Delaware may be a small state, but it's got more than its fair share of unsettling tales and urban legends. The first official state, Delaware's long and rich history leaves it a likely location for hauntings. Almost every element of Delaware is haunted: its bridges, its rivers, its old Victorian houses. It's a wonder that Delaware citizens can even get around!
Ghost stories from Delaware often involve the state's connection to United States history. You may experience Civil War-era ghosts or ghosts from the early days of the country. There are also those creepy Delaware tales that are your run-of-the-mill urban legends, such as haunted bridges and phantom lighthouses. If you're planning to give the state a visit, or just want a good scare, you've come to the right place. Check out these Delaware urban legends below!
Corpse Light
Cape Henlopen State Park is said to be the origin of the Corpse Light, a mysterious phantom light with no discernible source. There is no lighthouse at Cape Henlopen, yet people often see lights flashing from the location. The light was allegedly a curse from a local Native American tribe. After British soldiers stormed a wedding ceremony and massacred many guests, the tribe conjured up the light as a means to lure ships to doom.
The Corpse Light actually has fulfilled its promised historically. It sunk a ship known as the Devonshireman on Christmas Day 1665. The ship, following the beams from the nonexistent lighthouse, crashed into a shaft of stone instead. More than 200 men died in the wreck. Some say the ghost ship periodically reappears to reenact the famous crash.
The Ghosts Of Fort Delaware
During the Civil War, Fort Delaware, found on the Delaware River's Pea Patch Island, was originally a prison for Civil War soldiers, notorious for its atrocious conditions. Prisoners were housed in wooden barracks and given only small food rations, as well as dirty water. Sometimes, rats were even thrown into the crowd, which starving prisoners devoured in desperation. About 2,700 men died in the prison and - unsurprisingly - their spirits are rumored to remain on Fort Delaware's grounds.
The fort offers tours for those interested in its rich history and guests often report paranormal experiences. People have felt an eerie presence and also heard ghosts of prisoners poking around making noise throughout the fort's walls.
The Addy-Sea Inn
The Addy-Sea Inn, found on Bethany Beach, is a quaint Bed and Breakfast first built in 1902. Like many buildings with a long history, the Addy-Sea Inn is rumored to be haunted. If you're interested in experiencing paranormal activity while staying at the inn, there are three specific rooms that allegedly house spirits.
Room 1 contains a private bath that was originally used by John Addy, the house's original owner and builder. The tub allegedly sometimes starts shaking when guests use it. Room 6 reportedly gives off the sound of organ music, despite no organs being present. Room 11 is probably the most haunted room in the hotel. It is rumored to be haunted by Addy's handyman, Paul Dulaney. Dulaney's ghost is sometimes seen on or near the bed.
The Dark History of Lums Pond
Lums Pond State Park is home to a gorgeous lake and is a popular destination for guests to go canoeing or kayaking. Like many Delaware locations, the park has long been rumored to be haunted as local lore claims a tragedy occurred on its grounds.
According to the story, a young girl ran away from her New Castle home sometime in the 1870s. She ended up hiding out in the woods near the Lums Pond State Park but ended up coming face-to-face with a dangerous man also camping in the woods. The man captured her, assaulted her, and murdered her. While authorities found the girl's body quickly, they never apprehended the killer. The girl allegedly died near a bridge on the park's trails and guests report they see the girl's ghost and sometimes hear her screaming when crossing the bridge. Sometimes, the temperature also drops dramatically on the bridge.
The Haunting Of Dead Presidents Pub
The Dead Presidents Pup in Wilmington, Delaware first opened its doors in the 1990s but had a long and rich history before that. The two-story building had been a private residence and also housed various businesses and bars. The name chosen in the '90s was apparently asking for trouble, however, because guests have reported paranormal activity ever since the Dead Presidents Pub made its debut.
The pub sells presidential memorabilia and souvenirs and sports craft beers named after famous presidents. Guests brave enough to enter report glasses clinking on their own, random drops in temperature, the sound of spooky laughter, and the vague feeling of a dark presence. In addition to all this, the pub allegedly houses a specific ghost known as Lemonade Mullery. According to legend, Mullery was a local character who used to frequent the pub and died after slipping on urine on the bathroom floor and breaking his neck.
Catman Of Long Cemetery
As if cemeteries aren't already spooky enough on their own, Long Cemetery in Frankfort, Delaware claims to be home to a ghost. However, this specter is even more terrifying than average as it's been described as a bizarre feline-human hybrid known colloquially as Catman.
Catman is said to be the former caretaker of the cemetery who had remarkably cat-like features. He still does his job by chasing out vandals, teens, and other troublemakers. Rumor has it that, if you knock three times on the cemetery's brick wall late at night, Catman will appear and attack.
The Governor's Mansion
The Governor's Mansion, also called Woodburn, was built in the 1790s by Charles Hillyard III and was the official home of Delaware's governors for decades. It still stands in Dover, Delaware and is opened to tours. Ghost stories regarding the mansion go back hundreds of years and guests still report seeing paranormal phenomena today.
The first ghost story occurred 25 years after the house was constructed after Charles Hillyard III had passed away. According to the story, the house's then owners invited a Methodist preacher to stay with them. While conducting prayer before breakfast one morning, the preacher said they should wait for the other guest staying in the guest house to join them. The couple said no one else was visiting, and the preacher then described his temporary roommate in great detail. His description matched what Hillyard looked like in life perfectly.
Apparently, Hillyard and other spirits still linger in the mansion. If you leave Mr. Hillyard, the original owner, a glass of wine on the stairs, legend has it that you'll find it drained in the morning. Mr. Hillyard is not the only ghost at the mansion. Years ago, a slave running away from slave hunters was caught and killed near the mansion's porch. Guests sometimes still hear his screams. There have also been reports of a young girl dressed in a gingham dress and a bonnet roaming the grounds carrying a candle.
Old Maggie's Bridge
According to local legend, a pregnant woman named Maggie got in an automobile accident along a short bridge in Seaford, Delaware and was decapitated and died. Her spirit still wanders the bridge, searching for the child that died with her. Some say you can conjure her spirit by stepping out of your car on the bridge and yelling, "Maggie, I have your baby." People also report seeing figures dancing around in the woods surrounding the bridge.
Was the Maggie of the story real? No one knows for sure, but a local cemetery does have a grave marker for a Maggie Bloxom who died very young.
Blevin's House
Blevin's House is a Victorian house located in Smyrna, Delaware. Built around the turn of the century, the house's very old history has led to rumors of potential paranormal activity within its walls. Visitors have heard disembodied voices, unexplained footsteps, and report a vague feeling of being watched.
There are several specific spirits said to haunt the house. Some see the spirit of a barking dog. There is also a neighbor who vanishes when approached. There is also reportedly a faceless man who watches through the windows and the spirit of a decapitated man.
Woodland Beach
Woodland Beach Boardwalk in Kent County, Delaware is long gone, but the ghosts remain where the boardwalk and all the attractions it sported once stood. Only the pier remains, and ghosts are said to appear during the night. People have reported seeing figures walking over the water and a phantom ferry just off the coast.
Salem Church Road
According to legends, Salem Church Road in Newark, Delaware is home to a ghostly family. Local lore states families of six were executed for witchcraft sometime in the 1900s. Their spirits still lurk on the road and are often seen by drivers crossing the street late at night.
Christiana Fire Station's Dueling Ghosts
According to legend, Christiana Fire Station in Newark, Delaware houses two spirits within its walls. There is supposedly one bad ghost and one friendly ghost, and the pair are engaged in a struggle. Only the evil ghosts appear, standing in a hallway that it never leaves. According to witnesses, the spirit seems to struggle to emerge from the hallway, possibly with malevolent intent. This has led to the belief the unseen benevolent spirit keeps the bad ghost in its place.
Do you still wish to visit Delaware?!