The Ghosts of Fort Mifflin in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia has dozens of haunted locations, but none may be as famous or as popular as Fort Mifflin. The stories and legends surrounding Fort Mifflin are so popular that they even attracted the attention of the folks at T.A.P.S, the group behind the Sci-Fi Channel show "Ghost Hunters". The group investigated Fort Mifflin, and made it the basis for their season 4 premier in March of 2008.

Fort Mifflin once served as a post during the Revolutionary War. With its long history, no one is surprised by the stories and legends that surround the Fort. The two main ghosts who seem to make Fort Mifflin their home are Billy Howe and Elizabeth Pratt, sometimes spelled Eliza-Beth. Pratt is known only for her screams, while Howe's history includes being the only soldier who as ever handed there.

Fort Mifflin was originally used during the Revolutionary War. Upon its completion, it was named after a local Commandant, Thomas Mifflin. Its main use was to protect General George Washington. In the event that the British ventured close enough, there was enough ammunition inside to stop them dead in their tracks.

The Colonial Army later held off the British long enough for Washington to escape unharmed from the area. During the Civil War it was used as a prison, and later the military used the Fort for storage before closing it in the 1950's.

William "Billy" Howe was one of the more interesting men held there. Howe was regarded as a hero for his work during the Civil War, only to turn tail and run, deserting his men. Upon being captured he was held at Fort Mifflin, found guilty, and held in casement 5. These areas were originally designed as bombproof shelters for troops, but were transformed into prison cells during the Civil War. Howe was held in casement 5 until he was executed on site.

Those who have visited Fort Mifflin have claimed to had odd experiences with their electrical equipment, including flashlights turning on and off, and brand new batteries dying unexpectedly. Others have noticed windows and doors opening on their own.

Casement 5 where Howe was allegedly held is probably the most famous haunted site at Fort Mifflin. Recent discoveries have shown that Howe may have actually been held in a different cell, but this is still the spot rumored to hold his ghost. Howe is sometimes referred to as the Faceless Ghost, and is the most famous ghost there. Some have seen a man sewing in casement 5, but when he looks up, his face is gone. This is thought to be Howe. Those who have visited Casement 5 have claimed to hear people talking, or see soldiers walking by.

Elizabeth Pratt is the other famous ghost associated with Fort Mifflin, and is sometimes known as the Screaming Woman. Pratt was the wife of a local officer who disowned her daughter for falling for running away with a soldier. When the daughter contacted typhoid fever, the two never had time to reconcile before the disease took her life. In response, Pratt hanged herself and he screams are still heard today.

The former blacksmith shop is home to the ghost of an old blacksmith known only as Jacob. His ghost is sometimes seen inside the building, while others report seeing the door closing or opening on its own. Some people have also claimed to see a talkative spirit dressed in an old military uniform. It isn't until they ask for his name that they learn there is no such guide there. These stories have been around since before Fort Mifflin was turned into a museum.

If you would like to investigate Fort Mifflin for yourself, ghost tours are provided by the president of the Philadelphia Ghost Hunters Alliance, Lew Gerew.