Tarrytown, NY ─ In the village of Tarrytown sits an enchanting, romantic style home nestled on the banks of the Hudson known as Sunnyside. Sunnyside was the abode of author, statesman, and historian, Washington Irving and his extended family. With its watercolor landscape views and charming atmosphere, it’s hard to believe that it serves as a host to ghosts.

In the 17th century Sunnyside was said to be haunted. That was the norm for any location in Sleepy Hollow at the time. Irving spoke of the ghost of “a young woman in the southwest bedroom that died of love and green apples.”

According to a New York Times article published in 1947, Washington Irving’s great-great-nephew offered remarks at the Rockefeller dedication ceremony in 1947 stating that the “ghost of the legendary writer was seen by guests who stayed in the front room of the home facing the Tappan Zee. He is said to be an amiable ghost.” That is not surprising considering how Irving was revered in his time. This was the first publicly reported claim of Irving’s ghost at Sunnyside.

They say that spirits choose not to move on because they don’t want to leave what they loved the most─ the place where they were the happiest. Sunnyside was that place for Irving.

The Man Behind the Legend

Irving himself remarked that if he were ever going to come back as a ghost, he would haunt Sunnyside. To appreciate that comment, you have to have a basic understanding of who Irving was and how he felt about his home, his family and friends, and his lifestyle. These significant historical facts are vital to entertaining the notion of the return of his ghostly apparition.

Washington Irving was more than the author of celebrated classic ghost story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Irving was deemed the “rock star’ of his time; in reality he was a simple gentleman who experienced emotional and financial challenges just like anyone else. His fiancée died at the age of 17 from consumption, which scarred him and led him into living the lifestyle of a confirmed bachelor. At one point, he was thought to have been romantically involved in a love triangle with writer Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly. They surely would have made an extraordinary writing team. Who knows what great literary works would have stemmed from that relationship?

Irving worked as a full-time writer and was employed just enough to maintain his middle-class status. He was also well-traveled and acted as US Ambassador to Spain. He never owned a home of his own until he purchased Sunnyside. “As Irving wrote, he was eager for a home and was willing to pay a little unreasonably for it. Irving finally purchased the property on June 7, 1835 for $1,800” (Sunnyside 2010). Irving worked alongside artist and friend George Harvey and passionately developed Sunnyside into a collaborative work of art that collectively presented sophisticated international influences in its design. This small saltbox house would be built into a magnificent mansion that he would cherish and share with his family and dearest friends.

The renovation of Sunnyside was taking a financial toll. Irving hesitantly accepted an offer to act as envoy to Spain in order to continue with his plans for Sunnyside. “It will be a severe trial to absent myself for a time from my dear little Sunnyside, but I shall return to it better enabled to carry it on comfortably.”(Sunnyside 2010) He left for Spain and depended on his brother Abraham and his five nieces to run the estate. Upon his return from Spain, Irving spent his concluding days at his beloved Sunnyside.

Until His Dying Days

Irving was not in the best of health. He suffered from a heart condition among other ailments. He was cared for by two of his nieces, Catherine and Sarah who never married. Irving continued to write up through the last days of his life. Happy to be back in his home, Irving stated, “My heart dwells in this blessed little spot, and I really believe that when I die, I shall haunt it” (Weston 1959).

Irving was an eloquent writer who penned his own last will and testament. It is apparent how he felt about Sunnyside and the delicate care that he received from his family in the way he fondly outlines how his estate should be handled. Irving wanted Sunnyside and his family cared for until their time there was over. The will states,

I declare my general intention to be to dispose all of my estate, so that it may be as far as possible kept together as maintenance for my brother, Ebenezer; and his daughters who have become accustom to reside with me, to enable them to live with the same degree of comfort they have been accustom under my roof. I make this disposition as an early return for the brotherly affection shown to me by my brother… I make it also in return for the consideration and cherishing care in sickness and in health I have ever experienced by his daughters to me for years and have rendered my home a happy one…(1859)

On November 28, 1859 at 76 years old, Washington Irving passed away resting in his bed at Sunnyside.

Sunnyside Today

Washington Irving had many happy years at Sunnyside, probably the happiest years of this life. It is not unrealistic to think that the spirit of the author of the greatest legend of the Hudson Valley would remain. Irving created his own legend in the story of his life. His love of Sunnyside and the affectionate care of his nieces stage the perfect setting for a terrific ghost story. It has been said that a woman combing her long hair has been seen in the cottage. We assume that this story refers to the spirit of one of his nieces who may linger to continually care for her adored uncle. No matter what you believe, Irving’s spirit lives on in his work and influence. He made an everlasting mark on the town of Sleepy Hollow. Ironically, of all the legendary haunts of the Hudson Valley, the man who composed the greatest ghostly legend of all would in fact become a ghostly legend in his own right.

Visiting

The delicate care of Sunnyside by the Irving family makes it possible for you to experience this warm and charming historical home today. In 1947, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. donated $500,000 to restore Sunnyside to its original state preserving this great piece of history.

Experience Sunnyside and view the original furnishings and belongings of Irving and his family. Who knows, you may even catch a ghost?

Photo Gallery: *Note: You can not take photos inside the home.

April 1 to Oct. 31*

Daily except Tuesdays
10am-5pm; last tour at 4pm

Special Hours
May 27-28 and June 2: noon-5pm; last tour at 4pm
Nov. 1 to Dec. 26*

Saturdays and Sundays; Friday, Nov. 26
10am-4pm; last tour at 3pm
For More Information

Call 914.631.8200 Monday through Friday or 914.591.8763 on weekend.

Visit their Web site >

Visit Washington Irving’s final resting place at The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery >

Works Cited:

“Always for the Irvings.” New York Times. 23 February 1896.

Faber, H.” Irving Home Opens with Two Ghosts.” New York Times. 1947.

Sunnyside (Tarrytown, New York). (2010, June 2). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10:25, July 12, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sunnyside_(Tarrytown,_New_York)&oldid=365726076

Weston, M. “Sunnyside Revisited.” New York Times. 26 April 1959.

