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Ledgelawn Summer Estate and the Bridal Ghost in the Attic

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In a former summer house for the rich and wealthy in Maine, the Ledgelawn Summer Estate has long been thought to be haunted by the ghost of Mary Margaret, the jilted bride haunting the house wearing her wedding dress.

Built in 1904 in the seaside town of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island in Maine, Ledgelawn Summer Estate was one of the original grand summer estates from the Gilded Age in the harbor for the elite that used to spend their summer here by the sea. 

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Ledgelawn Estate is a 21-room shingle-style cottage on Mount Desert Street, found close to the church. They used to call these estates for the cottages where the rich summered and it is said that this building is the most haunted one in Bar Harbor and a story all the locals know about.

Bar Harbor: On Mount Desert Island in Maine you will find Bar Harbor where the Ledgelawn Summer Estate is. There are many places in this picturesque said to be haunted.

The Haunted Ledgelawn Summer Estate

The red building built for the wealthy summer visitors in 1904 was built upon something older, equally a mystery as the supposed haunting. It is said to be haunted by the woman in white known as Mary Margaret. According to legend, she was jilted just about to get married. 

Most of the variations of the stories tell that Mary Margaret was a dark haired beauty from that time, a member of the rich and powerful Astor family, or at least related to them.

Her soon to be husband took off right before their wedding and left her alone. Mary Margaret took this so hard and went straight up to the third floor, dressed herself in her wedding dress before hanging herself from the rafters in the attic with her wedding veil.

It is said that when her family found her, her face was so bruised, they almost didn’t recognize her. Her lips curled up to a smile. She has ever since then lingered and haunted the Ledgelawn Summer Estate through the years. 

The Haunting of Mary Margaret

Although her death is said to have happened in the attic of Ledgelawn Summer Estate, she is most often seen on the third floor. Her ghost is said to be transparent and floating about, returning to the place she died again and again.

The former summer estate used to be an inn and there is a particular one story from this time that is retold. Back then, the place used to be called Ledgelawn Inn and it was said that room 326 was the place she most often appeared. 

Guests checking in or staff working there would often get an ominous and gloomy feeling before claiming to see the ghost of a woman floating at the foot at their bed or even a ghostly wedding veil was coming from the ceiling and swaying in the night. 

According to this guest, the ghost got into bed with him. Scared of what happened he tried to ignore her lying next to him and simply rolled over, petrified and didn’t dare to open his eyes. 

The Ghost of a Maid in Ledgelawn Summer Estate

Ledgelawn Summer Estate: Source

The dramatic ghost of Mary Margaret is supposedly not the only ghost said to haunt the Ledgelawn Summer Estate. Apparently there is also a former maid most often called Catherine said to be haunting the former summer house and former inn. 

It is said that she had an affair with the owner of the house at the time and became pregnant while working there. The story is often been told to have happened in the 1930s. She died after falling down the stairs in the back. If she fell or if she were pushed is up for debate and was hushed up at the time. 

In addition to the women said to haunt the Ledgelawn Summer Estate there is also a child said to haunt the cupboard he hides in. According to the stories, he drowned somewhere in Bar Harbor. 

The Truth Behind the Legends

So how true is this very specific story said to haunt the Ledgelawn Summer Estate? The historic inn was bought by a firm in 2010, ending its time as an inn. 

The story behind the house is that Ledge Lawn was built by Samuel Willard Bridgham and Fanny Shermerhorn in the beginnings of the 1900s. Fanny was related to the Astors, a family filled with money and scandals. Samuel and Fanny though were known to be kind people, didn’t have any children and other mysterious deaths happening inside of their home. 

So what about the ghost that people keep seeing? Could it just be a trick your mind plays you when staying in an old building, and a local story told for fun in a sleepy seaside town. Or could it be something that the history didn’t record or where the details and facts have become distorted over time?

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References:

American Ghost Walks – Bar Harbor | Culture & Tours | Family Friendly Activities 

The Haunting of Ledgelawn – by Carrie Jones 

Resort company buys historic Bar Harbor inn 

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Bass Harbor Head Light’s Murder Mystery Ghost

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After a construction worker mysteriously disappeared when building the Bass Harbor Head Light in Maine, it is said he remained by the lighthouse, haunting the place and every keeper’s family that lived there. 

The lighthouse found on Prospect Harbor southwest on Mount Desert Island in Maine, is not the only lighthouse thought to be haunted in Acadia National Park, Bass Harbor Head Light is seen today as an iconic landmark. 

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On the rocky coastline of Mount Desert Island they built the Bass Harbor Head Light lighthouse in 1858 on the cliff side overlooking the shore guiding boats into Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay. 

The lighthouse is built in Tremont, considered to be one of the quieter parts of the islands, but still draws people to have a look at the view. And if we are to believe the rumors, the lighthouse have also attracted ghosts.

The Ghost of Bass Harbor Head Light

The ghost story said to haunt the Bass Harbor Head Light comes from the time of building the lighthouse back in 1858, even before the first keeper moved in.

During construction it is said that a builder vanished without a trace. What happened back then we don’t know. Did he just quit his job and left for something else? Was this actually a case of a missing person case, or worse, murder?

When he left, it was said that they found a bloody axe on the rocks but no body was found. Was he murdered and his body buried inside of the foundations of the lighthouse as the legends go? 

In any case, ever since then, he has haunted the lighthouse, even before the first keeper moved in. 

People have claimed to see his ghost around and heard noises and experienced things they can’t account for. Some of the reports claims to have seen a man sitting on a stump outside when it snows. 

Other Ghosts Haunting the Lighthouse

There is not only a potential murder mystery that is haunting the lighthouse. According to some there are also claims that a deer moving through the snow before vanishing into thin air. When inspecting the snow, there are no footprints to be found. 

A woman has also been haunting the lighthouse if we are to believe the stories. She has been seen sitting in a rocking chair inside of the keeper’s house.

The Curse of the Lighthouse

Not only are the lighthouses rumored to be haunted by a ghost, but it is also said to have a curse, or at least bad luck to the keepers that have lived in it. 

It is said that every light-keeper or some in his family has had tragedy following them in the lighthouse of illnesses and accidents. Truly the work of a haunting or curse, or simply how life worked in the remote and harsh climate of Maine?

In any case, more than 10 deaths have been attributed to this and are said to have ended just because the lighthouse became automated. 

A New Era for the Lighthouse in Bass Harbor

The keepers’ house used to be a private residence for a local Coast Guard member and his family, with most of the grounds being private up until 2012. Today new keepers have moved in to take care of the historic landmark

Read Also: The Paranormal Activity At The St. Augustine Lighthouse 

Most of how they built the lighthouse has been preserved and it looks pretty much the same as it did when constructed and the missing construction worker vanished. Due to the extreme popularity of this iconic lighthouse, parking and crowds can be an issue during the height of tourist season.

