Maryland has no shortage of paranormal activity to terrify even nonbelievers; from Antietam Battlefield’s ghost soldiers to Point Lookout Lighthouse where someone hanged themselves from a tree; these spots will undoubtedly stir the spirit within you!
The Baltimore County Almshouse was once used to house elderly, mentally ill, and poor children – as well as prisoners. Visitors reported hearing children’s voices and seeing strange apparitions within its walls.
Antietam Battlefield
History enthusiasts and ghost hunters have reported unexplained activity at Antietam Battlefield, site of the bloodiest single-day Civil War battle. Visitors have reported smelling gunpowder, hearing gunfire and even seeing Confederate soldiers dressed in their uniforms!
The Maryland State House where George Washington resigned his commission is said to be haunted. Visitors have reported hearing whispering in empty rooms and feeling watched; ghostly figures have even been seen and one is believed to be that of a worker who fell off its dome while making repairs.
Point Lookout State Park was used as a prisoner-of-war camp during the American Civil War, and is said to be haunted by their tortured souls. Visitors have reported witnessing ghost-like figures, hearing disembodied voices, and experiencing sudden changes in temperature.
Point Lookout Lighthouse
The area surrounding this lighthouse has an eerie past. Once used as a military prison, hospital, hotel and Revolutionary War lookout point, it has since seen various types of inhabitants. Some have reported seeing ghosts of Civil War soldiers or women searching for their gravesite; while others reported hearing voices and feeling chills.
Nancy Stallings has experienced ghost sightings at this location and frequently sees headless Civil War soldiers in the green front bedroom. Additionally, she witnessed an apparition searching for its gravesite in the cemetery; other visitors have experienced temperature drops or an uncomfortable sense that someone is watching them.
In 1980, Point Lookout hosted its inaugural paranormal investigation by the Maryland Committee for Psychical Research. Park manager Gerald Sword, Ron Berg and Laura Andrus joined Hans Holzer of New York and psychic Nancy Stallings to conduct their investigation. At their first seance session Stallings felt an unseen presence in her living room as well as hearing footsteps moving through an upstairs corridor.
Pocomoke State Forest
Maryland is filled with haunted houses and haunted battlefields that will give any visitor chills of excitement, whether or not you believe in ghostly spirits. No matter your beliefs, Maryland offers some breathtakingly haunted spots sure to give anyone chills.
Pocomoke State Forest in eastern Maryland has long been associated with tales of witches, devil worshipers and elementals. One legend tells of a couple who ran out of gas while in the woods; after leaving to try and find help for themselves, their car locked its doors behind them while sleeping – only for her later to awaken hearing strange noises on the roof of their vehicle!
Pocomoke State Forest contains numerous haunted spots, but Nazarene Church near Snow Hill stands out as a particularly unnerving location. There have been reports that there exists a cursed Bible there; additionally, former pastors’ ghosts are said to haunt this location as well as Furnace Town; furthermore, Gravity Hill allows cars in neutral to roll backwards uphill!
Nazarene Church
The Nazarene Church has an illustrious past, and many of its locations are believed to be haunted. Witnesses have reported seeing ghostly figures, hearing mysterious noises, and having the sense that someone is watching them.
One of the more famous haunted places at Nazarene Church is Marie Mount Hall, named for a former dean at College of Home Economics. Night watchmen and other building occupants have reported strange occurrences such as doors opening or closing on their own and toilets flushing without anyone present in the room.
Maryland State House is another haunted site, as its hallowed halls are said to be plagued by Thomas Dence, a plaster worker who died after falling off its dome in 1828 and becoming trapped within. Dence is said to haunt these rooms and flash lights, open/close doors and even push people when needed.