18 Haunted Places in New York State: Ghosts, Mysteries & More

Ghostly New York State

Welcome, friends, to the haunted places of New York State. Hold onto your seats and grab your brooms. We're going for a ride!

Albany: SUNY Albany Education Building

In the basement of the education building at SUNY Albany, there's an elevator that goes down another four floors to the sub-basement. This place is appropriately known as "the dungeon."

When they were pouring the concrete floor, a worker mysteriously disappeared. They think he's now permanently embedded in the concrete. People who work in the building call him Jason, and he will travel with you up the old steel elevator to the basement level—you will have chills running up and down your back all the way. When you turn the lights out and turn your back, he will turn the lights back on again.

Annandale-on-Hudson: Blithewood Mansion

Captain Andrew C. Zabriskie built this New York mansion in the late 1800s. It's haunted by the ghost of his daughter, who jumped or fell (or was pushed) out of the window of a luxurious apartment in a Manhattan high-rise building; she haunts their summer home because she never liked Manhattan. The Captain commissioned four statues of his daughter for garden decorations. All four were complete and erected in the garden, but somehow after the daughter's death, one statue disappeared. The fourth pedestal is empty. Rumor has it that the fourth statue "walks."

Brooklyn: Most Holy Trinity Church

Brooklyn, a prosaic and peaceful borough of New York City, is one of the last places we'd think of in haunted New York State, but the ghosts remain.

The borough's Most Holy Trinity Church, built between 1882 and 1885, was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad, which may help explain the many passageways, sub-basements, bricked-up doorways, and false closets leading to tunnels throughout the church and adjacent convent. Escaped slaves from the South passed through here on their journey to freedom in Canada.

George Stelz, parish bell-ringer and sexton, died in 1897 in the vestibule of the church. His murder was never solved. Bloody hand prints of both George and his murderer appear on the stairwell to the bell tower, and they reappear as soon as they are removed. The church bells ring inexplicably, and it's said they'll do so until the murder is solved.

Buffalo: School # 61

In 1975, a young boy went swimming in the school pool and drowned. The pool is on the second floor of the building. Every year, ceiling tiles fall on the floor of the classroom immediately below the pool. The fallen tiles spell the word, "HELP." Many New York State schools are haunted, it seems.

Clinton Corners: Fiddler's Bridge

Legend has it that way back in 1910, a fiddler coming home from a Halloween party lost his way in the mist. He fell and was killed beneath the bridge. Now, on Halloween, if you happen to cross the bridge at midnight, you can hear the faint strains of the fiddler playing, whiling away his time to eternity.

Dewittville: Poor House Cemetery

The earliest dates on the tombstones in Poorhouse Cemetery in Dewittville date from 1869. Grave markers were not used until then; there are many graves, records going back to 1833, of poor souls laid in the soil, unmarked and unmourned, from the time of the Almshouse. The barn (which is still standing) is haunted by glowing orbs of light, and there are strange noises in the surrounding woods at night.

Dunkirk: Site of the Former Holy Cross Seminary

This property has been abandoned, though the wreckage of the seminary and church remain. There is also a neglected cemetery, overgrown with weeds. The property is situated along the Lake Erie waterfront beach, and many beachgoers have seen—just for a second or two—an unidentified priest with his rosary in his hands, walking through the weeds, deep in thought or prayer. The impression is very brief but vivid, and sightings have been verified by many people.

Fort Covington: Dupree House (aka Dunwich Manor)

This old Victorian house, once owned by occult writer Gerina Dunwich, is haunted by a mentally disturbed woman who was locked away here in a small attic room. She died under mysterious circumstances in the early 1900s, leaving bloody hand prints on the walls, ceiling, and floor.

The room contains a cold spot. The bloody handprints proved to be impossible to eradicate.

The cellar is haunted by glowing lights.

The carriage house to this home may also have been used as a way-station on the Underground Railroad, and it is also reputed to be haunted—-but by different ghosts!

