While many people consider Christmas the "most wonderful time of the year," others find their joy in the "spooky season," with its ghost stories, local legends, and supernatural tales. For those who revel in the eerie and mysterious, we’d like to share some favorite haunts and legends from Berks County.
Murder of Adeline Baver
On the evening of October 7, 1857, Adeline attended a dance in Leesport, Pennsylvania. No one noticed when she left or if she left with anyone.
Catherine Seaman, a worker at the Mohrsville Hotel, went to the shed for supplies and heard what she thought was moaning but dismissed it as nothing of concern.
The next day, Adeline’s body was discovered beneath the Irish Creek Bridge. A deaf individual stumbled upon the scene and attempted to alert others, but his signals went unnoticed. Eventually, a group of railroad workers found the body. It was determined that Adeline had been murdered—her throat had been slit. Investigators concluded that her body had been killed near the Mohrsville Hotel and then transported to where it was found.
Several suspects were questioned and subsequently released after warrants were issued. Eventually, Jackson Williams (also known as Tom Williams), David Grumbert, and Samuel Hyler were arrested and charged in connection with Adeline Baver's murder.
Local legend suggests that Adeline’s ghost now haunts the canal and train tracks where her body was discovered.
Her tombstone reads: In memoriam - Adeline Baver - She was born May 15, 1838 - She was murdered October 7, 1857 - Age, 19 years, 4 months and 22 days.
The Ghost of Old Main
If you're familiar with the Kutztown area or have attended Kutztown University, you've likely heard the haunting tale of Mary, who is said to haunt the 5th floor of Old Main.
Mary Snyder, just 22 years old and from Limekiln, tragically passed away in 1895, the night before her graduation.
There are various accounts regarding the circumstances of Mary’s death. Some say she took her own life after discovering she was pregnant, while others claim she succumbed to a brain swelling caused by overstudying. Another story suggests she died from a heart condition.
Legend has it that Mary’s spirit lingers on the 5th floor of Old Main. Reports describe eerie occurrences such as flickering lights, electronics functioning without power, unexplained cold spots, mysterious footsteps, doors that open and close by themselves, floating objects, and even the ghostly apparition of a young girl appearing in the windows.
Despite several visits to the 5th floor, I have yet to encounter any sign of Mary’s presence.
Grave of Rosie Weand, Aulenbach Cemetery
The grave of Rosie Weand is the center of eerie local lore. Rosie, a young girl who passed away in 1870, is commemorated by a statue of a girl missing her head and right arm. According to the tale, a group of youths vandalized the grave marker, only to suffer a horrific fate that very night. They were involved in a car crash in which they were decapitated and lost their arms. Strangely, the head and arm from Rosie’s statue were reportedly found in the car’s trunk.
Whether this story is fact or fiction remains unclear.
Interestingly, photographs taken near Rosie’s grave often reveal mysterious orbs, adding another layer of intrigue to the tale.
Witchcraft Road
As you approach Windsor Castle in Berks County, PA, you'll come across Witchcraft Road. This road, once known as Witches Hill or Hexe Dans (Witch’s Dancing Hall), is steeped in eerie lore.
Historically, the area was believed to be cursed, with nothing growing on the hill. Early settlers attributed this to the presence of demons and witches. Strange circular footprints, as if from a dance, were discovered on the hill, and horses reportedly refused to cross it.
To combat the supposed dark forces, locals would gather annually on Walpurgisnacht to dance on Witches Hill, hoping to drive away the malevolent spirits.
The Lizzie Lincoln House
Visiting the Lizzie Lincoln house had long been on our list of places to visit, and we were fortunate enough to see it in 2023, just one week before it was demolished.
The Lizzie Lincoln House is rumored to be haunted by a woman who was murdered there, with some stories suggesting that Lizzie either fell or was pushed down the stairs by her husband. However, our research into the house’s history uncovered no records of a murder or a resident named Lizzie.
While we couldn't find any information on "Lizzie," our research revealed a rich history of families who have lived in the house since 1803. The stories we uncovered include tales of death, adultery, and corruption among its occupants.
Here is a chronological list of property owners for the Lizzie Lincoln House:
- 1803: The house was originally constructed by Henry Herner.
- 1817: After Herner’s death, the property was sold to Samuel Davis.
- 1826: Isaac Huyett acquired the property at a sheriff's sale.
- 1851: John Rott purchased the property.
- 1861: Harrison Althouse became the owner.
- 1863: Franklin Seitzinger bought the property.
- 1864: The property was sold to Mary Agnes Newbold, Seitzinger’s niece.
- 1906: Following Mary Agnes’s death, the property was inherited by her son, Horace Boardman.
- 1972: Horace Boardman passed away.
- 1977: Robert A. Baker and Scott S. Zabower acquired the house.
- 1989: AVM Nursery, part of a local business empire led by Donald L. Peifer and his partner Harold C. Hart, took ownership. Peifer also acquired the adjacent four acres and turned the abandoned property into a Halloween attraction.
Claims of the house being haunted were primarily promotional, intended to attract visitors to the haunted house attraction. Reports included a ghostly lady rummaging through cabinets in the kitchen and erratic electrical issues. While there were deaths associated with the house, there is no evidence to suggest that anyone was murdered there.
Today, the landfill behind the Lizzie Lincoln House is operated by J.P. Mascaro & Sons and is known as Pioneer Crossing Landfill. The Lizzie Lincoln House itself was demolished in February 2023.
