Haunted Past of Gettysburg – Walking Tour

Gettysburg, the site of a pivotal Civil War battle, holds a haunting history that captivates visitors. The Haunted Past of Gettysburg Walking Tour invites guests to explore the town’s eerie past, encountering ghostly figures and unsettling tales at iconic locations. From the Dobbin House’s restless spirit to the tragic story of Jennie Wade, each stop on the tour promises to send shivers down the spine. What lies beneath the surface of this historic town?

This experience made our article of 15 Fantastic Walking Tours In Gettysburg.

Key Points

• The Dobbin House, built in 1776, serves as the starting point for the haunted walking tour and is said to be haunted by the ghost of its founder.
• The Jennie Wade House, where the only civilian casualty of the Battle of Gettysburg occurred, is reported to be haunted by Jennie’s spirit.
• The Farnsworth House Inn, a former Civil War hospital, is known for its paranormal activity, with guests reporting unexplained noises and sightings of ghostly apparitions.
• The Gettysburg Municipal Building, formerly the Adams County Prison, is rumored to host the spirits of the deceased, with reports of disembodied voices and unexplained noises.
• The Adams County Court House holds a grim history, with visitors often feeling an uneasy presence and witnessing dark shadows, believed to be the spirits of prisoners.

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The Dobbin House: A Portal to the Past

As one begins the haunted walking tour, the Dobbin House serves as a fitting starting point.

This historic tavern, built in 1776, is said to be haunted by the ghostly presence of its founder, Alexander Dobbin. Visitors have reported seeing his apparition wandering the halls and feeling a chilling presence.

The house also has a history of housing slaves, and some believe their restless spirits still linger.

The tour guide will share the eerie tales of the Dobbin House, setting the stage for the exploration of Gettysburg’s haunted past.

Jennie Wade House: Echoes of a Tragic Life

The Jennie Wade House stands as a somber reminder of the tragic life and death of Jennie Wade, the only civilian casualty of the Battle of Gettysburg.

• The 20-year-old baker was killed by a stray bullet while baking bread for Union soldiers, becoming the sole civilian fatality during the three-day battle.

• Today, the preserved home is said to be haunted by Jennie’s spirit, with reports of unexplained noises, ghostly figures, and an eerie presence lingering within its walls.

Visitors can explore the house and learn about the heartbreaking story of Jennie Wade, a young woman whose life was cut short in the midst of the Civil War’s bloodiest confrontation.

The Witness Tree: Silently Observing History

Though seemingly innocuous, the Witness Tree stands as a silent observer of the historic Battle of Gettysburg.

This ancient oak witnessed the clash of armies and the ebb and flow of the battle. It watched as soldiers fought and died around its towering trunk.

The tree’s gnarled branches have endured the ravages of time, yet its steadfast presence serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifice and valor displayed on these hallowed grounds.

The tree’s gnarled branches have endured the ravages of time, yet its steadfast presence serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifice and valor displayed on these hallowed grounds.

Visitors are drawn to this living relic, seeking a connection to the past and an understanding of the pivotal events that unfolded in its shadow.

Farnsworth House Inn: Hauntings and Hospitality

Along the tour, visitors will arrive at the Farnsworth House Inn, a historic hotel with a reputation for paranormal activity.

The inn’s past as a Civil War hospital has left an indelible mark, with reports of ghostly sightings and unexplained phenomena.

• Guests have described unexplained noises, such as disembodied footsteps and the sound of doors slamming shut.

• Apparitions of Civil War soldiers have been spotted roaming the halls and grounds, lending an eerie atmosphere to the property.

• The inn’s staff have shared accounts of objects moving on their own and a general sense of unease, particularly in certain areas of the building.

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Gettysburg Municipal Building: A Dark Legacy

As visitors move deeper into the tour, they arrive at the Gettysburg Municipal Building, a structure with a dark and storied past. Formerly the Adams County Prison, this site witnessed numerous deaths and tragedies during the Civil War era. The building now serves as a municipal office, but rumor has it that the spirits of the deceased have never truly departed.

| Historical Facts | Paranormal Accounts |

| — | — |

| The prison housed many inmates during the 19th century. | Witnesses report hearing disembodied voices and unexplained noises. |

| The building was also used as a hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg. | Sightings of shadowy figures and apparitions have been reported. |

| Numerous inmates and patients are believed to have died on the premises. | Some visitors claim to feel an uneasy presence or sense of unease while inside. |

Adams County Court House: Whispers of the Departed

From the Gettysburg Municipal Building, the group continues their haunted journey to the Adams County Court House. The imposing, classical-style structure holds a grim history:

• Whispers echo through the halls, rumored to be the voices of those sentenced within its walls.

• Dark shadows flicker in the corners, allegedly the spirits of prisoners who met their untimely end.

• The weight of the past lingers, as the group listens intently to the tour guide’s chilling tales of the court’s dark legacy.

The court’s history casts an eerie pall over the group as they move on to the next stop on the Haunted Past of Gettysburg tour.

Union Hotel: Healing the Wounded, Haunting the Living

After exploring the Gettysburg Municipal Building, the group moved on to the Union Hotel, a structure with a haunting history.

This former hospital during the Civil War sheltered countless wounded soldiers, many of whom never recovered.

Today, guests report unexplained noises, flickering lights, and the ghostly apparitions of both Union and Confederate soldiers.

The hotel’s storied past has left an indelible mark, with the echoes of past suffering lingering within its walls.

As the tour continued, the group prepared to uncover more unsettling tales of Gettysburg’s haunted past.

Exploring Gettysburg’s Paranormal Landscape

The tour group continued their exploration of Gettysburg’s haunted past, venturing to the Witness Tree – a silent witness to the horrors of the Civil War battle.

They learned about the tree’s historical significance and the eerie tales associated with it:

• Rumors of ghostly soldiers seen around the tree, re-enacting the bloody battle.

• Strange noises and unexplained movements reported by visitors, as if the tree itself is haunted.

• Visitors feeling an unsettling presence or sense of unease while standing beneath the Witness Tree’s weathered branches.

The group moved on, eager to uncover more of Gettysburg’s paranormal landscape.

Ask Away

Can I Take Photographs During the Tour?

Yes, you can take photographs during the tour. The tour guide typically allows participants to capture images of the historical sites and any potential paranormal occurrences, as long as it doesn’t disrupt the group experience.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for Participants?

The tour doesn’t have any age restrictions. Children are welcome to participate, though parents should consider the tour’s haunted theme when deciding if it’s appropriate for younger kids. Participants of all ages can enjoy the experience.

Is the Tour Wheelchair Accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible. The route includes paved paths and sidewalks, and the guide can provide assistance as needed to ensure a comfortable experience for all participants.

Do You Offer Pick-Up and Drop-Off Services?

No, the tour does not offer pick-up or drop-off services. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the meeting point at the Dobbin House Tavern in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Can I Purchase Souvenirs or Ghost-Themed Merchandise?

The tour does not offer any souvenir or ghost-themed merchandise for purchase. Participants can explore the historical sites and gain insights into the haunted history of Gettysburg during the guided walking tour.

Final Words

Gettysburg’s haunted history comes alive on this captivating walking tour. Visitors explore the eerie remnants of the past, from the Dobbin House’s ghostly founder to the whispers of the departed at the Adams County Court House. The tour immerses participants in Gettysburg’s paranormal landscape, unveiling the unsettling atmosphere that lingers in the shadows of this iconic Civil War site.

You can check availability for your dates here: