The Complete List of All Haunted Places in Delaware

Delaware has many haunted places, and their stories are tied to important moments in American history. The first colonists who settled in the area in the 1600s built houses and public squares where people still claim to see ghosts. The Revolutionary War also left spirits behind on battlefields and old bridges.

During the War of 1812, military spirits began to appear in barracks and forts along the coast. During the Civil War, prisons held Confederate soldiers whose restless spirits are still felt today.

The industrial mills that operated from the 1700s to 1800s used workers whose energy seems to linger even after they’ve clocked out. Lighthouses, which helped guide ships safely through rough waters, are linked to their keepers who lost their lives in shipwrecks.

This comprehensive list of all haunted places in Delaware features locations connected to these historical events, along with stories and experiences shared by people who have witnessed unusual occurrences there.

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Haunted Houses & Mansions

These homes date back to Delaware’s colonial times and the 1800s. Many of them were once inhabited by important families, governors, and plantation owners. Sadly, some of the buildings were destroyed by fires, which are said to have left behind the spirits of those who suffered there. Other homes have witnessed personal tragedies, the presence of slaves, or been involved in wars.

People often report seeing the spirits of the builders and former owners. These spooky sightings can be found in various locations, including the Dutch colonial houses in New Castle, the governor’s mansion in Dover, and the Victorian homes in Wilmington. There have been many accounts of mysterious footsteps, moving objects, and figures dressed in old-fashioned clothes, all linked to the history of these places.

Location Name	City/Town	Brief Note on Haunting
Amstel House Museum	New Castle	Apparitions of former residents, including a colonial-era woman; objects move on their own.
Bellevue Hall	Wilmington	Spirits on upper floors; doors slam, shadows seen; closed to public but activity reported by staff.
Cannonball House	Lewes	Ghosts of pilots and family members who died in a fire; cold spots and apparitions.
Dutch House	New Castle	Colonial ghosts; cold spots and period clothing apparitions.
Gumboro Homestead	Gumboro	Heavy breathing, footsteps, spectral figures in yard; harmonica music at night.
John Dickinson Plantation (Poplar Hall)	Dover	Ghost of John Dickinson writing; fire victims’ screams; multiple apparitions.
Laurel Junction Farmhouse	Laurel	Site of early 1900s boy’s death; lights/appliances turning on/off, furniture moving, eerie noises.
Late 19th-Century Home (Central DE)	Unspecified (central DE)	Multiple resident spirits; general poltergeist activity from 1800s family tragedies.
Rockford Mansion	Wilmington	Victorian-era spirits; piano music and lady in white apparition.
Rockwood Museum and Park	Wilmington	Multiple ghosts, including a woman in black; objects move, EVPs captured.
Ryves Holt House	Lewes	Ghost of early owner; footsteps and presences felt after dark.
Woodburn (Governor’s Mansion)	Dover	Builder Charles Hillyard III’s ghost; slave raider hanging; party sounds and apparitions.

Haunted Hotels & Inns

Delaware is home to inns that date back to the 1700s and 1800s, originally serving as stops for travelers, traders, and soldiers. Many of these coastal inns were used by sea captains and survivors of shipwrecks. At the same time, the taverns inland catered to local courts and rough crowds.

In port cities, former hotels provided shelter for people sympathetic to the Confederacy during the Civil War. Visitors and staff at these places often share stories about seeing ghostly maids, apparitions of writers, and the spirits of 19th-century guests. Most of these intriguing locations are found in historic areas where people once gathered for overnight stays and community events.

Location Name	City/Town	Brief Note on Haunting
Delaware City Hotel (now Crabby Dick’s/Dolly Spanker’s)	Delaware City	Maid spirit named Sandy; lights flicker, apparitions on upper floors.
Deer Park Tavern	Newark	Edgar Allan Poe’s spirit (last drink before death); footsteps, cold spots, and whispers from 19th-century patrons.

Haunted Museums

Delaware has several special sites that showcase its farming history and cultural heritage. Many of these places were once homes, farms, or shops from the 18th and 19th centuries. You can find items from the Revolutionary War and beautiful paintings that tell the stories of those times.

The old farm buildings give a glimpse into the lives of farmers from the early 1900s. Curators, or those who care for these collections, work hard to share the stories behind the tools and other objects on display. These locations offer everyone a way to see and learn about Delaware’s rural and colonial past.

Location Name	City/Town	Brief Note on Haunting
Delaware Agricultural Museum	Dover	Shadowy figures of farmers; whispers and equipment moving in barns.
Pencader Heritage Museum	Newark	Revolutionary War ghosts, including the “Ghost of Cooch’s Bridge” painting manifestations.
The Oddporium	Arden	Haunted funeral doll that moves; EVPs from 19th-century artifacts; paranormal investigations.

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Haunted Forts & Military Sites

Delaware’s forts have played an essential role in protecting Delaware Bay and the nearby coast since the 1800s. During the Civil War, these forts were used as prisons where many Confederate soldiers were kept under tough conditions.

During World War II, new facilities were built to counter submarine threats. Some of these forts even served as barracks for soldiers during the War of 1812. People who have visited report seeing ghostly figures of prisoners, hearing soldiers marching, and even strange sounds coming from bunkers. Important locations include prisons on islands and forts near the beach, where many soldiers lost their lives while serving.

Location Name	City/Town	Brief Note on Haunting
Barracks (Smyrna Museum)	Smyrna	Ghosts of War of 1812 soldiers; footsteps and whispers heard during recruitment events.
Cape Henlopen State Park	Lewes	WWII soldier apparitions near Tower 12 (face in photos/videos); pirate ghosts searching dunes; cries from WWII bunkers.
Fort Delaware	Delaware City	Thousands of Confederate prisoner spirits; full-body apparitions, EVPs, and shadow people.