Our Tour Guides - Brittany and Matt

Yonkers, NY—When we visited Untermyer Park, we had no idea what we were walking into, and it quickly became a lesson in doing your homework before venturing out. Whether you are doing a paranormal investigation, urban exploring or enjoying a Hudson Valley historic site, knowing what you are going to encounter will give you the best experience. If we did not have a little luck on our side that day, we never would have found the real historical gem held within the riverside park.

We were visiting lower Westchester County for a trip to the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery, and upon a tip from a Facebook fan, took a little detour on our trip to the Yonkers site of Untermyer Park. We just did not realize the history that the park held. Luckily for us, the Haunted Hudson Valley name is well known, and we quickly made friends with some fellow lovers of lore when they recognized my tee shirt.

We met Brittany and Matt as they were trying to find a way out of the gardens while we were trying to find a way in. The gardens were not in the cards for us that day though, but with the couple’s local expertise, we trekked down the “Thousand Steps” to what is left of the Son of Sam’s Devil’s Cave. If I had known the extent of satanic activity that had taken place in this abandoned building, I am not sure I could have gotten myself to go. My research later showed me a story more twisted and mangled than the trees we had to climb through to get to the Devil’s Cave.

David Berkowitz was hearing voices. Dogs were talking to him. Satan was giving him directions. He was setting thousands of fires in New York City. His sanity was slipping. By 1976 he started his year-long killing spree, all in the name of sacrificing blood to the demons. It very easily could have been his adoption or his intense loneliness that stoked the fire in Berkowitz’s head. That is the story he told the police when he was finally arrested after killing six people and wounding seven more.  Instead of the one-man killing spree for which the police jailed him, David Berkowitz claimed he was simply the fall guy for a murderous conspiracy of a satanic cult.

In 1976 Berkowitz was living at 35 Pine Street in Yonkers, just a short mile from Untermyer Park. Within the park’s boundaries, the cult found exactly what it needed to perform the satanic rituals. While the park sits in a busy suburb of New York City, its densely forested acres allowed for plenty of coverage. Abandoned buildings permitted even more privacy. An old pump house, where satanic markings were found inside, became known as the Devil’s Cave. Inverted crosses, pentagrams, Hitler related terms, and the triple six were scrawled across the interior of the ruined building.

Employees at the adjacent St. John’s Hospital reported seeing robed figures in the park as well as torches, and hearing chanting. The bodies of slain German shepherds were found along the Old Croton Aqueduct which runs along the back of the park property. Necropsies on the corpses proved the animals were strangled.  Animal sacrifice, in particular of German shepherds, is a common practice among satanic cults. Countless other cults, which can be connected to the Son of Sam cult, also have a history with German shepherds.

Exactly what took place at these rituals, Berkowitz has never revealed. However, through a series of interviews, letter correspondence and over nine years of extreme detective work, journalist Maury Terry was able to piece together a puzzling story. A tale of murder and mayhem, crisscrossing the entire county, unraveled. Drugs, kiddie porn and prostitution were main sources of income for the cult, making the group’s aims even more taboo. Murder, arson, and the rape of virgins were known to be the ultimate sacrifices a cult member could make, and Satan had to be appeased before cult holidays. How many crimes that the cult carried out will forever be kept a secret. The original Devil’s Cave was demolished years ago, with the re-growth of vegetation showing no signs of where it once stood.

Today’s ne’er-do-wells have moved their criminal activity to a building that once housed the servant’s quarters on Untermyer’s Estate. Rumor has it that fresh satanic related graffiti can be found at the reincarnated Devil’s Cave, but we saw none the day we were there. The signs of teenage delinquency scatter the grounds and can more than likely explain the graffiti. Although, as the secrets of the Son of Sam cult will never fully be revealed, neither will the truth of a satanic cult using Untermyer Park today.
Visit Untermyer Park during the summer when the gardens are in full bloom and open to the public. Behind the gardens you will find the “Thousand Steps” leading to a beautiful view of the Hudson River and the Palisades. Do your homework first if you plan to explore the Devil’s Cave former site.

Photo Gallery:

Visiting Untermeyer Park:

The park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it contains Grecian gardens and other landscapes. The park was donated to the city of Yonkers in 1949. There are many great places to overlook the Palisades and the Hudson river.

Address: On North Broadway near St. Johns Hospital.

Donna Davies, HHV and Author Doug Keister

Sleepy Hollow, NY—Historical cemeteries in the Hudson Valley are recognizing how rich they are in history, art, and architecture. Many are encouraging visitors to view their grounds as open-air classrooms where the histories of our communities are on display and often punctuated by great works of art.

The concept of cemetery art runs deeper than simply admiring the artistry of monuments to

the dead.  Through the often lavish use of symbolism, we can glimpse the values previous generations held dear as well as their attitudes toward life and death. I had the opportunity to learn more about how to “read” a cemetery from Douglas Keister, award-winning author, photographer, and expert in the field of cemetery symbolism. Mr. Keister recently lectured at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where he shared his knowledge and photos from his popular book, Stories in Stone: The Complete Guide to Cemetery Symbolism

Keister’s book is a favorite among cemetery enthusiasts.  “This book is my bible. I photograph cemeteries, record and clean headstones, and seem to be getting pulled into doing tours by sheer interest, and I always have Mr Keister’s book with me.” says Laurel Ellis Pardo.  This stunning field guide beautifully illustrates the art and architecture that can be found in cemeteries locally and around the world.  Mr Keister eagerly shared his experiences with us as he took us on an extraordinary journey showcasing monuments you may never have the opportunity to experience in person.

The group experienced the common, unique, and unusual works of cemetery art though brilliant imagery.  You may have noticed common themes while walking in our local cemeteries, but were you aware of what they symbolized? Mr. Keister shared the meanings of the most common symbols and the many secret societies. The following is a sample of some common symbolism found in our local cemeteries:

Common Symbols:

• The Lamb usually used on children’s graves and symbolizes innocence.