Geneva: Belhurst Castle

Belhurst Castle is haunted by the ghost of a beautiful Italian opera singer who fled from Spain with her lover. They fled to the United States and were guests at Belhurst Castle, in Geneva, New York.

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The opera singer's irate husband tracked down his wife and her lover to the castle. Disturbed from blissful slumber, the lovers fled to the wine cellar and then into the tunnels connecting the wine cellar to the carriage house (for the winter convenience of the servants). They had intended to flee once again, but alas! The husband saw vengeance done as the tunnel collapsed on the guilty pair as soon as they entered it.

Dozens of guests have reported seeing a woman standing silently on the front lawn in the middle of the night—a woman who disappears with a sighing moan if you approach her.

Lansingburgh: The Old High School

Legend has it that early in the 1900s, a teacher went insane and slaughtered as many of his students as couldn't escape with an axe in Room 243. This room is haunted at night by the ghost of the teacher, ranting and raving and waving his bloody axe, and by the students, running and screaming in panic.

Latham: Revelatory Hero's Cemetery

Behind the Woodlands apartment complex there's a Revolutionary War graveyard in a decent state of preservation. On hot summer nights, you can hear the voices of men and the sounds of drums, calling up the dead to arms in service of their country.

Loundonville: Loundon Cottage

A woman who was sitting next to Abraham Lincoln when he was assassinated once owned this cottage. It's said that the ghost of Abraham Lincoln has been seen here several times.

Marcellus: Thirteen Curves

There's a windy, twisting road that runs through a thickly wooded area called Thirteen Curves. One misty night about half a century ago, a honeymooning couple got into a bad car accident on this road, and both were instantly killed. You can still see the bride's ghost walking down this road on misty nights, looking for the life with her husband and family that she never got to live.

Montebello: Old Spook Rock Road

There are so many paranormal stories from this area. It's a real hot spot (pardon the pun)—the site of an early witch burning and many sightings of ghosts. If you go to the bottom of the road and put your car in neutral, a ghostly figure will pull your car up the hill.

Manhattan: The Dakota Apartment Building

Former Beatle John Lennon lived here for the last seven years of his life, from 1973 until his assassination on December 8, 1980. His ghost has been spotted outside this building.

Manhattan: One if By Land, Two if By Sea Restaurant

This Greenwich Village restaurant was once a carriage house owned and operated by Aaron Burr. It's haunted by his daughter, Theodosia Burr Alston, who disappeared when she was on the way to visit. Several women sitting at the restaurant's bar have had their earrings popped off by Theodosia.

Manhattan: New Amsterdam Theatre

This fine old theatre is haunted by a former Ziegfeld Follie chorus girl named Olive Thomas, who died under mysterious circumstances. Now she visits the stage and the dressing rooms, holding a blue glass bottle that contained the poison that killed her.

Manhattan: Ground Zero

Ground Zero is perhaps one of the most haunted places in America.

People see workers and rescuers, ghosts calling for help, and apparitions of the buildings still standing. The site itself has an undying resonance of memory, for all who died there, workers and brave rescuers alike.

Enjoy Your Tour of Spooky New York State!

I hope you enjoyed these spooky tales of haunted New York State. They're all true, as far as I know. I certainly believe them—how about you?

More Haunted Tours

• Top 5 Most Haunted Roads in the USA
  In the United States, there are roads like no other—these are roads roamed by ghosts where getting out of the car is not recommended. Read on to find out more about the eeriest and most haunted roads in the U.S.
• 12 Most Haunted Places in the World
  In this article, we take a look at some of the world's most famous haunted locations and the ghostly tales they have inspired.
• 10 Creepiest Haunted Places to Visit in Northern California
  Not only does Northern California have haunted houses, but it is also home to spooky hotels, mines, tunnels, towns, and a road with a deadly reputation.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Shaloo Walia from India on February 14, 2018:

Scary!!!

KonaGirl from New York on June 01, 2016:

I am living in upstate NY now and am looking forward to visiting many of these places. Thanks so much for the info. I have pinned it to my I Love NY board.

https://www.pinterest.com/konagirl/i-love-new-york...

