped the vilage, pursued by tribesmen), Touching hands and near death, they prayed tothe Great Spit \who formed a spring out of solid rock for their succor. Legend says the coucle crank from it and ved happily ever after. The spring, in Evergreen Communly Park, was a popular “fountain of youth tourist site ints early days, but fall into cisuse tothe point that it could barely be found any longer. Then the Boy Scouts came tothe rescue. The ‘Scouts cleaned the poo! that collects the water, cleared the paths leading tothe spring and installed a bench nearby. it was dedicated in late 2010. (Pittsburgh Tibune Review “Stored Indian Spring Restored In Ross" October 16,2010) ISLAND IN THE MON (Dowrtown, Pittsburgh) This isa tre legend. The 1796 there was large island in the mile of the Monongahela River, stretching from the Point to Grant Street. It was used as buckurteat flelds in the late 1700s. A ‘gj flood betwen 1794 — 1795 deposited the material that created i. The island then lasted until at least 1845. A sketch of Pitsburgh in 1617 doesnt show it, but an 1625-1826 map shows the island as a "send bar dry at low water.” ‘There waer' even time to qve ta proper namo. But for afow bret year, the fast flowing Monongahela River sported Its frst—and only Island. Island In The Mion - Pitt Geo Site JONES & LAUGHLIN STEEL (South Side, Pittsburgh) Jim Grabowski had a bad day at the mil in 1922. He tipped ‘vor a riggers hose and foll into a vat of 9,000 dogree molton stool. His vaporized body was never racovorod, and tho ‘steel vas allowed to soldfy into an ingot end buried in the yar. t's said you could hear Grebowsk’ crying for help or laughing mariacally on the mil loor ofthe #2 melt shop before it was razed in 1960. Other tales claimed that in the ‘years since that tragady, milhands would spot an unknown man up en the shop's catwalk, who Would disappear when ‘empioyees clambered up to look for him. This was en enduring yem among J&L workers. The old melt shop site is row part of the upscale South Side Works Hofbrauhaus tavern, American Folklore (In Pittsburgh "Tales From Pittsburgh's (Dark Side,” October 28, 1993) KANE HOSPITAL (Scott Twp, Allagheny County) Tha hospital opaned in 1988, and was supposed to be the most rrodem nursing home in the area. Buti falled on a couple of courts. Fist, it hald 2,700 patients, and secordly, there ‘wore no private roome, only 16-bod wards. Kane was allogodly a hot spot for psychic activity. Thore was a largo white figure thet roamed the grourds, shadowy mists that darted down the hallways, and phantom screams, footsteps, and voices. I was sold in 1994 and razed in 2000. The ShadowlandsFRANKFORT MINERAL SPRINGS (Raccoon Twp., Beaver County) The fist structure was bull in 1772 over @ natura rmineral spring, and served as ¢ local fort, protecting your health in more ways than one. Inthe 1800, Frankfort ‘Sorings became a vacation spa and is stil a resort drawing visitor from all round the region. It has long been Considered a heavily haunted area, and paranormal investigaloss have found several psychic hot spots there, with the Usual obs, cold spots, etc. Raw Fear FRICK'S FRIENDLY GHOST (Downtown Pittsburgh, Alegheny County) Henry Clay Fri has a tortured history in Pittsburgh. He wes @ Horatio Alger success story, and his old mension, Clavton is now a popular local museum, But efter his heavy hand during the Homestead Sirixe, he beceme -and to mary, slilis -*America’s Most Hated Man." In 1892, anarchist Alesander Batkman decided to take out Frick to avenge the steelworkers killed during the strike. He walked into the Grant Street Frick Building offices of Henry Clay, and fred three pointolank shots at him, winging him ‘orice but not fatally. Its said that a Camegie Steel exec rushed in and deflected the third shot by grabbing Berknan's fm, saving Fick's bacon, Berkman claimed that he misfire because of the bight suright pouring through the window, an impossibility because the sun was onthe other side of the building. But rick knew who saved him, The blncing light, HCF claimed, was from the sprt of his beloved daughter Martha, who was six wen she died the year before and appeared to herded in his moment of need. Frick couldnt save his young