• The Lily of the Valley symbolizes innocence, purity and virginity.

• The Weeping Willow suggests grief and sorrow and in many religions immortality.

• The Palm symbolizes victory or triumph over death. It characterizes the triumphant entry and the resurrection.

• Effigy is an image of a glorified soul, winging its way heavenward. The face isn’t intended to portray the deceased.

• The Laurel Wreath symbolizes victory in death and remembrance.

• Secret Societies: There is a plethora of secret society symbolism in cemeteries; you just have to look for them. Some of the popular symbols represent the Free Masons, Knights of Columbus and the Daughters of the American Revolution. If you are serious about tracing the origins of these secret Societies, Stories in Stone has an extensive list of acronyms to assist you with your research.

Symbolism changes over time as traditions and perspectives on death change. You can see this in an example of how effigy has changed from a skull and cross bones to a more angelic face as view of death changed.  The secret society connection was very popular due to death benefit offering to its members. Today joining a secret society gives you a good reason to go and hang with guys or girls..  That’s how much times have changed. When I hear the phrase “secret society,” I picture Fred and Barney rushing out the door in an effort not to be late for their ‘Loyal Order of Buffalos” meeting.

If you roam through any local cemetery, you will be able to find at least some representation of these cemetery symbols.  What you may not know about are the strange and remarkable monuments to mortality that exist beyond your wildest imagination that lie elsewhere.

Magnetized by the Macabre

More than likely it is not the common symbols that fascinate us but the morbid and the macabre. Who knew that the phrase “skeletons in the closet” was actually derived from the practice of hiding corpses in closets for dissection and experimentation in the 1700s when the surgical field was an up and coming profession? An acute shortage of legally obtained cadavers inspired another profession: body snatching! Mr. Keiser shared a sinister looking photo of bars over a grave, closely resembling a jail cell for the dead—a contraption named the “Mortsafe” to protect against grave robbers. On another note, how many times were you told that in New Orleans cemeteries bodies are interred above ground because they will once again rise from the dead? Not as ghosts or zombies of course, but to float away as the water levels rise. This is a fallacy. Mr. Keister explained that this style of above-ground burial was actually common place in Spain and early settlers followed suit. Morbid stories aside, there is a wealth of stories behind some of the most unique monuments that serve as a final calling card.

Listen to an interview with Douglas Keister on NPR (Scroll to his name)

Lasting Impressions

Mr. Keister shared an abundance of imagery of some of the most fascinating, and some pricey, symbols that truly leave a lasting impression. From heart-wrenching to hilarious, there is a flavor for everyone’s taste.  I will share some of my favorites as there are just too many to mention.

• Tse Mercedes – A tribute to a young man who passed suddenly without ever fulfilling his dream to own a Benz. Wish granted. He rests under a full-sized granite replica of his dream car in a New Jersey cemetery.

• Marie Laveau– Marie was know as the  Voodoo priestess of New Orleans. A popular tourist destination.

• Merello/Volta Monument – A very forlorn bronze woman in a wedding dress clutching her bouquet. Talk about “Til death do you part.” This monument is located in the Brooklyn, NY.

• Mel Blanc – The ever popular final words from the “man of a thousand voices,’ “That’s All Folks.” Mel Blanc rests in Hollywood, CA

While these monuments are bold and beautiful, it was time to go in search of the cemetery symbolism located in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Historian Jim Logan

Walk thorough any cemetery, and you will immediately gain some sense of the affluence of the community or families living within by the monument that marks their final resting place. The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is rich in symbolism and history. In fact, The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is often compared to the Père Lachaise in Paris—famed as the final resting place of singer, poet, and song-writer, Jim Morrison—as a most visited tourist destination.

Following the lecture, we took a guided tour led by cemetery historian Jim Logan.  We wandered the cemetery soaking up the history that is left to future generations marked only by a slab of stone. Shadowy figures danced across the dark night sky, as we roamed though the lush rolling hills of the famous or should I say infamous cemetery. The gravel crunched beneath our feet as we followed the glistening illumination reflecting off the stream of lanterns lighting the way through this vast city of the dead.

View the photo album below

We crept around the cemetery in this two-hour tour learning about the legacies of those left behind. The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is the final resting place of an impressive list of celebrities of prosperity of their time.  Authors, artists, spiritualists, and a wealth of business tycoons are memorialized by the most impressive works of art and symbolism in the area. It is one thing to read about these great works of cemetery art, but it an entirely different experience to admire them in the dark by the glow of a lantern. I assure you that as ideas of death change over time, we will not see this type of artistry in future years.

The End

Learning about cemetery symbolism and touring cemeteries often makes me think of my own mortality. The final note that struck a chord with me is how strongly Keister expressed his feeling that cemeteries are for the living, not for the dead. He believes that in a time where traditions are changing we may be tempted not to leave any trace of our existence behind. In closing Keister states, “Don’t be selfish. Leave a legacy for those who come after you.”   I began thinking about what my legacy would be. I am the last of my line. Is it really that important? I am fortunate to be rich in the many friendships that I have made over the years. How do I want to be remembered?  I have no desire to be laid to rest in a Mercedes or be remembered as a forlorn bride. The truthful answer is I don’t know what my story will be.

What will be your story in stone?

What a fun night! You can come along on our next visit.  Make your reservation for Saturday July 17, 2009 for our very own exclusive Haunted Hudson Valley™ Night! Learn more about this event. Don’t wait spots are limited.

Photo Gallery:

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The copyright of the article  is owned by Haunted Hudson Valley, Ltd. Permission to republish Stories in Stone in print or online must be granted by the author in writing. Contact Donna Davies

The engine "Nashville" carried the President's body home/Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Lincoln’s Fate
Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, became involved in spiritualism when she became grief stricken at the loss of their son Willie who had died in the White House. She held séances in an effort to try and communicate with her dead son. While Lincoln attended the events, he was not a strong believer but was not a stranger to the unexplained. Lincoln once had had a strange experience of seeing a double image of himself in a mirror. He found this so disturbing that he discussed it with his wife. Mary felt that it was an omen that he would be elected for a second term but would not see it through. On another occasion President Lincoln had dreamt that he was in the lower levels of the White House witnessing a funeral. When he asked what happened, he was told that the President was assassinated. Weeks later Lincoln would be dead and a country would be grief-stricken.

