The Haunted History of The Catskills
In the heart of the Great Northern Catskills lies a place of ethereal allure and enigmatic secrets. In these haunted woods, it is here where forgotten ruins and ancient cemeteries whisper tales of restless spirits. Their stories, brimming with tragedy and longing, intertwine to form a tapestry of spectral encounters and unexplainable phenomena.
Immerse yourself in a world of intrigue and mystery as we journey to the hidden depths of the Great Northern Catskills.
Salisbury Manor
This historic estate dates back to 1730. Among the many captivating stories that resonate within this venerable manor, one tale stands out—the legend of Anna Dorothea Swarts. As a young servant girl, her tragic destiny became intertwined with the ominous history that shrouds the manor, forever leaving an indelible mark.
During the colonial era, Anna served under the tyrannical rule of William Salisbury, the manor’s owner. Known for his mistreatment of staff, Salisbury’s abusive actions pushed Anna to the brink of desperation. Determined to escape her torment, she made a daring bid for freedom, only to be relentlessly pursued by Salisbury himself. In a twisted act of cruelty, Anna was captured, bound to a horse, and subjected to a horrifying journey back to the manor. The physical ordeal inflicted immeasurable pain, tearing her body apart as she was dragged mercilessly.
Although William Salisbury was eventually found guilty of Anna’s murder, his manipulation and bribery managed to suspend his sentence until he reached an advanced age. However, the tragic spirit of Anna Dorothea Swarts refused to rest. Witnesses from the town of Leeds, where Salisbury Manor stands, have reported eerie encounters with her ghostly apparition. Some have even claimed to witness her sorrowful silhouette perched upon the manor’s weathered walls, serving as a poignant reminder of the horrors that unfolded within.
Point Lookout Inn
Amidst the mysterious beauty of the Point Lookout Inn, a fateful tale of love turned deadly unfolds.
The tragic tale begins many years ago when a couple checked into room 12, seeking respite within its confines. However, only one person would leave that room alive, forever staining the inn with a sense of dread and despair. According to records, the man who had checked in that fateful night committed a heinous act, taking the life of the woman who accompanied him.
In the aftermath of this chilling event, guests of the inn started to experience inexplicable phenomena within room 12. Flickering lights, grotesque odors, and ghostly whispers became common occurrences as if the spirits of the past refused to be forgotten. Doubts surrounding the authenticity of the tale were put to rest when a team of paranormal investigators, accompanied by cadaver dogs, visited the haunted room. The dogs immediately directed their attention to a specific corner of the room, their reactions indicating the presence of death.
Point Lookout Inn has gained recognition as a spectral hotspot and has been featured on popular TV shows such as “Ghost Hunters.” Visitors and staff alike have reported eerie encounters, including rocking chairs moving on their own, phantom clock chimes, fluctuating temperatures, unexplained footsteps, haunting piano melodies, ghostly voices, and even the aroma of cooking without any culinary activity taking place.
Devils Kitchen & Bluestone Mines
Devil’s Kitchen has a haunting reputation due to numerous hiking accidents and fatalities. The area’s treacherous cliffs have claimed the lives of several unfortunate hikers who lost their footing. Considered one of the most dangerous spots in the Catskills, cautionary signs emphasize the need for proper footwear.
The nearby mines are also popular camping spots where many have reported seeing “ghost lights” or “spook lights” that swing to and fro. Could they be the spirits of others who have passed on, or could they be spirits of the forest who were never human, waiting to lead an unexpecting explorer astray?
The Catskills Witch
Once called the Katzbergs by the Dutch and home to majestic creatures like wild cats and panthers is how they got their name. But the Native Americans who dwelled here long ago knew them as Ontiora, which means “mountains of the sky.”
In those ancient days, there was a monstrous being that delighted in feasting upon our ancestors from the tribes. Can you imagine such a fearsome creature? It is said that the Great Spirit intervened and turned that beast to stone as it journeyed toward the ocean to bathe. The eyes of this petrified monster became the lakes near the mountain’s peak, watching over those who live there to this very day.
Now, nestled atop those towering peaks, resided the Catskill Witch, a formidable sorceress who held sway over the very rhythm of day and night. It was her sacred duty to let the sun gently rise each morning and to summon the soft glow of the moon each night. She meticulously balanced their dance, making sure they never clashed in their celestial paths, for the consequences could be dire indeed. When the moon grew old, the witch would skillfully carve it into stars, decorating the heavens with their twinkling beauty.
The Catskill Witch demanded the people’s reverence. When she felt slighted or disrespected, she would unleash her fury upon the land. Mighty storms would gather, with thunder and lightning as her weapons. Through those dark clouds, she would pour forth torrential rain, causing the streams to overflow their banks, threatening the lives of those who called those valleys home.
Disguising herself as a graceful deer, she would lead brave Native American hunters astray, weaving them into a dance of danger and uncertainty. Sometimes, she would cast a foreboding shadow upon them, instilling fear as they hurriedly retreated. Many a hunter found themselves standing at the precipice of treacherous ravines, frozen with fear as the witch’s laughter echoed in the air.
One fateful day, a lost hunter stumbled upon that enchanted lake. Oblivious to its connection to the Catskill Witch, he reached out to pluck a gourd from a nearby tree. Suddenly, he beheld her presence, and startled, he dropped the gourd. It shattered upon the ground, and from its broken pieces, a mighty stream gushed forth, sweeping the hunter away. And that is the origin of our very own Catskill Creek, forever reminding us of the witch’s vengeance.
Keep reading our blog to discover more haunted tales of New York. To see some of the most haunted places in person, book a ghost tour with NY Ghosts!
Sources:
https://www.greatnortherncatskills.com/haunted-places-in-the-catskills
https://www.facebook.com/150221422045651/posts/murderers-creek-is-in-athens-ny-on-august-26-1813-sally-hamilton-was-murdered-an/750700361997751/
https://www.worldoftales.com/United_States_folktales/US_Folktale_3.html#gsc.tab=0
https://salemsmoon.com/blogs/magick-more/the-catskill-witch
