It’s a historic brick townhouse, built in 1827, and it was once a speakeasy called Pirate’s Den. So of course, it has to have a ghost! The townhouse has been home to former New York City mayor Jimmy Walker and Howdy Doody puppet designer Frank Paris. The ghost’s identity is not certain, but witnesses say an apparition of a man in a top hat has been seen through its windows, leading many to speculate that it’s former mayor Walker. Floorboards have been known to creak at night as well.
12 Gay Street
Furman Hall
When Furman Hall at NYU was constructed, much of Edgar Allan Poe’s former home was demolished. According to reports, the only portion of the home original on this site is the staircase bannister. Students have been startled to see an apparition of Poe himself climbing the staircase.
Thompson Park Vortex
Over the past century, folks have regularly disappeared from Thompson Park–at least for a few minutes. Then they return suddenly, disoriented, claiming to have had a visit to the past. Many feel Thompson Park has a vortex that warps folks right out of time. Some investigators believe that the warping effect is a result of EMF bands present in the area, which can cause nausea, confusion and hallucinations.
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- Photo by Raymond D.
The Riviera
The Riviera is one of the oldest casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, and it is rumored to be haunted, especially on its ninth floor. Many mob-related murders took place here in the years long past, and staff members have noticed voices in the stairwells and felt presences of unseen spirits. The place has been featured on TV’s Ghost Adventures.
Warwick City Hall
Featured in an episode of TV’s Ghost Hunters, Warwick City Hall is said to be haunted. Witnesses have heard a woman crying in the former jail and in the basement, and children’s voices on the upper balcony. Phantom cigar smoke has been detected in the council chambers, and employees have reported a feeling of being watched by something unseen.
Showmen's Rest
Showmen’s Rest is a section of Woodlawn Cemetery where remains from a 1918 circus-train wreck were buried in a mass grave. Between 60 and 110 employees were killed when another train conductor fell asleep, causing his train to strike the circus train. Many of the victims’ names were not known, so some of the markers say things like “unidentified male” or “Baldy” or “4 Horse Driver.” Today, the section is still used for burials of circus showmen. The cemetery is rumored to be haunted. Locals say the sound of phantom elephants can be heard at night.
Topton House Pub - White Palm Tavern
The former Topton House Pub, now White Palm Tavern, was built around 1860. It’s haunted, locals say, by many ghosts, perhaps the favorite being Emma. The little girl has been seen playing in the dining room by staff and even by visitors, who have no idea she’s a ghost until they are told there are no children in the building. Emma has been heard laughing and whispering, and has even tripped people, so tread carefully! Another ghost here is a priest who hates Christmas decorations. He takes them down, tears them up and leaves them on the floor. A former gardener’s apparition has been seen as well, and a phantom rose scent may be connected to him.
Theodore's and Smith's Billiards
Featured on an episode of TV’s Ghost Hunters, Theodore’s and Smith’s Billiards is said to be the site of some eerie occurrences. Witnesses say they hear the sound of balls rolling across floors (in a spot where there was a bowling alley 80 years ago), whispers, footsteps, cold spots, and a ghostly young boy who appears sitting on a pool table.
Willowbrook Ballroom
The 1921 Willowbrook Ballroom, formerly called the Oh Henry Ballroom, is a dance venue and banquet facility and is believed to be the last place famed Chicago hitchhiker ghost Resurrection Mary danced before she died. Her ghost is said to appear here and sometimes dance with ballroom patrons.
Another interesting note: Ozzie Nelson played here with his orchestra in the 1930s. Count Basie, and many other Big Band orchestra greats, played here in the 1940s, and other big names such as Chubby Checker, Otis Day and the Knights and The Village People graved the stage in their heyday.
Lady of the Stairs - First Church of Christ Scientist
The Lady of the Stairs at the First Church of Christ Scientist is a female apparition that appears pacing and crying on the church steps. Locals call her Ms. G, as she is thought to belong to the Gathrights, a well-known local family of the early 1900s. Legend has it that she fell in love with a soldier, and her father didn’t approve the match. The soldier was believed to be Hebert Fullerton Dickson, and when he could get away, the couple met on the church steps in secret and planned their elopement. But when the night of the elopement came up, the soldier never showed up. He had died of pneumonia, and she was left pacing on the church steps. When she finally went home she was very cold, caught the flu, and died shortly thereafter.