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References:

Bass Harbor Head Light history – NEW ENGLAND LIGHTHOUSES: A VIRTUAL GUIDE 

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse | monsterminions 

Acadia National Park navigates new era for iconic lighthouse 

Bass Harbor Head Light | Tremont, Maine’s Striking Landmark – New England 

New England Legends Extra: Haunted Bass Harbor Light – Maine 

Bass Harbor Head Light – Wikipedia 

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The Haunted Prospect Harbor Lighthouse

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The Prospect Harbor Lighthouse with its Gull Cottage in Maine is said to be haunted by the ghost of the last caretaker with the scent of his tobacco still lingering. 

North in the Acadia National Park in Main you will find the Prospect Harbor Lighthouse south in Gouldsboro on the Schoodic Peninsula. The whole area is often covered in a thick fog coming in from the sea as one of the foggiest places on the Maine coast. 

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No longer seen as essential for the safety of passing ships along the coast anymore, the location has turned into a summer retreat for people in the U.S army. 

The Prospect Harbor Lighthouse

The fishing harbor around these parts has been there since the 1800s and in 1849 they built the granite lighthouse, rebuilt in wood in 1891. For years it guided the busy fishing harbor fishermen and schooners to safe haven. 

Albion Faulkingham, the light’s last keeper, served from 1930 until the light was automated in 1934. After this they had a caretaker more than a keeper. 

Read Also: The Paranormal Activity At The St. Augustine Lighthouse 

Eventually the Prospect Harbor Lighthouse was not used as much and fell into disrepair of water damage and rot before being restored in 2004 with the help of the U.S Coast Guard and Lighthouse foundations. 

It is not open to the public per se as it is an active military base and you can’t reach the lighthouse grounds. But many that have been passing have claimed to have snapped a photo of the ghosts residing there and still today the lighthouse continues to shine the way and the light remains an aid to navigation on the grounds of an active military installation. 

The Gull Cottage

This cottage by the Prospect Harbor Lighthouse is now used for Navy personnel and is another place in the park said to be haunted. The cottage used to be the light-keeper’s quarters and if we are to believe the rumors, it seems that a former keeper is the one haunting it. 

Guests that have stayed at the cottage claimed to have seen ghosts and there are some signs left by them like the smell of tobacco lingering in the air or seeing doors opening and closing. 

Prospect Harbor Lighthouse: The Lighthouse as well as Gull Cottage in Acadia National Park said to be haunted.

Over the years, those who have encountered the ghosts have given him the nickname Captain Salty. Who was he in real life? Many attribute the alleged ghost leaving a scent of tobacco in the cottage to “Grandfather Ira” Workman, the caretaker after the lighthouse got automated. 

He passed away from a heart attack as he was lighting his pipe on New Year’s Day in 1951 and if we are to believe the rumors, the pipe never really went out. 

The Haunted Statue in Gull Cottage

Another part of the haunted rumors is the story about the statue that seems to be moving by itself inside of Gull Cottage. 

Inside the cottage there is a small statue of a sea captain out of reach on a high ledge on top of the stairs. According to reports it is said that he moves to face the stairs or the sea, all by himself. Could thisi be the same ghost leaving the scent of tobacco? 

But could this have already been exposed as a hoax? According to Robert Kord’s writing in the Machias Valley News, he was the one moving the statue around when he visited the Gull Cottage in 1997. 

“I kept moving these wooden figurines around the place in an effort to scare anybody. “Our Prospect Harbor grandchildren visited, and my techniques worked pretty good on the granddaughter.”

True or not, the story took hold and were continued to be told even when the Prospect Harbor Lighthouse fell under the American Lighthouse Foundation not the Coast Guard in 2000 when it was leased out.  

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References:

Northern Acadia Park and Haunted Prospect Harbor Lighthouse 

Prospect Harbor Lighthouse, Maine at Lighthousefriends.com 

Prospect Harbor Point Light – Wikipedia 

Prospect Harbor Light history – NEW ENGLAND LIGHTHOUSES: A VIRTUAL GUIDE

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Acadia’s Anemone Cave known as The Devil’s Oven and its legends

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Today the traces of Anemone Cave, otherwise known as the Devil Den or The Devil’s Oven, have almost been erased from the park. Dangerous because of the tide submerging the cave completely, stories about strange things happening around the cave have been told for centuries.

Hidden along the foggy shorelines of Mount Desert Island within Acadia National Park, a foreboding sea cave known as Anemone Cave, or otherwise called, The Devil’s Oven stands as a silent witness to centuries of mysteries and eerie legends. 

Acadia National Park is a stunning natural reserve located primarily on Mount Desert Island, the largest offshore island outside of Maine, United States. Established in 1916, it encompasses over 49,000 acres of rugged coastline, lush forests, granite peaks, and pristine lakes. 

Read More: Check out all of our ghost stories from USA

Acadia National Park is not only a haven for outdoor enthusiasts but also a place of profound natural beauty and ecological significance. 

Taken off the Maps of Acadia National Park

The Haunted Devil’s Oven is located near DeGregoire Park, in Bar Harbor, Maine and it is said you have to make sure to be there at low tide to not be completely submerged under water. 

Years ago the Anemone Cave was marked on the trail of the National Park’s maps. Today signs are removed and the name disappeared from the map and even the railings have been removed to deter people for seeking its slippery path, for a good reason, and only those with knowledge of its whereabouts or searching for it on the internet can find it. 

It is said to be to protect the tiny lives of the anemones as well as hikers were often injured or trapped by the tide in the caves. There have also been at least one death in modern time. But although it was removed from the map, it is still there as the legend surrounding it. 

Anemone Cave History

This hidden alcove has long been shrouded in tales of the supernatural, with whispers of a portal to the underworld echoing through the annals of Mount Desert Island history. 

Anemone Cave got its name from the anemones, but that is only in recent years as it has been known as both the Devil’s Den and Cave of the Sea among other things. The origin of the ominous name, The Devil’s Oven is uncertain, but it is said that the cave itself looks like a skull and the paranormal stuff are said to happen both at high and low tide. 

Read More: Check out The Mysterious Gouffre de Padirac Caves, The Haunting Santuario de la Virgen de Balma in the Mountain Rocks, The Ghost of Kathleen who Loved St. Kevin in Glendalough and The Haunted Mystique on the Cliffs of Wenlock Edge for more haunted caves with strange legends attached to them. 

Even in contemporary times, The Devil’s Oven continues to evoke a sense of unease and spectral energy. Nighttime visitors have reported witnessing inexplicable lights gleaming and flashing from the depths of the Anemone Cave, casting an eerie glow along the coastal expanse. 

Religious Sacrifices inside of the Cave

This is not only a modern phenomenon though, but all the way back to when European settlers came about and even further in Native American stories, something was amiss with the caves. Those who venture near during daylight hours speak of hearing haunting cries and strange chants carried by the ocean breeze.

