The City of Lancaster was founded in the early-mid 18th century. Any city this old, with tons of rich history is bound to have its share of ghost stories. Whether you believe ghosts are real or not, it's always fun to learn a little spooky history about the city you live in. Here are a few famously haunted places in Lancaster City to visit for yourself for a potentially supernatural adventure.
1. The Rock Ford Plantation
888 Rockford Rd (Lancaster Central Park)
Built in 1794, this property is known as the home of General Edward Hand, a close friend of George Washington and an Adjutant General during the American Revolution. Hand resided at Rock Ford with his wife and seven children until his death in 1802.
Many members of the Hand family died at Rock Ford, so it's no surprise that visitors report seeing Hand and his family.
Hand's eldest son, John, committed suicide at Rock Ford in 1801. To this day, it's reported that a bloodstain remains on the floorboards.
Although a suicide took place in the house, the supernatural reports all seem to be more inviting and entertaining than negative. Among the most common sightings, is a little girl in the blue parlor room watching guests and a misty figure of a servant running down the basement hall.
Phantom smells are also reported such as distinct aromas of food, candles, and tobacco smoke. It's almost as if the family is still hosting from beyond the grave...
If you are interested in experiencing the mostly unchanged historic site, Rock Ford is open to the public as a museum. The plantation also hosts a series called "Tales from the Caretakers" which is a play dedicated to haunted stories from Rock Ford's past.
2. The Fulton Theatre
12 N Prince Street
One of the darkest stories in Lancaster history is the Massacre of the Conestoga Indians. For those who are unfamiliar with the story, in 1763 a gang called the Paxton Boys were wanted for their vigilante acts against Native Americans following the French and Indian War. The last of the Conestoga Indians became the target of the gang and turned to the Lancaster police to keep them safe. The natives were granted the access to the jail, but the Paxton Boys stormed the jail and murdered, scalped, and dismembered six adults and eight children.
In 1852, the Fulton Theatre was built on the foundation of the old jail and the jail transitioned to its new building, the Lancaster County Prison.
The Fulton's historic location may explain the ghostly activity many have reported at the site. Some reports include the sounds of phantom applause, pianos playing on their own, and of course the screams of tortured Conestoga Indians.
Perhaps unrelated to the old jail history is an account of an older gentlemen up in the benches of the theater. This story is my personal favorite and possibly the most believable. Here is the account from the Fulton's website:
"Prior to the 1905 renovation, the gallery was closed to the public because of building codes. Movie projector and follow-spot operators were only permitted in the area. A Millersville University professor was running the spotlights for a show when she noticed an older gentleman sitting in the benches. At intermission she asked if the gentleman was given permission to sit up there. The gentleman only pointed out the young actress in the first act and cited her as his granddaughter that he had come to see. After the show ended, the older gentleman was gone. The spot operator went backstage and ran into the actress. The operator said she had seen her grandfather and hoped he enjoyed the show. The girl responded, “Both my grandfathers are dead.” The actress also said her grandfathers had never seen her perform. The spot operator replied, “Maybe one has now.” And left it at that."
Along with the story of the old man, there have been many accounts of an apparition of a woman in white backstage as well as in the aisles. When asked what her name was, she answered, "Marie." It was discovered that an actress named Marie Cahill performed at the theater several times during the late 1880s and early 1900s.
"The Whistler" is the final reoccurring ghost in from the Fulton. The story goes that a worker was approached by a man in a straw hat who asked for a cigarette and then completely vanished sending the worker in a screaming panic out of the theater. Many actors report similar sightings as well as whistling and clapping.
3. The Duke Street Parking Garage
150 N Duke St
The Massacre of the Conestoga Indians doesn't just haunt the Fulton Theater. Following the murders of the natives in the old jail, their bodies were buried near the intersection of Cherry street and Chestnut street.
Although the remains of the natives were relocated in 1833, it seems to still be possible to spot shadowy figures and hear cries of the Conestoga Indians in the garage.
Perhaps it's because the garage's sole purpose is to hold cars, but I've been there alone on several occasions and never felt spooked. Maybe things will be different with the new knowledge of a previous burial site!
4. St. James Episcopal Church
119 N Duke St
This Lancaster City church is home to a cemetery which includes many prominent figures of Lancaster's history. It's entirely possible that there have been other ghostly sightings at this Orange Street cemetery, but I'm going to focus on the tale of the Coleman sisters.
Robert Coleman, a local industrialist, was very critical of his daughters' suitors. The first daughter, Sarah Coleman, loved William Muhlenberg who was the co-rector of St. James Episcopal Church. The engagement of the two was forbidden by Robert Coleman, which may have sent Sarah into hysteria. She committed suicide shortly after.
The second daughter, Anne Caroline, began a relationship with the future president of the United States, James Buchanan. Buchanan was a lawyer in Lancaster at the time, and Mr. Coleman was unimpressed with Bachanan's reputation. Rumors were circulating that Buchanan was only marrying Anne for her money. There were also rumors of Buchanan visiting other women while dating Anne.
Whether or not it had to do with Mr. Coleman, Anne ended her engagement with Buchanan and died soon after. It is suspected that she died of an overdose on laudanum. Some historians suspect that her overdoes was likely a suicide.
On present day Orange Street, people have reported seeing a pair of lovers strolling down the street. Which couple it is, has not been agreed upon.
5. Franklin & Marshall College
637 College Ave
It is said that F&M's Old Main was built on the former grounds of Gallows Hill, which was the city's spot for public hangings until 1834. It's no wonder why there are so many reports of cold spots, figures, and most famously the tolling of the bell in the dead of night.
Diagnothian Hall has some ghost stories which reflect on its history as a Civil War hospital. One story, for example, was of a professor listening to a recording of Souza duet called "Red Cross Nurse." While the music played, heard sounds unrelated to the music. They were all moaning sounds of a person in intense pain, so the professor rushed out of the room to see who needed help. Of course no one was there.
There are other ghost stories in the buildings of Franklin & Marshall, but most just reveal the classic strange sounds, odd feelings, and cold spots. If you're interested, you can look through them here.
Please share some of your ghostly tales with me, I think they are fascinating whether I believe in them or not!
Stay spooky, my friends. And have a wonderful Halloweekend!
-KB
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