April 15, 1865, was a dark day as a nation mourned the loss of a President.  The Civil War had ended, and Abraham Lincoln was a man held in mixed regard more notably due to his actions involving a war against the South and his position on civil rights.  Lincoln died tragically by the hand of an assassin, and in the upcoming days, Lincoln would be immortalized with an elaborate 1,700 mile funeral procession that would stem from Washington, D.C. to his home in Springfield, Illinois.

President Abraham Lincoln's railroad funeral car/ S.M. Fassett, photographer, Chicago.

The Funeral Train
The Lincoln funeral processional would make its way from Washington, D.C.  to Springfield by locomotive. Lincoln’s body, along with the exhumed body of this son Willie, was loaded aboard the funeral train.

“The funeral train consisted of nine cars, including baggage and hearse cars. Eight of the cars were provided by the chief railways over which the remains were transported. The ninth was the President’s car, which had been built for use by the President and other officials, containing a parlor, sitting room, and sleeping compartment. This car was draped in mourning and contained the coffins of Lincoln and his son.”  (Funeral and Burial of Abraham Lincoln, 2010).

Between Albany and New York City, crowds grew among the small towns along the route to watch the funeral train pass.  The train passed through every town traveling north along the Hudson River—Yonkers, Tarrytown, Sing Sing, and making the one and only stop in Poughkeepsie, on April 25th, before heading to Albany. While stopped in Poughkeepsie, college President Matthew Vassar boarded the train to place a cluster of handpicked magnolias aboard the car in a poignant moment to honor the fallen President.

Lincoln’s and his son’s remains traveled though 444 communities until the train came to its final destination where the two were interred at the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Illinois. This mournful and solemn trip took a toll on the family and the country in what was the grandest funeral procession ever held for a President. However, the story does not end here. “Rest in peace” is not a suitable phrase to be used for President Lincoln.  Following a plot to steal his body and hold it for ransom among other various issues with security and tomb reconstruction, Lincoln’s body was moved 17 times.  How then is it possible that his spirit would rest? In the years following, reported sightings of a phantom Lincoln Funeral Train were reported by railroad workers along the route from Washington, D.C. to Springfield, IL.

Tales along the Rails
There are varying accounts of spectral train sightings of the old Union silently traveling in the night. Those who have seen the vision report that they have seen a train car draped in black, housing a casket surrounded by mourners, guarded with skeletal remains dressed in blue uniforms. The smoke stacks billow and bells clang but not of this time and place.  A popular version of this story is one that has been retold many times stemming from a quote in the Albany Evening Times. This version is taken from The Pittsburgh Press (1978)

“The train always appeared in Albany on April 27th, the anniversary of its first passing. Track walkers and section hands would sit along the railroad tracks in the early evening of the fateful day and wait for the ghost train to come into view. At midnight—always at midnight—the engine would emerge from the darkness, moving silently down the track with black crepe flowing from its sides and emitting faintly audible sounds of funeral music.

The phantom train would glide over a black carpet that appeared to cover the tracks, while spectral solders in blue uniforms, of the Union army trotted along side it. As the apparition moved down the tracks, it would fade from view over some phantom horizon”

Over time the sightings decreased until the Lincoln ghost train was no longer seen, but the story still piques the curiosity of historical and locomotive enthusiasts alike.

The Legend Lives On
This legend of the Lincoln ghost train really stems from of the senseless murder of a man who envisioned his death, a country in grave mourning, and a send off of historic proportion that would carry the body of a President over 1,700 miles by rail and still be in a state of unrest. What a magnificently morbid setting for a ghost story. I suspect that on April 25th, the curious will head to the tracks in Poughkeepsie to see if they can get a glimpse of the ghostly figures standing guard, surrounding the black coffin being transported by the spectral Union.  Wondering what happened to the Lincoln funeral car? Unfortunately this piece of history was lost on March 20, 1911; it burned in a prairie fire in Illinois—yet another tragic loss.

Sources:

McNamara, Robert, (n.d.). Abraham Lincoln Saw a Spooky Vision of Himself in a Mirror

Spraggett, Alan. (1978, January  22).  Ghost Train. The Pittsburgh Press

The Funeral Train of Abraham Lincoln

The Route of Abraham Lincoln’s Funeral Train

Funeral and burial of Abraham Lincoln. (2010, March 28). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:18, April 18, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Funeral_and_burial_of_Abraham_Lincoln&oldid=352562911

Salesian School, Goshen, NY

Goshen, NY—As employees of Quality Environmental Solutions & Technologies began their demolition work on the Salesian School property in Goshen, NY they probably thought it was going to be just like any other day. Little did they know they would be tearing down a literal haunted house. Two workers reported seeing apparitions as well as hearing windows falling and breaking when there was no glass present. Obviously someone wasn’t pleased with the impending doom of their home. Were the Salesian Fathers attempting to scare away the contractors or someone from even further back in the history of the property?

The History of Salesian

The first deeds on record list five families as owners of the land which is today Salesian Park in Goshen. In 1791 the Carpenter, Duryea, Johnson, Heard and Wallace families held adjoining parcels. Between 1834 and 1864, David Henry Haight, great grandson in law of the Carpenters, purchased the land owned by the remaining four families and created the large piece of land which we now know as Salesian Park. Haight added imported pine trees, and built two large greenhouses with a field stone chimney (which still stands), stables and carriage houses. Upon his death he was interned in the Haight Mausoleum which is located adjacent to the park.

In 1901 the property started to pass through a few hands and saw tremendous growth. A horse track, water tower, carriage houses and an extensive entranceway with pillars, ornate iron fences, grottoes and a new water tower were incorporated into the landscape. An arena was even built and housed world class boxing matches.

