See the U.S.A.: Delaware Valley, PA: Haunted Historic Sites

by Theresa Smith

Halloween is the time of year that tales of ghosts and legends abound. Our region is rich in history and therefore has more than its share of entities still walking the halls and grounds of various locations. Some places, like the Heilbron Mansion, subject of the book Night Stalks the Mansion, no longer exist but new reports of ghostly visitors on the grounds of the housing development now there have recently surfaced.

These places are wonderful places to visit even if you are not looking for ghosts. Be sure to contact the locations to find out about tour hours and special events. If you are in search of ghosts this Halloween season, a visit to a few of these places may lead to contact with a spirit.

To find other places to visit for its history, and possible ghosts, you can do a search online. There are several websites highlighting haunted locations throughout our area and the U.S. Here's some advice when looking for ghosts: Always ask permission from any location before visiting. Some locations may be private properties who will not appreciate visitors stopping by. Please feel free to share your ghost stories with us on our Facebook page.

Fort Mifflin

Fort Mifflin, Philadelphia, PA – Said to be haunted by several different entities, Fort Mifflin is a great place to visit for anyone interested in ghosts or history. This fort played an important part in the American Revolution in 1777. Fort Mifflin’s soldiers fought valiantly to keep the British Navy fleet carrying supplies from reaching their destination. Withstanding thousands of cannon shots per hour and hand grenades thrown from the ships, it was only after the soldiers at Fort Mifflin ran out of ammunition that they had to abandon the fort and cross the Delaware River to reach Fort Mercer. The stalling of the British fleet allowed General George Washington and his troops to rally at Valley Forge before continuing their fight. After putting up a good fight, it’s no wonder that Fort Mifflin may still be home to some of these soldiers. Several reports of spirits are connected to the fort.

Almost every corner in Fort Mifflin has a story of a spirit that has yet to leave. The Officers’ Quarters are said to be inhabited by a woman who has been named the Screaming Woman. She is believed to be Elizabeth Pratt, a woman who is tormented in the Officers’ Quarters afterlife because she failed to reconcile with her daughter. Elizabeth’s daughter fell in love with a soldier stationed at Fort Mifflin. Disapproving of her daughter’s choice, Elizabeth renounced her daughter and threw her out. Shortly thereafter, her daughter died from dysentery. Overcome with guilt and grief, Elizabeth took her own life. She now walks the fort wailing over the loss of her daughter.

Other areas of Fort Mifflin that are home to spirits include: the Powder Magazine, which is haunted by a young soldier, the Blacksmith’s shop, haunted by a blacksmith named Jacob who has not yet left, and Casemates 1 – 5, home to soldiers who still reside at the fort.

Fort Mifflin is located at Fort Mifflin & Hogg Island Roads in Philadelphia. For more information about tours and events, please call 215-685-4167 or visit www. fortmifflin.us.

Cabrini University

The centerpiece of the campus of Cabrini University is the Woodcrest Estate Mansion. Built over 100 years ago, the 51-room mansion has remained almost unchanged. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, Woodcrest Mansion was constructed between 1901 and 1903 for James W. Paul Jr. who was the son-in-law of Anthony Drexel. The Mansion and 120 acres of the Woodcrest estate was sold in 1925 to Dr. John T. Dorrance who was the inventor of the formula for condensed soup and president of Campbell’s Soup Company. In 1953, the property was purchased for use as Woodcrest Estate Mansion as orphanage by the Missionary Sisters. Four years later, Cabrini welcomed its first class.

It is this same mansion that is home to the ghosts that roam at Cabrini University. Legend has it that Mary, the daughter of John Dorrance, fell in love with a stable boy working at the mansion. Mary’s parents did not approve of her choice and forbade her from seeing the stable boy. Out of sorrow, Mary took her own life and was buried on the property. It is said that Mary still roams the grounds in front of Woodcrest searching for what she lost. She is seen in a blue or white dress with her blond hair flowing behind her.

Cabrini Univerity is located at 610 King of Prussia Road in Radnor. For more information about the college, please visit www.cabrini.edu.

Colonial Plantation

Surrounded by the woods of Ridley Creek State Park, the Colonial Plantation is step into the past of what life was like in 18th century Pennsylvania. Taking a tour of the Plantation allows visitors to interact with costumed volunteers who have researched and trained to create a picture as true as possible of what life was like on the Plantation. The Colonial Plantation is home to an 18th century farmhouse with a working kitchen, a blacksmith shop, springhouse, a few farm animals, and other buildings that were used for various activities.

Touted as one of the most haunted properties in Delaware County, it could be that former residents of the Plantation have not wanted to leave. Items are moved around by unseen hands and the hand crank of the bellows in the blacksmith shop is reported to go around on its own. Sounds of horses and a carriage surround the Plantation as well.

It is also said that the ghost of Sandy Flash, a Revolutionary War soldier, has been seen at the Plantation.  Sandy Flash was a Robin Hood-like character who would steal from tax collectors, local officials, and law officers. He reportedly would give some of his loot to the poor. He was eventually caught and was hanged for his crimes. Supposedly, he buried treasure in the Castle Rock area, a rocky hill in the eastern part of Edgemont Township near Crum Creek.

Colonial Plantation is located in Ridley Creek State Park at 3900 Sandy Flash Drive in Newtown Square. For more information about the Plantation, please call 610-566-1725 or visit www.colonialplantation.org.