Delaware may be a small state, but it's got more than its
fair share of unsettling tales and urban legends. The first official state,
Delaware's long and rich history leaves it a likely location for hauntings.
Almost every element of Delaware is haunted: its bridges, its rivers, its old
Victorian houses. It's a wonder that Delaware citizens can even get around!
Ghost stories from Delaware often involve the state's
connection to United States history. You may experience Civil War-era ghosts or
ghosts from the early days of the country. There are also those creepy Delaware
tales that are your run-of-the-mill urban legends, such as haunted bridges and
phantom lighthouses. If you're planning to give the state a visit, or just want
a good scare, you've come to the right place. Check out these Delaware urban
legends below!
Corpse Light
Cape Henlopen State Park is said to be the origin of the
Corpse Light, a mysterious phantom light with no discernable source. There is
no lighthouse at Cape Henlopen, yet people often see lights flashing from the
location. The light was allegedly a curse from a local Native American tribe.
After British soldiers stormed a wedding ceremony and massacred many guests,
the tribe conjured up the light as a means to lure ships to doom.
The Corpse Light actually has fulfilled its promised
historically. It sunk a ship known as the Devonshireman on Christmas Day 1665.
The ship, following the beams from from the nonexistent lighthouse, crashed
into a shaft of stone instead. More than 200 men died in the wreck. Some say
the ghost ship periodically reappears to reenact the famous crash.
The Ghosts Of Fort
Delaware
During the Civil War, Fort Delaware, found on the Delaware
River's Pea Patch Island, was originally a prison for Civil War soldiers,
notorious for its atrocious conditions. Prisoners were housed in wooden
barracks and given only small food rations, as well as dirty water. Sometimes,
rats were even thrown into the crowd, which starving prisoners devoured in
desperation. About 2,700 men died in the prison and - unsurprisingly - their
spirits are rumored to remain on Fort Delaware's grounds.
The fort offers tours for those interested in its rich
history and guests often report paranormal experiences. People have felt an
eerie presence and also heard ghosts of prisoners poking around making noise
throughout the fort's walls.
The Addy-Sea Inn
The Addy-Sea Inn, found on Bethany Beach, is a quaint Bed
and Breakfast first built in 1902. Like many buildings with a long history, the
Addy-Sea Inn is rumored to be haunted. If you're interested in experiencing
paranormal activity while staying at the inn, there are three specific rooms
that allegedly house spirits.
Room 1 contains a private bath that was originally used by
John Addy, the house's original owner and builder. The tub allegedly sometimes
starts shaking when guests use it. Room
6 reportedly gives off the sound of organ music, despite no organs being
present. Room 11 is probably the most
haunted room of the hotel. Is rumored to be haunted by Addy's handyman, Paul
Dulaney. Dulaney's ghost is sometimes seen on or near the bed.
The Dark History of
Lums Pond
Lums Pond State Park is home to a gorgeous lake and is a
popular destination for guests to go canoeing or kayaking. Like many Delaware
locations, the park has long been rumored to be haunted as local lore claims a
tragedy occurred on its grounds.
According to the story, a young girl ran away from her New
Castle home sometime in the 1870s. She ended up hiding out in the woods near
the Lums Pond State Park, but ended up coming face-to-face with a dangerous man
also camping in the woods. The man captured her, assaulted her, and murdered
her. While authorities found the girl's body quickly, they never apprehended
the killer. The girl allegedly died near a bridge on the park's trails and
guests report they see the girl's ghost and sometimes hear her screaming when
crossing the bridge. Sometimes, the temperature also drops dramatically on the
bridge.
The Haunting Of Dead
Presidents Pub
The Dead Presidents Pup in Wilmington, Delaware first opened
its doors in the 1990s, but had a long and rich history before that. The two
story building had been a private residency and also housed various businesses
and bars. The name chosen in the '90s was apparently asking for trouble,
however, because guests have reported paranormal activity ever since the Dead
Presidents Pub made its debut.
The pub sells presidential memorabilia and souvenirs and
sports craft beers named after famous presidents. Guests brave enough to enter
report glasses clinking on their own, random drops in temperature, the sound of
spooky laughter, and the vague feeling of a dark presence. In addition to all
this, the pub allegedly houses a specific ghost known as Lemonade Mullery.
