Red Caboose Motel Strasburg, Pennsylvania

The Red Caboose Motel is appropriately located near the famed Strasburg railroad, and is home to a number of retired railroad cabooses. In 1969, Donald Denlinger a museum president, attended an auction with a friend in nearby Mill bridge. On a whim he threw in a lowball bid on some railroad cabooses. Well, needless to say he ended up the proud owner of 19 N-5 cabooses, each weighing in at 475 tons.  As winter approached he needed to move these behemoths. Not wanting to spend the additional dollars that would be needed to move these mammoth machines, he got the brilliant idea to transform them into motels. An idea so crazy it may work.

Through tireless efforts and an immeasureable amount of work, he made all of the cabooses livable. After wiring electric and adding other amenities such as potbellied stoves and bunk beds, his project was finally completed.

While he was the owner, Mr. Denlinger was known to wear a conductor's outfit while he greeted and assisted guests. He also did extensive research on each caboose and placed historical information on each caboose to enlighten visitors even more.

Today the Red Caboose is under new management but still carries the same flair, all of which is topped off by the victorian decorated dining caboose that still serves three meals a day.

Legend of Hell's Funnel

On the outskirts of Strasburg, Pennsylvania, there is a ghostly spirit known to haunt the rural surroundings. Off of a seemingly pleasant rural route, lies a dark history. Legends abound telling the tale of a man and his mill.

Early in the 20th century while working feverishly one day in his mill, the man sustained an accident. The sharp spinning blades from the mill dismembered the gentleman's hand. Since the area was quite remote, phones and neighbors were scarce. The man rushed to his home which sat on the property, his wife could do nothing but watch her husband suffer and bleed to death. Being so distraught over the loss of her husband, she took her own life.

The area surrounding their former home is thought to be haunted by the spirits of both. There is a small lake near the home where most of the apparitions have appeared. I've heard stories that people have seen a woman in a white dress walking around the lake, as well as hovering above. There are also tales of those who have been scratched on the arm while approaching the lake.

On a nighttime visit to Hell's Funnel, Outta the Way didn't notice any apparitions, though we did spot a few orbs in photographs and felt an unsettling feeling. "No Trespassing" signs are posted liberally around the area, and Outta the Way asks that you respect these wishes. Besides, maybe it's just my horror movie fascination, but don't all these hand-less spirits usually fashion a hook in the afterlife?

Spirits at the Strasburg Cemetery

Annie Gonder doesn’t always prefer to stay at home. The nearby Strasburg Cemetery where her remains are buried also seems to be a favorite spot for her. As you approach the rusty iron gates of the cemetery, you feel a presence around you. The bats flying overhead make your pulse race higher as you approach the old, worn tombs of the Gonder family. Something seems afoul. The gravestone of Annie is placed in the opposite direction of the rest of the family. Was the family so ashamed of Annie they turned their backs on her even in death? Or was Annie getting the last laugh on the Gonder family, and shunning away from them? If you hang around the Strasburg Cemetery long enough, maybe you can ask her for yourself!

Ghosts in the Gonder Mansion: Strasburg, Pennsylvania

The modest town of Strasburg is mainly known for its historical railroad. Thousands flock to this small town every summer to take a leisurely stroll through the Amish farmlands, not realizing the nearby town is rich in ghostly tales of the afterlife. After-hours this town comes alive with spirits. Ghost carriages have been spotted on Main Street carrying Union Civil War soldiers who are on leave. There’s also the nearby John Funk house which dates back to 1789 and is thought to be haunted by him and his wife. Mr. Funk is such an active spirit; conversations with him have been recorded. He’s also been known to wait on customers in the store that now occupies his former residence. But there’s another nearby home with a past so full of mystique, it’s where urban legends are born.

The Gonder Mansion was built by a local railroading tycoon. The Victorian home was built right next to the very modest home the family formerly resided in. But when moving next door, they left something behind in the former home. The wealthy brother had left his sister Annie to live in the home herself, secluded away from the rest of the family. Annie was thought to have several mental disabilities that the family seemed to be embarrassed by. Eventually Annie moved away from the town and her family, but vowed revenge.

A few years later, Annie took her own life by drowning herself in the nearby Pequea Creek. Since then, it seems as those Annie has kept her promise. Her spirit is said to haunt the Gonder Mansion and is particularly fond of scaring men of the house.

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania:Ghost Stories

In the October Outta the Way zine we'll take you on a haunting journey through Lancaster county.

We''ll start in the sleepy town of Marietta where spirits have been known to get restless after night falls. You'll learn the history of the "River Witch", grab some spirits with a few spirits, and take a journey into the darkside in a cemetery haunted by phantom dogs.

Next we'll lead you into Lancaster city and visit a few historical spots, each with a ghastly past. One enshrined in glitz and glamour, the other a medieval looking fortress you don't even wanna spend a night in. Than it's off to a city cemetery with local tales of statues coming to life, and spirits roaming the grounds still searching the truth.

Lastly we're off to the railroading town of Strasburg, and a visit to a few homes with more than their share of spine tingling tales. Finally we'll visit the local cemetery and the grave of a mysterious local woman who still has many unanswered questions, even decades after her death.

Weird Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Outta the Way!

Volume 1: Central Lancaster County

Is now available!

Get it in person at the B.B. Bellezza booth (it's pink!) at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER

342 N. Queen Street, Rear

Lancaster, PA

Or online!

Or contact us to get a copy.

The Choo Choo Barn Strasburg, Pennsylvania

The Choo Choo Barn, near the Strasburg Railroad, is a gem that the whole family can enjoy.

The Choo Choo barn is basically a miniature version of Lancaster County.

From the miniature Amish Farm: to Dutch Wonderland:

There are lots of animated scenes that start with the push of a button. Our favorite by far was the fire scene:

There is smoke coming out of the roof!

We watched this one a few times!

Another favorite was the miniature Dutch Haven:

Here's the real Dutch Haven. Kind of amazing isn't it?

By the way, if you never had Dutch Haven shoo fly pie, you really should try it! I didn't even like shoo fly pie until I tried their shoo fly pie. Seriously! Go to the actual Dutch Haven for the pie, though, I can't imagine a miniature pie would be very filling.

The Choo Choo Barn is located at 226 Gap Road, Strasburg, PA 17579

Admission Price is $6 for adults and $4 for kids, and worth every penny!