It wasn’t until 1925 that the Salesian Fathers purchased the property and opened a residential Catholic school for boys. The Salesian Society strove to educate the young, especially of the middle and lower classes. The school in Goshen was one of many throughout the world devoted to the cause.

Renovations took place throughout the campus, turning the carriage house into a school, the arena into a gymnasium and the Haight Mansion was used as for administration, dinning rooms, and kitchen. A cemetery, grottoes, athletic fields, and war memorials dotted the landscape.

A Death at Salesian

Life at the Salesian School was unremarkable until August 9, 1964 when 9 year old Paul Ramos Jr. was attending summer camp at the school. It was on this night that he made his way to the roof and mysteriously fell to his death. His body was found the next morning behind the main school building. The case was reopened in 2003. It was then determined that the distance from the building to the body was inconsistent with a fall. Uncooperative employees, disputes among details, and a fire that destroyed records have kept this incident from being solved.

The Investigation

By 1985 enrollment at the Salesian School in Goshen, NY had dwindled and the school graduated its last class. The property continued to pass through ownership and in 2006 it was finally opened to the public as a town park. It was before this public unveiling that the Haight Mansion, once home to many generations and hallowed halls to many in the Salesian Society, was demolished due to its buckling walls. What was once gossip of hauntings by teenage trespassers finally had true eye witnesses in the Quality Environmental Solutions & Technologies employees.

Upon learning of the blatant attempts of the supernatural to contact the living (and seeing a boy waving at him from behind the gates), Lloyd Rajcoomar knew he needed to investigate. He gathered his team, Post Mortum Paranormal, and headed to the property. Outfitted with video and still cameras, recorders, temperature gauges, religious medallions and Rajcoomar’s psychic ability the team was ready to gather their evidence.

The team immediately encountered a very strange situation involving object manipulation. Rajcoomar recounts the story “I entered the Salesian with a holy water flask before I could go any further my partner and Team Leader Jarrod Soles saw the same flask ahead of us which was custom made by me on the floor. Jarrod saw me put that in my pocket as we headed into the school and when I checked my pockets it was gone. It seemingly found its way ahead of us on the floor before we entered.”

Rajcoomar quickly identified the boy he had seen waving at him as Paul Ramos Jr. The team worked with Paul and followed him into a bathroom and later to the basement. On a couple of occasions the team encountered a malevolent spirit trying to block their communication with Paul. This evil spirit became violent, throwing objects and taunting the team, even speaking to the team in response to the question “Are you afraid of us?” “Hell no, damn you!”

Post Mortum Paranormal left the Salesian School with extensive evidence. Videos and still photos showed both Paul and the evil spirit. The evidence they collected included some names of possible suspects in the mysterious death of Paul Ramos Jr. Unfortunately the police were not willing to work with the team.

Nine-year old Paul obviously still walks the halls of his summer camp, trapped most likely by his unsolved murder. He is accompanied by a malevolent spirit, possibly called upon by someone drawing a pentagram on the floor of the building. While the school building is still standing, it is fenced off and boarded up. Arrests of teenage trespassers abound. The foundation of the Haight Mansion still stands and you can investigate through the ruins. But be careful, you never know what you might find, a nine-year old boy or something much more sinister!

Photo Credit: Laura Schnecke

Beacon, NY—Just south of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge lays a mysteriously isolated island and on this island stands the ruin of a once grand Scottish Castle, which in its time, stood as a fortress and rose above the trees to create an impressive gateway to the Hudson Highlands. This is the image I remember as I child, and I am still captivated by the menacing vision of this dark lifeless structure surrounded by the rushing tides of the Hudson River. Today this majestic ruin, known as Bannerman’s Island Arsenal, rests on Pollepel Island and crumbles before our eyes. The recent deterioration of the ruin inspired me to not only witness and photograph the devastation, but to write about its lingering legends.

[Photo Gallery]

Pollepel Island was just as mystifying nearly 400 years ago as it is today. This dark deserted isle was the subject of an impressive “arsenal” of storytellers’ tales. Storytelling was a common past time and, just as with any story, over time these tales were naturally embellished and grew into astounding historical accounts that were passed down by the area’s early inhabitants giving us the great early legends of angry spirits, lost lovers, and ghostly goblins.

The Early Legends

Hudson River Sailors Feared The Heer of the Dunderburg

Long before Francis Bannerman built his castle, this six and three quarter acre isle was uninhabited. The Native Americans feared the island was possessed by evil spirits, which made it a prime location for settlers to hide during periods of aggression with the Indians. Over time, a number of legendary tales evolved. As I walked along the shoreline, the crystalline ice formations glistened in the sun and I thought of the legend of Polly Pell, a story that stakes claim for naming the island. The story of Polly Pell (Pollepel) was shared among Dutch settlers when newlywed Polly Pell was saved from the frozen Hudson River following a romantic sleigh ride with her beau. The fierce currents of the icy Hudson washed Polly and her new husband up on the rocky shores when a slave rescued them and named the island after her and the legend of Polly Pell was born.

The infamous Pollepel Island became well-known among Hudson River sailors. The secluded island was the basis of much of fantastical folklore that surrounds river travel through the Hudson Highlands.

The story The Storm-Ship written by famed storyteller and Tarrytown resident Washington Irving, tells the tale of a dreaded tribe of goblins that the Dutch feared inhabited Pollepel Island. These goblins thrived under the reign of the Heer of Dunderburgh who is said to control the gusty winds and treacherous waters of the Highlands. The Dutch lived in fear of the Dunderburgh. The “storm ship”’ actually refers to the legendary Flying Dutchman, a ship lost in a brutal storm sinking just south of Pollepel Island. The story condemns the captain and his crew to sailing the Hudson for eternity and it has been reported that their cries for help can be heard during violent storms. Once a ship ventured past Pollepel Island, the captain and crew earned right of passage for a safe journey down the Hudson.