gir, but she saved him - ater her Cath, This tale i part of the "Hisunied Pitsburg ghost tour KAUFMANN'S DEPARTMENT STORE (Qowntown, Pittsburgh) The tenth floor is reportedly haunted by one of Major ‘Grants French and Indian War era Highlanders, kllad when fighting on Grant's Hil, ance a prominent Pitsburgh feature ‘but leveled many years ago. The tenth floor Is supposed to be the same height as Grant's Hl was at the time of the battle, before it was graded. Keufmann's was sold and is row Macy's. The Shadowlends KDKA-TV STUDIO (Covntown Pittsburgh, Alagheny County) The spook of departed faclitias manager Juan Drab fs ‘sald to be lingering in the stuclos. Drobs was a busy dude, and It was sald he left behind some unfinished business he ‘wanted to attend to whon he ciod of a heart attack in 1983. He manifests himsotf by turning on the ighte, and ho's ‘been known to flip through the pages of unattended paperwork, the sheets tuming by themselves as he reads through them. Thay even hald an exorcism for him - and found two candies in his old office the next dey. Even in death, ‘nothing was going to slip by him. This talo was found in Hane Holzors Ghosts Ivo Mot. KENNYWOOD PARK (West Mifflin, Allegheny County) One of the workmen building Kennywoad's Steel Phentom roller ‘coaster died in an accident when a bolt loosened and a piece ofthe rde fll, crushing him. It's said that if you're on the ‘ido at 0:30 PM, you can hoar his sereame as ho relives tho agcidont. Sometimes you can cee his ghost elmbing up the coaster. But The Shadowlands site says i's false; the timeline (which we never found) is wrong, and no accident ‘was ever reported during the building of the Steel Phantom. We guess you gotta wat to get your chills and thrills on Phantom Fright Night. The ShadowlandsLADY OF THE LAKE INN (Ligonier, Westmoreland Counly) The Lady of the Lake bed and breakfast has three diferent houses to stay in on a 60 acre site wth a lake, and was 2 popular stop over for folk like Andre Provin and Mia Farrow. ‘The oldest building, a 120 year old farmhouse known as the Icehouse (nat because i's cold but because i's actually a ‘remodeled 1880 icehouse) is reputed to have a resident spook. according to quests, LARDIN HOUSE (Masontown, Fayette County) The original Lardin House was builtin 1769, and has been a cistilery, ‘arm, and Underground RR stop. In fact, thera isa private graveyard on the premises for the Ladin family and their workers, mary of whom were freemen. Now t's a reataurent. There's beon storie of potergeit eotvty inthe atc {and what's row the barroom of the building thought to be caused by the split of Lardin's daughter and her childhood friends. (And dont light up a cigar after dinner; that'l really sé them off) There's also been alleged sightings of an Indian, though wore not cure whore ho fits In. The houses history, spooky and othorwico, Is in Ceano OHanlon- Lincoln's Couniy Chronicles. LARIMER MANSION (North Huntington, Westmoreland County) The home was built by Wiliam Larimer in 1790 on the armor site of the Three Springs Camp, where Goorge Washington and General Bradcock stayed during the French and Indian War, and is listed under the National Historic Register as the Andrew & Jennie McFarlane House. McFarlane ‘acquired the property after marrying Larimer's daughter, Jennie, who died during childbirth. Bu its got a lt of history. I's owner - i's now @ BRB - says says the home was later owned by @ comupt banker who tumed it into a brothel, an tis soul and possibly some of the lacie still call the manaion home. Another owner wae @ notorious gambler. People hnave reported seeing his mother in the window, as she paces from room to room, waiting for her Son to return from a bender. Another ghost isthe soul of a deceased Native American man who does not seem to know he's cied. Some hnave claimed to near him utter “Me No Die.” Perhaps the most active spin isthe one called “Magole,” who they believe tobe the ghost of Margaret Ann Larimer, who died during childbirth inthe 1600s. She's been known to sway in ‘a recking chair in ono of tho quest bocrooms ard ica froncly spirt- cho evan camo to one ofthe owners In a droarn to \wam her of a basement fie. Customers have seen a lady in