 Pittsburgh Things To Do
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Pittsburgh Haunted Attractions |
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The list below presents several “real” haunted places in Pennsylvania , mainly near Pittsburgh. Links to additional information
about these urban legends are provided wherever possible. Also included are interesting, strange or unique sites worthy of
checking out. Some of these haunted houses and places are on private property, so please be aware of trespassing. If you know of a haunted site not listed here, email me information about it, and maybe I'll post it. (arodahoden@yahoo.com) Also, make sure to follow us on Facebook... |
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| 1. |
13 Bends |
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County: Allegheny County |
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General Region: Upper Monongahela Valley |
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Town / Location: Coultersville / White Oak |
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Description: One of the most popular but confusing urban legends is the story of "13 Bends". The main story involves Coulterville Cemetery near Elizabeth, McKeesport and Boston. An old orphanage from the 1800s that stood on this site burned down years ago, and you can still supposedly hear footsteps and children, and perhaps see some apparitions in the rear view mirror of your car! Some encounter a great sense of sadness as they drive by. Childlike handprints can then be seen all over the vehicle. But it is the isolated location of the cemetery that makes it even more spooky. There is but one way in and out, along a long, curvy road toward the river. On this road, the legend of "13 Bends" was born. If you count the number of bends in the road in one direction, there are 13, but on the way back, only 12. The only explanation is, of course, sinister spirits or playful century-old orphans! But the legend of "13 Bends" has spread. Some in the local area have mapped the 13 bends phenom to nearby Route 48 above the Boston Bridge. And somehow the legend is often mentioned in Harmar or Harmarville, on Cambell's Run Road near the location of an old mine site. Go figure! |
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| 2. |
North Park's "Blue Mist" Road |
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County: Allegheny County |
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General Region: North Hills |
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Town / Location: North Park |
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Description: This isolated stretch of Irwin Road near North Park has been attracting attention for years. Irwin Road is an unlit, unpaved lane dotted with some scattered homes and ruins along it. It traverses a hollow parallel to Babcock Blvd. that is scary enough during the day, let alone at night. There are many legends and rumors associated with this place, but it is most known for rumors of satanic activity and all the horrors that typically go with that. It is named after the creeping "blue mist" that sometimes covers the road. It is one of the most searched for and well known sites in the Pittsburgh area, making this a classic "haunted" location. |
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| 3. |
Chatham Universitiy's "Blue Lady of Woodland Hall” |
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County: Allegheny County |
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General Region: Oakland / East End |
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Town / Location: Oakland |
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Description: Chatham University is so haunted that they now hold an annual "ghost walk" to tell all of their tales. There are several scattered around campus, each with its own interesting and tragic story. The most well known is the "Blue Lady of Woodland Hall”, who has appeared to students, hovering above them as they wake. Nearby, Carlow College has its own tale in Room 947 of Dougherty Hall. Late at night, students have reported seeing misty apparitions and hearing scratching noises on the walls. |
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| 4. |
The Carnegie Library of Homestead |
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County: Allegheny County |
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General Region: Oakland / East End |
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Town / Location: Oakland |
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Description: If you know anything about Pittsburgh history, it may not surprise you that this library is haunted. It was given as a gift by Carnegie only 6 years after the deadly Homestead Steel Strike of 1892. Despite his good intentions, there was still bad blood among the steel workers for Carnegie, for defeating their attempt at organized labor. Could it be these restless steel workers that haunt and make trouble in this century-old historic building? |
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| 5. |
Collectiques Shop |
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County: Washington County |
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General Region: Monongehela Valley |
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Town / Location: Monongahela |
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Description: Located on 808 West Main Street, the antique shop hosts the spirit of a young girl in the building's upstairs “green room,” whose voice can sometime be heard and is accompanied by an overwhelming chill. |
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| 6. |
Congelier House |
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County: Allegheny County |
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General Region: North Side |
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Town / Location: Manchester |
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Description: Once noted as "The Most Haunted House in America", this home on Pittsburgh's North Side is still creating chills, even though it is long gone… |
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| 7. |
Connellsville Carnegie Library |
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County: Fayette County |
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General Region: Foothills |
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Town / Location: Connellsville |
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Description: Inside the library, there are reports of bodiless footsteps and the sighting of an elderly lady in a bubushka seen through the window of the now shuttered building. |
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| 8. |
Covette Tunnel |
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County: Allegheny County |
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General Region: South Hills |
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Town / Location: South Park |
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Description: Located just before the infamous Green Man's Tunnel, this spot is haunted by the spirit of a girl that shuffled off this mortal coil when she slammed her 'Vette into another car while drag racing. |
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| 9. |
Dicksmont Mental Institution |
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County: Allegheny County |