There is a claim put forth in the book named Ghosts of Acadia, where the author Marcus Librizzi says that the cave was used by the Native Americans where they held terrible and grotesque rituals and sacrifices where they drowned people slowly by the tide according to legend. 

A Warning to Visitors Seeking the Anemone Cave

For the intrepid souls seeking to unravel the mysteries of The Devil’s Oven, a cautionary note lingers. The sea cave is accessible only during the ebb of low tide, a precarious journey fraught with maritime challenges. Owing to the surge in drownings and perilous sea rescues, the National Park Service has removed all railings and signs leading to the Anemone Cave, emphasizing the need for caution and even experienced climbers have died.

As you contemplate the allure of The Devil’s Oven, consider not only the haunting rumors that enshroud its existence but also the inherent risks that accompany the quest for the supernatural. In the shadowy realm between legend and reality, Acadia National Park harbors secrets that beckon the curious yet cautionary tales that echo through time.

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References:

THE DEVIL’S TRIANGLE 

History of Visitor Use and Management of Anemone Cave, Acadia National Park, Maine 

This Ancient Sea Cave Isn’t On Any Map Of Acadia National Park For Good Reasons 

Hauntings and Mysteries in Acadia National Park 

ABANDONED TRAILS OF ACADIA NATIONAL PARK: ANEMONE CAVE – THE DEVIL’S OVEN

REAL HAUNTED PLACES IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

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Bloody Lane’s Ghostly Echoes at Antietam National Battlefield

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The Battle of Antietam was one of the bloodiest battles during the American Civil War and has been made into a memorial place called Antietam National Battlefield. Ever since that bloody day it has been said to have been haunted by the ghosts of the fallen soldiers. There are many spots said to be haunted, but none more than the Bloody Lane. 

In the quiet expanse of Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland lies a chilling tale etched in the blood-soaked soil of history—the haunting specter of Bloody Lane. 

The Antietam National Battlefield is on fields on the Appalachian foothills and is a protected area under the National Park Service along the Antietam Creek in Sharpsburg, and commemorates the Battle of Antietam during the American Civil War. 

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Today the Antietam National Battlefield is a great place for a hike in the nature as well as learning a bit about the Civil War. It is also said to be one of the most haunted places in western Maryland with countless of spirits said to linger. 

Aftermath of the War: Confederate horses lay dead and artillery caissons destroyed on the Antietam battlefield. Taken September 1862 but published in 1911.

The Battle of Antietam

The Battle of Antietam, fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, marked a pivotal moment in the American Civil War. It stands as the single bloodiest day in American history, with casualties numbering over 22,000. The clash between Union and Confederate forces along Antietam Creek resulted in intense fighting across fields, woods, and hills, leaving a landscape scarred by the horrors of war. 

Despite the staggering loss of life, the battle fought on Antietam National Battlefield ended in a tactical stalemate, with neither side achieving a decisive victory. However, it provided President Abraham Lincoln with the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, altering the course of the war by shifting its focus toward the abolition of slavery.

Read Also: For more ghost stories from the American Civil War, check out Ghost Stories from the Gettysburg Battlefield

After the battle though there was a 3-mile line of bodies waiting to be buried and the sunken road known as Bloody Lane stands as a somber reminder of the lives lost.

The Bodys on Bloody Lane: Confederate dead at Bloody Lane, looking east from the north bank. It was aboslute carnage after the battle ended, many still buried in unmarked graves. // Source Civil War Images. Plate of Gardner’s Photographic Sketch Book of the War, Vol. 1, Philp & Solomons, Publishers, Washington, DC (1866). This image is cropped from the copy published by the Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division

Today you can still walk along the trail now only known as Bloody Lane where 5.500 men were killed during under 4 hours, and this as well as the surrounding area of Antietam National Battlefield is said it is haunted by the soldiers that died that day. 

The Haunted Bloody Lane

Witnesses have recounted eerie tales of phantom gunfire that pierce the stillness of the air, and the smell of gunpowder hangs in the air as if the echoes of battle persist in the afterlife on Antietam National Battlefield. 

Shouts and distant singing reverberate through time, an otherworldly chorus that commemorates the sacrifice made by those who fought on that fateful day. Most people claim to have heard something sounding like a chant, sounding like a Christmas Carol. 

Coincidentally, the area by the observation tower overlooking the Bloody Lane was the 69th of New York, nicknamed the Irish Brigade that had a battle cry in Gaelic, sounding very much like the Christmas Song, Deck The Halls, although what they were really chanting was Faugh-a-Balaugh, meaning clear the way. 

Read More: For more ghost stories from bloody battlefields, check out The Bloody Hauntings at Aughrim Battlefield

Some have even reported apparitions clad in Confederate uniforms, thinking first it was just another reenactment of it, only to witness their sudden disappearance, leaving behind a haunting emptiness.

A Night on the Bloody Lane

There is also a ghost story said to have happened to a group of re-enactors that decided to camp out in Bloody Lane. Their plan was to spend the night in the exact spot they had found a photo showing a pile of bodies from the battle.

During the night, one by one of the re-enactors chose to leave the spot, claiming that something wasn’t right. They got a strange feeling of uneasiness. 

Of them just laughed, set on spending the entire night by himself then as all of his friends had already given up. They had all gathered around the cars discussing what had happened when they heard a horrible scream coming from the field. 

It was the last friend, terrified and in shock after spending time by himself and experiencing something unexplained. According to him, he had laid down in the field when he started to hear strange sounds. It was like whispers or moans by his ears and rustling of the grass. First he thought nothing of it, but then he saw a human arm coming up from blood-soaked earth, pressing down on his chest, holding him there until he started to scream and fight his way back to his friends. 

Burnside Bridge of Unmarked Graves

The hauntings extend beyond Bloody Lane to other sites within Antietam National Battlefield as well. Burnside Bridge, otherwise known as Rohrback Bridge before the war, is another poignant location on these hallowed grounds.

Read More: For more haunted bridges around the world, check out The Drowned Ghosts Under Howrah Bridge in Kolkata, The Ghost Children at Mang Gui Kiu Bridge and The River Road Bridge Ghost.

This was the place where General Ambrose Burnside pushed the Confederates back and where many of the fallen soldiers received a quick burial in unmarked graves around the bridge. Although today many are re-buried in the Antietam National Cemetery among other places.

Burnside Bridge: Before the war it was called Rohrback Bridge. Now it is simply remembered because of the war and its haunted rumors. Still picture from the bridge between circa 1860 and circa 1865

The area around Antietam National Battlefield is said to harbor mysterious blue balls of light that dance through the air, evoking the spirits of those who found their final rest beneath its arches. Phantom drumbeats echo through the ages, a ghostly cadence that hints at the unseen soldiers who once marched to the rhythm of war.

