It has been said that ghosts and spirits make their presence known to remind us of the past that they feel we have forgotten.
The Hudson River is a place believed by many to be a hub for hauntings and spiritual encounters. It once served as a crossroads for the early colonists and Native Americans throughout New England, and there are many tales from the past that have been passed down for generations of strange occurrences in this area that cannot be explained by logic alone.
There are several historic and haunted locations throughout the Hudson Valley rumored to have a few ghostly residents lurking around. Here are just a few of the most common places you can visit if you want to experience a true haunting while staying in the Hudson Valley.
The Shanley Hotel
The grand Shanley Hotel, located in the foothills of the Shawangunk Mountains in Napanoch, NY, has been a popular place for weary travelers since it first opened its doors as the Ritch Hotel in 1845. But over time, the establishment saw many tragedies, such as the fire that burned it to the ground in 1895. These incidents left a dark and haunting presence over the historic hotel.
In October of 1906, the hotel was purchased by James Shanley, who found success opening hotels and restaurants throughout the country. He brought a certain level of prestige to the area that the people of the Hudson Valley admired. Once he opened the Shanley, he upgraded it by adding a billiards room and bowling alley.
James & Beatrice Shanley
James married Beatrice Rowley in April of 1910, and the gracious newlywed couple was beloved by everyone within their community. The Shanleys happily welcomed guests to the hotel, where they would be entertained with social card parties and domino tournaments. Some notable guests who stayed at the hotel, such as First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, became close friends with Beatrice.
The Shanleys enjoyed a happy life together, but the couple knew something was missing. They both wanted to have a large family and were overjoyed when Beatrice gave birth to their daughter Kathleen in 1912. Sadly, the baby only lived for six months. James and Beatrice then had a son, James Shanley Jr., who died at four and a half months, and another son, William Shanley, who died at nine months.
Today, it is believed that the ghost of Beatrice Shanley haunts the hotel, still overcome with grief over the loss of her three children. Guests and staff members have mentioned feeling a sad presence throughout the building. They have also mentioned smelling the scent of her fragrant perfume when she is nearby.
The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
The Headless Horseman pursuing Ichabod Crain, portrait by John Quidor – Public domain image
Author Washington Irving, known best for his 1820s short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, was inspired to write his gothic tale and whimsical characters after visiting the Hudson Valley area. He based his fictional town of Sleepy Hollow on the real village of North Tarrytown, located in Westchester County. In 1996, the village officially adopted its new name, given to it by the author.
Irving described Sleepy Hollow as having a “drowsy, dreamy influence,” and many will agree it’s a valid description of many places within the Hudson Valley. There are several sites throughout the village of Sleepy Hollow that were referenced in Irving’s tale, such as the Old Dutch Church and Phillipsburg Manor. However, one of the most popular and most haunted locations in the area is the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
This cemetery, which was founded in 1849, is repeatedly mentioned on lists of the most haunted trails in America. Several visitors have claimed to see shadowy figures in the distance, hear disembodied voices calling out, and experience cold spots while visiting some of the graves. Some say that it is haunted by the ghost of Washington Irving himself, who is buried there, along with other notable New Yorkers, including Walter Chrysler, William Rockefeller, and Elizabeth Arden.
The Bronze Lady
One of the spookiest tales to come out of the cemetery is the story of The Bronze Lady. This life-size statue is a memorial to Civil War General Samuel Thomas. The statue was created by Andrew O’Connor and sits across from the general’s family tomb. The massive statue is depicted as a somber woman in mourning. She’s sitting on a bench with her head resting on her hand, gazing toward the Thomas mausoleum.
It’s tempting for many of the cemetery’s visitors to want to sit beside the statue, or even in her lap, but many locals warn not to do so. Sitting in the Bronze Lady’s lap, insulting her, or touching her face is believed to be disrespectful and could leave you with a horrible curse of bad luck. One way to determine for sure if you have insulted the statue is if you see her cry tears of blood.
Union College’s Jackson’s Garden in Schenectady
College campuses are known for having a ghost story or two that are often shared to scare the incoming freshmen. But there are some urban legends from historic universities that are too eerie to dismiss. The ghost of Alice Van der Veer in Jackson’s Garden at Schenectady’s Union College is one of the most well-known haunting tales in the Hudson Valley.
According to the lore, in 1672, a beautiful 17-year-old girl named Alice Van der Veer lived with her family along the Mohawk River on the outskirts of Schenectady. Her father had warned any suitors who came calling for Alice that he would shoot any man who wanted to court her. But Alice ignored the threats of her father and went for a late-evening stroll one night with a young man along the river.
Her father had followed behind the couple, and when he caught them in an embrace, he shot the young man to death, then grabbed Alice and fled the scene. The townspeople were alarmed at the sound of the gunshot followed by Alice’s screams. Several went to investigate what happened.
They caught up to Mr. Van der Veer first, capturing him. When they learned what he’d done, they burned him at the stake. Later that night, they found Alice hiding near a spot that is now Jackson’s Garden. She was also captured by the angry mob, tied to a stake, and burned alive.
The Ghost of Alice Van der Veer
As the story goes, the ghost of Alice will appear in Jackson’s Garden on the Union College campus on the first full moon of the summer. Some say she shows up in the garden, searching for her beloved’s body.
