Ghost Stories

Mount Misery is a vast 854 acre wooded area in Huntington, NY. It's name doesn't derive from the many legends attached to the property. In 1653, local Indians sold the land to the settlers. The Indians sold them what they believed to be cursed land. They claimed evil spirits roamed the land. There were rumors of strange lights and sightings of a "man beast" or hell hound like creature with glowing red eyes. The settlers soon realized the land was no good for growing crops. It was used mainly as a trade route. The rough terrain and steep hill made it difficult for wagons to pass. Thus, it became known as Mount Misery. In 1840, a hospital was built for the insane, but not long after, a fire burned it down to the foundation, killing many of the patients. The hospital was rebuilt about 15 years later. New patients and staff began reporting the smell of something burning and unexplained screams heard during the night. The new hospital burned down 5 months after being bu...

Dubbed "The Finest Brick Hotel in Ontario County", The Naples Hotel was built in 1895 by Jeff. R. Brown. The Federal style building five bricks thick walls, three stories, Victorian Dining Rooms, a tap room and bar area, antique claw foot bathtubs, bay windows and five available rooms (Delaware, Catawba, Sake, Cabernet and Niagara). The hotel is known for its fine dining and accommodations as well as a few famous visitors. Back when Senator Robert Kennedy was the U. S. Attorney General, he made a visit to Naples, New York and gave a speech from the front porch of the Naples Hotel. Another well known visitor was radio News Commentator Paul Harvey. One possible former guest is making a name for himself....from the afterlife. In the 1920s, a man supposedly hung himself on the third floor. Named after a character in a '30s or '40s movie, "Topper" is believed to haunt the hotel. During TAPS investigation, they were unable to verify "Topper's" ex...

Located in Napanoch, New York, Thomas Ritch first built the Shanley Hotel in 1845. Six years later, it became the Hungerford’s Hotel. Then, it burned down on March 18, 1895 after a nearby house caught on fire and spread to the hotel, burning it to the foundation. The construction of the new hotel began by September on the same foundation and it reopened in November. Over the years, the hotel switched hands more than 20 times. The one who really put the establishment on the map was James Louis Shanley. He was born on Halloween in 1874 in Ireland and later, moved his family to New York City. Shanley moved upstate for health reasons and purchased the hotel on October 1, 1906. Shanley was well loved by the community. Upon returning from his honeymoon with his new bride Beatrice Rowley in 1910, the couple was greeted with a grand parade welcoming them back. The Shanleys welcomed everyone and used games, entertainment, parties and special events to attract new guests. In 1908, he added on...

Want to spend a night in Manhattan's Most Haunted House? This may be your chance. The Merchant House Museum is hosting a lecture by Dan Sturges and a raffle. The Winner and a Guest will participate in a real paranormal investigation of the Merchant’s House Museum led by the Historic Paranormal Research team. Merchant's House Museum, also known as the Old Merchant's House and the Seabury Tredwell House, was a Federal-style red-brick row house built in 1832 by Joseph Brewster and designed by Minard Lafever in Manhattan, New York City. Brewster lived in the house until 1836 when he sold it to Seabury Tredwell, a wealthy New York merchant, for $18,000. Seabury lived in the house with his wife, seven children, two boys and five girls, four servants, and an ever-changing assortment of other relatives. Seabury died in 1865. The remaining family lived in the house until his youngest daughter Gertrude, who was born in the house in 1840, died in 1933. Three years after her de...

The Buffalo Central Terminal opened to the public on June 22, 1929 and closed in 1979. Built by the New York Central Railroad and designed by architects Alfred T. Fellheimer & Steward Wagner, the art deco style station was built to accommodate up to 3200 passengers per hour, or 200 trains per day. The complex consists of the main concourse, a 17 story office tower, a four story baggage building and two story mail building along Curtiss Street, and the now detached train concourse. The complex sits on a 17 acre site 2.5 miles east of downtown Buffalo. WWII German POWs did maintenance work on the site. After closing to passenger traffic in 1979, the building was purchased by Anthony Fedele & Galesi Realty for $75,000. Fedele used the building for a variety of purposes, including gala events, markets, floor hockey games, and more. Fedele enjoyed the building so much, that he built himself an apartment to live in within the Terminal. Scott Field of the Preservation Coalition o...