Cat from New York on April 01, 2013:

Paradise7,

Gee, I live in Upstate New York and I don't think I knew about any of these places; I must not get out enough! You've certainly created and agenda for me, Thanks!

Jaida1878 on June 27, 2012:

These are excellent stories Paradise!!!! Keep me posted on any new stories. In memory of my dear friend Frank who just recently died.

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on June 21, 2012:

Thank you for the comment, Jade. Yes, some of them but not all.

Jade on June 18, 2012:

Wow! This is great. Finally someone who has good stories. Have you been to these places? ?

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on May 08, 2012:

Thank you for the comment.

Jaida on May 08, 2012:

This is great! It's so hard to find such INTERESTING stories @lilaclulu I'm so in to ghosts to!

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on March 23, 2012:

Oh, yes. To this day people can hear screams for help, moans, and crackling noises.

Suzanne Sheffield from Mid-Atlantic on March 22, 2012:

I was wondering if the site of Twin Towers was haunted. Now I know.

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on March 03, 2012:

Thanks for the comment and the info, Lianna. Have you ever seen anything there?

Lianna on March 01, 2012:

I live right next to the "13 Curves" and its not in Marcellus at all lol it's in South Onondaga. Marcellus is just the closest big town near it but it's in South Onondaga.

LilacLuLu on February 21, 2012:

Thanks for making this!! It's so hard to find cool stories like this.

I am so into ghosts it's like not even funny! This keeps me interested!

LilacLuLu on February 21, 2012:

I liked it a lot!!!!!

kiki on December 22, 2011:

Hey! remember me?

well, i like this one too!

hope you keep creating such chilly stories!!

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on October 24, 2011:

Thanks, Lalia.

Laila on October 24, 2011:

I love Brooklyn and I love New York so I love your Hub :)

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on September 13, 2011:

Thank you, Cowgirl. A lot of times the criticisms aren't quite correct. I appreciate the moral support.

cowgirl1 on September 13, 2011:

I would like to comment to Tracy. I looked up Buffalo School 61 and they do have a swimming pool with a swimming program:) so maybe she should do a little more research herself. Great hub by the way.

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on September 03, 2011:

Thanks for the comment, Kitty. I love the spookiness of a lot of places in NY State.

Kitty Fields from Summerland on September 03, 2011:

Paradise - How did I miss this one? You know I'm a freak for all things Paranormal and I loved this hub! Short stories for each place but all cutting to the chase, making them even creepier. Voted up and awesome. I've been to New York, stayed in a town called Bath and I've also been to New York City. There's something so unique and beautiful about the countryside, as well as the city, but also something very eerie and looming in places.

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on July 27, 2011:

Thanks, fashion!

fashion on July 27, 2011:

wonderful hub.

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on July 16, 2011:

We people from New York have the BEST spooky stories!! My sister and I are going to a haunted former poorhouse on Halloween. I'll write about that, after, too!! Thanks for the comment, Bette. I wish you were coming with us.

Bette Jo Payne from Canandaigua on July 16, 2011:

I am from Upstate NY and found this very interesting. Some places I had heard of and some new ones. I would love to check some out.

_thats_a_bingo on July 15, 2011:

I most certainly do!

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on July 15, 2011:

Thanks for the comment...I love spooky things, don't you?

_thats_a_bingo on July 15, 2011:

This article was very very interesting! I live in New York so it was nice to read about places that are close.

goody7 from over there under the sycamore tree on June 16, 2011:

This is a great hub & I find this subject to be totally fascinating, and I have put a link from your hub to my own ghostly hub, "which has become known as Ghost Central". Hopefully you'll get even more traffic this way. If you don't like the link, then just please let me know, and I will remove it for you. Keep on hubbing.

moonlake from America on June 15, 2011:

Enjoyed your hub. Spooky stuff going on in NY.

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on May 05, 2011:

Thanks, Pink Chic!

Sarah Carlsley from Minnesota on May 05, 2011:

Spooky & interesting!

