Paranormal In Pennsylvania

From forgotten festivities to famous phantoms, we dive into the forgotten tradition of Victorian ghost parties, a bizarre and delightful custom that swept the late 1800s. We then move to Chicago’s legendary Drake Hotel, where a tragic love story lingers on the tenth floor. On New Year’s Eve 1920—the hotel’s grand opening—thousands danced, orchestras played, and one heartbroken woman in a red flapper dress is said to have taken her ...

This week, we’re heading to one of Pittsburgh’s most iconic (and secretly spooky) landmarks: The Omni William Penn Hotel—a gilded, glamorous giant that’s been towering over downtown since 1916. We’ve been inside the speakeasy in the basement, but the deeper history? That’s where things get dark. Once hailed as the “Grandest Hotel in the Nation,” the William Penn has hosted presidents, high-society galas, and thousands of travelers....

Built in the 1850s and once used by retreating Confederate soldiers, this peaceful red bridge hides a dark past. Visitors report seeing apparitions of soldiers, hearing phantom footsteps and battle sounds, and even encountering the spirits of three men said to have been hanged from its beams. From disembodied voices whispering “Go back” to mysterious lantern lights flickering across Marsh Creek, Sachs Bridge is as eerie as it is hi...

We’re back at one of the most paranormally active spots in Missouri — Pythian Castle in Springfield. This time, we teamed up with our friends from HauntedUs for a full investigation and even recorded a live episode of The Haunted Atlas inside the castle’s walls (you can find that wherever you get your podcasts). Built in 1913 by the Knights of Pythias and later taken over by the U.S. military, Pythian Castle has seen everything fro...

Behind the elegance of Pittsburgh’s Frick Mansion—also known as Clayton House—lingers the quiet presence of those who never truly left. Once home to industrial titan Henry Clay Frick and his family, this 23-room Gilded Age estate has seen both immense wealth and heartbreaking loss. Though the family moved to New York in 1905, many believe their spirits remain among the ornate halls and velvet drapes. Staff report phantom footsteps ...

Built in 1836 by banker George Swope and also home to his son, Dr. John Swope, the manor served as a Civil War hospital before being transformed into a stately inn. Over the years, it’s welcomed everyone from President Eisenhower to ghostly figures that refuse to rest. In this episode, we uncover the paranormal side of this Gettysburg landmark—from the shadowy figure said to wander the third floor, to phantom voices caught on recor...

Deep in the woods of Hellam Township, Pennsylvania, lies one of the state’s most infamous legends: The Seven Gates of Hell. Some say the gates once surrounded a burned-down insane asylum, trapping its patients inside as the flames consumed them—while others insist they belonged to a mad doctor’s estate, where strange experiments took place and few who entered ever returned. Despite the lack of historical evidence, the stories persi...

In this episode, we take you deep into the woods and along the misty shores of Lake Arthur—a place we’ve hiked many times, but this time we’re exploring its darker side. From the tragic spirit of Nancy McCandless, who still roams after her shocking murder in 1871, to the terrifying black mass known as Old Red Eyes, this park’s serene landscape hides some serious paranormal energy. We’ll talk about the park’s glacial beginnings, its...

We’re back with another dive into haunted haute couture! In our first spooky fashion episode, we covered arsenic green gowns, mad hatters, and more—but we couldn’t resist returning to explore even more deadly designs from history. From corsets stiffened with whale baleen to the ghostly glow of lead-based beauty creams, this episode peels back the silk and lace to reveal the horrors beneath the hemline. ...

Built in the 1800s, this estate has lived many lives — once home to the Hankey Baking Company Farms, and later a printing press and horse farm under James A. Stewart. Today, it’s the site of a thriving winery that embraces its history — and the spirits that never left. During our investigation, we explored every floor of the mansion from the subterrean rathskeller to the upstairs bedrooms. Guests and investigators alike report phan...

You told us your stories — we listened. In this listener-powered episode, we read and react to the paranormal encounters sent in by you, our listeners. From chilling apparitions to fog that vanishes at the edge of the road, these are the firsthand moments that stuck with everyday people. From Gettysburg to Lake Erie, we debate whether these stories point to lingering spirits, residual energy, mass suggestion, or something else enti...

Built in 1810, the Farnsworth House Inn has stood through centuries of history, including the bloody Battle of Gettysburg. Confederate sharpshooters once fired from inside, its walls still bear over 100 bullet holes, and its rooms once served as a Civil War field hospital. Today, this historic inn isn’t just a place to stay—it’s home to restless spirits. From the playful ghost of little Jeremy, to the stern soldier in grey who some...

Hidden deep in Pennsylvania, the remains of Alvira tell a chilling story. Once a thriving town, it was seized by the government in 1942 under eminent domain to build the Pennsylvania Ordnance Works—an enormous TNT plant and a network of bunkers meant to store munitions. The plant shut down after just 11 months, leaving behind toxic land, abandoned bunkers, and a ghost town swallowed by time. Today, the Alvira Bunkers stand as eerie...

On Chambersburg Pike in Gettysburg sits the small stone Mary Thompson House, better known as General Robert E. Lee’s Headquarters during the Battle of Gettysburg. This humble home bore witness to strategy, suffering, and sacrifice as wounded soldiers were tended inside and burials took place just steps away. Today, the restored property looks much as it did during the Civil War—but many say its ghosts remain. From phantom footsteps...

We’re throwing it back three years to one of our earliest episodes, The University of Pittsburgh! This time, it’s just Sara diving into brand-new ghost stories and hauntings from Pitt’s campus. From the shadowy figures roaming the Cathedral of Learning, to the infamous “Ruskghost” in Ruskin Hall, to restless spirits in Centre Plaza shaking students awake, the Steel City’s most haunted university never fails to give us chills. Pitt ...

Built in 1794, Selma Mansion in Norristown, PA, has stood witness to centuries of history—from Revolutionary War hero General Andrew Porter to the prominent Fornance family. Today, it’s preserved by the Norristown Preservation Society, but many believe its past residents never truly left. Visitors report a mischievous kitchen poltergeist, the restless spirit of General Porter pacing outside his study, and Mrs. Fornance, who still l...

This week, we’re heading to Happy Valley—where the spirits are anything but cheerful. Penn State University in University Park, PA, may be a hub of science, history, and higher learning, but it’s also home to some truly chilling hauntings. We start with Coaly the ghostly mule, Penn State’s oldest (and most unexpected) ghost. From there, we head into Schwab Auditorium, where phantom figures flip seats and vanish into walls. Some of ...

Buckle up for a paranormal road trip through the backroads and haunted byways of Wisconsin! In this episode, we sit down with Brandon Rugzie and Mitch Goth, two members of the Haunted US team and co-authors of a brand-new book chronicling their eerie adventures across the Badger State. Brandon, a seasoned photographer, and Mitch, a writer with a passion for ghostly lore, take us behind the scenes of their haunted travels. From narr...

This week, we’re digging into the ghostly remains of Livermore, PA's cemetery. Despite popular belief, Livermore Cemetery was not featured in Night of the Living Dead, but its eerie reputation is enough to rival any horror set. Founded in 1827 and incorporated in 1865, Livermore was wiped off the map, either by flood or demolition to make way for a dam—depending on which legend you believe. All that remains is the cemetery, perched...