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.

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.

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!