Ghost of Midnight Mary

It's Spring of 1934, a young couple are cruising along the shore of Tullytown lake in Bristol, Pennsylvania. The anxious pair are on the way to their high school prom. The boyish man is dressed in his finest suit, his lovely date in her most gorgeous pink dress, with a flower corsage adorning her wrist. As the inexperienced couple traveled along the road, the young man must have become distracted, perhaps he was too enamored with his date. Abruptly the car swerves around a sharp turn at a high rate of speed. The young gentleman fights to regain control of the automobile, suddenly they veer off the road and into the surrounding lake bed. A passerby saw the vehicle become completely submerged in the body of water. The youthful pair were believed to have perished in the horrid accident, though only the boy's body was found.

55 years later a truck driver is passing along Bordertown road. He's on his way to make a delivery at a local company. The man then unexpectedly spotted a young woman walking along the road in a fashionable pink dress. Fearing for the young lady's safety the driver immediately pulls over and offers her a ride. As she climbed into the cab of the truck, the driver could tell she was obviously distraught. As they meandered along the road, the young lady began sobbing and murmuring about her boyfriend leaving her. The driver continuously drove while trying to console the saddened girl. As her cries become more incessant, the good samaritan glances over in an attempt to embrace the somber teen. His heart skipped a beat, his spine tingled, and his rig nearly ran off the road. When he looked over all that remained was a puddle of water and a flower corsage.

Bowman's Hill Tower

Not too far from Washington’s Crossing is a commemorative monument honoring the great leader. The Bowman’s Hill Tower stands 125 feet and on a clear day offers a 14 mile wide radial view.

The tower was built in June of 1931 out of native stone gathered from nearby, and entirely by the employees of the Washington Crossing Park Commission. During the mid-1930’s, seven major improvements took place including creating two vistas for outstanding views of the valley below. In the 1980’s an elevator was added, though it only takes you ¾ of the way up the tower.

Bowman’s hill is thought to have been a lookout point for General Washington and his men. The tower is also located in the Bowman’s Hill Wildlife Preserve, so if the history doesn’t inspire you, the natural beauty certainly will.

Washington's Crossing at the Delaware

On a chilly Christmas evening in 1776, George Washington may have changed the fate of America forever. After suffering moral defeats in New York City, General Washington needed to regain the morale of his troops. He devised an attack on the Hessian forces in Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey. Washington and his troops set camp at the village of Taylorsville, Pennsylvania, located on the banks of the Delaware River. The town was developed around a ferry crossing owned by Samuel McConkey. Mr. McConkey also owned an inn and tavern, which served as a guard post to keep alert for attacking British Troops. It’s also believed that Washington and his troops dined at McConkey’s Ferry Inn before that treacherous night on the Delaware.

At approximately 6:00 p.m. on Christmas evening, Washington and his troops set out on the Delaware River. The Durham boats Washington specifically asked for seemed to be the perfect fit for all his men plus their heavy gear. The Durham boats were used for hauling iron on the river. This evening they would receive their hardest workout. A classic Pennsylvanian nor’easter was looming on the horizon. The battle through the icy waters of the Delaware was just one of the many to come in those ten crucial days. Sleet, snow and freezing rain fell down on Washington’s troops as they fought through the blustery night. After the crossing, Washington marched his men into Trenton, New Jersey and devised a two prong attack, which would change the Revolution forever.

It is thought that more men perished from diseases and sickness along the banks of the Delaware than in the battles that proceeded. The Thompson-Neely house, which still stands, acted as a hospital during the troop’s encampment at Taylorsville. It is unknown exactly how many men perished in this site, and almost all who died are still unknown. While the building of the Delaware Canal was going on, many workers found body remains in the soil outlaying the river.

A soldier’s grave was later made to commemorate all who lost their lives during that cold December in 1776. The tombstones that line the bank only represent a few of the many who lost their lives for our freedoms.

In 1918 the town of Taylorsville was changed to Washington’s Crossing. Today, many of the buildings still stand, allowing us to retrace history and walk the hallowed grounds where many had given blood and life for the many freedoms we so boldly display today.

Shops of New Hope, Pennsylvania

The small town of New Hope isn't only full of history, but also some eccentric stores. The type of places you would expect to visit in the East Village of Manhattan, not a rural town. After all it's not everyday you see neon pentagrams lighting up a shop window, or encounter an LSD pharmacy sign inviting you in. But those are just a few of the shops you'll encounter in this quaint town.

At Mystical Thymes you can get everything you would need to be a good witch or sorcerer. The store focuses mainly on those who practice Wicca or Pagan beliefs. At Nearby Gypsy Heaven, you can have your palm read while keeping up on the latest in occult news.

