Your Guide to Petrifying Pennsylvania Places

With its roots dating back to when the United States was just 13 colonies, Pennsylvania is famously known for being a historical hot spot. Although rich in history, Pennsylvania also is filled with creepy sites. From old jails to old battlefields, Pennsylvania is the perfect place for thrill-seekers and history buffs. Next time you want to switch things up and get your heart pumping from history, check out these petrifying Pennsylvania places. Don’t forget to SHARE them with your daring friends.

Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, Carnegie

Located in Connellsville, the Carnegie Free Library was built in 1901 on a graveyard. Those buried there weren’t relocated, so the grounds are said to be festered with restless spirits.  Visitors of the library claim to hear footsteps and see items knocked off shelves. The influx of paranormal activity also is contributed to a former librarian who haunts the building. According to legend, the former librarian makes her presence known if she doesn’t approve of changes within the library.

Mishler Theatre, Altoona

The Mishler Theatre was originally opened in 1906 by Isaac Mishler, a Lancaster-born businessman. According to locals, the theater is definitely haunted. There have been reports of seeing the ghost of the late owner wander into a wall where his office used to be, all while leaving trails of cigar smoke in his path.

Allegheny County Jail, Pittsburgh

The Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh is said to be filled with bone-chilling creepiness. According to legend, in 1902 the warden’s wife fell in love with an inmate and attempted to help him and his brother escape. They were all killed in a shootout, and the woman’s spirit remains, shuffling papers and brushing past guards. Also in 1907, prisoners on death row reported seeing a murder reenacted every night, so they were relocated.

Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia

Opening in 1829, Eastern State specialized in solitary confinement for inmates. With a 142-year history, the infamous prison has become a ghost-hunting, adrenaline-junkie hot spot. There have been a multitude of claims of paranormal sightings, which include voices, figures, and visions of both guards and inmates. Independent groups now organize spirit-hunting expeditions within the prison.

Sachs Covered Bridge, Gettysburg

In July 1863, General Robert E. Lee and his Confederate troops retreated over this very bridge at the end of the Battle of Gettysburg. It is said that three Confederate soldiers were hung from the bridge after running away and their ghosts still haunt the premises. Other visitors claim to hear the sounds of war or see apparitions and orbs in the photographs they take on the bridge.

Devil’s Den, Gettysburg

Devil’s Den is another battle site with eerie occurrences. During the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, soldiers fought among the boulders, hills, and valleys in the area. The most infamous ghost of this area is a barefoot soldier with torn clothing, a floppy hat, and long hair. According to locals, he says, “What you’re looking for is over there,” as he points toward nearby Plum Run, which also is the scene of a battle.

Harrisburg State Hospital, Harrisburg

Formerly known as the Pennsylvania State Lunatic Hospital, the Harrisburg State Hospital was the first public asylum in Pennsylvania. It opened in 1851 and operated until 2006. During the 1930s, electrotherapy was used on its patients. There have been reports of screams heard throughout the grounds, as well as in the underground tunnels beneath the buildings. The Ghost hunters for the Discovery Channel show Ghost Lab even heard the voices uttering full names.

Fort Mifflin, Philadelphia

Fort Mifflin is a major battle site that dates back to the Revolutionary War. The ghosts of many soldiers are said to haunt the fort. The most famous among them are the ghost of a lamplighter and the “Wailing Woman,” who is said to be mourning the loss of soldiers in the revolution. Reportedly, sounds of the blacksmith shop can be heard throughout the fort.

Welles House, Wilkes-Barre

Local publications refer to the Welles House as Wilkes-Barre’s own Amityville Horror. The house was built by industrialist Augustus Laning in 1860, and has seen a number of deaths over the years, including the tragic loss of Laning’s own nephew in a barn fire. There have been reports of bangs, shrieks, and moans heard throughout the premises. Additionally, a well-dressed translucent man with a cane is said to roam aimlessly.

Pennhurst State School and Hospital, Spring City

The Pennhurst State School and Hospital was originally named the Eastern Pennsylvania Institution for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic. After operating for 80 years, the facility closed due to the lack of funding, patient overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and reports of resident abuse. Paranormal experts have reportedly found apparitions of nurses, children, unknown voices, and unexplained marks and scratches throughout the building.

The Lightner Farmhouse, Gettysburg

Built in 1862, this Civil War-era home was used as a field hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg. Being a site for some truly grotesque amputations and surgeries, it is now said to be haunted. Strangely enough, according to locals, the ghosts steal the doilies found within what is now a bed and breakfast. There also have been reports of serious feelings of sadness in certain areas of the building.

Hill View Manor, New Castle

Hill View Manor has been a home for the elderly, homeless, and those with mental illness. Over the years, the manor has experienced a number of deaths, which include several suicides. Many visitors have claimed to see apparitions, shadows, and flickering lights, or hear mysterious screams and bangs. Its’s reportedly quite common to hear disembodied voices or slamming doors, and to see unknown figures roaming through the halls. The facility is used by both public and private groups to hunt for ghosts.