the front dressed in colonial peiod outfits. There's 2 picture onthe wall, and the people painted in the background seer to change every time one looks at it. Crildren's ‘pints raside inthe ale and the owner eiaimes that some “erabbier ghosts” ae in the basement. Ed Ozosky, Hauntings Resserch founder who has conducted paranormal research there for four years said “We cannot find 2 logical explenation or scienttic explanation. Larimer Mansion is one of the consistently most active paranormal sites in the county." The tale was chronicled by Rachel Weaver of the Pittsburgh Tibune Review, Kathy Sarudoveky of the Post-Gazetts end put into documentary form by WOED-TV, with Halloween season ghost tours LAUREL CAVERNS (Leurel Cavers, Fayette County) The Laurel Cavein, also known as Dslaney's Cave, isthe largeet cave eystem in Pennsylvania and on many toursts' must-see list. If you take the tour, ke@p your eyes pacled. Is supposed to be home to the spook of a French soldier decked out in his colonial era blue uniform. The cave mey have been 2 miliary warehouse back in the day (\'s ry and stays al @ constant 52 degreas), and the solder looks lie he's pulling eternal quard duty. There's also 2 gravity hil slope in the caves, where objects appear to rall uphill. The sighting is taken from Caane OHarlon-Lincalns County Chrnictes.BETTY KNOX (Betly Knox Park, Dunbar, Fayetle County) Between Ohiopyle and Dunbar in Pennsylvania's Fayette County les the Dunber Mountains, and that's where Betty Knox and her legend originate. Bet was bom in 1842 on a farm at Kentuck Knob etop the Great Gorge of the Youghiogheny (now Ohionyle State Park). Her mather died when {cho was th, and her fathor raicod hor as a gon. Sho did all the hard work ofa rinatoontn contury farmer, clearing, plowing, planting, weeding, and reaping, In between, she raised the cattle, cut the wood, drove the ox teams, and of ‘course cooked the meals. When she was seventeen, her father died, and she was lef toher awn devices. Batty, spite the herd work, had tumed out to be @ beautiful, flaxer-haired gir, and had no shortage of suitors, being lovely, single, and a property ovmer. Sut she spumed all the locals ard ved solitary Ife. Knox eamed her dey bread by hauling grain to Ferguson's Mill near Dunbar, powered by her oxen, and retumad with flour, @ day-long, twentytive rlle trek. In fact, she traveled such an undevietng route that she carved he own tal through the forest. Where her journey crossed Dunbar creek is stil known locally as Betty Knox Park, along withthe fresh water spring that she ined with stone. One evening in 1882, while on the way home from the mil, she found a badly wounded solder, who told her he had Geserted from the Union Army. Batty took tho Golder hom hid him from the Amy, and nureed his wounds. Sho became smittan by her sider, but despite long ments of Belly® TLC, he finaly dia. Knox, although heartbroken, ratumed to her routine. Years later, Betty Knox, who had never missed a day of work inher life, suddenly quit showing Lp to collect the fermer's grain, Alarmed, the neighbors went to her home to see if she was sick, but the house was, ‘empty. Search petioe ewest the Forest and retraced her tral, but found nat a ign of her. Theories concerning her csappearance abounded. Some claimed that wolves or a panther had attacked her, while others darkly speculated that 2 rejected lover had ambushed her, or perhaps 2 gang of thieves. Others thought that she had never gotten over losing her soldier and plunged to her death in the Yough. It may have been that she was just tired of her fe inthe woods, pulled uo roots, ané found a new home. To ths day. no one really knows. The Fallowing apg some childeon found the ‘kolaton of an ox chainod to a treo noar Betty's cpring: odd, bocaus that vary tall had boon ecoured by her search party without finding the ox, and also because Knox never used a chain on her animals. SU, that didnt explain what happened to Betty Knox. But one thing is certain - Betty Knox is still around, at laast in spit. Young couples out for late right dive claim to hear the mourntul ollng of oxen miles for the nearest farm, Park visitors report hearing her sobbing. Sportsmen tell of @ pale feminine