"Suffer the Little Children" of Pennhurst

I'm not the type of person who is easily offended. I've seen many of what are considered the most disturbing films of all time, most without so much as a slight grimace. I understand that the graphic images depicted in these films are not real and are strickly for entertainment, even if it's entertaining minds as twisted as mine. But none of these films would prepare me for the disturbing images I witnessed in Bill Baldini's shocking expose, "Suffer the Little Children", showing firsthand the patients at Pennhurst State School and Hospital. These children and adults were ostracized from society in order to help protect us, but who was there to help protect the children from society?

Outta the Way's Ghost Tour at Bube's Hotel & Catacombs

Standing out front of Bube's brewery in Mt. Joy last Friday night, we were sharing ghost stories. Not knowing that what we were about to encounter would be surely included in any future ghost stories we were to share. As we entered and met our tour guide, we learned a bit of the history behind the brewery and the spirits that inhabits it. There is no shortage of ghost stories here. Spirits playing tricks on waiters and waitresses. Turning chairs that were placed on the bar back onto their feet, glasses falling for no reason, and spirits conversing with the staff. "Is anyone here sensitive to spirits" our guide boldly asks, more than a dozen hands shoot up. This was gonna be an interesting night!

The group descended down a long set of wooden stairs into the darkness of the brewery's catacombs. A feeling of excitement rushed over me. With it's limestone slabbed walls, and caverns of natural spring water these stone walls could be a vortex to all the spirits in the town of Mt. Joy. Unfortunately not much was sensed in these dark hollows, by myself or by many others. Instead of being discouraged we were humored with the tales of the town drunk who would roam through the nearby caves in a drunken, naked stupor.

Slowly we all climbed back up the creaky steps and followed our guide into the old hotel. Immediately upon entering into the hotel a sense of unease was felt by many, including myself. Many on the tour felt a nearby presence and also smelled one. As we moseyed throughout the large hotel it always seemed as if the spirits were one step ahead of us, escaping down a narrow hallway as we would enter a room. Spirits of young children were felt near a bathroom, a guest seemed to feel these children met a gruesome fate. I personally felt that not all these spirits were appreciative of us paying them a visit.

After reviewing and uploading photos I noticed many orbs in the pictures. Orbs can be explained, we were a large group and the place is rather old, so dust could most likely be a culprit. But some things I cannot explain. Why were some guests freezing cold in the same room other guests were burning up with heat? What was that pungent smell that was following around the tail end of the group? And what was that sinister presence that nearly all the group felt upon entering into the hotel? Guess you'll have to take the tour yourself and come up with your own answers.

For more information on "Outta the Way" group tours visit our website.

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 Town of New Hope, Pennsylvania

The small town of New Hope, Pennsylvania in Bucks county is rich in history, which in return leads to ghost tales. The fact is the town is thought to be the most haunted in America. Numerous ghost sightings have been spotted around town. Perhaps they're attributed to a young man who was killed while hitch-hiking. His spirit has been seen late at night wandering the streets still looking for a ride.

There's even tales of one of the towns most famous artist still roaming around near his home on Mechanic street. He's also been spotted along the canal towpath. Though there's an even more famous ghost thought to haunt this area. Aaron Burr, the one time Vice- President, who was indicted on murder charges. He hid out in the town of New Hope shortly after his infamous duel with Alexander Hamilton. His spirit has been seen along the side streets and several taverns in the area.

Men aren't the only ones haunting this small town. The Inn at Phillips Mill has had reports of seeing a woman dressed in Victorian garb roaming the stairways and hallways. And at the now closed Odette's restaurant there are tales of a woman who was murdered here. Throughout the restaurant there were unexplainable cold spots and ghostly voices heard, and even the aroma of perfume constantly permeating around. Leaving few to wander if there's any doubt that this town is one of the most haunted in America.

Outta the Way! Tours the Haunted Dungeon

Last week Outta the Way took our first group tour. We paid a visit to the dungeon, located beneath the Columbia market house. As we descended down the wooden steps into the dark hallways we knew we were in for a treat. The halls were lined with gothic lamps giving of an orange hue. Giving you the feeling Hell couldn't be too far away.

As we visited the cells, each white with obvious years of abuse. We learned about the dark history hidden under this seemingly pleasant country market house. Our guide informed us on how the prison got started, about it's architectural structure, and some of the torment felt by the prisoners of past years. The dungeon holds many terrifying tales within it's walls, perhaps even more.

Haunted Places in Pennsylvania

Whether you're traveling the rural back roads, or in the heart of Philadelphia, if you're in Pennsylvania chances are there's a ghost nearby. In fact, the Keystone state seems to have a few of the most famous haunts in the country.

The battlefields in Gettysburg where over 7,500 men perished in just a few days is thought to be one of the most haunted areas in all of the United States. The Eastern State Penitentiary in downtown Philadelphia has it's share of ghostly visitors as well. The tortuous methods dished out to these lawbreakers many years ago, still lingers fresh in the apparitions that still haunt this fortress of solitude. Even the small town of New Hope, near the Washington crossing has it's share of supernatural tales. From haunted inns, to covered bridges shrouded in mystery. It's no wonder New Hope is thought to be the most haunted town in America.

In a state so rich in history, yet so ripe with violence it only seems natural (or supernatural) that Pennsylvania would seem to be the most haunted state in our great country.

Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania

The haunted Moonshine church in Indiantown Gap may have a lot of history, but the nearby fort of the National Guard may have a little more. The history dates back to 1755. The Susquehannock Indians who had been trekking the land for over 3,000 years became allies against the colonists at the start of the French & Indian war. The Susquehannocks were attacking colonial frontiers through passes in the Blue ridge mountains. These attacks led to colonists building forts along northern Lebanon county, including Indiantown Gap.

The modern post that sits now was developed in 1931 as a National Guard training site. During World War 2 the training camp saw major expansions. Throughout the years the fort has been used to train soldiers for war, and also as a refugee camp. The fort was almost closed down in 1995, though Pennsylvania saved the land by buying it back from the government. Today the fort at Indiantown Gap still provides training for National Guard and Army reserves. When that much history and bloodshed occurs in an area there are always tales of paranormal. Could the presences felt at the nearby church actually be from the "blue-eyed six" as most think, or is there maybe just a bit more history to the area most don't even know about.

Haunted Moonshine Church & Cemetery

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There's a small church and cemetery near a military base in Pennsylvania, shrouded in paranormal activity. The church and cemetery are named for a man who set aside this free burial plot. His young son is buried in the cemetery, along with one of Pennsylvania's most famous murder victims.

Joseph Raber was murdered by a gang of men known as "the blue eyed six". They had taken out a life insurance policy on Mr. Raber and decided waiting for him to die on his own would take too long. Needless to say these gentlemen took matters into their own hands. All but one of the men were tried and convicted for their crimes, and sentenced to death by hanging.

Though none of the six men are buried anywhere near the cemetery, their spirits may haunt the area. Tales range from ghosts being spotted walking throughout the church, to mysterious blue lights seen flickering in the cemetery.

The church and cemetery both have a very unsettling feel to them. Of course the tanks rolling by from the nearby base, don't do much to ease your tensions.