Mount Misery is a vast 854 acre wooded area in Huntington, New York. It's name doesn't derive from the many legends attached to the property. In 1653, local Indians sold the land to the settlers. The Indians sold them what they believed to be cursed land. They claimed evil spirits roamed the land. There were rumors of strange lights and sightings of a "man beast" or hell hound like creature with glowing red eyes. The settlers soon realized the land was no good for growing crops. It was used mainly as a trade route. The rough terrain and steep hill made it difficult for wagons to pass. Thus, it became known as Mount Misery. In 1840, a hospital was built for the insane. Not long after the hospital was built, there was a fire and it burned down to the foundation, killing many of the patients. About 15 years later the hospital was rebuilt. Some reported the smell of a burning building and the screams of the victims were heard during the night. The new hospital burned d...

Josh and Brent ditched city life to try life as organic farmers documented by Planet Green's newest series "The Fabulous Beekman Boys". After their one year anniversary in Beekman Mansion in Sharon Springs, NY, the boys began witnessing unexplainable activity, dishes began clanking, voices started calling out and floorboards began creaking, witnessed by the boys, their guests and fellow town members. The Beekman mansion was built between 1802 and 1804 by a young soldier named William Beekman who fought in the Revolutionary War and later became a recognized businessman. He and his wife had eight children, only two of which lived to age 20. According to the tombstones in the Beekman family crypt on the mansion’s property, one child, was killed by “a sleigh going over him” at age nine and a teenage son was “felled by a tree.” Town lore says that another child called Mary, a four-year-old, died in a barn fire. Her name is carved under the floorboards of the center hal...

This Historic Grand Dame Resort was opened in 1909. A majestic, Federal-style structure with an imposing front portico supported by massive 30-foot columns, The Otesaga was designed by Architect Percy Griffin and was named for the Iroquois word for “ A Place of Meetings.” This magnificent hotel occupies 700 feet of lakefront on the southern shore of Lake Otsego (also known as the “Glimmerglass” lake of James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales) in Cooperstown, New York. Avid golfers, vacationers and others have been drawn to the resort for its beautiful scenic surroundings, elegant accommodations, and enjoyable resort atmosphere since it first opened its doors. Some believe it has also drawn the attention of a few ghosts. Guests have reported hearing children playing and/or giggling in the third floor hallway (From 1920 until 1954, the hotel was a private girl’s school known as the Knox School for Girls.). Voices have been heard in the Glimmerglass Room. Apparitions have been...

Paddy Reilly was born in Dublin, Ireland on October 18th, 1939. Among his Irish brethren, he is known as the country's most famous balladeers. For years, he performed as a solo artist in public establishments such as The Embankment and the Ballad Lounge. With the success of such songs as "The Fields of Athenry" and "The Town I Loved So Well", Reilly toyed with the idea of opening a few pubs. One such pub named after the famous folk singer is located on the corner of 29th St and 2nd Ave in New York City. Paddy Reilly's Pub was opened in 1985 by an Irish footballer from Cavan, Ireland. The small establishment provides customers with the warmth and atmosphere of Ireland. Such bands as Black 47, The Prodigals and The Mickey finns have performed on its stage. Paddy Reilly once owned the pub but has since passed the buck to former partner Steve Duggan. Reilly went on to replace Ronnie Drew in The Dubliners in 1996 until 2005 when he left the group. He still o...

Fort Ticonderoga's roots began as a French military fort known as Fort Carillon between 1755 and 1759 during the Seven Years War. It's main purpose was to help control Lake Champlain in upstate New York and essentially the north-south water highway. Only one in a series that the French built. Designed by Michel Chartier de Lotbinière and named after former French officer Philippe de Carrion du Fresnoy who established a trading post at the site in the late 17th Century. On July 8, 1758 the Fort was successfully defended by a French army of 3500 soldiers under the command of Louis-Joseph le Marquis de Montcalm. This victory was one of France's greatest due to being severely outnumber by an attacking British army of 16,000 troops under the command of General James Abercromby. However, the victory would be short lived. A year later, General Jeffery Amerst and the British army of 11,000 troops defeated a garrison of 400 Frenchmen in the Battle of Ticonderoga. They evacuated...