The Pry House Field Hospital

On the battlefield you will also find the Pry House and Piper House that are also said to be haunted from the war. 

The Pry House is an old farmhouse in bricks and has now been turned into a museum of field museums. It was mostly used for storage until it almost burned down in 1976. When the fire was burning the firefighters claimed to have seen a woman in one of the windows on the second floor, after the entire floor had collapsed.

It was during the restoration of the old building though that most of the ghost stories from The Pry House came from, but also here, the same woman made an appearance. 

Also here you will hear the sound of footsteps from no one in the stairs as well as seeing the ghost of a woman wearing a long old fashioned dress coming down the staircase. 

The woman is thought to be Fannie Richardson, the wife of one of the generals that died in the same room on the second floor which she has been spotted on. She had come the long way down from Michigan to care for him, but his life was not to be saved. 

Piper House Farm

The Piper House is found in the midst of Antietam National Battlefield and was the headquarters of Confederate General Longstreet and the barn out back was used as a hospital. There were actual fights inside of the house as well, and after it ended, they had to get out three dead soldiers under the piano. 

When the farmer, Henry Piper returned to the farm, he found it standing, yes, but bloody and filled with dead people. He filed a claim for damages, but as he had no certificate of loyalty, he never received compensation.

This house is also said to have strange things happening inside of it, and people have complained about seeing strange figures and hearing mysterious noises. 

St. Paul Episcopal Church

Moving from the Antietam National Battlefield itself and into the small town of Sharpsburg, you will find the St. Paul Episcopal Church that was used as a Confederate hospital after the battle ended as well as the nearby homes. 

Not a peaceful place though as reports of screaming from the dying and injured are heard. The church tower is also said to have flickering lights that no one can explain. 

There is also a house west of Mt. Airy, a town where a lot of the injured were taken. According to the local legend, the floorboards in the house are still stained with blood that are impossible to remove, even when sanded down. 

The Haunted Antietam National Battlefield

The Antietam National Battlefield was the location for one of the bloodiest battles in the American Civil War, sure, but also one of the most haunted? Over the years the ghost stories from the different spots that played their part in the battle seem to accumulate. 

And as long as the history is preserved and retold, perhaps so will the ghost stories. 

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References:

GHOSTS OF ANTIETAM 

https://eu.beaconjournal.com/story/lifestyle/travel/2016/12/18/antietam-battlefield-is-full-ghosts/10717811007

Haunted House at Antietam National Battlefield? 

Ghosts of Gettysburg Haunted Daytrips: Antietam | Mark Nesbitt 

Burnside Bridge (U.S. National Park Service) 

Pry House Field Hospital Museum – Antietam National Battlefield (U.S. National Park Service) 

The Piper Farm – Antietam National Battlefield (U.S. National Park Service) 

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Haunting Tales from Fort Laramie National Historic Site

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Several ghosts are said to linger at Fort Laramie in what was the beacon of civilization when Wyoming was a prairie in the wilderness. Soldiers that ended their days in the many wars from this time to a Lady in Green seen riding on her black horse every seven years, the historical site has more than old buildings to offer. 

In southeast Wyoming in Goshen County, Fort Laramie National Historic Site stands as a spectral testament to the bygone era from 1834 when it started as a trading post and diplomatic enclave. The originally known as Fort William was an important trading post in the 19th century originally meant to oversee the fur trade.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

It was then bought by the American Army and was also often used as a stopping place for migrants on the Oregon Trail on their way west for a new home, people going the California Trail for the Gold Rush, The Mormon Trail, armies stationed there for a time or fur traders coming and going. It was not necessarily a place you were meant to stay on for, but it looks like that some of the souls passing through are still lingering here.  

Fort Laramie: In 1815 or 1816, Jacques La Ramee and a small group of fellow trappers settled in the area where Fort Laramie would later be located. He went out alone to trap in 1819 or 1820 and was never seen again. Arapahoe Indians were accused of killing La Ramee and burying his body in a beaver dam. The river was named “Laramie” in his honor, and later settlers used this name for the Laramie Mountains, the fort, and the towns of Laramie, Wyoming and Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

Old Bedlam and it History

Old Bedlam, with its timeworn walls and creaking floorboards, has become a focal point for visitors seeking a glimpse into the spectral mysteries of Fort Laramie. Old Bedlam is Wyoming’s oldest documented buildings from 1849.

Why this building was called Bedlam though is uncertain. In England at this time, Bedlam was a word for insane asylum. This was not an asylum though, but first and foremost office quarters for the bachelors. Although it was really far from everything else and quite isolated. 

The furnishing was sparse and meant to be practical for communal living. Native American artifacts from trading and the oncoming wars were hugely popular though and were often used to decorate with. 

Old Bedlam: Built in 1849, Old Bedlam is the oldest standing building in Wyoming. It got its name from the days when it was home to boisterous bachelor soldiers at the fort. It is also said to be one of the more haunted places on the historic site.

The Haunting of Old Bedlam

Numerous reports have surfaced of encounters with an apparition clad in the regalia of a cavalry officer, who silently roams throughout the building. Companies of Cavalry has been stationed at Old Bedlam since its time as a Frontier Army Post from 1849 and fought in the Civil War, the Bozeman War and the Great Sioux War. The last soldiers left Fort Laramie in 1890.

Did one of these officers stay behind in his afterlife? Witnesses describe a commanding presence that, despite its ethereal nature, seems to assert authority over the living. The whispered admonishments to “be quiet” echo through the corridors of Old Bedlam, as if the phantom officer is enforcing a long-forgotten order. 

George in The Old Captain’s Quarters Building

Old Bedlam is not the only haunted building though. The old Captain’s Quarters Building from 1870 is also said to be haunted by a ghost. This haunting has reportedly gone on for years, all the way back to when the Fort was in use as a military presence and has been reported on by many former military men.

Strange things like doors opening or the sound of footsteps when no one is coming are said to happen there. There have also been lights inside of the facility, even without electricity. By the staff working there, the spirit has been nicknamed George. 

Other Ghosts Haunting the Fort

The Cavalry Barracks from 1874 that housed hundreds of soldiers at once is also said to be haunted. Early in the morning, when it would have been time for the soldiers to answer the reveille to have been played, you could hear the sound of heavy boots over the boardwalk.

There is also said to be a young man in a raincoat looking to talk to someone even there is no one there. Although not much is known about him, he is considered a ghost. 

Something looking like a surgeon in a blood stained uniform from the U.S Army looks irritated around the area where there once was an old hospital. There is not much left of the hospital but a shell, but it is said that many men died and their bones are still around there.  

A small creek known as Deer Creek is behind the Old Bedlam and jail. It is said to have the ghost of a man throwing rocks into the creek in the early hours. He is said to be unfriendly and should be avoided as well as it is said he is headless. 

Another ghost left alone is the Civil War ghost acting erratically southeast of the fort in a place called Bovee Draw past the visitors center that comes out at midnight. If he was a union or confederate is unknown. 