form that flekere through the trees before daylight. Otnere report sexing a wornan leading 2n oxen team along the tral. And on some dark rights, the pained voice of a young man can be barely heard whispering "Betty Knox, Betly Knox (As a fotnete, you may not have to worry about running into Betty's host. An enterprising local claimed to have cactured i in a mason jr, and sold it on eBay for 82.51. Now there's a legend for you, and ata blue light price! If youre curious, Getty Knox Park is now part ofthe State Gamelands, located off Durbar - Ohiopyle Read about three miles ftom Dunbar, Look for a Gamo Commission bulding onthe rant ‘at 2 sharp curve, The gravel rad to right of the shed (called “Betty Knox Road" bul without any signage) wll take you ‘along Dunbar Crask to where Betty's oxen were found. Her tale is recounted in Czane C'Hanlon-Lincoln's book County (Chronicles. Haunted Fayette County KNOB HILL BARN (Cranbory, Butior County) The curront barn isa raplacomant of one that hosted a wile rock ehow in the early 1990s and was bumed down in the process. Locals have to cal the police to quiet the teens who seem to pay there often, noisily and with their cars scattered arourd the bam. But when the police get there, there are no kids ‘cars. Maybo tho homeowners have a long momory or maybe the orginal 90 crowd rally kod tho show and koop ‘sencing their spiris back to the nosh pit. The bam is patt ofthe 116 acre Knob Hill Park, so we assume it gets its! fer ‘shara of use, ve customers or othernise, The ShadowlandsCARNEGIE LIBRARY (Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh) Rule of thumb number #1 ~ do NOT buld something over a ‘cematery! But some people never eam. In 1814, the Lawrencevila Burying Grounds openad as a cametery for ‘otorans & thoir familie. By 1881, Lawroncoville needed the lard to build a echoo! and library. Tho bodies wore ‘supposed to be reburied elsewhere, but the workmen bulding the structures Kept turning up bones end caskets as they ‘dug, eventually burying the ramaing ef 70 oF 80 souls Ina mass grave on the nortnem edge ofthe land. Naturally, the ‘spooks became resiless. The janitors refused to wotk the right shift because of the ghostly groans they heerd. The ‘spirit ofa child is supposed to roam the library, thought by mary tobe thet of young Henry Snowden, who died at the tender age of fteen months. His body was claimed by his parents before the work started and was property rebured at ‘Alleghocy Cemetery, but his gravestone remained end ie exhibited in the library. The head librarian buys none of tis, having never seen the spirit and crediting the spooky cacophory in the basement to 0 pines and radiators, not ‘unusual in an aging building. Eithor way, its hardly any way to treat the dead. (Pittsburgh Post Gazett “For Docados, Lanrencevile's Library Basement Has Concecied A Mystery," October 23, 2003) Laycencevile Library's Most Famous Tombstone - Jeff Belanger LAUREL CAVERNS (Leurel Cavers, Fayette County) The Laurel Cavein, also known as Dslaney's Cave, isthe largeet cave eystem in Pennsylvania and on many toursts' must-see list. If you take the tour, ke@p your eyes pacled. Is supposed to be home to the spook of a French soldier decked out in his colonial era blue uniform. The cave mey have been 2 miliary warehouse back in the day (i's dry and stays al @ constant 52 degrees), and the solder looks like he's pulling eternal quard duty. There's also 2 gravity hil slope in the caves, where objects appear to rall uphill. The sighting is taken from Caane OHarlon-Lincalns County Chrnictes. LIBERACE'S NUN IN WHITE (Bloomfield, Pittsburgh) On November 23, 1963, Lborace was scheduled fo play a gig at Monroevil's Holiday House. Assuming the show would be canceled because of JFK's assassination, he busied himeoi with cleaning his costumes. Ho used a cleaning solvent with the potent carbon totrachioride as ite" baso. Ho ‘nappa once or twice in the unventilated room, and it almost cost him bis life. Wrile performing, he collapsed on stage ‘and was rushed to St. Francis Hospital, suffering from kidney faltute from inhaling the deadly furnes. The doctors told him to get his affairs in oda while hooking him up to a new device for that