Ghosts of the Topton House Pub

The Topton House Pub was built around 1859, though some reports place its construction date as closer to 1866. During its heyday the Topton House Pub served as hotel, and during the Prohibition it even housed a speakeasy. Remnants of the old hidden staircase used during the 1920's can still be found in the basement. It shouldn't be surprising then that some claim this piece of history is haunted by a few spirits.

The Topton House Pub is located in Topton, Pennsylvania and some claim it is the most haunted building in the city. Stories of the hauntings and ghosts became so well known that investigators began examining the building for entities.

The most famous ghost to call the Topton House Pub home is that of a little girl named Emma. Staff and guests alike have spotted Emma, playing in the dining room. Some guests have even commented on how cute she is, before learning that there is no little girl in the building. Investigators have captured the sounds of her laughter and whispers on EVP's taken in the building. Emma is also known to trip some patrons in the dining room.

The building is also home to the ghost of a former priest. Employees claim that the priest doesn't like Christmas season. They have arrived early in the morning to find their decorations lying in the floor, and walked into rooms to find the decorations torn into pieces. Others have spotted the ghost of an old man standing in the kitchen near the stove. Some claim that he is the spirit of a former gardener at the hotel.

The Topton House is also home to the unusual scent of roses wafting through certain areas of the building. On an episode of "Ghost Hunters" explained that this could come from the vents in the building, but those in the area still think its unusual. At times the scent seems to be connected to the man in the kitchen. That would make sense if he truly is the spirit of a former gardener.

Guests of the hotel have also claimed to feel people in their room, even when they were there alone. Others have experienced what sounds like people whispering in the next room, or strange figures and shadows moving through the building.

The Topton House Pub is open to the public, and is located in Topton, Pennsylvania. If you see a little girl in the dining room, or an elderly man in the kitchen, don't worry. They are just a few of the spirits unable to leave their favorite place.

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.