Come with me on a spooky journey through the haunted places in Delaware! Also, there is some talk of rape and murder in the Lums State Park so, if you don’t want to read about it please skip over the Lums State Park section.
Let’s get into Haunted Places in Delaware:
Old Maggie’s Bridge
Old Maggie’s Bridge in Seaford, Delaware has a long history of hauntings. According to local legend a woman named Maggie was killed in a carriage accident on the bridge in the late 1800’s when her horse spooked and caused her to be beheaded. Sadly, Maggie was pregnant at the time of her death.
In turn, her ghost is forever looking for her unborn child. Some have been able to hear her calling for her child. Legend has it that you can make her appear by shouting “Maggie! I have your baby!” Many have claimed to see her apparition and heard mysterious sounds.
The bridge has become a popular destination for ghost hunters and thrill seekers alike. While many of the stories are unverified, the legends of Old Maggie’s Bridge remain a source of intrigue and mystery for visitors to the area.
Rockwood Museum
The Rockwood Mansion is a classic example of a haunted house. Built between 1851 and 1854, the ornate Gothic Revival architecture has all the makings of a classic haunted house. It was initially the retirement home of Joseph Shipley, a distinguished merchant banker who designed the house to resemble an English country estate.
Over the years, staff of the museum have seen the spirit of a man in a red smoking jacket, believed to be Joseph Shipley. The ghost of Shipley’s great-niece Mary Bringhurst, who was 100 when she died in the home in 1965. Her old bedroom occasionally dips in temperature, and sometimes you’ll smell lilacs, which was one of her favorite perfumes.
The basement is supposedly home to a spirit called The Shadow-man, and some have seen the ghost of a dog. Other unexplained occurrences include floating orbs and the disturbing sound of shoes on the stairs. The pet cemetery on the grounds is said to be haunted by the spirits of the animals buried there. The Rockwood Mansion is a popular destination for ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts.
Visitors have reported feeling a chill in the air, hearing strange noises, and seeing unexplained shadows. Some have even reported seeing the ghost of Joseph Shipley himself, walking the grounds of his beloved home. The Rockwood Mansion is a fascinating example of a haunted house. Its long history and mysterious hauntings make it a must-see for anyone interested in the paranormal. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the Rockwood Mansion is sure to leave you with a sense of awe and wonder. If you would like to visit, it is open to ghost tours, check out their website to book your tickets.
Cooch’s Bridge
The battle of Cooch’s Bridge is remembered for more than just its historical significance. It is also remembered for the hauntings that have been reported in the area. Before the battle, American sentries reported seeing an ominous white spectral horseman. They fired, but the apparition was unharmed. Legend has it that he was a British soldier wearing armor underneath a white sheet. On foggy, moonless nights, a headless British soldier is said to wander along the road near the haunted battle site, looking for the head a cannonball struck from his shoulders. Others maintain that the ghost is American Charlie Miller, who was decapitated by a British cannonball. Regardless of the theory, many locals believe the area to be haunted by the tormented spirits who died during times of war.
The Pencader Heritage Museum’s collection includes the painting The Ghost of Cooch’s Bridge, which depicts the spectral horseman. Visitors to the museum can learn more about the only Revolutionary War battle on Delaware soil and the hauntings that have been reported in the area. The battle of Cooch’s Bridge is a reminder of the horrors of war and the lasting impact it can have on a community. The hauntings that have been reported in the area are a testament to the tragedy that occurred there and the lives that were lost. It is a reminder of the sacrifices that were made and the courage of those who fought for freedom.
Lums Pond State Park
This beautiful state park has a dark history on why it is haunted. In the 1870’s a young girl ran away from her home in New Castle County, hoping to find some place better. The girl ended up in the woods near what is now the Swamp Trail at the park. Unfortunately, she happened across a man camping in the woods. The man ended up capturing, raping, and murdering the poor girl. Authorities found the girl’s body soon after the murder took place and assembled a massive manhunt to find the killer. Sadly, they were unable to find the killer. Sometimes if you’re there on a quiet evening you might hear the screams and pleading of the poor girl’s ghost coming from the woods by the Swamp Trail.
Fort Delaware
Fort Delaware was once a Union stronghold during the Civil War, located on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River. It was used to house Confederate prisoners of war. Many Confederate soldiers died at the fort due to disease and harsh conditions. Today, the fort is said to be haunted by the spirits of the deceased prisoners. Witnesses have reported seeing ghostly figures in the fort’s cells, as well as hearing disembodied voices and footsteps.
Visitors have also reported feeling a sense of sadness and despair while inside the fort. The most famous ghost of Fort Delaware is said to be that of a Confederate soldier who died in the prison. Witnesses have reported seeing him in the fort, dressed in a Confederate uniform and wandering around in a daze. He is said to be looking for something, but no one knows what it is. Fort Delaware is now a museum and open for visitors to explore. If you’re feeling brave, you can take a guided ghost tour of the fort. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the ghostly Confederate soldier!
Thank You For Reading About Haunted Places in Delaware!
Some stuff was very intense! Delaware might be a smaller state, but it really does have some very spooky stuff. Don’t forget to check out the other haunted places in the usa here. Or if you want to learn about the state cryptids click here!