Over the years, students and staff have mentioned strange happenings in the garden, such as hearing the wails of Alice’s mournful cries and, soon after, experiencing a power outage at the university. The legend has been shared throughout the centuries and has continuously made local headlines in the 1940s and ’50s and again in the 1990s.
During the 1970s, Kate White, a former student of the university, was infatuated by the stories she’d heard about Alice on campus. She and her roommate had been woken up in the middle of the night several times by the sound of the lock opening on their door.
Canfield Casino
One of the most beautiful and enchanting buildings in Saratoga Springs is the historic Canfield Casino. Today it is used for lavish galas or wedding ceremonies, but it was once the most renowned gambling house in the world.
The highly exclusive Canfield Casino opened in the late 1800s and was owned by professional boxer John Morrissey. At that time, it was named the Saratoga Club House. Morrissey had three rules for his establishment: “No ladies allowed, cash only, and no locals.”
While it is used as a special events venue today that is highly regarded for its historic value, the Canfield Casino is also well-known by locals for being the most haunted building in the area.
The Ghosts of Canfield Casino
There have been several reports of hauntings at the former gentlemen’s club. In the 1990s, a visitor to the casino saw the vision of a woman dressed in Victorian-era attire in the corridor. She was spotted again in 2007 after the building was converted into a museum. A staff member said the Victorian woman approached them and some other employees, asking questions about the history of the casino, before she vanished right before their eyes.
In 2009, during an exhibition at the museum, a visitor was holding a glass when something slapped her hand, causing her to drop it. Volunteers and other employees have claimed they witnessed other poltergeist-like activity as they saw a garbage can lid fly into the air and crash to the ground on its own.
There have also been reports of phantom cigar smoke in the air when no one is smoking in the building. The vision of smoke has been seen moving from one room to the next, accompanied by a thick aroma. There have also been reports of cold spots, a hostile energy, and other strange or unexplainable events.
Smalley’s Inn and Restaurant
Carmel, NY, seen from Lake Gleneida – Public domain image
Smalley’s Inn & Restaurant is a historic establishment located in the city of Carmel. Like all other towns in the Hudson Valley, the area was once home to Native Americans long before wealthy settlers took over. The native tribes, such as the Wappinger, lived on the grounds and had several burial sites throughout Carmel.
According to folklore, building structures and roads on top of Native American burial grounds will cause spiritual activity to heighten, typically in a negative manner. This makes the community, and all of Hudson Valley, prime for supernatural activity. And it seems that Smalley’s Inn & Restaurant is home to several of Carmel’s spirits.
The Opening of Smalley’s Inn
In 1852, a watering hole opened in town known as Smalley’s Inn. The owner, James J. Smalley, was a wealthy landowner who was considered a bit strange and unusual by the townsfolk, yet also quite influential. Along with being a proprietor in town, Smalley was also the sheriff and county coroner for many years.
James married twice, first to Harriet Phillips, who unfortunately passed away. Not long after her death, he married her sister, Emily Phillips. Marrying his deceased wife’s sibling definitely put James and Emily front and center in the town’s gossip mills, but it was something that occurred more often than you think during that time.
The Death of Elizabeth Smalley
Between Harriet and Emily, James fathered ten children. However, the lack of being able to properly diagnose health conditions or administer vaccines in the 1800s led to a higher mortality rate for children. James and Emily’s young daughter, Elizabeth, died suddenly at the age of two. The community was saddened to learn about Elizabeth’s death; however, decades later, the people of Carmel were shocked to discover her final resting place.
In recent years, the remains of a small child were discovered buried underneath the floorboards of the basement at Smalley’s Inn. It is believed they were the remains of little Elizabeth Smalley. But why would a family as prominent as the Smalleys bury their child underneath the basement?
It is well-known that James owned vast tracts of property and could afford to bury his child in the town cemetery. So why would the town sheriff and coroner choose such an unusual place to bury their child? Unfortunately, the reason why is a mystery that will never be solved. But considering how haunted Smally’s Inn and Restaurant is today, it is easy to assume that some malicious deeds took place.
The Hauntings at Smalley’s Inn & Restaurant
The employees at Smalleys have reported hearing ghostly sounds and seeing shadows coming from the basement. Paranormal investigators who have visited the restaurant say they feel a haunting presence as soon as they walk in the door. Many of them say that they believe the ghost of little Elizabeth Smalley is there, hoping someone will play with her. Some claim to hear her giggling or tugging on their clothing to get their attention.
The women’s restroom is another spot where ghostly encounters have occurred. Patrons have said they feel a dark presence inside, as if they are not alone. The bar is another hot spot for spirits of all types. People have reported feeling someone tapping them on the shoulder or standing behind their barstool, only to turn and see no one is there.
There are so many reasons why people believe the Hudson Valley is a gathering place for ghosts and spirits. Some believe it is because of how the Native Americans were treated by the colonists who took over their land and built upon their sacred grounds. Others say the origins of the legends go back even farther than that, and the ghosts who haunt the Hudson Highlands are spirits of those who drowned while sailing to the newly discovered land. And there are some who believe the Hudson River itself has mystic qualities.
Conclusion
Whatever has led haunting spirits to the area, it seems that they are here to stay. So if you want to experience a real ghost encounter, you should visit one of these establishments or consider booking a local ghost tour where you can learn even more about the history and hauntings within the Hudson Valley.