By the Detention Dam there is a man with a bloody sword said to be standing still, staring into the water around midnight. 

According to reports and staff there are also those that claim to have seen the ghost of Portugee Phillips riding on horseback across the fields. This was a famous rider who brought the news of the Fetterman Attack to Fort Laramie in 1866.

The Lady in Green

There is not only one ghost haunting this historic site. Perhaps more known is the story of the Lady in Green haunting Fort Laramie. This story is from the time when the place was known as Fort John and was a trading post for fur in the 1830s. 

The man in charge was an agen sent out from a fur trading company to live there. He had a beautiful and sophisticated daughter that he brought with him into the wilderness. She was known to be a good rider and liked it out in the wild with the horses. Although she was only meant to stay for a little while in some versions, she begged to stay on in the Wyoming wilderness she grew to like. 

In some versions though, she was the daughter of the owner of Fort Laramie’s Sutler’s Store, a licensed person allowed to sell supplies to the military. 

Although her father feared for her safety because of robbers on the trail, conflicts with the native tribes and a young woman being so far from “civilized” society, he gave in to his strong willed daughter, promising him that she would never leave the compound without an escort and gave many men the task of protecting her as he wasn’t always around. 

The Lady in Green: Said to be one of the more famous ghost stories from Fort Laramie, the Lady in Green is said to haunt the fort and is said to return every seventh year.

One day he was away from his posts, his daughter slipped away and ran from the trading post on a big black horse. Two men tried to reach her, but she was faster and road through the prairie and never returned. 

When the father returned he sought for her everywhere with a search party, but she was never found and what happened to her remained a mystery. Did she have an accident, was she killed or something else? We will never know except that she never stopped riding.

Although she didn’t return back to the trading post alive, she was still sometimes spotted on the prairie close to it seven years after her death allegedly. It is said that her ghost shows herself east of the Fort Laramie and on the Oregon Trail every seven years. 

The next being in 2025 as she was once spotted in 2011, and perhaps also in 2018? In 1976 the Cheyenne Westerners even held a midnight event at the fort as she was supposed to appear that year. They decided to prank their audience by having a man draped in a blanket riding over the grounds. 

When he got off, he told his friends that he would never ever do that again as he claimed he had heard phantom hooves following him. Could it have been the Lady in Green?

She is alone still riding her stallion. She is wearing a long green riding dress and a veiled hat with feathers on. Her dark hair is tucked up under it, holding a jeweled riding whip. 

The Haunted Fort Laramie

For those who dare to step into this historic enclave, the ghostly encounters serve as a poignant reminder that the past, with its tales of triumphs and tragedies, may not always remain confined to the annals of history. In the moonlit shadows of Fort Laramie National Historic Site, the strange things like smelling rosewater and tobacco and the sound of a rider in the night, continue to puzzle those that visits.

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References:

old bedlam – FORT LARAMIE

Haunted Fort Laramie, Wyoming – Legends of America 

Fort Laramie National Historic Site – Wikipedia

Haunted 307: Fort Laramie National Historic Site near Guernsey   

Fort Laramie Ghost Story 

 Ghosts of Fort Laramie Haunt Wyoming Historic Site

Historically Haunted – Paranormal Housewife 

Haunted Fort Laramie and Legend of the Lady in Green 

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The Yosemite Legend of the Watts Valley Wolf Ape

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In the Yosemite National Park in Fresno County, there is a legend about a creature known as Watts Valley Wolf Ape. What is this creature that the locals claim to have seen in the wild as well as close to the urban areas?

At the Sierra Nevada foothills, amidst the rugged terrain of Fresno County, whispers linger of a creature seen over the years—the Watts Valley Wolf Ape. The legend has also called it the Devil Ape or Devil Fang in the past and the legend has been around for at least a century. But according to this legend, it is said that this mysterious creature predates humans on the continent.

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Described as a bizarre amalgamation of ape and wolf, with humanoid features and an eerie countenance, the Watts Valley Wolf Ape prowls the shadows of Yosemite’s outskirts.

Watts Valley: The legend of seeing the Watts Valley Wolf Ape mostly comes from Fresno County at the foot of the Sierra Nevada.

The Legend of Watts Valley Wolf Ape

The legend of the Watts Valley Wolf Ape finds its roots in the landscape surrounding the Watts Valley Cemetery especially, where sightings of this enigmatic creature have been reported for generations. Eyewitness accounts describe a creature with the body of a wolf, the face of an ape or baboon, and eerily human-like hands and feet. 

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According to the stories told about Watts Valley Wolf Ape, it looks unwell or with some kind of sickness. Its sickly demeanor and haunting presence have sparked fear and fascination among those who dare to venture into the wilderness. It is said that the Watts Valley Wolf Ape is always coughing and foaming from its mouth.

Native American Lore

But where is the Watts Valley Wolf Ape from? Many speculations exist, and some claim that the Wolf Ape used to co-exist with the Native Americans when they first crossed over to the continent by boat or via the Bering Strait around 30 000 years ago. This was at a time when giant animals still roamed the continent. 

The arrival of humans also marked what has been called a ‘catastrophic decline’ in now-extinct large animals, including camels, horses and mammoths. By the time the Europeans arrived, they found no Ape or large animals, only strange drawings of it. Or if we are to believe some of the witness accounts, some remained.

The Photographer’s Encounter with the Creature

Even esteemed photographer Ansel Adams, renowned for his breathtaking images of Yosemite’s natural beauty, found himself face to face with the Watts Valley Wolf Ape during his visits to the region. According to this story, it seems like there was not only a lonesome animal though, but a whole pack.

According to this story he had to hide in his tent as a pack of them came running. His encounters with packs of these mysterious creatures added fuel to the already blazing fires of speculation surrounding their existence.

Ansel Adams: Born in 1902 in San Francisco, California, Adams developed a deep love for nature from a young age. He was particularly drawn to the rugged landscapes of the Sierra Nevada mountains, which would become a central focus of his work. Adams created iconic images such as “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico” and “The Tetons and the Snake River,” which have become enduring symbols of the American wilderness. Adams was also an advocate for conservation, using his photography to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the environment for future generations.

Although a renowned photographer with a lot of media presence, this story has not come from the original source though, but through local blogs. So who know what Adams really saw out there?

The Watts Valley Wolf Ape Trashing a School

One of the more unhinged legends about this creature is from that time the Watts Valley Wolf Ape was said to have broken into a school. This was way back in time when the school houses only had one room. It terrorized the students as well as the teacher. The children escaped by climbing onto their desks and into the rafters of the building. The teacher is said to have hidden in a closet.

The Watts Valley Wolf Ape is said to have trashed the school completely, destroying their stuff and eating their lunches before he disappeared into the wild once more. 