Like many towns, Montague, NY has their very own local legend. This one involves a young woman who died in a fatal car accident. Anna Joan Machowski was born on February 2, 1917. Her life wasn't exactly a fairytale but little did she know, her death would be the fuel of legend and rumors for years to come. At the age of 24, she married a man named Alfred and gave birth to four children. Her marriage wasn't always the happiest and she often drowned her sorrows in alcohol. On June 14th, 1954, she and friend, Jan Winiarski, jumped in to Jan's 1949 Studebaker truck and drove to Barnes Corners to purchase wine. With Anna at the wheel, they sped along Sears Pond Road. She raced towards a curve. An onlooker watched in fear they wouldn't make it and he would be right. The truck went off the road and flipped several times until coming to a rest upright on its wheels. The witness raced to the scene. When he arrived, he found Anna's body lying next to the wrecked truck, her ...

Sands Point Light is situated close to Execution Rocks, but proved ineffective at warning mariners of the danger in heavy fog or stormy weather. On March 3, 1847, the United States Congress appropriated $25,000 for creation of Execution Rocks Lighthouse. Designed by Alexander Parris, construction was completed in 1849, although it was not lit until 1850. It stands at 55 feet tall, with a flashing white light. Built of granite, the tower is painted white with a brown band around its midsection. Next to it is a stone keeper's house inhabited since the beacon became automated. Initially, there was no keeper, although Daniel Caulkins tended to its needs while remaining as keeper of Sands Point Light. A year later, William Craft took over as headkeeper. He and his assistant lived in the tower. The keeper's quarters wasn't erected until 1867, 16 years later. A concrete oil house was also added sometime between 1910 and 1920. On December 8, 1918, Keeper Peter Forget took a lunch...

In 1970, Clara and Phil Dandy moved in to a century-old farmhouse in Hinsdale, New York, leaving the chaos of city life behind. Shortly after, their son Mike befriends some local boys. They decided to explore the nearby woods one day and encounter something unexpected. Upon spotting a hunter, they begin to follow him until he mysteriously disappeared right before their eyes sending the boys running from the forest. This would be the beginning of a stressful four years. A couple of weeks later, Clara walked the family dog in the very same woods and heard strange chanting. One night, board games were pulled off a shelf on to Mike's bed waking him from a deep sleep. They also experienced mysterious burns on their bodies, bricks pulled from a crawlspace chimney dismantled and placed in the middle of the room, a female spirit spotted wandering the house and witnessed "energy orbs". All these experiences led the Dandy's to contact Rev. Alphonsus Trabold from nearby St. Bo...

The cafe proper, bar/restaurant, sits on the first floor of the three-floor wooden frame building and is one of the oldest food and drinking establishments in New York. The Bridge Cafe was named for its location, under the Brooklyn Bridge. The building was erected in 1794. It began as a porter house in 1847 before turning in to a tavern. In the 19th Century, like many places on the same street, the third story housed a brothel. Today, the rooms are used for storage. A former owner was a mariner and once attracted river pirates. It’s most famous employee and ghost is that of Gallus Mag. She worked as a bouncer in tavern. An Englishwoman standing at more than six feet tall, she had no problem tossing out rowdy drunks from the establishment. She was known for dragging them by the ear with her teeth and on occasion, depending on her mood, would bite off the ear, saving them in a jar. Mike Tyson would be proud. Activity known for this cafe are moving shadows, footsteps from an above fl...

I think of all the places I have read and/or researched about none made me wonder why someone would name an inn after a body part. In this case, I’m sure I’m not the only one. However, anyone who thinks the Ear Inn was named after a person’s ear would be wrong. It was actually named after a magazine, but lets start at the beginning. The Ear Inn started out as a home for James Brown (no, not the singer). James Brown was a black man who assisted George Washington during the American Revolution and possibly was pictured in the Cass Gilbert painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware River. After the war was over, he settled in New York and became successful in the tobacco trade. He later moved to Greenwich and built a Federal townhouse in 1817. Today, it’s one of the few Federal townhouses left in NY. During the 19th Century, Thomas Cooke brewed beer and sold crocks of corn, whiskey to sailors. It became a speakeasy during Prohibition. It’s also been a boarding house, smuggler...

