Do You Believe in Ghosts? Lake George is Your Destination for Things Spooky and Supernatural
One of the Adirondack Park's best-known destinations also offers many authentic haunted experiences for ghost hunters.
Lake George in New York’s Adirondack Mountains has a spooky and supernatural side, too.
Lake George, known for its crystal waters (it often wins praise for being one of the cleanest lakes in the United States), is a popular destination for beautiful beaches, charming resorts, great restaurants, camping, boating, hiking, and all kinds of water sports.
Did you know it’s also the place for various supernatural and spooky occurrences?
ADK Taste takes you on a tour of some of the area’s eerie locales.
The ghosts of the Old Warren County Courthouse.
The Old Warren County Courthouse in Lake George, NY, is a treasure trove of local history. Built in 1845, it served as the seat of the Warren County government until 1963. When the courthouse moved, the Lake George Historical Association preserved the building, which is now an excellent local history museum and gallery and a hub of paranormal activity.
Lake George’s Old Courthouse is said to be haunted.
In addition to its rich history during the early years of the Adirondack Park, the Old Courthouse has also experienced its share of spooky occurrences. Visitors and staff have reported strange, unexplainable events, including cold drafts, phantom footsteps, and ghostly apparitions. Some have even reported feeling a clammy hand gripping their shoulder or the sensation of an invisible presence breathing down their neck.
The creepiest part of the Old Courthouse is undoubtedly the decrepit basement jail. Accessible via narrow stairs, the jail is dark and musty, with windowless cells, cold stone walls, and a claustrophobic atmosphere. According to legend, the spirits of former prisoners who died in their cells haunt the jail, as well as ghosts of past sheriffs who once oversaw the facility.
Despite its eerie aspects, the Old Courthouse remains a popular destination for history buffs. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the museum and explore the many exhibits on display, including artifacts from Lake George's robust history. Those brave enough to venture into the basement have an opportunity to visit the underground jail and possibly experience a paranormal event. The Lake George Historical Association also offers ghost tours during certain times of the year.
The spooky guests at Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing.
For over 150 years, The Sagamore Resort has occupied a prominent position in Bolton Landing, commanding magnificent views of Lake George. Not only hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s also often cited as one of the top 10 haunted hotels in the US.
Numerous ghost sightings over the years include a little boy who haunts the legendary Donald Ross-designed golf course and plays naughty tricks on golfers and a mysterious lady who enters guest rooms unbidden, hovering above sleepers and blowing a chill air onto their eyelids. Yikes!
The Sagamore Resort, Bolton Landing on Lake George
Developers erected the hotel in the late 1800s. It burned twice, once in 1893, and then another fire severely damaged the resort in 1914. The hotel was entirely rebuilt in 1921.
For over 100 years since the rebuilding, guests have reported strange occurrences at the hotel. Some say they've seen the ghost of a middle-aged woman wearing a blue polka-dot dress moving through the hallways and the hotels’ restaurants.
Others mention seeing children giggling in the hallways. There are even reports the management closed a room to guests because of strange noises during the night.
On the 2nd and 3rd floors of the hotel, witnesses allege a man dressed in a long, black overcoat walks frantically up and down the hallways, over and over again. He’s also been seen in the spa halls and is famous for his immaculate, shiny leather shoes.
Despite these ghostly and mysterious doings, prospective guests should find great comfort in the fact that The Sagamore Resort remains one of the top destinations in the Northeast United States.
Long Island Campground’s haunting honeymooners.
Part of Lake George’s Island campsites, Long Island offers a unique way to enjoy the lake. Accessible only by boat, campers can enjoy fishing, hiking, bird watching, boating and sailing. And if they're lucky, they may also encounter an Adirondack apparition or two.
Lake George Island
Long Island, close to Diamond Point, is rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of a honeymooning bride and groom from the 1960s who were murdered in their tent while they slept.
Campers on the island report encountering the spirit of a woman wearing her white wedding gown. Other reported phenomena include strange voices, unexplained cold spots and feeling the presence of an unseen entity.
Spirits live on at Fort William Henry Museum.
Many people know Fort William Henry from James Fenimore Cooper’s classic American novel, “The Last of the Mohicans,” where the Fort featured prominently in the storyline. It’s a fascinating historical site that also boasts a wealth of eerie legends and spooky occurrences.
As you might recall from the book (or the feature film starring Daniel Day-Lewis), during the French and Indian War in 1757, the Fort was besieged by French and Native American forces, forcing the outnumbered British troops to surrender. However, as the British soldiers and their camp followers began to vacate the encampment, they were attacked again by the French and Native American army, who then burnt the remaining Fort to the ground. Some believe the many victims of the attack haunt the area today.
The spooky history of Fort William Henry.
In the 20th century, the fort was recreated and rebuilt on the original's footprint, allowing visitors to tour the grounds as they were in the 1700s. Now known as the Fort Williman Henry Museum, it offers Haunted History tours that take visitors to the military crypt where several bodies were found. Although the skeletons displayed there are recreations, some remains have been re-interred, while others are on loan to university research labs.
