A CLOSER LOOK
By: Justin Elson | Photography: Nicole Cordisco
Haunted History
Where Spirits Rise and Ghosts Surprise
“It’s no
surprise then, that
an area as
in history
steeped
as our own
has its own share of
paranormal stories.”
the Logan Inn, move toward the bar
and promptly vanish without a trace.
Employees working in the basement
have also reported seeing the mysterious
apparition. But he may not be alone.
“I’ve never seen the soldier at the bar, but
I’ve heard many accounts,” says Hull.
“Once when I was staying there, it was
a bitterly cold night, and I saw someone
outside. I though he must be freezing. I
could see him clearly even though it was
dark. When I went to look, he was wearing
Revolutionary War-era clothing, and he
was carrying a gun. As soon as I really
‘saw’ him, he disappeared.”
Call it humankind’s predilection for
inventing the supernatural, call it our
collective struggle to deal with the finality
of death, call it what you will, but tales of
ghosts, hauntings, curses and otherworldly
beings have held a place in nearly culture
around the world since, well, ever. It’s no
surprise then, that an area as steeped in
history as our own has its own share of
paranormal stories.
“A ghost is the disembodied spirit of a
once-living human being but who is now
deceased,” says Laurie Hull, director of the
Tri-County Paranormal Research Society,
settling on a definition for the oftenoverused word. “There are a few theories
as to why, how or where they appear, but
that’s essentially it.”
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THE LOGAN INN
Even a cursory glance at local ghostly
hotspots would do well to start with
perhaps one of the most notoriously
haunted sites in the area: the Logan Inn.
Opening in 1722, the inn quickly grew in
popularity, becoming a welcomed resting
point for travelers along York Road.
During George Washington’s encampment
in the area – struggling against both
a difficult military campaign and an
unrelenting winter – he ordered his troops
to leave the bodies of fallen soldiers in
the Logan’s basement until the ground
softened to dig a proper grave.
According to lore, patrons have long
claimed to see a ghostly spirit dressed
in a Continental Army uniform enter
And while Hull certainly entertains the
notion of the supernatural existing in our
world, she and her colleagues research
historical records to establish plausibility and
debunk stories when they find no evidence
to support any claims. “I think what I saw
was the spirit of someone enlisted in the
militia,” continues Hull. “When we did our
research, we found his style of dress and
weapon closely matched those of that era.”
And while one ghost is enough to spark
the curiosity of many, the Logan boasts of
perhaps even more supernatural “visitors.”
An oil painting that still hangs in the
lobby reportedly depicts two previous
owners believed to still haunt their former
environs. One was known to craft many
items from lavender that she used about
the inn. From time to time, guests claim to
smell an aromatic lavender odor.
“The couple times I’ve stayed there, I
certainly smelled it,” Hull adds. “It’s very
strong, like a perfume, but can disappear
just as quickly.”
And while the olfactory presence is a link
to perhaps a supernatural influence, the
painting itself has an eerie past. Many
photographs of the canvas have reportedly
produced unusual results. According to
legend, faces that are not depicted in the
original painting and even figures stepping
out from the canvas have been seen once
the film was processed.
BOWMAN'S HILL AND
BURIED TREASURE
Following the Delaware River south,
Washington Crossing Historic Park might
just contain pirate treasure. Known more
as the strategic launching point in the
Battle of Trenton, the park’s most notable
landmark could take its name from
something far more sinister.
www.54mag.com 31
By: Justin Elson | Photography: Nicole Cordisco
According to one story, Bowman’s Hill is
named after Dr. John Bowman, a surgeon
on board an English fleet charged with
capturing the infamous pirate Captain
Kidd. However, fate had different plans for
the doctor. Somehow, Bowman – either
through force, coercion or lured to the
adventure and riches afforded by life on
the high seas – switched allegiances and
served under Kidd as his fleet’s surgeon.
hill a few times, would shine his light on it,
see nothing, but it would appear as soon as
he took his light away.”
However, treasure seekers beware. Legend
has it that anyone who has attempted to
find Bowman or his treasure has gone
insane. More practically speaking, the
park is closed at night, and it’s illegal to
dig for buried treasure on the grounds.
THE VAN SANT BRIDGE
Near Bowman’s Hill, the Van Sant Covered
Bridge is another local spot reportedly
haunted by restless spirits. One of two
popular stories is that the muffled cries
of a baby whose mother committed
suicide at the site can still be heard. The
other revolves around two horse thieves
reportedly hung from the bridge whose
ghostly bodies can still be seen swinging
from the rafters.
However, both stories seem suspect.
“The story of the mother and her child
comes up all over the country,” says Hull.
“In our research, we never found any
evidence to corroborate that anyone was
ever hung from the bridge. Sometimes,
people’s expectations bring them to
a conclusion.”
Upon the notorious pirate’s death, the
story goes that his crew divided their
treasure, and Bowman retired to the
Pennsylvania countryside.
According to legend, both Bowman and
his treasure’s unmarked final resting place
are still on the hill that possibly bears
his name. It’s said that if one can find his
grave, arrive at the stroke of midnight and
inquire about his treasure, the spirit of
Bowman himself will reveal the location.
“I spoke to a local police officer once who
would patrol the hill from time to time,
says Hull. “He said he saw a figure on the
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Still, while neither story seemingly has
historical merit, Hull still thinks “something”
is there. “The couple times I’ve been, I’ve
certainly sensed some kind of presence at
the site,” she continues. “Plus, there are
an overwhelming amount of accounts of
strange noises and sights so it stands to
reason there’s some kind of activity.”
As you travel around the area this
Halloween season, keep in mind that
there are many places that reportedly
have supernatural guests. Don’t be
surprised if you suddenly realize you’re
not quite alone.
Go Online at: www.delcoghosts.com