Whether or not the ghosts, goblins, and evil spirits existed was left to the imagination. However, boat captains were known to cast off new sailors on their inaugural voyages down the river as an initiation. Often drunk and scared out of their wits these poor sailors were forced to disembark to take their chances with the phantoms of Pollepel Island. They were picked up on the return trip hopefully sobered up and fearless.

Given the history of Pollepel’s influence on shipmen of that period, it is ironic that the next ghost story would be that of a tugboat captain angered by Bannerman himself.

Night View of Bannerman's Castle

A Ghost from the Bannerman Era

Francis Bannerman VI was the visionary behind the progressive growth of the Scottish castle that bears the name of Bannerman’s Island Arsenal. Bannerman purchased Pollepel Island in 1900 when his insatiable hobby of scrap collecting gave way to becoming a massive arms company. As his wealth increased, Bannerman was able to build a home that would serve as a monument to his heritage. The castle itself was comprised of six major sections; three arsenals, the lodge, the tower, and the superintendent’s house. In addition, there is also a family residence with magnificent views of the Highlands.

The property was protected by breakwaters, which were formed by the sinking of old barges and boats. There is a legendary tale that the tugboat captain of one of the boats requested that his prized vessel not be sunk in his presence, but before anyone knew it, the boat was sinking right before the former captains eyes. The captain cursed Bannerman and swore revenge. It has been said that employees in the lodge often heard the ringing of the boat’s bell at various times signifying that the captain had returned to make good on his promise.

Just as the tugboat captain experienced a devastating loss that would condemn him to Bannerman’s castle for an eternity, Bannerman would also experience loss.

A Castle in Ruin

Bannerman’s Island Arsenal has had its share of disastrous events. A 1920 explosion of gun powder and shells blew a wall clear over to the mainland. Three people were injured including Mrs. Bannerman and the incident incurred $50,000 in damage. The most devastating event occurred in August of 1969 in a fire that gutted all the buildings on the island. It was undetermined as to what was the cause of the engulfing blaze that would destroy the celebrated estate of the late Francis Bannerman VI leaving it in ruin. This would not be the last disastrous event that the castle would endure. In late 2009 and early 2010 the castle saw increased damage that has forever changed the landscape of this iconic structure. I wonder how much longer it will endure the elements and how this rich haunted history will be remembered.

Remembering Bannerman’s Island Arsenal

The recent collapses have removed Bannerman’s name from his cherished castle. As the castle fades into history, the legends will remain to haunt us for a lifetime. As unbelievable as the stories may be, they add to the allure of the island and someday may be all that remains of one of the most captivating historical sites in the Hudson Valley. I think that Jane Bannerman’s quote best describes how I feel about Polly Pell’s island.

“No one can tell what associations and incidents will involve the island in the future. Time, the elements, and maybe even the goblins of the island will take their toll of some of the turrets and towers, and perhaps eventually the castle itself, but the little island will always have it’s place in history and in legend and will be forever a jewel in it’s Hudson Highland setting.”

- Jane Bannerman

Do not reproduce this article or images without permission from the author.

Island Tours and Contributions

The island and castle is easily viewed from land. Take a short drive south on Route 9D until you get to Breakneck Ridge. Park on the side of the road and cross the bridge over the trains track. BE VERY CAREFUL OF PASSING TRAINS!!

Bannerman’s Island Tours

Efforts to Preserve the Ruin

Photo Gallery: Photo Credit: Donna Davies

The Shanley Hotel, Napanoch, NY

Napanoch, NY—Crossing over the Shawangunk Mountains is like driving backwards through time. The western valley is a landscape dotted with old farmhouses, trailer homes and empty motels. As you take the turn off Route 209 into the tiny village of Napanoch, you transcend even further. What was once a bustling mill town is now practically abandoned with some buildings on the main street vacant since the 1930s. When Sal and Cindy Nicosia bought the Shanley Hotel they hoped their plans could revitalize the town. Little did they know they would be bringing life back to approximately 40 souls dying to be heard.

In the beginning of 2005, the Nicosias were your typical couple with a passion for a fixer-upper house. When the Shanley Hotel went up for sale they saw the project of a lifetime, bringing the urban ruin back to a thriving inn. It was merely 24 hours after the building was officially theirs that their lives changed forever. There was no electricity running in the building yet, so they sat on the second floor in the darkness celebrating the next chapter in their lives over some beers with a friend when the sound of footsteps started up the grand staircase. This event marked the beginning of their ghostly adventure into the past.

First built in 1845 by Thomas Rich, the hotel changed hands many times but it is James Shanley’s  name that still adorns the building today. Shanley and his wife Beatrice were well loved in the town of Napanoch and their inn was like home to many guests who enjoyed a variety of social activities and events hosted by the hotel.  For some guests,  being at home meant visiting the Gentleman’s Club located on the first floor or the three bedroom brothel on the second. Sal believes that the comfortable feeling the patrons experienced at the inn is the underlying reason why  so many spirits still remain at the Shanley today.

Aside from  the comforting atmosphere of friends and family, there were also times of tragedy and debauchery at the inn.  Tragically, all three of Mrs. Shanley’s children died before they were 9 months old.  Rosie, the four-year old and daughter of the in-house barber, drowned in a nearby well.  As with any hotel, there are stories of accidental deaths and possibly even murders. The spirits remain to tell their stories after the history books have closed.

By working with many different psychics, paranormal experts and extensive historical research, the Nicosias have been able to identify at least 40 different spirits residing at the Shanley Hotel. Nearly every paranormal research technique has yielded positive results.  People have experienced full-body apparitions as well as other visual and auditory cues including doors opening and closing, rocking chairs moving, whistling. The spirit of Rosie loves to play with jewelry and has been known to take it right off some women who visit. Of course, video and still cameras as well as electronic voice phenomenon records have documented mind boggling results. In fact, most EVPs that are recorded here are Class A, a concept almost unheard of in the industry.