God Save the Queens is an independently owned punk store, featuring clothing and music your not gonna find in your local big box Hot Topic store. The whole idea of punk is the D.I.Y. attitude, they understand that here while sharing a smile with their happy customers.

One of my favorite stores to visit in New Hope is Love Saves the Day, even though they charge $ .20 to enter, it's worth every penny. This store uses all available space and is sure to have something to please everyone. Whether you're searching for the perfect vintage outfit, an old imported B side record, an out of print cult film, or just searching for oddities this place is sure to have it. And if you find something you like, which I'm sure you will, they'll gladly refund your $ .20 back to you.

Haunted VanSant Covered Bridge

Hidden on the back roads of Bucks county, Pennsylvania sits a seemingly pleasant covered bridge. Truth is the VanSant covered bridge is thought to be one of the most haunted spots in the commonwealth. Many paranormal investigators have spent late evenings here gathering data. Throughout the bridge cold spots have been felt, cries heard, and apparitions spotted. So why all the paranormal activity?

Many urban legends haunt this bridge. It's said a man murdered a woman and her child on the bridge and now she haunts the area mourning the loss of her child. Others think it's the murderer who's still hanging around, literally. There have been reports of groups seeing an apparition hanging by a noose from the rafters. It was thought the murderer was subsequently hung here for his heinous crime.

Other local legend's say the woman drowned her children herself, after giving birth at a young age and out of wedlock. This particular legend is fairly common folklore for many rural covered bridges. Earning them the nickname "cry-baby bridges," this is due to the fact it's said you can hear baby's cries as you pass over the bridge.

The bridge is also very close to Washington's Crossing, which played a major role in the Revolutionary War, though many men perished in this area due to influenza and other illnesses. So is it the spirit of a murdered woman folks see, and the cries of her children they hear? Or maybe a criminal who was hung here for his past crimes, or perhaps it's the spirit of a fallen soldier crying out his last gasps of life vowing to never be forgotten.

Logan Inn & Haunted Room 6 New Hope, Pennsylvania

New Hope, Pennsylvania is thought by many paranormal investigators to be the most haunted town in America. But there's one room in the town even the bravest fear. At the historic Logan Inn room 6 holds much mystique and intrigue. The room is haunted by a former innkeeper who lost the inn due to an outstanding debt. The woman who's thought to haunt the inn is forever remembered with her portrait, which hangs right outside of room 6. But many remember her more for paying them visits in the dead of night.

Guests who have spent the night in the notorious room 6 have reported smells of lavender, which was a favorite perfume of the former owner. Other nighttime visitors have noticed cold spots, hand prints on walls, and have seen phantom reflections in mirrors. Other overnighters haven't quite made it till dawn. For there are far more tales of those running out in the middle of the night, preferring to not spend another evening in the fabled room 6 of the Logan Inn.

Pennsylvania's 9/11 Memorial

September 11, 2001 is a day that will surely not be forgotten by anyone. The events of that day helped unite a country that was tearing itself apart. All communities gathered together and vowed to "Never Forget."

The good folks of Yardley, Pennsylvania had a memorial built so we would all remember. The Garden of Reflection Memorial bears the names of all 2,973 killed on that horrific early autumn day. The memorial incorporates pieces of steel from the twin towers in New York City. It takes you on a journey of tragedy and grief to feelings of hope and peace. The flag that is displayed at the memorial has flown over all three crash sites.

The more interesting fact about this memorial is it's location. It was decided upon after finding a tattered American flag in the brush of an undeveloped park. This worn flag must have been a reminder to the folks of Yardley who vowed to "Never Forget."

Haunted and Historic in Bucks County Pennsylvania

In the May zine of Outta the Way we'll take you on a historic and haunted trip through Bucks county, Pennsylvania. We'll take you on a tour through historic Washington's crossing, on the banks of the Delaware river. Learn all about the significance of the town and what it was like before a famed General put it on the map.

We'll take a stroll through a covered bridge shrouded in mystery and despair. Tales of hangings and drownings surround the bridge. Maybe you'll hear the screams of children as you pass through, or perhaps see glimpses of a hangman's noose dangling from the rafters above.

We'll even stop into a haunted inn, where you can spend the evening if your so brave enough. If you're susceptible enough you may catch the faint smell of lavender from a previous owner, who's been dead for over 100 years. You may even be paid a visit in the middle of the night from a brave, fallen Revolutionary war hero. Don't say you weren't warned. Now get outta the way 'cause we're going Outta the Way!