time, adalysis machine. He was given a ‘20% chaneo of surviving. During the long right he dreamed of many things. But the one vision he remembered was a ‘hun in white coming to his bedside and urging him to pray to St. Anthory. He cid, and made a remarkable recovery. Of ‘course, there was no run in write atthe hospital. The Franciscans wore dark habits. Did St. Anthony send Liberace & ‘mossongor, or was ho just tho fortunate reciplont of Dr. Thomas Alors doft nandling ofthe now fanclod dialysis ‘machine? Maybe thay go hand:-rchand. Dialysis took off aftarit saved Liberace, and St. Francis Hospital gainad = ‘new, Ifetong benefactor. He reised funds forthe hospital, even having lobby dedicated to him, anc made sure that the sisters had tckels whenever he perfonred in Pittsburgh. Saint Francis Hospital, ike Liberace, doesnt exist ‘anymore. It's been replaced by a modem, siaie ofthe art Children's Hospital. But hopefully, the good sister in white wil stay. The story made his biography Liberace: An American Boy by Darden Asbury Pyton. (Pittsburgh Post Gazette “Saying Goodbye To St. Francis Hospital" October 20, 2002)LIVERMORE/LIVERMORE CEMETERY (Westmoreland County) Livermare was established in the 1830's along the: ‘banks of the Conemaugh River. Boing @ rvar town, it was often flooded. In 1950, mat with is" Biblical flood the ‘Aum Corp of Engineers, as pat of the Conemaugh Lake Flood Control project, bought the town, and the dam's recon'rutimately covered avery traeo of it. Lvermora ie now reparted to be a town existing underwater, and vieitore can sometimes eae buildings, chimnays, and a church steeple poking out of the water, along with the howling spt of those drowned, ther bloated feces peering at you, coming after you ike a pack of zombies. Rumor has it tht the more stubborn Livermorians would leave their homes, so the Army just flooded thern out - and some didnt escape. Many ‘more souls were ost to natural looting over the years, adding more tomented spiris tothe list, There's also a legend cof avitch that wae bumod at the stako carly in the tonn’s hctory, She placed a flood eurse on Lvermora (ratty successfully, too, it seams). Allegedly, a flocd happened on the aniversary of her death, drawing many locals. The town was her throne, and was callee "Satan's Seat” by some in her memory. The cemetery is interesting in tse It was allegedly uprooted and relocated by the Army, and the spits haurt tha new resting place after being disturbed from their etemal slumber. Red eyes can be seen, watching you. Spirits roam the nearby woods. Even better. George Romero was supposed to use the spookyard for his “Night of the Living Osad" fm. But those party poopers from the Pitisturgh Ghost Hunters just had to show up and throw cold water over the whole soggy mess. First. they established that tho Army Corp of Engineors razed ovary proparty in Lvormore before flooding it. So there are no blaings to pop into view, and no irate homeowners tobe washed uncer, unless they awaited doomsday sitting in the ebble oftheir former homes, baling bucket at ther side. (The Corps double checked before it opened the flood getes. Its a demert ln your military record to cause fdendly collateral damage ) They didnt address the pre-lood legands, but ound no eranormal activity in the erea. As for the cemetery, well it's stil inits' orginal spot. There wes a bridge thet crossed the ralozd tracks connecting Livermore with the cemetery, and its the bridge that's gona now, not tha graveyard. The red eyes are just blinking racio tower waming lights end novena candles. The roaming spits are hunters and citers. ‘And to cap it of, Gaorge Romero flmad his graveyard econos in Evans City Comstary, not Livermore's! Tho facts got inthe way of another great tale. final note of caution — take our word forit and dont go see for yourself. The landscape is trescherous, dotted wth open gas wells, and bear have been sighted in the woods. Police patrol this spot. {and look unkindly a folk roaming the arse, espacially at night If you must go, take a fiend, stay on the Rall Tali, ‘and pian for a daylight trio. The history ofthe town tha ist is passed on in the Histary of Livermore, A Gans! Town by Peggy & Ruthie Oliver. Splnts