Gettysburg, a town known for the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, holds more than just historical significance; it is also home to the highest concentration of haunted places in America. With a population of merely 2,000 people in 1863 and over 50,000 soldiers losing their lives during the battle, one might wonder if the number of spirits rivals the living population.
In this article, we explore some of the most haunted hotels in Gettysburg, each with its own eerie tales and chilling encounters. From ghostly soldiers roaming the hallways to spectral figures appearing on the edge of guests’ beds, these hotels provide a unique experience for those who dare to spend a night with Gettysburg’s restless spirits.
So, pack your courage and curiosity as we dive into the fascinating world of Gettysburg’s haunted hotels.
1. Cashtown Inn
The Cashtown Inn served as a forward hospital during the Civil War treating soldiers that were too badly injured to be moved when the army was retreating. Most of the patients at this hospital were very severely injured, mostly fatally.
Repurposed as an inn, it isn’t surprising that with all the death and pain reports of hauntings are rife.
Doors have been seen opening and closing by themselves, mysterious knocks on the doors have also been heard and when checked no one is there.
Phantom horses have also been heard stamping their hooves outside of rooms and ghostly lights and apparitions of Confederate soldiers have appeared in photographs taken in and around the inn.
Learn more about the ghosts of the Cashtown Inn
2. Farnsworth House Inn
The Farnsworth House Inn is direct across from the well-known tourist spot, the Jenny Wade House. Jenny Wade was the first civilian killed in the Battle of Gettysburg.
The inn still has bullet-riddled walls that date back to the Battle of Gettysburg. The inn would have been used by snipers and it was one of those snipers that shot and killed Jenny Wade.
The Inn itself is haunted by the spirits of these snipers, especially in the attic. A Union soldier is also seen carrying a wounded comrade down the stairs to the basement where ghostly singing can be heard.
Rooms at the inn are decorated in Victorian antiques and have big four-poster beds available for guests, which adds to the experience. The inn also holds ghost presentations for guests and visitors.
During one of the Halloween events hosted at the inn by radio station staff, activity from the ghosts of Confederate soldiers really ramped up.
The reason was the radio employees were dressed in blue and called the radio station boss captain, which did not sit well with the ghostly apparitions of the Confederate army who felt the need to protect the Inn once more. [BOOK A STAY]
Learn more on the haunted Farnsworth House Inn, Gettysburg
3. Dobbin House Tavern
Situated across the street from where President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, the Dobbin House Tavern is one of the most historic taverns in Gettysburg. The Tavern is also on the national register of historic places and served as a stop on the underground railroad during the Civil War.
Not surprisingly with all that went on during the civil war the Dobbin House Tavern is said to be haunted. Guests and staff have reported seeing apparitions of runaway slaves throughout the tavern.
The Tavern’s previous owner who was also an abolitionist is said to make appearances every now and again as well, probably just making sure his tavern is in good hands and that people are behaving.
4. Gettysburg Hotel
The Gettysburg Hotel was used as a hospital during the Civil War housing wounded soldiers. The hotel opened in 1797 as a small hotel. It was not until the 1890s that the hotel as it is now was built.
The hotel then was THE place for people to stay as it was able to offer amenities like hot and cold water, a fine dining restaurant and electric lights, a luxury at the time. In 1955 the hotel was used by President Eisenhower as a base of operations after he had a heart attack.
As this hotel was used as a hospital during the Civil War it’s no surprise that there have been multiple sightings and ghostly experiences inside the hotel.
The ghost of a woman has been seen dancing in the ballroom still enjoying the music from the past. There is also reports of a ghost of a nurse called Rachel who has been known to open drawers and rifle through guest’s belongings.
Finally, there is a ghost of a Union soldier named James Culbertson that still roams around the hotel after his untimely demise during the Civil War. [BOOK A STAY]
Learn more on the haunted Gettysburg Hotel, PA
5. Baladerry Inn
The Baladerry Inn was originally built in 1812 as a farmhouse and again as with many buildings in Gettysburg, it served as a field hospital during the Civil War.
When it was used as a field hospital many soldiers were treated there and also many of these soldiers had damaged limbs amputated. A lot of these amputations were carried out without the use of any anesthetic and the screams of the patients could be heard throughout the hospital.
Now used as an inn, the screams from these long-dead soldiers can still be heard! The area in which these soldiers were buried is now a tennis court and there have been some sightings around the court of soldiers in full attire.
There have also been reports of a female ghost who can be seen wandering around the Inn, she’s believed to be one of the nurses who tended to the soldiers. Some people have also mentioned an amorous male spirit that likes to hang around and cuddle up to guests. [BOOK A STAY]
Find out more on the haunted Baladerry Inn, Gettysburg PA
6. The Tillie Pierce inn
Nestled in the heart of Gettysburg at 301 Baltimore Street, the Tillie Pierce Inn stands as a testament to the bravery and resilience of the town’s residents during the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.
This historic bed and breakfast was once the home of young heroine Tillie Pierce, who at just 15, tended to wounded soldiers and documented the ordeal in her journal, which later became a book.
The Inn’s “Blue Room” is believed to be haunted by soldiers whom Tillie once cared for. Guests have reported hearing footsteps marching through the halls and in the attic, while others have witnessed ghostly troops patrolling the stairways. A chilling encounter even involved a spectral figure sitting on the edge of a guest’s bed.
Though surrounded by a haunting past, the Tillie Pierce Inn remains a unique and convenient destination for those seeking to explore Gettysburg’s rich history. Ghost tours and paranormal investigations are available for those intrigued by the Inn’s otherworldly inhabitants. [BOOK A STAY]
7. Gettysburg Academy B & B
Steeped in history, the Gettysburg Academy Bed and Breakfast is one of the oldest and most storied buildings in the town. Established in 1813, this venerable establishment served as an educational facility for over two centuries before transforming into a bed and breakfast.
Its role in the Civil War as a makeshift hospital after the Battle of Gettysburg adds another layer to the building’s rich past. Remnants of its history, such as a student’s signature on an upstairs wall and an artillery shell lodged in the bricks, provide guests with a glimpse into the Academy’s past.
With such a storied background, it’s no surprise that the Gettysburg Academy B&B has started to document its paranormal activities. Ghost investigations, particularly during Halloween, aim to uncover the supernatural secrets that may lurk within the building.
Located at 66 West High Street, the Gettysburg Academy B&B invites guests to immerse themselves in its captivating history while keeping an eye out for the unexplained occurrences that may unfold within its walls.
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