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By: Austin Poulson
Gettysburg is known for its history, but generations of visitors and residents have also shared stories about what may still linger here.
From unexplained footsteps and voices to mysterious figures that seem to disappear as quickly as they appear, ghost stories have become part of the folklore surrounding many of Gettysburg’s historic places.
Some stories have been passed down for generations. Others come from modern visitors and paranormal investigators. And while not every legend can be proven, the real history behind these places is often just as fascinating as the ghost stories.
Whether you’re a believer in the paranormal, a skeptic or simply love a good ghost story, here are four places to explore Gettysburg’s haunted side.
The Jennie Wade House is connected to one of the most tragic civilian stories of the Battle of Gettysburg.
On July 3, 1863, 20-year-old Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade was kneading dough inside her sister Georgia’s home when a bullet passed through two doors and struck her. Jennie became the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg.
More than 160 years later, some believe Jennie’s presence can still be felt inside the home. Visitors have shared stories of unexplained footsteps, strange sounds and doors that seem to move on their own. Tours of the house also share stories involving ghostly soldiers and other members of the Wade family.
Whether you visit for the ghost stories or the history behind them, the Jennie Wade House offers a powerful look at the experiences of civilians caught in the middle of the Battle of Gettysburg.
You don’t have to look very hard to find signs of the Civil War at the Farnsworth House Inn. More than 100 bullet holes remain visible on the building’s exterior, a reminder of just how close the fighting came to Gettysburg’s streets.
The property was surrounded by activity during the Battle of Gettysburg. Confederate sharpshooters occupied the building, and the house was later used to care for wounded soldiers.
Given that history, it’s perhaps no surprise that plenty of ghost stories have followed. Visitors and guests have described hearing footsteps, seeing unexplained figures and experiencing other unusual activity.
Today, the Farnsworth House has embraced its paranormal reputation, making it a popular stop for visitors interested in Gettysburg’s haunted history.
The former National Soldiers’ Orphan Homestead holds one of Gettysburg’s darker postwar stories.
The orphanage opened after the Civil War to care for children whose fathers had died as a result of the conflict. During its early years, the institution provided a home and education for children affected by the war, but accounts describe conditions deteriorating after Rosa Carmichael became matron in 1870.
Stories of harsh treatment and punishment followed, including accounts of children being confined in a basement area. Today, visitors have reported hearing children’s voices, footsteps and other unexplained sounds throughout the building.
The combination of documented postwar history and the paranormal stories associated with the property has made the former orphanage one of Gettysburg’s most talked-about haunted locations.
Just a few miles outside of town, Sachs Covered Bridge offers a different kind of atmosphere.
Built in the 1850s, the bridge stood during the Battle of Gettysburg and was crossed by soldiers moving through the area. Today, it’s a peaceful place to visit, but plenty of ghost stories have become attached to it over the years.
Visitors have reported hearing unexplained footsteps and voices, smelling cigar smoke when no one else is around and even feeling as though someone has touched them.
Not every legend surrounding Sachs Covered Bridge can be confirmed, but its historic connections, quiet setting and longtime folklore make it an intriguing stop for anyone interested in Gettysburg’s haunted history.
These four places are only part of Gettysburg’s long tradition of ghost stories and paranormal lore. Guided ghost tours offer another way to explore the destination after dark, with experiences ranging from historical walking tours to paranormal investigations.
Explore Gettysburg ghost tours and paranormal experiences to find the experience that fits your level of curiosity and courage.
Check out our Getaway Guide online or have us send you one. Have an immediate question? Call us at 1.800.337.5015
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