The amount of data that Sal and Cindy has accumulated is extensive.  Connections made range from the spirits of Mr. and Mrs. Shanley themselves to  Jonathan, a playful six- year old, T.J., a bartender who died in the 1980, Joe, a spirit who prefers to be left alone and will tell you so, and Claire, a suicide from the 1800’s. Clearly, all the spirits have a story to tell. The use of  EMF meters, EVP recorders, cameras and other gadgets as well as the human mind have been used to help tell that story, as well as transform the Nicosias into true believers.

Over the few years, not only did the building go through some massive renovations, but so did the Nicosias themselves. Becoming more in tune with their spiritual guests, the Nicosias have become experts in a field they never expected. They have been featured on countless radio shows, TV programs and articles of both local and paranormal interest. 

Patchett House

Montgomery, NY— On a chilly fall evening we arrived at the Patchett House located in Montgomery, NY, which is now home to the Wallkill River School for Artists. The Patchett House is a Colonial style home built in the early 1800’s that once served as an inn, a personal residence, and a funeral parlor that holds an unsolved mystery.  This haunted house has its share of  ghost stories from personal accounts to investigative reportings. This would be my first ghost investigation experience and being a fan of Linda Zimmermann’s Ghost Investigator series, I was curious about her experiences. I had no expectation of what the events the evening would hold. Let’s just say at times, the chill I felt was not from the cold.

Patchett House is a beautifully restored home that feels warm and cozy. I was warmly greeted by the Director, Shawn Dell Joyce. Shawn was delightfully clad in period attire suitable for a haunting. There was an impressive turnout for this event. We grabbed our complimentary copy of Ghost Investigator Volume 9 Back from the Dead, sampled some tasty treats from the kitchen, and admired the works of art that covered the walls of the entrance way while we anxiously waited for Linda to present her findings. You could clearly pick out the skeptics in the room, but that is what makes these events so much fun.

It’s Presentation Time!

Linda’s enthusiasm and sense of humor radiates throughout her presentation. You can’t help but absorb her excitement for the unknown. Having lived in the Hudson Valley all my life, I was excited to learn about these haunted destinations that were within my reach in the surrounding area. Linda shared the experiences of her team’s recent investigations of the Tamarack Inn, Iron Island, O&W Train Station, Cliff Park, Patchett House, and The Columns all  located within driving distance of the Hudson Valley.

Ghost Investigator 9

We sat at the edge of our seats intently listening as Linda shared her knowledge of her connections with the spirits that remain tied to these locations. The most memorable stories are the incidents at the Tamarack Inn, The O&W Train Station, and The Columns.  The Tamarack Inn’s tumultuous past of drugs, suicides, and accidents that contributed to 157 deaths is a prime setting for a haunting. A dark, mysterious figure engages Linda and she immediately goes into hot pursuit. As the aggressive game of cat and mouse continues, she is unsuccessful at capturing the image that any ghost investigator would want to claim rights to—a shadowy image on film.  The O&W Train Station, also known as the Rusty Nail Restaurant, dishes up a ghostly prank that costs her a 25-cent toll, which takes place at the hand of a spirited apparition determined to make his substantiated presence known. Finally, a visit to The Columns gives Linda a hair-raising experience as phantom fingers run through her tresses. The spirit continues to aggressively show her who the mistress of this realm is. This active specter calls Linda out in an intense way.  This spirit desperately wants to communicate the fact that she knows Linda  and is determined to prove it.  After a series of encounters with this  female ghost, Linda put the pieces of the puzzle together and is guided to a file cabinet where she retrieves an  article that bares her name. I think that is a fantastic example of a unique ghost investigation.

The most chilling experience was a photo that Linda shared with us that she deemed to be her best ghostly image taken at a home in Pamona, NY.  There were 2 photos shown. The first photo was of a dimly lit room.  The second photo was of the same dimly lit room with a huge, dark, shadowy figure within it.  It reminded me of the large ghostly shadow of a huge monster in a Scooby-Doo cartoon only real.  It was extremely disturbing and sent a chill down my spine. The crowd in the room gasped in amazement, and had I been the one taking the photo, I would have been running for the hills! I think the entire crowd felt the same way. This photo and story can be found in Ghost Investigator Volume 6 Dark Shadows.  At this time, I was feeling a little uneasy knowing my next move was heading down into the former embalming room.

The Patchett House Hauntings

Embalming Table

As stated earlier, Patchett House was an inn and a personal residence before it was a funeral home. In 1977, the funeral home director mysteriously vanished and the house was vacant for more than 20 years.  Know one knows what happened to the man. This remains an unsolved mystery today.  Maybe the rumored ghosts that inhabit the embalming room of Patchett House scared him away.

Linda shared her findings of her previous investigation, she clearly described the activity that occurred in the embalming room.  A mounted motion activated camera generated blurred images, which could only have happened if something or someone was moving the cameras. The camera produced an irregular shadow within the image. Good to know as  we enter through the Bilco style doors of the basement!

The first thing you notice when you enter the dark, dank,  room is the embalming table, which looks like nothing more than a triple sink. There is a slight chemical odor. This is where the bodies were laid out and the draining and embalmed occurred. You would think that there would have been more sophisticated equipment used even in the 1970’s.

EMF Demonstration

Linda demonstrated how the EMF (Electromagnetic Fluctuation) monitor works while trying to detect changes in energy in the room. She clearly explained how you can get irregular readings due to cell phone and normal electrical interference. We did get a few short readings on the meter; nothing significant. No one should have the expectation that you can walk 25 people into a room and have an experience. In my opinion, if something is going to happen to you, it will be very personal.

We then ventured back upstairs where Shawn Dell Joyce, the Director, continued the tour. Shawn is very passionate about Patchett House and its history. Shawn shared some of her experiences in the home. She explained that at one time she and students heard a phone ringing; an old-fashion bell-type ring. There is an old phone in the house, but it was not connected.  There have also been issues with lights being turned on and off and when no electricity was connected in the house. Repair men have actually walked off jobs after working in the basement claiming they felt something down there with them.

Shawn fondly spoke of the ghost of Emma who was born and died while living in Patchett house. It was her only home. She lived through the late 1800’s and passed in 1976 at the age of 97 years. Once a Patchett family member drove past the house and just happened to look in the window of the second floor and was shocked to see his Aunt Emma looking out. You see, Emma had been deceased for quite some time. Emma is also particular about her house. If she doesn’t like the doors and windows open, she will let you know about it. She will just close them for you. There is one room is the home that is Emma’s room. It is a shrine to her memory as she was a very caring and generous woman. Shawn feels very comforted by her presence and feels that it is her spirit that protects her ancestral home and she will not leave it behind.

No Souvenirs

The lecture and tour of the Patchett House was very informative and interesting. Linda Zimmermann is an engaging and dynamic speaker. One thing I will always remember is her clear warning to “Never bring anything home with you!” That means spirit or otherwise.

The Patchett house is a beautiful, well-preserved home that serves as an educational institution for artists.  I am certain that Emma is proud of that fact. Visitors to Patchett House have sensed and even visualized the presence of a woman in the home. I don’t think Emma ever left her domicile.  This strong presence of Emma could signify a deep love for the home in which she lived in for 97 years.  Maybe she just doesn’t want to leave it behind, but we would have to.  It was time to venture home.

I was exhausted from our trip and the mind does play tricks.  I rolled into bed and slept soundly.  I woke up at about 5:30 a.m.  The light was on in the hall. I was certain I had turned it off. It would have kept me up all night if I hadn’t.  I hope Emma didn’t reconsider and follow me home!

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Learn more about Patchett House

www.wallkillriverschool.org

Albany, NY—I’ve never been one to really get into politics. I have a few public issues that I support or I am highly against, but the overall political scene was never really my thing. When I heard about the haunted tour of the New York State Capitol Building, I was instantly intrigued, probably more because it is a historic location that was actually revealing in its haunted nature instead of shying away from it. The governmental nature didn’t really play a part in my decision to drive to Albany.

By the time I arrived at the visitor’s center, I wasn’t expecting much. I had just spent the past 45 minutes driving circles around downtown Albany. When I finally pulled in to the parking garage I was greeted by a State Trooper questioning my expired registration.  He let me go. I let out a sigh of relief as I parked my car and grabbed my notebook, I was just happy to be out of the car. I had no idea what to expect, as long as it didn’t involve driving it would be fine.

I certainly wasn’t expecting the grandeur of the architecture in the Capitol building and the expanse of ghostly inhabitants. As the tour began, we passed through security and trekked down a short tunnel from the main concourse into the Capitol itself. As we rode the escalator up to the grand floor, a sweeping gothic style building came into view. Sloping arches, remarkable stone carvings and intricate woodwork were everywhere throughout the building. If you are a looking for the setting of a haunting, you would certainly find it in the New York State Capitol Building in Albany, NY. The $25 million and 25 years it took to build the Capitol Building were well worth the expense as the building creates a very creepy backdrop for haunting behavior, something right out of the creepiest horror movie.

The Curse of the New York State Capitol Building

According to legend, the New York State Capitol Building is haunted by more than just high taxes and it may have been a curse that cost the lives of the spirits that roam the halls. Stoneworkers designed stunning carvings throughout the entire building. Keep an eye open and you will see owls (known as omens of death), bats, gargoyles, devilish goats, serpents, and hundreds of other mystical beings. It is the intricate stonework in particular where we see the start of the alleged curse. Legend has it that a stone carver, angered by his boss, cursed the building and created a secret sculpture hidden within the organic filigree. Search the border on the wall opposite room 174 and you can find a tiny demonic face.

State Senate Assemby, Library of Congress

How many victims has the curse claimed?  The tour guide told of two stories in particular which seem more plausible than others.  The original ceiling of the Assembly was a grand cathedral design with arches and hand- painted murals. The ceiling was made entirely of limestone and over time it started to decay beyond repair. An unfortunate design flaw or was it part of the curse?  A new drop style ceiling was installed in 1888. During this time Cormac McWilliams was a foreman on the project. As he was overseeing the progress, one day an unfortunate accident caused him to fall from the scaffolding to the story far below. While he did survive the initial accident he passed away a few days later.

It was here, in the Assembly, that we heard a few tales from another Capitol employee who happened to be working in the expansive room as our tour passed through. When someone in the group asked him if he heard things he said, “Of course, all the time. It happens so often you just ignore it.” He then went on to tell us about his pekepoo dog who often visited the building. She just refused to go up the Great Western Staircase. Instead of scampering up like she would any other staircase in the building, she would simply sit at the foot of the stairs and bark, whine and stare at an unforeseen entity. Perhaps she was frightened by the ghost of Cormac McWilliams as he continued to oversee the work in the building.

Great Western Staircase/Photo Credit: Jim Logan

Skeptics of the paranormal can quickly find faults in this story. While legend has it that Cormac McWilliams died in 1888 his tombstone in a local cemetery marks his death 11 years earlier. Maybe a mistake was made in the carving of his tree stump style grave marker or maybe he really had died in 1877, and was working at the capitol from beyond the grave!

Probably the most viable story of curses and hauntings at the New York State Capitol Building is that of Samuel Abbot. In 1911, a fire broke out and decimated the upper floors of the massive building. The only fatality that cursed day was Samuel, a night watchman in the library. His body was burned beyond recognition and he was only identified by his pocket watch. Since his death, a translucent full body apparition has been seen in the hallway where his body was found. The sounds of jingling keys, doors locking and lights being turned off have all been heard in the area. Maintenance workers and other staff have refused to work in the area after having experiences with Sam. If the curse killed Samuel, is it also the curse that keeps him walking the halls, doing his rounds night after night?

Perhaps there is a curse on the building, or maybe it’s just an old building with a lot of history. Investigate these and other tales at the Haunted Tour of the New York State Capitol Building that runs during the month of October. Traditional tours run throughout the year.

If you go, bring your Albany maps, an up to day car registration, your enthusiasm and your camera. You never know what you will run into, maybe the ghost of Samuel Abbot or a pooch scared of a particular staircase.