The Preacher and Satan’s Pet

Another strange story concerning the Wolf Ape comes from the 1950s. It is said that a preacher shot one that measured at least ten feet long. The preacher then hung it on the walls of his church and claimed that the creature was Satan’s pet. It was hanging there for many weeks until the stench of it became so unbearable he had to rid himself of it. 

He sold it to a traveling freak show and used the money he made to start his own church in San Francisco. His luck ran out fast though and was killed soon after he moved. People started to talk about that there might be a curse of the Wolf Ape as his body was so mutilated after he was killed that it took many months to identify his body.

Modern Sightings of the Watts Valley Wolf Ape

Even today, people keep reporting about seeing strange things lurking around Fresno County. It is usually in the area of Watts Valley and the cemetery there as well as even closer to the urban area. 

On a local Fresno radio station, a chilling tale emerged from two witnesses hunting near Watts Valley Cemetery. They encountered a Wolf Ape emerging from the bushes: a six-foot-long, gray-haired creature with a baboon-like face and uncanny human eyes. 

Its moans and strange cough sent them fleeing, chased relentlessly over hills and pastures. Seeking refuge in the cemetery, they hid behind tombstones as the creature closed in. In a stroke of luck, the uncle tossed cinnamon-flavored gum, distracting the beast long enough for a caretaker to offer them safety. From the sanctuary of the caretaker’s truck, they watched as the creature eventually faded into the night.

Skepticism about its Existence

Despite the allure of these tales, skeptics remain skeptical, dismissing the sightings as nothing more than folklore and superstition. As dusk settles over the foothills of Fresno County and the eerie silence of the wilderness descends, one can’t help but wonder: what secrets lie hidden within the depths of Yosemite’s forests? 

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References:

Cryptozoology Facts – The Watts Valley Wolf Ape is a strange beast that tends to be seen in in Fresno county, California. This creature is often described as having an ape-like face, fully covered in grey hair, but has human-like hands and feet. One of the more odd stories of the Wolf Ape was when it broke into a single room schoolhouse. The creature terrorized the students and teacher who, using their desks, climbed into the rafters of the building to get to safety. The Wolf Ape ripped into everyone’s belongings, eating their lunches, before leaving the building. | Facebook 

The Watts Valley Wolf Ape 

Ten years later, revisiting the first story on Weird Fresno 

The earliest Americans arrived in the New World 30,000 years ago | University of Oxford 

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Bigfoot Sightings in Yosemite National Park

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The mystery of the elusive Bigfoot is talked about all the way from south to the north in the USA. This is a couple of stories about Bigfoot’s history and potential sightings inside of Yosemite National Park in California. 

Under the towering pines and granite peaks of Yosemite National Park lies a realm of mystery and intrigue—a wilderness that has not only captivated nature enthusiasts but also ignited the fervent imaginations of those who seek the legendary creature known as Bigfoot. 

Although a legend for most, it is an actual thing for many, and it is said that about 1 in 10 American adults believe Bigfoot to be real as well as alive and well roaming the wilderness. In Washington there are even laws that can punish people that harm or kill Bigfoot. 

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Except for Washington, California is the place with more Bigfoot reports in the U.S, especially in Northern California and where you will find Yosemite National Park. Among the majestic landscapes and secluded meadows, tales of encounters with this elusive cryptid have woven themselves into the tapestry of Yosemite’s folklore. Here are some of the more talked about sightings of Bigfoot inside of the park. 

What is Bigfoot?

Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is a legendary creature often described as a large, hairy, ape-like being that inhabits forests, particularly in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Reports of Bigfoot sightings have been circulating for centuries, with indigenous cultures having their own folklore about similar creatures.

Although no conclusive scientific evidence has been found to prove the existence of Bigfoot, numerous sightings, footprints, and anecdotal accounts have fueled belief in the creature’s existence. 

Ever since the late 1800s and early 1900s, the settlers have reported strange sightings, finding mysterious footprints and eventually, grainy pictures that kept the mystery alive. Could this hazy figure be the creature? Or perhaps just an elaborate hoax?

Bigfoot is often depicted as a shy and elusive creature, rarely seen by humans and leaving behind only ambiguous evidence of its presence, such as large footprints or strange sounds in the wilderness.

Interest in Bigfoot has led to the formation of dedicated research groups, the exploration of purported Bigfoot habitats, and the production of documentaries and television shows seeking to uncover evidence of the creature’s existence. Despite the lack of definitive proof, the mystery of Bigfoot continues to captivate the imagination of people around the world, sparking debates about the existence of unknown creatures and the boundaries of scientific inquiry.

Patterson-Gimlin film: The most well-known video of an alleged Bigfoot, was recorded on October 20, 1967, by Roger Patterson and Robert “Bob” Gimlin in an area called Bluff Creek in Northern California. It become an iconic piece of Bigfoot lore, and continues to be a highly scrutinized, analyzed, and debated subject. Academic experts from related fields have typically judged the film as providing no supportive data of any scientific value, with perhaps the most common proposed explanation being that it was a hoax.

Bigfoot in Yosemite National Park

Today you can find many traces of the legend of Bigfoot around Yosemite National Park. People tell stories about it around campfires as well as selling merchandise with the design from the Patterson and Gimlin film from 1967. 

The Bigfoot is deeply ingrained into the Yosemite legends now, and some even claim that this is the very first home of Bigfoot. There are also those claiming to have seen and even interacted with the big yet elusive creature, and many dark things have been done by a true believer. 

A Serial Killer’s Obsession with Bigfoot

One of those claiming to have encountered Bigfoot and had a bit of an obsession over the mystery of the supposed monster, was Cary Stayner, a serial killer and keen hiker inside of Yosemite. 

Stayner gained notoriety as an American serial killer who committed a series of murders in California’s Yosemite National Park in the late 1990s. Born on August 13, 1961, Stayner’s troubled upbringing included the traumatic experience of witnessing his brother’s abduction at the hands of a serial predator from the park. 

He spent a lot of time hiking and camping in Yosemite from early childhood, and it was also where his brother was held and captured by a former employee at Yosemite Lodge. 

In Stayner’s early twenties he started going on about claiming to have encountered Bigfoot and talked about it all the time to his friends and family. This claim perhaps started small, but it soon grew into an obsession for him. According to his family, it was difficult to say if he feared the creature he believed existed, or if he identified too much with it. 

In February 1999, Stayner brutally murdered four women—Carole Sund, her teenage daughter Juli, their friend Silvina Pelosso, and Yosemite naturalist Joie Armstrong—while they were visiting the park. To many of his victims and witnesses, he asked them all if they believed in Bigfoot before doing his crimes. Stayner’s crimes shocked the nation and sparked a massive manhunt before he was apprehended and later convicted. His case shed light on the complexities of mental illness and the devastating impact of childhood trauma on individuals’ lives.

