Is This The Most Haunted City in America?

Is This The Most Haunted City in America?

Haunting Or Not: Ghost Stories Real or Fake PodcastPhoto byJohn Jay Wiley

What is often cited as America's most haunted location? If you're anything like me, you might have immediately thought of Salem, Massachusetts, due to its association with the infamous Salem Witch Trials. There's no denying the numerous atrocities that took place in Salem during that dark period.

However, surprisingly, Salem is not the location that claims the title of the most haunted in America. One of the contenders for that title, if not the top contender, is Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

According to CNN, Gettysburg is ranked as the second most haunted location in America, with Savannah, Georgia taking the top spot (source: https://www.cnbc.com/2010/10/12/The-10-Most-Haunted-Cities-in-America.html). Additionally, Travel and Leisure includes Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in their list of the 20 most haunted areas in America (source: https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/most-haunted-cities-in-america).

Links to listen to the two Haunting Or Not: Ghost Stories Real or Fake podcast episodes about Gettysburg can be found at the end of the article.

So, why does Gettysburg hold such a prominent place in the realm of hauntings? The answer lies in its rich history, from the pivotal Civil War Battles fought there to its role as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

The Battle of Gettysburg marked a turning point in the Civil War. With an estimated total of over 50,000 casualties, this three-day engagement was the bloodiest single battle of the entire conflict. It ended with a Union victory, thwarting Confederate General Robert E. Lee's ambitious second attempt to invade the North and end the Civil War swiftly. The defeat at Gettysburg shattered the hopes of the Confederate States of America to gain independence.

During the Battle of Gettysburg, a staggering 165,620 soldiers were engaged, with the Union Army fielding 93,921 forces and the Confederate Army numbering 71,699. The battle's horrific toll of over 50,000 casualties underscored its significance in shaping the course of the war.

As for the reported hauntings in Gettysburg, some of the prominent sites include The Orphanage, The Jennie Wade House, and The Dobbin House Tavern.

Links to listen to the two Haunting Or Not: Ghost Stories Real or Fake podcast episodes about Gettysburg can be found at the end of the article.

The National Homestead at Gettysburg once served as the Gettysburg Orphanage and a widows' home, opening its doors in October 1866. Located near the Gettysburg Battlefield on Baltimore Street, at the north foot of Cemetery Hill, this homestead has become a hotspot for paranormal investigators seeking ghostly encounters. In 2011, the Ghost Adventures crew spent a night in its basement during a lockdown, attempting to communicate with Carmichael's ghost. It was also featured as a haunted location on the paranormal TV series "Most Terrifying Places," which aired on the Travel Channel in 2019.

Jennie Wade, the only civilian reportedly killed during the Battle of Gettysburg, is associated with ghostly sightings. Could the relocation of her grave be linked to these reported apparitions?

Another notable haunted location is the Dobbin House Tavern. Reverend Alexander Dobbin and his wife Isabella Gamble immigrated to America and settled in what is now Gettysburg. In 1774, they began constructing a farm and the Dobbin House, which served as their residence and a Classical School, similar to a modern theological seminary and liberal arts college. The Dobbin House is said to have served as a hideout on the "Underground Railroad," aiding runaway slaves on their perilous journey to freedom. After the Battle of Gettysburg, it also functioned as a hospital for wounded soldiers from both the North and the South, further contributing to its reputation as a haunted location, with numerous accounts of ghostly sightings.

For those interested in delving deeper into these reported hauntings, two episodes of the "Haunting Or Not: Ghost Stories Real or Fake Podcast" explore these intriguing tales: "The Orphanage" and "The Battle of Gettysburg." Additionally, an episode delves into "The Jennie Wade House" and "The Dobbin House Tavern," offering a comprehensive exploration of these historic and haunted sites.

The Orphanage and Battle of Gettysburg Haunting Or Not: Ghost Stories Real or Fake Podcast episode can be found here.

Jennie Wade and the Dobbin House in Gettsyburg Haunting Or Not: Ghost Stories Real or Fake Podcast episode can be found here.