A G UIDE T O
H AUNTED
N EW E NGLAND
A G UIDE TO
H AUNTED
N EW E NGLAND
T ALES F ROM M OUNT W ASHINGTON
TO THE N EWPORT C LIFFS
THOMAS DAGOSTINO
Published by Haunted America
A Division of The History Press
Charleston, SC 29403
www.historypress.net
Copyright 2009 by Thomas DAgostino
All rights reserved
First published 2009
Second printing 2009
ebook edition 2011
ISBN 978.1.61423.010.6
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
DAgostino, Thomas, 1960
A guide to haunted New England: tales from Mount Washington to the Newport
Cliffs / Thomas DAgostino; with photography by Arlene Nicholson.
p. cm.
print edition: ISBN 978-1-59629-597-1
1. Ghosts--New England--Anecdotes. 2. Haunted places--New England--Anecdotes. 3. Haunted places--New England--Pictorial works. 4. Historic buildings--New England--Anecdotes. 5. Historic buildings--New England--Pictorial works. 6. New England--History, Local--Anecdotes. 7. New England--History, Local--Pictorial works.
I. Nicholson, Arlene. II. Title.
BF1472.U6D334 2009
133.10974--dc22
2009033688
Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is dedicated to the New England traveler, from their foraging
of paths to the creation of roads that lead to the scenic wonders and
adventures that make the region so mysterious and alluring.
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am in deep appreciation of everyone who helped with the creation of this book. They all deserve a great mention and recognition for their knowledge of New Englands rich history and folklore. Thanks to Joe Citro; Ron Kolek Jr.; Ron Kolek Sr.; the New England Ghost Project; everyone at Mystic Seaport; the York Historical Society; everyone in Berkshire Paranormal; Tiki and Betsy at the Eastover Resort in Lenox, Massachusetts; Harle Tinney of Belcourt Castle; Michael Cardillo Jr.; Robert Bankel and Evan Nickles of the 1833 House; Mandy Pincins and Justin Badorek; Dan Bidondi of the Valley Rangers; Matthew Moniz and Spooky Southcoast Radio; Cindy, Becky and everyone else at the Emporium in Mystic; Salem Night Tours; Chris Balzano; Jeff Belanger; Queen City Ghost Tours; Raymond Ducharme; Lisa Mears; Barbara Sheff; Su Wetzel; Roxie Zwicker; the Portsmouth Historical Society; Maggie Sherman; Tina Jordan; and everyone who wished to remain anonymous but were instrumental in making this book happen.
INTRODUCTION
N ew England is an enchanting land that draws to its borders people from around the globe. From the very first visitors to present-day vacationers, New England has something for everyone. The weather is ever changing, so there is never a dull moment, and the foliage is said to be the most spectacular in the world.
We New Englanders are proud of our heritage. Some of us are so proud that we refuse to move on after our mortal tenures on this earth. There are countless haunted places in this quaint region that my wife, Arlene, and I have visited. No matter how many we think we have found and investigated, more always seem to come our way. New Englanders love their ghosts, and there are more than enough to go around. People from Europe relish the opportunity to come here and witness some good old Yankee spirits.
In the following pages, you will find a select group of the most haunted destinations in New England. Full of ghosts and legends, these are places that the public can actually visit, where travelers can spend the night or sate themselves with food and spirits of all kinds. New England ghosts can be found everywhere in the region, and this book is hard proof of that. Some places we were able to investigate, while others were crowded or in their prime hours when we visited, but that does not mean you will have to pass on bringing a camera and recorder and asking the spirits a few questions of your own.
This book is designed to help the traveler arrive at the haunted destinations of cities and towns rather effortlessly. That is one reason Arlene and I chose the particular locations contained within. In some cases, a small drive or two may be required, but you will not have to spend half the day looking for parking to see one site. Many of the haunted sites contained in these municipalities are within walking distance of one another. Also included are places to stay and eat that may not be haunted, as well as interesting activities for those who might want to take a moment from the ghost trail to try something different.
There may be some places within these localities that have been written up in other articles, books, periodicals or websites as being haunted. If these sites do not appear within these pages, it is because their owners have requested that they not be listed. Please respect all rules and regulations regarding the locations you visit. Good luck and many happy haunts!
Authors Note: Places marked with an asterisk (*) are those that Arlene and I have investigated either by ourselves or with others. To read more on the actual encounters, go to www.nepurs.info, where the investigations and findings are given in detail.
W HITE M OUNTAINS , N EW H AMPSHIRE
Where New England Legends Are Born
The White Mountains are among the most breathtaking of all mountain ranges in the world. Established in 1918, the White Mountain National Forest covers 1,225 square miles of land full of fun and adventure. It is evident that the Native Americans knew the land was magical, as twenty-one Paleo-Indian sites have been discovered, some dating back ten thousand years. European exploration began in the mid-seventeenth century, but settlement did not occur until after the Revolutionary War, when people cleared the land for farming and formed little villages. As the nineteenth century bore on, many of these farms and villages were abandoned due to advances in farming techniques and the open spaces in the West providing for larger farms. Recreation in the mountains began around the early nineteenth century as trails, shelters, summer homes, resorts and ski slopes began to pop up everywhere. This aspect of the White Mountains has become the main draw of countless numbers of people each year. There are attractions of all kinds to enjoy, and then there are the ghosts.
The legends and tales that have emanated from this weird and wonderful place are often outlandish, yet by all accounts, they are said to be true. Some stories have detailed writings that prove their validity, while others have been handed down through the years by word of mouth. Some tales refer to places in the White Mountains that can still be visited, and some are of people who have long since passed but have shaped the very framework of the regions folklore, making this area so mysterious and alluring.