OF The Mist MCCONNELL’S MILL STATE PARK (Lawrence County) The 2,646 acres of MeConnells All Stata Par are elelmed to-bo one of Panrsyivania's moro heavily haunted aroas. It home to cheer cliffe and the ewiftly flowing Slippary Rock ‘Crook, and many outdoor enthusiasts have lost their lives rappelling or riding the white water. And if suddon death isnt ‘enough to ramp up some bad juju, there ere also some long time spiti's essociated with the park. One is a worker who ‘was killed when the machinery at McConnell Mil (a grist mil thet was in operation from 1862-1928) acted up. He stil walks the same path to end from work as he did when he wes alive, more or less a century ago. I's claimed thet you ‘gel there atthe right time, you cen see him walk along the path with his lunch bucket, go inte the mil, tum the lighis ‘on, and then scream as he reves that fateful day. There's also the tale of caretaker Moses Whorton, who died atthe turn ofthe century and sill patrols MM, chasing pocty-behaving visitors away from the parkland he loved and ‘protacted during hi if, & freed slave, he lived In the park in a cottage by the mil, back when Thomas WicCornell stil ‘owned tha land, He stayed there for tee decades, beginning in 1880, and it was the only noma he knaw since he was 20. Its 6aié that f o's noaded, a honk of a ear hom by tho old mil wil bring him back. Anothor bit of lor involves a ‘young git who died in an accident at the MeConnl's Mill Covered Bricoe (builtin 1874) by the mil. If you park on the bridge, tum off your lights and hork your car hom three times, her vision will appear in your rear view mimor. When you turn around to see her, she's gone. (BTW, Hai strongly recommends against siting inthe middle of a covered bridges ‘at night with the lights off, unless you'e looking to join the restless departed), The park's Hell's Hollaw - what a great ‘name is the site of @ long ago kiln built near small waterfall, and is also said to host some sci vsilors, However, ‘bummer though it may be, it appears that all of the old park's tales are mare urban legends. A varaty of paranormal ‘hunters have dragged thelr recorders and vids into the woodlands and retumad with nary an orb. But hey, If youre ever ‘stomping through MeConnel's Mil and spot Moses, the old mil hand, ofa ite git In your raar view mire, lve us yell. Thoso storios aro too good to be mado up. CPS! ParanormalOLIVE CEMETERY (Murrysville, Westmoreland County) The graveyard is on Logan's Ferry Road, just off Holidey Park Drive, by the long deserted Olive Reformed Church. The cemetery. which dates back to 1817 end probebly beyond. is ‘said to heunted by none other then oli men Alexander Logan himself, who ran a ferry across the Allegheny River to ‘Springrale in the ealy 18008. The Shasowlands (OLD HANNA'S TOWN (Greensburg, Westmoreland County) Hanre's Town, founded in 1773 and named for its founder Robert Hanna, acted as the fir Seat of Westmoratand County and the first English court wost of tho Alloghony Mountains. Hanna’s Town was attacked and burned on July 13, 1782 by a raiding party of Indians and their Britioh ‘alias. The town never recovorod, and tho county seat was rovod to Greensburg in 1786. Now it consicts of tho reconstructed Hanna Tavern/Courthouse and three vintage late 78th century log housas, a reconstructed Revolutionary fra for and blockhouse, a wagon shed - and a coupla of colonial ghosties. People who work thera have hears strange noises, and had objects move withaut any human assistance. Investigators have heard raps in rasporse to thelr questions. There are claims of people seeing a figure in @ window. And some paople report an older rman in a period outfit walking between buildings and talking to ther, but he doesnt exist, at least on this plane. Andiane Gazette “Haunted Sites Abound In Wester Pannsvivaria." October 25. 