According to legend, Mullery was a local character who used to frequent the pub
and died after slipping on urine on the bathroom floor and breaking his neck.
Catman Of Long
Cemetery
As if cemeteries aren't already spooky enough on their own,
Long Cemetery in Frankfort, Delaware claims to be home to a ghost. However,
this specter is even more terrifying than average as it's been described as a
bizarre feline-human hybrid known colloquially as Catman.
Catman is said to be the former caretaker of the cemetery
who had remarkably cat-like features. He still does his job by chasing out
vandals, teens, and other troublemakers. Rumor has it that, if you knock three
times on the cemetery's brick wall late at night, Catman will appear and
attack.
The Governor's
Mansion
The Governor's Mansion, also called Woodburn, was built In
the 1790s by Charles Hillyard III and was the official home of Delaware's
governors for decades. It still stands in Dover, Delaware and is opened to
tours. Ghost stories regarding the mansion go back hundreds of years and guests
still report seeing paranormal phenomenon today.
The first ghost story occurred 25 years after the house was
constructed, after Charles Hillyard III had passed away. According to the
story, the house's then owners invited a Methodist preacher to stay with them.
While conducting prayer before breakfast one morning, the preacher said they
should wait for the other guest staying in the guest house to join them. The
couple said no one else was visiting, and the preacher then described his
temporary roommate in great detail. His description matched what Hillyard
looked like in life perfectly.
Apparently, Hillyard and other spirits still linger in the
mansion. If you leave Mr. Hillyard, the original owner, a glass of wine on the
stairs, legend has it that you'll find it drained in the morning. Mr. Hillyard
is not the only ghost at the mansion. Years ago, a slave running away from
slave hunters was caught and killed near the mansion's porch. Guests sometimes
still hear his screams. There have also been reports of a young girl dressed in
a gingham dress and a bonnet roaming the grounds carrying a candle.
Old Maggie's Bridge
According to local legend, a pregnant woman named Maggie got
in an automobile accident along a short bridge in Seaford, Delaware and was
decapitated and died. Her spirit still wanders the bridge, searching for the
child that died with her. Some say you can conjure her spirit by stepping out
of your car on the bridge and yelling, "Maggie, I have your baby."
People also report seeing figures dancing around in the woods surrounding the
bridge.
Was the Maggie of the story real? No one knows for sure, but
a local cemetery does have a grave marker for a Maggie Bloxom who died very
young.
Blevin's House
Blevin's House is a Victorian house located in Smyrna,
Delaware. Built around the turn of the century, the house's very old history
has led to rumors of potential paranormal activity within its walls. Visitors
have heard disembodied voices, unexplained footsteps, and report a vague
feeling of being watched.
There are several specific spirits said to haunt the house.
Some see the spirit of a barking dog. There is also a neighbor who vanishes
when approached. There is also reportedly a faceless man who watches through
the windows and the spirit of a decapitated man.
Woodland Beach
Woodland Beach Boardwalk in Kent County, Delaware is long
gone, but the ghosts remain where the boardwalk and all the attractions it
sported once stood. Only the pier remains, and ghosts are said to appear during
the night. People have reported seeing figures walking over the water and a
phantom ferry just off the coast.
Salem Church Road
According to legends, Salem Church Road in Newark, Delaware
is home to a ghostly family. Local lore states families of six were executed
for witchcraft sometime in the 1900s. Their spirits still lurk on the road and
are often seen by drivers crossing the street late at night.
Christiana Fire
Station's Dueling Ghosts
According to legend, Christiana Fire Station in Newark,
Delaware houses two spirits within its walls. There is supposedly one bad ghost
and one friendly ghost, and the pair are engaged in a struggle. Only the evil ghosts
appear, standing in a hallway that it never leaves. According to witnesses, the
spirit seems to struggle to emerge from the hallway, possibly with malevolent
intent. This has led to the belief the unseen benevolent spirit keeps the bad
ghost in its place.
Do you still wish to visit Delaware?!
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