The Screaming Bigfoot

One particularly compelling account hails from the Tuolumne Meadows from 2004. A California Conservation Corps worker, spending a quiet night in the wilderness, became an inadvertent participant in the enduring legend of Bigfoot. One of the workers was camping close to the lake in Tuolumne Meadows. He was startled by the unmistakable cadence of heavy footsteps approaching his tent—a rhythmic march echoing the lore of the elusive creature.

Driven by curiosity and perhaps a touch of trepidation, the worker emerged from his shelter to confront the unknown. In the pale moonlight, he found himself face to face with a creature whose existence had long been relegated to the realms of myth and legend. Standing at an imposing 600 pounds, covered in thick black fur, and balancing on two legs, the figure before him aligned with the iconic image of Bigfoot that has fueled countless speculations.

Tuolumne Meadows: Sunset over Tuolumne Meadows in the area where one of the alleged sightings of the Bigfoot happened. // Steve Dunleavy/Wikimedia

The encounter took an unexpected turn as the worker, confronted with the reality of a creature that defied scientific explanation, let out an instinctual scream. Much to his surprise and dread, the creatures screamed back—a resonant, otherworldly scream that reverberated through the night. 

In a bizarre exchange between man and legend, the creature retreated into the shadows, leaving the worker both awe-stricken and bewildered by the surreal nature of the encounter.

After he told about it to old timers at the closest camp, none of them were surprised, as most of them had had similar weird experiences, although perhaps not so close and loud ones. 

Does Bigfoot Live in Yosemite?

These accounts add a tangible layer to the speculative narratives that have shrouded Bigfoot in mystery. There seems to be a common story for people from every walks of life, from the dark and twisted mind of a serial killer, to a more down to earth park employee. And these two stories are certainly not the only ones that claim that something else is wandering in the wilderness.

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References:

The Most Well-Known Northern California Spots For Bigfoot Sightings 

Urban Legends, Myths and Scary Stories from Yosemite & Bass Lake – The Pines Resort Blog 

Watts Valley Wolf Ape – Sasquatch Chronicles 

Cary Stayner – Wikipedia 

https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/yosemite-horror

Tuolumne County, CA 2004 

Watch: ‘Bigfoot’ Spotted in Yellowstone National Park? 

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The Curse of Tenaya Canyon in Yosemite

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One of the more dangerous places to travel in Yosemite National Park is the Tenaya Canyon where many people have gotten hurt or even died. Many believe that the canyon is cursed after Chief Tenaya and his people got removed from Yosemite and their ancestral land.  

Amidst the towering sequoias and breathtaking landscapes of Yosemite National Park and its surroundings, a realm of shadows and whispered stories unfolds. As the sun sets behind the colossal sequoias, legends from modern day and ancient tales creep out from the well walked trails in the darkness of Yosemite’s haunted landscape.

Yosemite National Park covers 759,620 acres and stretches into four counties in California. It has been a World Heritage Site since 1984 and is filled with granite cliffs, giant sequoia groves, crystal clear lakes and streams and storming waterfalls from the mountains. 

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Although the European settlers’ story in Yosemite is from 1851 when it was “found” by James D. Savage, the Native Americans story in the valley stretches back to nearly 4000 years. As for human presence, perhaps as far as 10 000 years. And by the look of it, it also seems to be one of the more haunted National Parks in the USA as well. 

Tenaya Canyon: View of Half Dome through Tenaya Canyon were the curse of Chief Tenaya is said to linger after his son was murdered by settlers: Akos Kokai/Wikimedia

The Danger of Tenaya Canyon

In Yosemite National Park lies a place of beauty and dread – Tenaya Canyon. Carved over millennia by the mighty forces of nature, this rugged gorge boasts towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and untamed wilderness. 

The Tenaya Canyon has a reputation for being a dangerous and tricky place to navigate without proper equipment, even for seasoned hikers and climbers. Some say because of the polished and slippery rocks, frequent rock slides and a steep ascent, some say it is also because of something more sinister than a tough terrain. 

Because beneath Tenaya Canyon’s scenic facade lurks a darker tale, one of tragedy, curses, and inexplicable occurrences that have earned it the ominous moniker: the Bermuda Triangle of Yosemite.

The Removal of the Ahwahnechee Tribe

The Mariposa War: The war erupted due to tensions arising from the influx of settlers into Native territories, encroachments on indigenous lands, and disputes over resources such as gold. The conflict resulted in the suppression of Native American resistance and the forced relocation of many indigenous peoples onto reservations.Protecting The Settlers” Illustration by JR Browne for his work “The Indians Of California” 1864. Portraying a massacre by militia men of an Indian camp.

Tenaya Canyon is named after Chief Tenaya, leader of the Ahwahnechee people who once called the Yosemite Valley their home. The Ahwahnechee people were said to have become a distinct tribe from the other local tribes and Chief Tenaya, a proud and resilient leader, fought fiercely to protect his people and their ancestral lands from encroaching settlers. 

In 1850 to 1851, the Mariposa War took place in Yosemite National Park and Sierra Nevada between the English settlers and the native tribes in the area. A bloody conflict together with sickness brought from Europe that would take their numbers in the valley down from around 7000 to only 200 or thereabout in a decade. 

It was in the middle of the California Gold Rush and the settlers wanted to send the native tribes to the Fresno Reservation. Chief Tenaya together with the local tribes fought back. However, personal tragedy struck in the 1850s when Chief Tenaya’s own son fell victim to a battalion seeking to forcibly remove the Ahwahnechee from Yosemite Valley. 

In the beginning many of the tribe decided to go to the reservation, but many fled back to the valley. One of the ones that did so was the youngest and favorite son of Chief Tenaya. His son was held captive by the European settlers and when he tried to flee, he was shot dead.

In his grief and rage, Chief Tenaya reportedly invoked a curse upon the canyon, vowing that those who trespassed upon its sacred grounds would meet misfortune and doom.

The Curse of Chief Tenaya

There are a couple of different accounts about what exactly he did say. One account of this curse can be found in Hutchings’ California Magazine from 1859 by Lafayette Bunnell:

“Kill me if you like; but if you do, my voice shall be heard at night, calling upon my people to revenge me, in louder tones than you have ever made it ring.”
Source

It is worth noting though, this is a retelling by one that was involved in removing the native tribes from Yosemite. Another account from Lafayette Bunnell goes into more details about what happened, and released in 1892 where he cursed them like this: 

 “You may kill me, sir, Captain, but you shall not live in peace. I will follow in your foot-steps, I will not leave my home, but be with the spirits among the rocks, the water-falls, in the rivers and in the winds; wheresoever you go I will be with you. You will not see me, but you will fear the spirit of the old chief, and grow cold. The great spirits have spoken! I am done.”
Source

Although the history of it all is true, its details must be taken with a grain of salt according to the historians, as the only retelling of what happened, when and what was said, only comes from the side that won the battle, and was alive to tell the tale. 

