Halloween has at long last arrived! For those of us in the Mid-Atlantic, there’s no shortage of enticing endeavors to get into, in the spirit of the season. From family-friendly trick-or-treat/trunk-or-treating events to a host of parties and other happy happenings, there are even several notable ghost tours, paranormal investigations, and haunted hotel/inn stays to consider.
On that latter note, it’s definitely worth mentioning how the rich and storied history and heritage of the Mid-Atlantic have resulted in the emergence of many reputed hauntings in these parts. Delaware may be one of the smaller states in the lineup, but that just makes the ratio of historic hauntings per capita that much greater, percentage-wise. For this Flashback Friday Feature, I’m focusing on several locations throughout Delaware that are renowned for being historic haunted hotspots.
Bellevue Hall
Located in Bellevue State Park in Wilmington, the historic mansion known as Bellevue Hall formerly served as the home to William du Pont, Jr. It’s primarily used today as a premier special events venue, hosting weddings and other major milestone celebrations.
The house is reportedly home to a populous of poltergeist activity. While all areas of the home have been subjected to accounts of the uncanny, the most active hotspots can mainly be found on the second and third floors, which are closed to the public. But the staff members all attest to the strange, unexplainable happenings that take place in these parts, especially.
Reported phenomena here include electricity tampering, furniture being inexplicably moved around on its own, and even disembodied laughter and screaming. Some have even reported sightings of a young girl dressed in Victorian clothing. There have also been visions of a woman dressed in attire from this same era. She vanishes quickly on cue when realizing she’s been noticed.
Cannonball House
Under the current ownership of the Lewes Historical Society since the 1960s, the unique Cannonball House name is derived from its having been struck by a fired cannonball by the British back in April 1813 during the War of 1812. The structure itself, however, dates back to 1765.
Throughout the years, Cannonball has served multiple purposes and has a rich and storied past. There is at least one account of a woman having burned to death here when her skirt brushed against a hearth fire.
From the beginning of their assumed ownership of the premises, the Lewes Historical Society has observed paranormal phenomena here. Accounts include doors not staying closed (despite being nailed shut), objects being moved around and misplaced, and even spectral sightings.
Cape Henlopen State Park
The land comprising Cape Henlopen is as old as habitation itself, beginning with the first Native American tribes, the Lenape and Nanticoke. During their tenure, specifically, we can gather that there were numerous sacred ceremonies and rituals that unfolded here, all of which created mounds of spiritual energy, which cannot be denied nor discarded.
There’s plenty to say about the coast’s role throughout WWII and the lingering energy that resulted from this tragic time in history as well. You have the account of a German U-boat that managed to sink two American ships, for instance, and the deaths of so many in the direct warpath. These departed souls are reportedly still lingering about today. Some folks claim to see a shadowy figure on top of the Tower at various times, in fact. There have also been sightings of a supposed Phantom Ship on the waters off Cape Henlopen on foggy nights.
Cooch’s Bridge
Cooch’s Bridge in Newark is another historic site that doubles as a reputedly haunted hotspot owing to its checkered past dating back to the Revolutionary War era. The history books recount the extensive fighting that unfolded here. Such events have undoubtedly resulted in so many tragic, lingering energies of all sorts throughout the immediate area. But what’s most captivating is the fact that several American sentries reported sighting a spectral white horseman throughout these parts even before the battle got underway. Despite firing at it, the horseman remained unharmed.
On a more logical note, some historians have since concluded that the apparition was really a disguised British soldier riding heavily armored under a white sheet. Others like to romanticize the unexplained nature of the account. For better or worse, sightings, however sensationalized as they were and still are, continue to this day…as do other reported sightings and sounds throughout the area.
Dickinson Mansion
Located in Dover, Dickinson Mansion is another antiquated estate that has a notoriously nostalgic past. The house was originally built in 1739 by Judge Samuel Dickinson and later raided and significantly damaged by British soldiers during the Revolution. Adding insult to injury, a fire nearly destroyed it in 1804.
All the high-energy accounts of tragedy here were enough to leave lingering energy, but truth be told, most haunted happenings here account for the two years that the patriot John Dickinson, also known as “The Penman of the American Revolution,” lived here. Visitors to the house, which now runs as a state-owned museum, claim to hear a quill pen scratching across parchment paper and other unexplained sounds in what was once his study. Photographs and videos also record orbs and unaccounted-for images. Other unexplainable phenomena documented here include cold spots and eerie sounds.
Fort Delaware
Notorious as a major prison following the Civil War battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg, the number of prisoners housed here once reached a zenith of 12,000. Of those, more than 2,650 died while incarcerated. Poor living conditions were largely to blame. Additionally, many contracted smallpox during the infamous epidemic of 1864.
On that note, we can’t be surprised that there are so many reported hauntings on location, including those of Civil War soldiers. Local author Ed Okonowicz has documented such reports in his book Civil War Ghosts at Fort Delaware. Among the accounts, some claim to have seen men in damp gray uniforms wandering around the coastline on misty nights. Others have noted strange noises and even a cloaked man carrying a lantern.
Lums Pond State Park
This favored spot in Bear harbors a few fantastic tales as well. The Delaware Public Archives confirm that a runaway girl was murdered here back in the 1870s. Ever since, there have been reports of uncanny high-pitched screams and muffled shouts being heard by those venturing near the Swamp Forest Hiking Trail.
The park’s own namesake, John Lum, has also been known to manifest here. He ran a millhouse along the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. The most familiar sightings are those of him and his son, spotted at various points throughout the park. Sounds of a no-longer commissioned water wheel have also been documented time and again over the years.
Rockwood Museum
As a quintessentially classic haunted house, Rockwood Mansion dates back to the 1850s and is a hotspot for hauntings. There are those visions of Joseph Shipley, for one. This was his retirement home after all. The most common sights are those of him in a red smoking jacket. His great niece, Mary Bringhurst, who died here in 1965 at the ripe old age of 100, apparently never left either.
The basement is apparently home to “The Shadowman” and even a ghost dog. From unaccounted-for temperature changes to photographic orbs, sounds, and poltergeist activity, Rockwood Museum really is a premium haunted home if ever there was one. It now operates as a museum and even holds ghost tours throughout the Halloween season. It’s been showcased on many ghost-hunting televised programs as well.
Woodburn
Located in Dover, Woodburn serves as the official Governor’s Mansion. Its resident ghost has been identified as Charles Hillyard III, who purchased the estate grounds in the 1780s and built the house in the 1790s.
The first reported sighting of Hillyard’s ghost can be traced back to 1815 by a visiting minister of all people. Since then, many others have reported seeing a man in a powdered wig, knee britches, and a ruffled shirt. He apparently likes his wine, because legend has it that if you leave a poured glass out for him in the evening, come morning, it will be gone. This theory has been tested over the years, but the claims have proven to be untrue.
These are only some of the countless haunted hotspots that comprise the small state of Delaware. Throughout your ventures, you’re bound to uncover more…if you know where to look and you dare to look!