Spirits of Point Lookout Lighthouse - Scotland, Maryland

Built in 1830, Point Lookout Lighthouse guides the water traffic entering into the Potomac River from the Chesapeake Bay.  It has stood the test of time, guarding these waters for over 180 years.  However, over part of the lighthouse's history it has been manned by those of the spirit world.  Some believe it is the most haunted lighthouse in North America.

Point Lookout Lighthouse near Scotland, Maryland is thought to be the most haunted lighthouse in North America

The Point Lookout Lighthouse saw a lot of activity over the period of the Civil War.  It is said that prisoners may have been held there on the grounds, over twenty thousand to be exact.  A few may have died there as well, about four thousand!  They were buried there on the grounds, but most of the graves were relocated.  Lighthouse occupants have reported strange smells in within the building like the smell of death.  There have been reports of disembodied snoring sounds as well and furniture being moved around on it's own.  Doors have been known to open and slam shut on their own accord.

It is thought that ghosts of Civil War soldiers may haunt the lighthouse and grounds. Thousands of Confederate prisoners were buried here.

During the lifetime of the lighthouse operation, many shipwrecks occurred in the bay.  The Express was a well known wreck that occurred just of the point.  It is thought that one of the surviving crew rowed ashore in an attempt to get help.  Some believe this because of a spirit that has been spotted outside of the lighthouse on dreary, stormy nights.  The actual figure of a man in old sailor type clothing having a ragged distressed appearance has been seen standing outside on the porch of the lighthouse.  When approached he seems to disappear, moving back toward the water from where he came.  Sometimes the keepers could hear phantom voices outside as well as if someone were calling.

Monument at Point Lookout State Park dedicated to the Confederate prisoners of war who died here during the Civil War.

Today the lighthouse is owned by the State of Maryland as well as the surrounding area and parking is located at 11175 Point Lookout Road Scotland, MD.  It is also the location of what is now Point Lookout State Park.  The area is great for fishing, hiking, biking, boating, and of course you may try to sneak in a peak of a ghost or two.

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Phantoms of Old House Woods near Mathews, Virginia

On the eastern U.S. Coast along the shores of Virginia just outside of the village of Diggs, there lies a stretch of woods that has been the center of many paranormal experiences since the late 18th century.  Legend has it that there are several different treasures that were buried here and then subsequently abandoned, unable to be retrieved by their owners.  Over the past two centuries there have been reports of phantoms of various sorts roaming these woods and waters.  

The road through Old House Woods near Mathews, Virginia

First of all the name, Old House Woods may seem a bit strange, however for years in the middle of these woods off of Haven Beach Road, there was an old dilapidated house that stood for over a century and was subject of many ghostly encounters.  As early as 1798 there have been eye witness accounts of strange happenings in and near this stretch of woods.  Travelers on horseback have claimed that their horses were spooked and very fearful as they passed through these woods.  Many say that some who entered the house seeking treasure or otherwise, were never seen again.  Folks living near the woods would report that their children would return from playing there all day telling tales of seeing many strange things such as ghostly Revolutionary War soldiers, skeleton pirates wielding swords and strange glowing balls of light.  Some of the tales prompted local residents to forbid their children from entering those woods, especially at night.  The old house burned to the foundation long ago, but the eerie stories continue to this day.

A Favorite Hiding Place for Treasure

The first treasure that was lost according to legend, was that of pirates who were attracted by the allure of the marshy expanse of woodland off of Whites Creek, decided that it would be an excellent place to bury some of their treasure.  So they tied up along the banks of the creek and buried their booty there in the woods.  It is said that unfortunately for the pirates, they perished at sea in a terrible storm and was never able to retrieve their treasure. However, they return on occasion searching for their lost loot as you will see.