Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland, has a rich history and plenty of spine-chilling sites that are perfect for exploring during the Halloween season or any time you're in the mood for some local hauntings. Here are a few eerie locations to visit this Halloween season or the next full moon!
Paw Paw Tunnel
Photo Credit: Steve Dean
The Haunting Qualities: This 3,118-foot-long tunnel is an engineering marvel, but its dark, narrow passageways make it a chilling experience for those brave enough to walk through. The eerie silence is often broken only by the sound of dripping water, and the pitch-black interior gives you the feeling that someone — or something — could be lurking just out of sight. Local legends claim that workers who died during its construction still haunt the tunnel, and visitors report feeling strange presences while walking through it.
Hotel Gunter Basement
The Haunting Qualities: The Hotel Gunter in Frostburg is a historic hotel with a particularly mysterious basement. Once used as a holding cell in the 1900s for prisoners being transported by Federal guards along the National Road, the basement is rumored to carry the residual energy of those who were once held captive there. Visitors have reported feeling cold spots, hearing disembodied voices, and seeing shadowy figures moving about.
Puccini’s Restaurant
Photo Source: Puccini Restaurant
The Haunting Qualities: Located in an old Civil War-era house, Puccini’s is not just known for its food but also for its ghosts. This 1819 colonial home was used as a temporary hospital for Union and Confederate soldiers during the Battle of Folck’s Mill, where soldiers lost their lives during the Civil War. Many patrons and staff have reported hearing footsteps when no one else is around, objects moving on their own, and strange sightings of shadowy figures. The lingering energy from the nearby battle and the old building's haunted past make Puccini’s a chilling dining experience.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
The Haunting Qualities: Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Cumberland, MD, while incredibly beautiful, has been described as an uncanny place to visit due to its strong historical ties, connection to tragic events, and the haunting legends tied to it. Built atop the ruins of Fort Cumberland, which played a pivotal role during the French and Indian War, the church grounds hold deep historical significance. Below the church lies a network of tunnels that were once the walls used for military purposes but later served as part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. These dark, hidden tunnels have long been a source of tales, where visitors claim to hear footsteps, whispers, and strange noises emanating from beneath the church, especially near the entrances to the tunnels.
Rose Hill Cemetery
The Haunting Qualities: This historic burial ground dates back to the early 1800s and is home to many prominent figures from Allegany County’s past. Visitors have reported seeing strange mists, unexplained orbs of light, and even full-body apparitions of people dressed in 19th-century clothing. Walking through the graves at night is said to evoke a strong feeling of unease, as though you’re never truly alone.
C&O Canal Towpath
The Haunting Qualities: The C&O Canal Towpath has a long and storied past, with over 150 years of history, including accidents, drownings, and other tragedies. As you walk the towpath, especially near the old lockhouses, you might experience sudden cold spots, hear phantom footsteps behind you, or see figures dressed in period clothing that vanish as quickly as they appear. The remoteness of certain sections of the towpath adds to the unsettling feeling that you might not be alone, even when it seems like no one else is around.
Gordon-Roberts House
The Haunting Qualities: This Victorian mansion, now a museum, was built in 1867, and is well reputed to be haunted. Visitors and staff have experienced cold spots, strange noises, and sightings of ghostly figures, particularly in the upstairs rooms. Some believe that these could be the spirits of former residents or guests who once lived in the house during its long history. The house is now a museum, and its historic past combined with unexplained occurrences make it a location of interest for ghost hunters and those intrigued by the paranormal.
These locations in Allegany County offer a mix of historical intrigue and ghostly legends, and while we can’t confirm the accuracy of any of these reports, we encourage you to explore some haunts to get a feel for the mysterious side of Maryland.