In July 2008, an unidentifiable creature washed up on the beach in Montauk, New York. Some believed it was a bloated raccoon. Others, thought it might have been all a publicity stunt. I don't think it's true origins was ever revealed. However, another such creature has been found on the beach in Southold, NY on May 6th, 2009. Who broke the story? Why the very person running the creatures official website, Nicky Papers at Montauk-Monster.com . Papers stated the "animal" smelled of "rotten garbage" and therefore, had to take photos and video. Yes, a rotting corpse always makes me want to whip out my camera. Then said it may be the "result of biological warfare and carries the H1N1 swine-flu virus". Gotta love the media. Interesting thing is every attempt I've made to access the Montauk site has gone unsuccessful. He has a new site called Reality in 500 words or less . Wasn't able to access it either. Either he is experiencing technical di...

Genesee County Home also known as Rolling Hills has a long tormented history. Over 1,000 deaths reportedly took place within its walls. Genesse County purchased the property in 1826 and opened its doors to the poor a year later. They took in anyone who could not support themselves including orphans, elderly, paupers and the insane. They were self-sufficient farming on 100's of acres of county owned land. Besides being a poorhouse, it was a hospital, a prison for both men and women, a TB ward, and an insane asylum at the same time as an orphanage. By the 1950s, it was turned into a nursing home, but the residents were moved to a new facility in 1974. For twenty years, the building sat empty until 1992 when it was open as Carriage Village, a mall of unique shops. The name was changed to Rolling Hills Country Mall in January 2003, and became a co-op a year later. In September 2004, overnight ghost hunts began at Rolling Hills making it the first historical site in New York to do so....

In early July 2008, three girls found an unidentifiable creature that had washed up on the beach in Montauk, New York. This discovery was followed by an article in a local newspaper, The Independent, and dubbed "The Hound of Bonacville" along with a black and white photo taken by one of the girls. Now, it has blown up into a huge debate. Some think it's a raccoon. Others believe it's a dog. All the questions would be answered with a simple DNA test or necropsy. One problem. No one knows where this thing is. The rumor is the Montauk Monster is rotting in someone's backyard. However, early this month, an unnamed guy, possibly the same person, claims it was stolen from their backyard. So, we are left with photos as the only source to identify it with which the girls who supposedly found it have an abundance of. Personally, I'm not commenting on what I think it is. There are a lot of rumors floating around stating it is nothing but a publicity stunt. There are...

Genesee County Home also known as Rolling Hills has a long tormented history. Over 1,000 deaths reportedly took place within its walls. Genesse County purchased the property in 1826 and opened its doors to the poor a year later. They took in anyone who could not support themselves including orphans, elderly, paupers and the insane. They were self-sufficient farming on 100's of acres of county owned land. Besides being a poorhouse, it was a hospital, a prison for both men and women, a TB ward, and an insane asylum at the same time as an orphanage. By the 1950s, it was turned into a nursing home, but the residents were moved to a new facility in 1974. For twenty years, the building sat empty until 1992 when it was open as Carriage Village, a mall of unique shops. The name was changed to Rolling Hills Country Mall in January 2003, and became a co-op a year later. In September 2004, overnight ghost hunts began at Rolling Hills making it the first historical site in New York to do so....

With the upcoming release of The Amityville Horrors, the story is fresh on everyone's minds. But is the story really true? Some experts don't believe the infamous house is haunted. The overall appearance of the house is creepy enough. How about you judge for yourself. On November 13, 1974, Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr. murdered his entire family, his mother and father and four brothers and sisters. All were shot execution style. After he murdered them, Butch ran to a nearby tavern and claimed someone had shot his mother and father. Six men, including Butch's best friend Bobby, came to his aid and rushed over to the house. They searched the house and found the six dead bodies and called 9-1-1. Later on December 4, 1974 Butch DeFeo was sentenced to 25 years to life for the murders. Even though he was the only one convicted of the murders, many believed he wasn't the sole gunman. New evidence determined that theory was true. At one point in the trial, DeFeo actually...