Spooky Sites Near Pelham Offer Seasonal Fun

PELHAM, NY—As Halloween draws closer, it seemed appropriate to offer a few more spooky spots to visit. The following list of haunted sites all have a history of paranormal activity. Whether you believe in ghosts or not they are all fun to visit. You can wander through some of these places, eat or stay or attend services at others, but be prepared to be scared.

Westchester

Sunnyside, Irvington

Sunnyside is said to be haunted by Washington Irving who wrote “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” the spooky tale of the Headless Horseman, as well as “Rip Van Winkle.” The home is also said to be haunted by his nieces, who are said to tidy up after the museum is closed.

Church of St. Barnabas, Irvington

This Episcopal church is supposedly haunted by two ghosts. One ghost is thought to be that of the Rev. William McVickar, a former pastor and the other is a woman who sits in a rocking chair and knits.

Sparta Cemetery, Ossining:

Visitors have described eerie mists and ghostly voices. As the oldest cemetery in Westchester County, Sparta predates the Revolutionary War and contains the grave of the Leather Man, a man who hiked around Westchester and Western Connecticut while dressed in clothing made of leather scraps.

Putnam

Smalley’s Inn, Carmel:

This restaurant opened in 1852, but was rebuilt in 1924 after a fire that destroyed much of downtown Carmel. Patrons and employees have reported odd experiences such as having their clothing tugged or seeing apparitions. One ghost is said to be Elizabeth Smalley, whose gravestone was found under the basement steps, but there have also been reports of a man and a woman ghost.

The Bird and Bottle Inn, Garrison:

Opened as a tavern in 1761, the Bird and Bottle Inn operates as a restaurant and small hotel. It's supposedly haunted by Emily Warren, one of the former owners, who died in 1903. Fortunately, she's a friendly ghost, because her presence has been felt, her hazy outline seen, and her voice heard. You can stay in her room if you dare.

Rockland

United States Military Academy, West Point

Paranormal activities have been reported over the years at West Point. The most famous occurred in 1972, when two cadets claimed they saw a ghostly cadet in their dorm room. That room is no longer used as a dorm. Other spectral events occurred in Quarters 100, the residence of the superintendent of the academy, including a bed that refuses to stay made.

Spook Rock Road, Airmont

A large rock formation gives this road its name and the rock is said to have been used as a sacrificial stone by the Lenape Indians. One legend says that a Dutch woman and her Indian lover met and were murdered there. Some have reported seeing shadows and hearing screams. Whether the legends are true or not, the road is a gravity hill, If you stop your car on the road and put it in neutral, it will roll up the hill.

Mid Hudson Valley

Bannerman Castle, Beacon

The island is home to the ruins of a castle, which you can tour during the warmer months of the year. Before the wealthy merchant Francis Bannerman built his castle there, Native Americans were convinced that the island was inhabited by evil spirits. This made it a convenient place for Dutch settlers to hide from attacks.

Rondout Lighthouse, Kingston

It's said the lighthouse is haunted by a young bride who was widowed on her wedding night when she lost her husband, the lighthouse keeper, in a boating accident. Her ghost has roamed the lighthouse for over a century. You can tour the lighthouse through the end of October.

Old Dutch Reformed Church, Kingston

The church is haunted by a hobgoblin who tried to capsize the ship carrying a clergymen transporting a bell to the church. Prayers seemed to vanquish him but his cap was found on the bell and that led to him being imprisoned to the church's bell tower. The hobgoblin is supposed to have added an extra line to the clock face so that “XII” became “XIII." A steeple painter once rapidly descended from his painting job after claiming to be tapped three times on his shoulder.

Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park

The CIA, formerly a Jesuit seminary named St. Andrews, is the final resting place of many of the Jesuit priests. It's said to be haunted by a former priest, Father Murphy, who has barked out orders and apparently has some say over where one elevator will stop. The story was featured on the TV show "Ghost Hunters" in an episode titled "Too Many Apparitions in The Kitchen."

Christ Episcopal Church, Poughkeepsie

The current church was built in 1888 over a burial ground and is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former rector, the Rev, Alexander Cummings. He shows himself to parishioners, blows out candles, and moves objects. There's also the ghost of a woman who died during a church service and has been seen sitting in her pew.

The Original Albany Ghost Tour, Troy

The Ten Broeck Mansion was built in 1859, but it was not until the mid 20th century that children living there reported seeing a 17th century Dutch soldier in the house. No one knows who he is but some suspect he was buried near there. Guided tours allow visitors to explore Ten Broeck Mansion and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Some believe the school is haunted by a nurse who worked there in a building that was formerly a hospital. A paranormal pub crawl may follow.

Shanley Hotel, Napanoch
Visitors have reported paranormal activity, shadows and apparitions during both the day and night. Hot spots, cold spots, rocking chairs that start rocking suddenly, mysterious footsteps and laughter. Stay overnight, if you dare,but be prepared to leave suddenly if things get spooky.

Grinnell Library, Wappingers Falls

This library, built in 1887, might be a good place to take out a scary book. The library is said to be haunted by a former librarian who was so dedicated to her job, she had an apartment there. Others have sighted a young newspaper boy who spent a lot of time there before he died.

New York State Capitol Haunted Tours, Albany

Not only is the New York State Capitol Building worth touring for this architectural details, but it's said to be haunted by a night watchman who died in a 1911 building, as well as other spectral visitors.

Happy haunting! Here's some more paranormal fun.

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