The Most Haunted Places Near Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania. The City of Brotherly Love is the sixth-most populous city in the country, and it has a history stretching back to its founding in 1682. With such a long history, millions of former and current residents, and ties to wars, it’s only natural that this area has some haunted places. Today, we’re going to show you the most haunted places near Philadelphia. You’ll learn where each of them is located, why they’re haunted, and more!

1. Eastern State Penitentiary

Just about everyone in the Philadelphia region knows about Eastern State Penitentiary. This former prison opened in 1829, and it was known as the Cherry Hill State Prison. This facility operated until 1971. From the front gate, this landmark looks like an imposing castle.

During the time Eastern State Penitentiary operated as a prison, it housed famous and deadly prisoners alike. Nowadays, the historic site is a museum. People can take tours throughout the prison and on its grounds. Although this area is decorated for Halloween, people have insisted this area is haunted for over a century. People have spotted ghosts of former prisoners and workers.

2. Fort Mifflin

Fort Mifflin is a military fortification on Mud Island, near the confluence of the Schuylkill River and the Delaware River. The fort was built in 1681, and it saw a fair amount of action in the Revolutionary War.

In Fall 1777, American soldiers used this fort to harass the British naval ships trying to resupply their armies to the north. The fort suffered the largest bombardment of the war, killing or wounding half the soldiers before they retreated to Fort Mercer on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River. Ghosts from this battle are rumored to still haunt the area.

3. Pennhurst Asylum

Eastern Pennsylvania State Institution for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic is the former official name of the Pennhurst State School and Hospital. Pennhurst Asylum is the more common name for this facility, and it is northwest of Philadelphia, along the banks of the Schuylkill River. The psychiatric hospital operated between 1908 and 1987. Sadly, this facility had a history rife with patient abuse.

The souls of these tortured individuals and their tormentors linger on the property. People have witnessed ghost sightings, strange sounds, and other supernatural phenomena in this area.

4. Betsy Ross House

Whether or not the story is true, people credit Betsy Ross with creating the first American Flag. The last home she lived in is still standing, and it is one of the most haunted places near Philadelphia. According to ghost hunters, Betsy Ross haunts this home. That may seem odd to haunt one’s former home. However, her grave and that of her third husband, John Claypool, were moved to the home’s courtyard.

5. The First Bank of the United States

The President, Directors and Company of the Bank of the United States, commonly called the First Bank of the United States, first opened in 1791. Hamilton first proposed the bank, but it was far from a typical banking institution. Alexander Hamilton haunts the grounds, and other people swear that the statue of Benjamin Franklin comes to life. There is no word on whether Hamilton sings any tunes as he haunts the area. 

6. Laurel Hill Cemetery

Laurel Hill Cemetery is a 74-acre cemetery. These resting grounds contain over 75,000 sets of remains, thousands of trees, and a variety of beautiful monuments to those who have passed on. Construction lasted between 1836 and 1839. By the late 20^th century, the cemetery was not a place where burials regularly took place.

Today, the cemetery is a National Historic Landmark. The cemetery is also haunted. Guests regularly experience paranormal activities, especially ghost sightings from throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

7. Bishop White House

Bishop William White acted as the chaplain for the Continental Congress when they met in Philadelphia. His house still stands today, and it is one of the most haunted places near Philadelphia. People claim this home is haunted by William White. Also, people report seeing a ghost cat that basks in the sunlight in the windows. Currently, the house is closed to the public. Typically, people can tour the home and see many of the bishop’s belongings.

8. Independence National Historical Park

The Independence National Historical Park is not just one location but an entire district in Philadelphia. This historical park covers 55 acres, and it contains places like Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center, Franklin Court, and more. People have seen ghosts of Benjamin Franklin and many others throughout the area. Park rangers and visitors alike have seen unusual shadows, heard voices, and more. 

9. Baleroy Mansion

The Baleroy Manion is in the Chestnut Hill area of Philadelphia, and some people call it the most haunted home in the United States. The Easby family built the home in 1911 and expanded it in 1925. The same family experienced many supernatural events over the years. Phantom vehicles in the driveway, ghosts, knocks, and other unusual events are commonplace at this house. The home was once opened to the public for tours, but it is now a private residence. 

10. Elfreth’s Alley

Elfreth’s Alley is the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street. Thousands of people have lived near this National Historic Landmark over the years. People settled in this area starting in 1703, and a total of 32 houses lined the road. Two of the houses on the road, numbers 124 and 126, are part of Elfreth’s Alley Museum. Some people claim that a spy hanged during the Revolutionary War along with others that have lived in the area haunt this region.

These are just a few of the most haunted places near Philadelphia. Many other places in this old city are supposedly haunted, and that is only natural for a city that has been involved with so much of the country’s early history.

Summary of the Most Haunted Places Near Philadelphia