Haunted Bridges

These bridges cross the rivers and streams in Delaware and were built between the 1700s and 1900s. Many are tied to the Revolutionary War, where significant battles took place. Some bridges are also linked to sad stories of abandoned babies, suicides, and family tragedies. Local records tell us about the lives lost at these bridges.

People have reported hearing strange sounds around these spots, like children crying, mothers searching for their lost children, ghostly figures on horseback, and the screams of those who took their own lives. These bridges connect small towns and follow the paths that early settlers used for transportation.

Location Name	City/Town	Brief Note on Haunting
Cooch’s Bridge	Newark	Headless horseman and soldier spirits from Revolutionary War battle; ghostly marches.
Cry Baby Bridge	Smyrna	Cries of an abandoned infant; apparitions of a woman searching for her child.
Maggie’s Bridge	Seaford	Ghost of Maggie and her child; cries and apparitions on Woodland Church Rd.
Scott’s Run Bridge	Near Newark	Spirits of suicide victims; screams and shadowy figures.

Haunted Parks & Natural Areas

Delaware’s parks are located in places with rich histories, including old battlefields, former zoos, and marshy areas that date back to colonial times. These parks have witnessed Revolutionary War battles and were once home to Native American communities long before Europeans arrived. In the 20th century, some of these parks included former zoo sites and places where accidents and drownings occurred.

People who visit these sites often report strange experiences, like misty figures of soldiers, the sounds of animals, and even echoes of footsteps from workers who toiled in the swamps. These parks not only preserve their natural beauty but also honor the significant events that took place there, keeping the stories of the past alive.

Location Name	City/Town	Brief Note on Haunting
Brandywine Zoo	Wilmington	Shadow figures and cries of animals long deceased; tied to historical zoo incidents.
Iron Hill	Newark	Revolutionary War soldier ghosts; misty figures and battle sounds.
Lums Pond State Park	Bear	Drowned spirits and shadowy figures near the water; Native American lore ties.
Selbyville Swamp	Selbyville	Swamp Monster sightings (shadowy figure); cries and footsteps from 19th-century mill workers.

Haunted Churches & Cemeteries

Colonial churches built in the 1700s were used by the early Welsh and English settlers in the area. Nearby, you can find graveyards containing the remains of Revolutionary War soldiers. Some roadside cemeteries are connected to the legend of a horseman. Church records show where both soldiers and local people were buried.

People have reported seeing ghostly figures, including headless ones and spirits from the colonial period. These sites help preserve the unique building styles and burial customs from the 1700s, especially in the countryside.

Location Name	City/Town	Brief Note on Haunting
Old Welsh Tract Church and Cemetery	Newark	Headless horseman legend; colonial spirits wandering the grounds.
Welsh Tract Road	Newark	Headless horseman sightings near historic graveyard.

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Haunted Mills & Industrial Sites

Delaware’s mills have been around since the late 1700s, when they processed grain and textiles using water from nearby rivers. People working in these mills often had to deal with dangerous machines and long working hours. Many of the buildings still have the original equipment used during their busiest times.

There have been reports of strange sounds coming from the machines even when no one is there, and some people claim to have seen figures resembling workers after hours. These mills are located along the waterways that were important for industry when Delaware was first becoming a state.

Location Name	City/Town	Brief Note on Haunting
The Greenbank Mills	Wilmington	Worker spirits; machinery noises without power.

Haunted Lighthouses

Delaware’s coastal lighthouses, built in the 1800s, played an essential role in guiding ships through dangerous waters. Lighthouse keepers looked after these beacons, especially during storms and conflicts. Historical records tell us about the tragic deaths of some keepers and ships lost nearby.

People have reported seeing ghostly figures from the 19th century and noticing lights flickering even when they shouldn’t be. These lighthouses are not just navigation aids; they represent moments in maritime history where human mistakes intersected with nature’s power.

Location Name	City/Town	Brief Note on Haunting
Fenwick Island Lighthouse	Fenwick Island	Apparitions of 19th-century keepers; lights flickering without power; tied to shipwrecks.

Haunted Theaters and Public Buildings

Many theaters and public buildings in Delaware opened their doors in the late 1800s and early 1900s, serving as places for live shows and community gatherings. Actors and staff worked hard during the lively vaudeville era. The stunning original interiors of these venues tell the story of Delaware’s entertainment history.

Visitors have reported seeing ghostly performers and feeling sudden cold spots in the seating areas. These locations highlight the vibrant urban entertainment scene from Delaware’s period of growth and prosperity.

Location Name	City/Town	Brief Note on Haunting
Strand Theater	Wilmington	Ghost of a former actress tapping shoulders, cold bursts; 1920s-era apparitions.

Haunted Public Squares and Historic Districts

Delaware’s town squares were important places from the 1600s to the 1700s, used for markets, courts, and social gatherings. Many significant events, including the ratification of the Constitution, took place in these spaces. Judges and local officials conducted their business here, surrounded by homes and early graves.

People have reported seeing ghostly figures in robes and lights appearing from nowhere, reminiscent of the civic events held in the past. These open areas are key parts of Delaware’s historic towns, preserving their colonial roots.

Location Name	City/Town	Brief Note on Haunting
The Green	New Castle	Angry judge apparition walking among tombstones; ratification-era spirits.
The Green (Dover)	Dover	Lantern-lit spirits from colonial ratification; whispers and shadows during tours.