A Dozen of the Most Popular Pennsylvania Ghosts

1. MAD ANTHONY WAYNE. The Revolutionary War general died in 1796 of gout at Fort Presque Isle (now Erie) and was buried there. However, he was dug up at the family's request for burial back home in Philadelphia. His son, Colonel Isaac Wayne had the well-preserved body boiled in a cauldron still on display at the Erie County Historical Society and placed the bones into a box for transport by horseback. On a steep hillside in present-day Highland Township in Elk County, the box slipped open and a couple bones were lost. Since then, the sight of a man on horseback has been seen and distant pounding hoof beats heard.

2. GETTYSBURG BATTLEFIELD. The site of what was arguably the pivotal battle of the American Civil War, Gettysburg is home to many ghost stories from the Farnsworth House, the Devil's Den, Gettysburg College, and many other locations. There are even ghost tours of the battlefield. There have been many experiences, ranging from apparitions to occasional sightings of campfires at night at the battlefield.

3. THE HEADLESS FRENCHMAN. South of Ole Bull's Castle at Cross Fork, a French silver prospector's ghost reportedly haunts Twin Sisters' Hollow. In the early 1600's, the prospector encountered Indians who killed him and lopped off his head. These days he can be seen, supposedly, under an October full moon, head tucked under his arm.

4. SMETHPORT JAIL. In McKean County, a man named Ralph Brassmire was executed for murder, hanged in the jail basement. His last words were the he would return to haunt the jail and he did. Several occupants of Brassmire's cell reported strange encounters with the man's ghost.

5. OLD BULL STATE PARK. Along the northern tied of the Endless Mountains in Potter County, a great violinist named Old Bull set up an unsuccessful colony. Today, you can supposedly walk through Old Bull State Park, south of Oleana on Route 144, and hear the strains of Beethoven's Eighth Sonata being played by Old Bull.