The museum also features an original well that some say houses the spirit of a little girl who was trapped and died there. In the Casement (an enclosure for cannons to fire from), a furious soul referred to as "him" by tour guides is said to have scratched, pushed, and otherwise harassed impolite visitors.
According to David Starbuck, author of Archeology in the Adirondacks, the land around Fort William Henry contains "some of the richest Native American features and artifacts ever found in the Adirondacks."
During archaeological excavations, more than a dozen skeletons were found inside and outside the fort's boundaries, including one who had lost his head. Fort William Henry is a must-visit destination for those interested in history, archaeology, and the supernatural in Lake George.
Lake George Battlefield Park haunted history.
Lake George Battlefield Park is a site of historical significance commemorating the 1755 Battle of Lake George, fought between (you guessed it) the British and French as they vied for control of North America. However, many visitors don't know that this location is also rumored to be haunted.
Mohawk Warrior by Alexander Phimister Proctor (1860-1950)
Several travelers have reported hearing the sounds of musket fire and seeing the ghostly apparitions of colonial soldiers marching across the grounds. There have also been reports of feeling cold spots and seeing unexplainable shadowy figures.
One of the park's most famous sculptures is a statue of a Native American drawing water from a stream. This site is linked to paranormal activity, as well. Some visitors claim to have seen the apparition of a Native American briefly mimicking the statue's pose before fading from sight.
These eerie occurrences are believed to be a result of the tragic events that took place on this land over 250 years ago. British and French Troops, along with their Native American collaborators, took part in vicious and bloody battles, with several hundred soldiers killed in the conflict.
Despite its spooky reputation, Lake George Battlefield Park remains a popular destination for history buffs. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the grounds, where educational markers are spread throughout to help understand the site's significance. Monuments and statues also depict essential figures in Lake George's history.
If you are brave enough to visit the park at night, you may have a chance to experience the supernatural for yourself.
Visitors can take a self-guided park tour from Memorial Day through Labor Day and then off-season during special events. Visit the NYS DEC website for more information.
Bloody Pond next door to Dollar General.
The winner of the most gruesome and creepy-sounding spot in the Lake George Area is Bloody Pond. Yet its location is in one of the most innocuous and unassuming settings. Visitors can find it on Route 9, south of Lake George Village, tucked behind motels and restaurants and just a stone's throw from a Dollar General.
Haunted Blood Pond on Route 9, south of Lake George Village. Photo by Michael Kleen.
The pond’s original name was Rocky Brook, and it received its macabre moniker following the 1755 Battle of Lake George. A party of British troops scouting the area surprised a group of French Canadian soldiers, and their Native American confederates encamped at Rocky Brook.
The ensuing grisly battle left so many dead that the waters were stained red, and thus Rocky Brook Pond became Bloody Pond. The name stuck.
Look for the marker on Route 9, just south of Bloody Pond Road. And not far from the Dollar General.
Caldwell Cemetery’s ghostly secrets.
Still looking for spine-tingling experiences? Visit the Caldwell Cemetery in Lake George Village. This historic landmark is home to many ghost stories that may make your hair stand on end.
The Caldwell Cemetery is believed to be one of the most haunted places in the town. It is located on a hillside and dates back to the 18th century and contains the graves of early settlers and Revolutionary War soldiers. However, what makes this cemetery unique is the number of eerie and unexplained events that visitors have reported.
The cemetery’s name comes from the founder of Lake George, James Caldwell. In fact, the town was known as Caldwell until the end of the 19th century and was never officially switched to “Lake George” until the 1960s.
Caldwell Cemetery in Lake George
James Caldwell was a prosperous Albany merchant who eventually made his home on Lake George. Sadly, he outlived his children and even some grandchildren. While he was buried in Albany when he died in 1829, the family’s graves were all moved to the Caldwell Cemetary in what is now Lake George Village in 1855.
According to Lynda Lee Macken, author of several works about hauntings, when she was a teenager, she was investigating Caldwell Cemetery with friends when one of the burial vaults started to glow orange. She and her party fled the cemetery immediately.
She returned the next day to investigate further and found that the tomb belonged to James Caldwell. One theory: the Caldwell Cemetery is next to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. James Caldwell was a Presbyterian and Northern Ireland expatriate. Was the orange glow emanating from his grave a protest against being buried in a Catholic churchyard?
Another famous story among locals is about a ghostly figure wandering among the graves at night. Some people believe that it's the spirit of a Revolutionary War soldier who was buried there.
The cemetery is also known for its strange noises, including footsteps and whispers. Many visitors have reported feeling cold spots, and some have even claimed to have seen orbs and other unexplained phenomena.
These are highlights of the fascinating tales of spirits and specters that inhabit the rich history of the southern Adirondacks. Any time of year is an excellent opportunity to seek out Lake George’s spooky sites.
