The Haunting of Point Lookout Lighthouse – Maryland’s Haunted Beacon

Scotland, St. Mary’s County, Maryland

Photo: Wikipedia

Where the Potomac meets the Chesapeake, a lonely lighthouse stands against the fog. Point Lookout Lighthouse, nestled at the southernmost tip of Maryland, is one of the most paranormally active sites on the East Coast — and one of the state’s most infamous haunted locations.

Built in 1830, the lighthouse served as a vital warning post for ships navigating the treacherous waters of the bay. But its idyllic shoreline hides a tragic past. During the Civil War, Point Lookout became home to a Union military hospital and a sprawling prisoner-of-war camp that held more than 50,000 Confederate soldiers. Disease, malnutrition, and overcrowding led to thousands of deaths. The spirits of those who perished are said to linger — not just in the remains of the camp, but within the lighthouse itself.

Witnesses have reported unexplained cold spots, flickering lights, disembodied footsteps, and the smell of gunpowder. One of the most famous spirits is that of a Confederate soldier, seen pacing the beach with a rifle in hand. Another frequently encountered apparition is that of a woman in a long skirt, thought to be Ann Davis, a former lighthouse keeper who died in the home and still checks the windows to this day.

Even the U.S. government has acknowledged the strange occurrences here — Point Lookout was featured in a Department of Natural Resources report after extensive paranormal investigations. With so many documented reports of voices, music, shadows, and figures seen by rangers and guests alike, it’s no surprise that this lighthouse has earned its ghostly reputation.

Today, the lighthouse is maintained by the Point Lookout Lighthouse Preservation Society and is open for tours on select dates. But even in the daylight, many visitors claim to feel they are not alone — and those who stay after dark often leave with stories they’ll never forget.

Would you spend the night at Point Lookout Lighthouse? Maryland’s most haunted beacon is still calling across the water.

The Haunting of the USS Constellation

The USS Constellation – Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland

Photograph ©Unknown

The USS Constellation, a remarkable vessel steeped in naval history, stands as the final testament to the era of all-sail warships constructed by the United States Navy. Not only does she hold the distinction of being the first Navy ship to bear the distinguished name "Constellation," but she also earned the evocative nickname "Yankee Racehorse" due to her impressive cruising speed of 14 knots. 

 As the sun dips below the horizon, casting shadows upon the aged wooden decks, the USS Constellation, like any ship of war, becomes the stage for countless untold stories, where many men met their untimely end. It is in the lingering whispers of the salty sea breeze and the creaking timbers that the echoes of these tales resonate, weaving a haunting tapestry of the past.

Among the ethereal manifestations that inhabit the ship, the spectral aura of gunpowder hangs in the air, as if the very essence of battles fought and lives lost lingers on. Unearthly noises reverberate through the corridors, accompanied by ghostly lights flickering in the dimness, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that defies explanation. The veil between the past and present seems thin aboard the USS Constellation, where apparitions materialize, telling stories of a bygone era.

One such apparition takes the form of an iridescent mass, believed to be the ghostly presence of Neil Harvey. Often spotted haunting the orlop deck, Neil's spectral image bears witness to a tragic chapter in 1799 when he faced a court-martial for alleged cowardice. It is said that he abandoned his gunning station during a fierce battle with the French, forever sealing his fate within the ship's haunted legacy. 

Captain Thomas Truxtun, the inaugural commander of the USS Constellation from 1798 to 1801, is another phantom that roams the forecastle deck. His spectral presence, active and vigilant, serves as a reminder of the ship's early days, when the seas were uncharted, and destinies were forged.

Amidst the maritime phantoms, the watchful gaze of Carl Hansen, a former sailor turned night watchman until 1965, still lingers. His apparition, dedicated to guarding the ship, appears in various corners, playing cards in a spectral form that transcends time. Witnesses, including a priest, attest to the lifelike appearance of Carl, blurring the lines between the living and the spectral realm.

Yet another poignant apparition emerges, that of an eleven-year-old boy who served as the assistant to a navy surgeon between 1820 and 1822. Tragically, the young sailor met his untimely end, his innocent spirit forever tied to the haunting memories of the orlop deck, where he fell victim to the malevolent acts of two fellow sailors.

Lastly, the spirit of a tormented sailor who met a tragic end by hanging himself on board continues to cast a spectral presence. His ghostly figure materializes predominantly on the gun and forecastle decks, a silent witness to the shadows of despair that permeate the haunted corridors of the USS Constellation. The ship, now a vessel of both history and the supernatural, stands as a testament to the enduring echoes of the past, where every creaking plank and whispering wind tell the stories of those who sailed into eternity.

Address:
Pier 1
East Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
(410) 539-1797
Website

The Haunting of the Middleton Tavern

Middleton Tavern – Anne Arundel County, Annapolis, Maryland

Photograph ©The Anne Arundel County Website

Originally built as a private residence, this Georgian-style structure has seen its share of businesses come and go. Today it is known as the Middleton Tavern and it houses a very large and very busy restaurant and bar, famous for serving up some of Annapolis’s best seafood. Here you will find elegant fireside dining, juicy shrimp, fantastic fried calamari, and…..ghosts? Yep, this seventeen-hundreds structure is also known for its many spectral patrons!

Haunting the first floor dining areas is the apparition of a former Revolutionary War soldier who has appeared numerous times at the first floor windows. This specter is known for throwing dishes and glasses across the room, one at a time. He has also been reported to knock over tables that were covered in dirty dishes; maybe the bus boys don’t move quickly enough for this spirited apparition!

Another entity to call the tavern home is a shadowy figure who has been spotted gliding quickly through the dining rooms. This awnry apparition likes to turn the wall lamps upside down and has often been reported to move tables and chairs.

Is the Middleton Tavern still experiencing paranormal activity? Oh yeah! If you pay a visit to this well-known establishment you may very well experience some of this activity first hand. And if the specters are quiet that night….well, at least you’ll fill up on Annapolis’s awesome seafood!

Address:
2 Market Space
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
(410) 263-3323
Website

The Haunting of Lilburn Mansion

Lilburn Mansion – Howard County, Ellicott City, Maryland

Photograph ©Lori Weckesser, Enlarged by Lew Lehman

Built in 1857 by Henry Richard Hazelhurst, this gothic-style mansion has twenty rooms and a four story medieval tower (not shown in picture). Also on the property is a three-story carriage house known as “The Cottage”.

Many families have passed through this home over the past one hundred plus years, leaving behind many entities that have made this place their permanent residence.

The presence of a small child has been heard by many as it cries in one of the upstairs bedrooms. A dog belonging to one family who lived in the house was spooked by this room and would not enter it.

The apparition of a young girl has been seen playing throughout the mansion. This specter has also been seen walking in the upstairs hallway with an older male apparition. The male entity has suddenly appeared in front of frightened witnesses and he is believed to be responsible for the lingering odor of cigar smoke when no living person was smoking.

Many have also reported seeing the dining room chandelier sway back and forth for no apparent reason. Others have reported hearing the sounds of phantom footsteps in the tower when no one was there. In addition to the footsteps, some have claimed that the windows in the tower open and close on their own. One owner even reported tying the windows down but as soon as he exited the tower, the windows were untied and opened!

Address:
Ellicott City, Maryland 21043

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Lilburn Mansion Ghost Pic