2009) OLDE CONGRUITY TAVERN (New Alexardiia, Westmoreland County) The Congnily Taverm was bull circa 1620 by ‘the Kirkpatrick fermi and stands along tha Norther Turnpike, the exginl U.S. Route 22. The 2-1/2 story stone hous with brick end chimneys was a tavern for many years, but we know thet after 1681 it was certainly @ home because ‘newly weds Maggie Buchanan and Robert Stewart purchased it. Today. copies of several old letters to a younger Maggle Buchanan are preserved in 2 pocket flap of an old sik plow atthe house. In fact, Maggie herself Is sti, around; shot © gently protective spirt oF her ist home whom the Pittsburgh Paranormal Socioly eaptured on film. NATIONAL AVIARY (North Side, Pittsburgh) The Aviary is located on the sight of the old Wester Penitentiary (not to bbe mistaken for SCi-Pitisburgh, which replaced it), thet operated from 1825-1660 and at one time held Confederate POWs in t's ces. Some of thase rabele must have taken to northarn hospitality. Thay'e said to roam though the ‘Aviary’ halls aftor dark. Othors eay thoro wore no robs hold thore and that tho shados are formor prisonors, ‘Whichever, we hope the macawe dent seare them too much. Ghosts - About Pittsburah NEMACOLIN CASTLE @rwnsvile, Fayette County) The Nemacclin Castle Is seeped in histery. It was once tha {location of Inaian burial grounds and forificatons, and tne area was the Intended destination of Chief Nemacolin, 2 Lansi Lenape chief, when he guided the Cresap expeditions across the mountains, establishing the Nemacolin Trail ‘which later became the approximate route of the National Road. In 4759, during the French and Indian Wars, Fort Burd was constructed very near the Castle's curent site In 1780, Jacob Bowen purchased 2 bullding lt from Thomas Brown, a foundor of Brownsvilo, for 23 English pounds. Ho named the site In honor of Chiat Nomacolin, cotting up a trading post ané later building the Caatle around it. As Bowman's wealth grew, 20 did his family, and what is now the ‘center section ofthe house was added as living space. About 1850, the home's famous tower and a formal Victorian wing were added by his second generation. Nemacolin Caste is unique in that three distint time periods are ‘opresontod in tho Interior design anc furnishings, which is now maintained by the Brownsville Historical Society. Thoro ‘have been several sightings there. Overall, there are cllegedly 10 ghosts there, including a giggling child with dark ‘curly heir named Mary (there were several Marys raised in the castle) thal plays in the nursery. She even spelled her ‘nama out in blocks, and is accompanied by a small brown dog. Another is of @ maid who fall dawn the staiway of the ‘castio to hor doatn. Thoros the prim and propor Elizaboth. Jacob Bowman himesalf is supposed to haunt the library. ‘Amos the spook is seen in the basement. A protective nanny has been reported. Visitors have glimpsed fitting ‘shadows, smelled tobacco smoke, and heard barking dogs. voices. music & bodiless footsteps treading the siairs. Investigators have several picturas of orbs and found cold spots. The curators ae supposed to have quite a bit of ‘documentation at Nomacolin, if you over visit the Caste. Nomacolin Castle - Watson's Guido Book (Pitteburgh Tribune Review "Ghost Tour Of Nemacolin Castle Offers A Haunting Experience," October 13, 2002)MONUMENT HILL (North Sice, Allegheny County) in its early days, Monument Hil was part of Allagheny City before It \wes gobbled up by Pittsburgh, and was called Hogback Hill During the Wer of 1812, the slopes were coverod with ‘wounded solciers as the hill was used es an American field hospital. Soon after, people reported seaing the spooks of {troopers thal died there roaming the rilside. During the Civil Wer, Union soldiers reported seeing the same spirits, ‘The hil bacame Monument Hil shatly afterwards, thanks in part to the Civil War Soldier Monument placed on its ‘slopes, now moved to nearby West Park. The patk is now patt of Allegheny County Community College's North Side ‘campus. PA Rosoarchore QUGA (Monongahela River) This mammath 20’ ong, 500 pound amphibious catfishike ersature was supposed to be able to drown deer long the shore by knocking them into the river with is tal, and then devouring them whale. This is ‘Native American tale, reportedly verified by letters len by the region's early settlers & sent back to their homelands. However, some suspect thal the Ouga lore is thought to be a tale spun by Native Americans to scare off ‘nite setlers moving into the local river valleys. Ouga makes a splash in the book Weird Pennsylvania by Malt Lake.