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on April 13, 2011:

Thank you, kims. I enjoyed writing this one.

kims3003 on April 13, 2011:

A very well researched and well written hub- loved reading this. Nice work and a pleasant writing style

gguy from new jersey usa on March 06, 2011:

I'll have to check out old spook rock road, I live 10 minutes from there

tracy on February 08, 2011:

just so you know... school #61 in Buffalo doesn't have a pool. might want to re-research that story

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on January 19, 2011:

Hey, Cal, can you tell us the correct legend? I find it fascinating.

cal on January 16, 2011:

ive lived by fiddlers bridge every website has their stories mixed up, sorry but nobody seems to know the corect ledgend

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on August 27, 2010:

You are so welcome. I really enjoyed writing this one!

BkCreative from Brooklyn, New York City on August 27, 2010:

I love stuff like this - all the haunted places. I live in Brooklyn and will look into the church. And the Dakota I have loved ever since I saw that movie - "Rosemary's Baby" - ooooh so eerie.

Thanks for a great hub. Rated up!

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on July 27, 2010:

Here's a link, if it copies OK, Joseph:

http://www.ghostsofamerica.com/1/New_York_Schenect...

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on July 27, 2010:

Thanks for the comment, Joseph. You might want to try googling "Schenectady, NY" and "haunted", and see what pops up.

I'm very interested in the paranormal, too, but I think caution is advised when ghost hunting. Don't go alone--take a friend along, just in case.

Joseph Pepper on July 27, 2010:

I love to read these stories of so-called Haunted Places! I've alway's been interested in the Para-Normal Issues. I for one would really love to sit and get a personal vision or contact with any such behavior.If any one knows of a real Haunted Place around Schenectady NY please contact via E-Mail @ bwannaspudnick1954@yahoo.com

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on July 15, 2010:

Ah, thank you Michael.

michael from latham on July 12, 2010:

i live in new york. latham is near albany, ny

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on July 11, 2010:

What United States State were you in??? Where were you???? I do believe that those particular sites are most conducive to impressions from the past.

michael from latham on July 11, 2010:

i visited the revolutionary cemetery the other night with a group of friends. no paranormal activity occurred. most of the graves are covered in tall weeds and a few are snapped in half. i plan on going back to observe the graveyard for a longer time period and try to see if these hauntings are real

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on July 10, 2010:

Michael, the haunting you mentioned intrigues me. Tell us more, in a hub, if you feel like it.

michael from latham on July 09, 2010:

anyone comment if has witnessed revolutionary graveyard ghost sightings ibehind the woodland aappartmnts

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on March 26, 2010:

Thanks, Red Elf. Yep, I might miss that one, myself.

RedElf from Canada on March 22, 2010:

Love reading about haunted places - the Trade Center site sounds too eerie for me, though, and so sad.

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on March 14, 2010:

Thanks, StormRyder!

StormRyder on March 13, 2010:

Hey Paradise! :) Cool hub...when I was in upstate NY,the Hudson river valley, the Adirondacks and western Vermont..we heard many stories of hauntings from locals..Keep up the good work!!

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on March 11, 2010:

Ther you go, FluuffyMetal, nice to see you on the forums, too!

Fluffymetal from Houston, Texas on March 11, 2010:

Great hub! I've only visited New York once and loved it. Now I know where to go if I want to REALLY get scared!

cosette on October 22, 2009:

NEAT-O! i was enthralled by this hub and the fantastic pictures. well done! another UP...

Paradise7 (author) from Upstate New York on October 01, 2009:

Hello, bay area, and Veronica. Wow, these story must have really worked if you were too scared to read the whole hub. I'm a fan of scary stories, myself. Stephen King, and everything.

Veronica Allen from Georgia on September 30, 2009:

I am a professed scaredy cat - I couldn't even read the whole hub! But it's undeniable that there are strange forces at work.

bayareagreatthing from Bay Area California on September 30, 2009:

Very spooky hub! Just in time for Halloween :)!! I love to hear these legendary stories- very entertaining.