Ghost Rides: Pittsburgh and Its Countryside

Ah fall. The picture-perfect tree lines, the chirping birds, busily preparing for winter, and the groans of the undead. Welcome to the Evans City Cemetery - Butler County’s zombie capital. Just one mile south of PA-68, and a little bit off of Franklin Road, this spot is where the legendary horror flick “Night of the Living Dead” was filmed. Take a walk around the site and you’ll see why this was chosen for the movie shoot. It probably had something to do with the overall creepiness.

Just 15 minutes up the road takes you to your next destination. It’s not just ghosts you’ll find in autumn winds of Harmony Society Cemetery. There’s also an interesting history attached to this spooky spot as it was the first Harmonists cemetery in Pennsylvania. Members of the Harmony Society lived here in the early 1800’s. Push a 1-ton revolving stone gate out of your path (it’s not that hard) and you’ll have access to over 100 unmarked graves in this beautiful and tranquil cemetery. But don’t linger about for too long. The inhabitants are trying to get some rest.

Harmony’s Historic District includes the beautiful Zeigler log house, built in 1835, the Wagner House, as well as the Father Rapp’s hillside bench. When you’re done snapping pictures, head on over to the Harmony Museum and learn a thing or two about the region's Native American culture, the town's history, and even George Washington's journey through the area. It's a much-needed unspooky detour on your journey through the haunts of Harmony.

Just north of Harmony between US-19 and Mercer Road is your next destination. In 1825, Harmony’s Mennonite population decided to build this stone meetinghouse as a place to talk and pray. In those days, services were conducted in German. Sometime around the 19 ^thcentury, things started slowing down for Harmony’s Mennonites until their final regular service ended in 1902. But the meetinghouse still stands as a monument to the area’s early inhabitants. And the cemetery sits nearby atop a hill. Take a walk through them both and catch a glimpse of Harmony’s old days.

Take a quick lunch break at Brown’s Country Kitchen on your short 20-minute drive north to the beautiful 16,000-acre Moraine State Park. Here you’ll find tall trees welcoming you with multi-colored autumn leaves. You’ll also find 10 different cemeteries full of creepy tales. The largest cemetery is B.W. Snyder Cemetery, located next to Burton Road. It’s lined with row after row of peaceful-looking gravestones from the 1800’s. Thanks to good old-fashioned stone cutting, everything here looks pretty much the same as it did over two centuries ago. Just a little south of Chestnut Ridge Road is the Harris or Shaffer Cemetery. First thing you’ll notice is the thick hand cut stone walls that it’s enclosed in. Weirdest of all, you’ll also find a horse cemetery here. Do horse ghosts exist? Stick around to find out.

Make your way west over Route 79 and you’ll pass through the McConnell’s Mill State Park. The old mill and covered bridge here are rumored to be haunted by spirits. The story says that if you drive your car onto the bridge around midnight, shut off your car and honk, you’ll see a ghostly woman in the rearview. Luckily, you’ll be passing through during the day – a less spooky time to visit.

About a half-hour drive will get you to Butler, a town full of rich history and storied tales. Visit the Butler County Courthouse, a government and judicial building located at the heart of the city. Its structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Then stroll over to the Maridon Museum just a few blocks downtown. It’s the only museum in the Western Pennsylvania region with a specific focus on Chinese and Japanese art and culture. Next, head to Cranberry just a short drive away for a good night's rest as we prepare for your second day of ghost hunting.  

Sunrise in Harmony brings you outside into the crisp air, and back on the road as you make a 30-minute trip south to Pittsburgh. Your first stop in this historic city is under the roof of an elegant and very vintage Victorian Mansion. This is where you’ll find the Frick Art & Historical Center. Make your way through Frick Park and into the center. Inside, you’ll find endless art collections, classic cars and carriages, and even a concert or two. Rumor says that the ghost of Helen Clay Frick still haunts the place, watching over her childhood home.

Just 10 minutes away, and looming over the University of Pittsburgh, is the huge Gothic Revival tower known as the Cathedral of Learning.   The building was built to be more than just a schoolhouse; it was to be a symbol of the life and spirit of Pittsburgh. It’s rumored that the Early American Room is haunted. It’s a decades-old tale that includes the furniture moving on its own, the smell of fresh bread baking in the brick fireplace (which hasn’t’ been used since the 1940’s), and cold spots and candles suddenly flaring up. Spooky enough for you? Let’s head over to your next destination.  

Head 10 minutes north to your next location, one of the largest cemeteries in the nation. The cemetery and arsenal both have a history that dates back into the 1800’s. The arsenal was an important manufacturer of supplies and weaponry for the Union Army during the Civil War. In 1862, an explosion killed nearly 80 people here and the cemetery became their final resting place. The cemetery also has the largest number of United States Colored Troop soldiers in a single gravesite. Today, a lot of the locals will tell you that this place is haunted. Stop by and maybe you’ll uncover the truth for yourself.

Cross the 31 ^ststreet bridge to Herr’s Island. In 1753, George Washington’s raft capsized, forcing him to take shelter on the island. Rumors say that Washington’s spirit has returned here to haunt the eastern end of the Island. Do a little ghost hunting and find out. Perhaps you’ll hear Washington’s chattering wooden teeth as he relives his night spent wading in the cold waters.

Grab your morning paper and shake off those nightmares. You’re off for your third day of roadtripping. The next destination is where history happens in Pittsburgh. From the French & Indian War to Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl wins, the experts here leave no topic untouched. But even in the Heinz History Center, things happen beyond the realm of science. Visitors often report seeing strange sights and hearing the ghostly sounds of victims of an explosion that occurred here in 1898.   Are their stories true? There’s only one way to find out.

Just a short stroll towards the tip of Pittsburgh is the Point State Park. The Battle of Grant’s Hill was fought on this soil and some of those soldiers are still rumored to be wandering this land. This is also the home of the Fort Pitt Museum, housing artifacts and history of Pittsburgh’s role in the French & Indian War as well as the American Revolution. Take a look around and you might just find yourself among the people who claim to see shapeless mists, old frontiersmen, and other ghostly visitors at this place. Happy ghost hunting. Then make an unghostly detour for a Primanti Brothers sandwich before heading south to your next destination.  

A 50-mile drive south through the colorful trees of autumn brings you to Brownsville. This is where you’ll come across the Flatiron Heritage Visitors Center. On your way into town, you’ll see America’s first cast iron bridge, Dunlap’s Creek Bridge. Next, take a ride through the Brownsville Historic District. Nineteenth-century houses line the road, still intact and as pretty as ever. Make your way over to some of the town’s notable cemeteries like St. Peters and Bridgeport Cemeteries. If the ghosts leave you alone, you’ll have time for some picture taking and a stroll. This town is abundant with picturesque churches and cemeteries, so you won’t have a hard time finding one.

Take a stroll down the street and enjoy the chilly autumn winds, leaves crackling beneath your feet, and an ancient castle on the horizon. Sounds like the start of a chilling tale. Nemacolin Castle has a story that stretches back into the ages. It’s built on land that once served as a fort and then a trading post. And its name comes from a Shawnee chief. But the tour guides will be more than happy to give you the extensive details. Most importantly, there are Castle Ghost Tours where you’ll investigate the spooky halls of one of Pennsylvania’s oldest buildings.