But what do Tenayas descendants and the natives have to say about this story? A spokesperson from the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation claims that the curse is common knowledge among them as well. Every time someone dies or has a terrible accident, or the very nature itself is moved by rock slides for example, they say a prayer and bless to keep the curse of Tenaya away and Yosemite safe. 

But beware, it is said for those not respecting the rocks, the plants or the waters in the park, bad things will happen. 

The Dangerous Curse of Tenaya Canyon in Yosemite

Over the years, the curse of Tenaya Canyon has become the stuff of legend, whispered among park rangers and visitors alike. It is said that the Tuolumne Meadows is the place from where the curse itself comes from and is filled with the spirit of those that died in battle there. 

Tales abound of accidents, mysterious deaths, and inexplicable disappearances that have befallen those who dared to venture into its depths. It is worth noting though that for a big part of the canyon, signs telling people “Warning. This is not a trail. Travel beyond this point is dangerous without climbing equipment. Return to Tioga road.” 

Source

Mostly, hikers and climbers in the canyon mostly talk about the sense that something is there. Like the way the climber, Rom Kauk talked about in an interview. He has felt that it is something with him in the canyon, something pulling his sleeping bag. 

But there are some that think that the curse is more dangerous than just an ominous presence and some pranks around the tents. Some believe that the curse is at fault for many of the accidents, disappearances and even deaths that have happened in the canyon. Something that has made people call the canyon the Bermuda Triangle of Yosemite. 

Many have tried hiking the 10 mile long traverse of the canyon, or the route from Tenaya Lake to Yosemite Valley.

Even the Yosemite legend, Jon Muir fell and was unconscious while he explored this part of Yosemite National Park:

I suddenly fell — for the first time since I touched foot to Sierra rocks. After several somersaults, I became insensible from the shock, and when consciousness returned I found myself wedged among short, stiff bushes, trembling as if cold, not injured in the slightest.
– Steep Trails by Jon Muir

Hiking the Cursed Canyon

Park rangers, well-versed in the park’s history and its secrets, have come to regard Tenaya Canyon with a mixture of reverence and fear. Some speak of strange occurrences and unsettling vibes that permeate the air, hinting at unseen forces at work. The remaining native tribes also take the curse at face value and urge hikers to treat the canyon with the respect it demands.

Despite its breathtaking beauty, Tenaya Canyon remains a place of caution and respect, its cursed reputation serving as a grim reminder of the enduring power of the past and the spirits that still roam the land. So the next time you find yourself drawn to the allure of Yosemite’s wilds, tread carefully and heed the warnings whispered by the wind – for Tenaya Canyon may hold secrets best left undisturbed.

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References:

So many accidents occur here, it’s called the ‘Bermuda Triangle’ of Yosemite

Tenaya Canyon – Wikipedia  

https://media.library.caltech.edu/CaltechBOOK:2007.004/mstory/tenaya.htm

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The Haunted History of Sierra Sky Ranch in Yosemite

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The old Sierra Sky Ranch in the Sierra Nevada Mountains has had many people coming and going. From the tragic death of a farm hand to the victims of terminally ill tuberculosis patients, this historical hotel has some guests that never checked out. 

The Sierra Sky Ranch has stood witness to the ebb and flow of time ten miles from the south entrance to Yosemite National Park since its inception in 1875 and the original ranch house from 1900.

What began as a humble cattle ranch in the Sierra Nevada Mountains ended up as the area’s largest one before metamorphosed into a sanatorium for those afflicted by the scourge of tuberculosis in the 1930s until the 1940s. 

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The corridors of Sierra Sky Ranch echoed with the footsteps of children, innocent souls grappling with a relentless disease. From its time as a sanatorium it housed terminally ill patients until after the second world war when it was a halfway house for survivors.

Sierra Sky Ranch: The old ranch house has gone through many stages and today it operates as a hotel. According to sone, it is also a haunted hotel. //Source

Transitioning through the years, the ranch extended its healing touch to World War II veterans before evolving into the 29-room hotel it is today—a hotel that not only provides shelter to the living but also harbors the lingering spirits of the past.

Mostly the guests notice that a ghost could be haunting the room because of the smell of a perfume without anyone there, a piano that starts playing by itself and mysterious cloud-like things entering the room. There are also strange silhouettes that make guests and staff believe that the hotel is at least haunted by five different ghosts. 

The Ghost of the Farm Hand Elmer

The first and most likely the oldest ghost haunting the Sierra Sky Ranch hotel is thought to be Elmer, who was the original ranch hand when the ranch first opened. 

It is said old Elmer spent so much time in solitude and he started to drink and ended his life by hanging himself in a back tree at the property. Why he did as he did, no one knows, some claim that his home was sold off and he had no place to go. 

Another version of this story is that his ax slipped when chopping wood and he severed the main artery in his legs. He called for help but no one heard him and he bled to death. 

Many claim they can still hear his boots walking in the halls as well feeling a certain presence when they drink at the bar at Sierra Sky Ranch. 

The Haunted Bar: By the old bar at Sierra Sky Ranch it is believed that the old Elmer is haunting and has been seen wandering by the guests and staff. Source

The Ghost of the Nurse Sarah

Another ghost said to haunt the ranch is from the time when Sierra Sky Ranch was used as a sanatorium. Sarah was supposedly a nurse tending to the terminal patients and said to have a kind and calm presence, even in the way she is haunting the place. 

It is this ghost people write mostly about in the red guest book they use to collect all the strange and ghostly encounters guests have at Sierra Sky Ranch.  

The Ghosts of the Sickly Children

Sierra Sky Ranch is no stranger to the whispers of the supernatural, with reports of spectral activity painting an eerie portrait of its haunted legacy. At the heart of these ethereal tales are the “phantom children,” spirits of a bygone era who continue to frolic and play within the confines of the hotel. Guests and staff alike recount the unmistakable sounds of giggles and whispers reverberating through the halls.

A pair of ghosts are said to have been siblings in life, and are haunting together in their afterlife. They are said to be mischievous children that are playing and moving objects as the sound of them laughing and running is heard. 

Guests complain about the sound of children when there is no one there, or wake up and find two ghostly small silhouettes by the end of their beds. Staff finds doors they closed opened and objects around the hotel misplaced. 

A Night at the Haunted Sierra Sky Ranch

In the quiet corners and dimly lit corridors of Sierra Sky Ranch, the past asserts its presence as more and more ghosts are talked about. A World War II soldier in the library, ghosts from its Hollywood heydays as a luxury resort in the honeymoon suits. 

Read More: Check out all Haunted Hotels from around the world

As guests traverse the realms of the living and the spectral, the haunted history of this Yosemite haven continues to unfold—a testament to the enduring legacy of those who once sought refuge within its walls.

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Weird Fresno: The ghosts and legends of Sierra Sky Ranch 

A Halloween Tale From Sierra Sky Ranch