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General Region: Ohio Valley |
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Town / Location: Emsworth |
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Description: This old institutional building was the object of many rumors and ghost stories. It has been torn down since this article was written. |
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| 10. |
The Ghost of Dormont Library |
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County: Allegheny County |
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General Region: South Hills |
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Town / Location: Dormont |
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Description: Dormont Library was allegedly haunted by a former librarian named Mary, who died in the 1980s. Mary loved the library and was well known and respected. Shortly after her death, strange things began to happen. Flickering lights, books falling from shelves and similar occurrences were attributed to her spirit. The feeling of her presence was benevolent, so much in fact that her surviving husband would visit the library to feel closer to her. In fact, it seems she was waiting for him; after his death, the strange occurrence stopped! |
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| 11. |
Frick Mansion / Historical Center (Clayton House) |
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County: Allegheny County |
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General Region: Oakland / East End |
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Town / Location: Shadyside |
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Description: Most people suspect that the ghost of Clayton House is that of Helen Clay Frick continuing to watch over her childhood home. The home was opened to the public in 1990 and since that time, security guards have reported hearing someone walking around on the third floor of the building late at night when no one is there. |
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| 12. |
Ghosts of West Overton |
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County: Westmoreland County |
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General Region: Youghiogheny Valley |
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Town / Location: Scottdale |
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Description: This Abraham Overholt family estate dates back to 1800, and still has 18 of its' original buildings, including the mansion and distillery. The estate is haunted by 2 Overholts: Jacob & Clyde. One Overholt hung himself from a tree on the property, and another died in a room now used as a storage area. People say they can see his face looking out the room's window… |
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| 13. |
Glowing Tombstone of Hoffman Cemetery |
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County: Westmoreland County |
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General Region: Youghiogheny Valley |
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Town / Location: Smithton |
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Description: From a viewpoint along Stahl Road, looking across the valley at the cemetery, one tombstone in particular appears to glow against the night sky. This has been known for at least 20 years, and in recent years corn has blocked the view, not sure about the current status… Some say it is a reflection, I am not so sure… |
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| 14. |
Gravity Hill - North Park |
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County: Allegheny County |
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General Region: North Hills |
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Town / Location: North Park |
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Description: Located at the intersection of McKinney Road @ Kummer Rd. Drive up McKinney toward the golf course and stop at the stop sign at Kummer Rd. Put your car in neutral and you will drift backward up the slight hill. This really works, and does not have an apparent reason. This is one of many such "gravity hills" in the state. Optical illusion or something more paranormal? You decide… |
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| 15. |
Green Man's Tunnel |
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County: Allegheny County |
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General Region: South Hills |
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Town / Location: South Park |
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Description: This "out-of-the-way" tunnel near Gill Hall Rd., outside of South Park, is allegedly the home of the "Green Man", a disfigured recluse that is not welcoming of visitors. This legend actually has it's roots in Beaver County, where "Charlie No Face" roamed the roads at night many decades ago… |
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| 16. |
Harmony Inn |
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County: Butler County |
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General Region: Southwestern Butler |
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Town / Location: Harmony |
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Description: The Harmony Inn, located in a National Historic District, was the residence of Austin Pearce, a prominent banker, mill operator and railroad executive. He built his Italianate-style home in 1856. There have been innumerable media reports (KDKA, WPXI, Pittsburgh Press and Post-Gazette, radio stations and newspapers from all over Western Pennsylvania) on the haunting of the Harmony Inn. |
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| 17. |
Haunted Slippery Rock University |
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County: Butler County |
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General Region: Lake Arthur / Slippery Rock |
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Town / Location: Slippery Rock |
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Description: Sites include Miller Auditorium, North Hall and nearby McConnell's Mill State Park |
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| 18. |
John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center |
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County: Allegheny County |
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General Region: Golden Triangle |
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Town / Location: Downtown / Strip District |
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Description: This building, in the Stripped District of Pittsburgh, was once site of the Chautauqua Lake Ice Co, which exploded due to fire on February 9, 1898. The building has since been renovated and now houses the John Heinz History Center. Several staff members, including night security guards, have witnessed strange sights and sounds there. Most activity seems to center around the 5th floor (used as storage/archives) and the loading dock area. Spirits have been known to occupy and interact with the exhibits there. The History Center is open to the public 7 days a week from 10AM to 5PM (holidays excluded). |
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| 19. |
Mount Washington Tavern |
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County: Fayette County |
