Washington Square Park was a site used for corporal punishment in the 19th century. Convicted criminals were hanged, and even buried here. Rumor has it that it was previously an Indian burial ground as well, so its likelihood for hauntings is higher than most places. Witnesses have described apparitions hanging, and even swinging when there is no breeze, from the Hangman’s Elm at the northwest corner of the park. Popular legend tells of one ghost, Rose Butler, who was hanged after being falsely accused of setting fire to the house in which she worked.
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Geographic Information
- Address:
- NW Corner
Washington Square Park
New York, NY
United States
Get Directions » - GPS:
- 40.7308228, -73.99733200000003
- County:
- New York County, New York
- Nearest Towns:
- New York City, NY (1.2 mi.)
Hoboken, NJ (2.0 mi.)
Long Island City, NY (2.7 mi.)
Weehawken, NJ (2.9 mi.)
Union City, NJ (3.6 mi.)
Manhattan, NY (4.0 mi.)
West New York, NJ (4.0 mi.)
Jersey City, NJ (4.2 mi.)
Guttenberg, NJ (4.2 mi.)
North Bergen, NJ (5.1 mi.)
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