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General Region: Chestnut / Laurel |
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Town / Location: Farmington |
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Description: Mount Washington Tavern is located off the National Road and is part of the Fort Necessity National Battlefield Park. It is one of many taverns that were built along the National Road. These taverns gave weary stagecoach travelers a place to eat and rest. Today a museum, there have been reports of unexplainable footsteps and laughing at the tavern after the park has closed, along with other chilling accounts. |
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| 20. |
Polly Williams, The Legend of (White Rocks) |
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County: Fayette County |
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General Region: Chestnut / Laurel |
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Town / Location: Fairchance |
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Description: "Polly Williams, 1792 - 1810: Behold with pity you that pass by, Here do the bones of Polly Williams lie. Who was cut off in tender bloom, By a vile wretch, her pretended groom." |
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| 21. |
Quaker Church & Cemetery |
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County: Fayette County |
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General Region: North Central Fayette |
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Town / Location: Perryopolis / Fayette City |
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Description: Situated on a scenic hilltop near Perryopolis, the Quaker Church at night is extremely spooky. There are many legends of many ghosts, but the main legend relates to a "cursed tombstone" which, if read, will cause bad luck on you or your companions. I have had first-hand experiences at this one, and if a place ever was haunted, this would be the spot… |
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| 22. |
Walkin' Rosie of Restland Cemetery |
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County: Allegheny County |
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General Region: Eastern Allegheny |
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Town / Location: Monroeville |
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Description: Restland Cemetary has been the location of many weird sightings and oppressive sensations. Some have claimed to see orbs or been in contact with soldiers from the Revolutionary war. If you go, keep an eye out for Walkin' Rosie, who is buried in the cemetery and has been known to stroll the grounds at night. |
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| 23. |
Shades of Death |
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County: Westmoreland County |
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General Region: Jeanette / Greensburg |
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Town / Location: Level Green / Penn Twp. |
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Description: A well-known wooded area near Level Green, PA, one legend suggests that the area is haunted by man who committed suicide. Definitely spooky at night, the area was popular for four-wheeling at one time. There have been several areas given this name throughout Pennsylvania and elsewhere, most of which are dark, damp and usually not attractive for physical development. |
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| 24. |
Shades of Death Road (Avella, PA) |
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County: Washington County |
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General Region: Nothwestern Washington |
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Town / Location: Avella |
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Description: This is an actual road just north of Avella, PA. It appears to be just another beautiful country road in the wooded countryside of western PA… the mystery remains how it got it's name. |
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| 25. |
Snyder Cemetery |
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County: Butler County |
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General Region: Central Butler |
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Town / Location: Moraine State Park |
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Description: Snyder Cemetery is an old family graveyard located in what is now Moraine State Park. According to
local lore, red eyes will chase you out of the area. They say that Conrad Snyder is haunting his family's resting place. There is an account of a green glowing light that comes from a small headstone, and white flashes of light and a weird fog have been reported there as well. |
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Here is a list of some other sites, with brief descriptions: |
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Allegheny County Click! |
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| Closed, mystery road | Pitcarin |
Police have closed a road there where 5 bodies have been found in 20 years... |
| Pittsburgh Playhouse | Pittsburgh | |
| University of Pittsburgh | Oakland | 201 Bruce Hall |
| Edgewood Golf Course | Edgewood | |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | Old Main - basement |
Armstrong County Click! |
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| Freeport Junior High | Freeport | Built on a former cemetery site |
Beaver County Click! |
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Cambria County Click! |
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| Inclined Plane Hiking Trail | Johnstown | Haunted by the ghost of an old coal miner |
| Eliza Iron Furnace | Vintondale |
Accessible from the Ghost Town Trail, the spirit of former owner David Ritter lingers... |
| Conemaugh Valley High School | Johnstown | |
| U. of Pittsburgh - Johnstown | Johnstown | Laurel Hall, The Living / Learning Center, Soccer Field Area |
Fayette County Click! |
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| Fayette County Courthouse | Uniontown | |
Greene County Click! |
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| Crow Rock | Crabapple |
Scene where the young Crow sisters were attacked by indians on May 1, 1791 |
Indiana County Click! |
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Lawrence County Click! |
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| Coverts Crossing | New Castle | |
Somerset County Click! |
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Washington County Click! |
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| Century Inn | Scenery Hill | Established in 1794, this historic inn has it all! |
Westmoreland County Click! |
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| Leger Road Cemetery | Irwin | Spirits of Indians attacked by the English |
| St. Vincent's Monastery | Latrobe | |
| Old Salem Church | New Derry | Rt. 982 - Movie classic "Night of the Living Dead" filmed here |
| Fort Barr Cemetery | New Derry | Rt. 982 - Revolutionary War soldier graves |
| Hankey Church | Murrysville (Near Upper Burrell)) | Cemetary haunted by former lynched pastor and unrested spirits |
| Dead Man's Cave | Herminie | Behind Crabapple Park |
| Slaughter Hollow | Herminie | Behind the rock quarry |
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