The Haunted World: Cape May
Welcome to Field Notes from the Beyond!
It’s May, so…
The oldest seaside resort in the United States, Cape May is located at the very southern tip of New Jersey. It is famous for its pastel-painted Victorian gingerbread houses and pristine beaches. It is also known as one of the most haunted towns in America. The following is an exploration of the most active paranormal hotspots in Cape May, though maybe not a comprehensive one.
The Emlen Physick Estate
Located at 1048 Washington Street, the Emlen Physick Estate is often considered Cape May’s most famous haunted house. Built in 1879, this 18-room mansion was designed by the renowned architect Frank Furness in the Stick Style, a departure from the typical Italianate or Queen Anne styles found elsewhere in town. It was the home of Dr. Emlen Physick, Jr., a man who graduated from medical school but never practiced medicine, choosing instead the life of a “gentleman farmer.” He lived there with his widowed mother, Frances Ralston, and his never-married aunt, Emilie Parmentier. The family was wealthy and respected, but their lives were largely insular, marked by the deaths of several family members within the house.
The estate is a masterpiece of Victorian design, characterized by oversized chimneys, hooded windows, and dark, heavy wood paneling. The exterior features a distinctive color palette of earth tones, including olive, ochre, and deep red. Inside the house is a time capsule of the 1870s, filled with heavy Renaissance Revival furniture, ornate wallpaper, and the personal belongings of the Physick family.
The estate is said to be inhabited by several family members. The Second Floor Hallway is widely regarded as the most active area. Staff and visitors have reported the apparition of a woman looking into a mirror near the stairs, believed to be Aunt Emilie. Frances Ralston’s other sister Isabelle, also never married, moved into the mansion and died shortly after from complications from epilepsy. During her time there, she was confined to the upper floors of the house because of her epilepsy. (No, it wasn’t for medical reasons. In the 1880s, having epilepsy was “frowned upon” and she was kept out of site because of it.) She passed away in 1883. Guests in the house now often feel a heavy energy in her former bedroom, and the scent of period-appropriate medicinal salves has been reported.
Dr. Physick himself was a renowned animal lover and kept many dogs. After his death, Emelie was still living in the home and maintained numerous dogs, both inside and outside. Visitors often report the sound of paws clicking on the hardwood floors or the sensation of a dog brushing against their legs.
The Southern Mansion: The Spirit of Esther
The Southern Mansion or Allen House, built in 1863, is the largest and probably most opulent private estate in Cape May. Constructed for George Allen, a wealthy department store magnate from Philadelphia, the mansion served as a summer retreat for his family for over 80 years. The last family member to live there was Allen’s niece, Esther Mercur. After her death, the house fell into a state of severe neglect, serving as a run-down boarding house for decades before it was meticulously restored in the 1990s. Fully restored, it is a stunning example of Italianate architecture with 40,000 square feet of space.
As is often the case, the restoration of the house reportedly woke up the resident spirits, most notably Esther herself. Esther is described as a “happy ghost.” Her apparition is frequently seen dancing through the hallways or peeking into the kitchen to supervise the chefs. Guests often report the sudden, sweet smell of her perfume, a floral scent that appears and vanishes instantly. Multiple witnesses have seen another well-dressed woman in Victorian attire dancing in the ballroom. Some poltergeist activity is reported as well, with documented instances of wine glasses moving on their own and doors locking and unlocking themselves.
Congress Hall
Known as the “Big House by the Sea,” Congress Hall has hosted everyone from Presidents to celebrities. Originally built in 1816 by Thomas H. Hughes, it was initially dubbed “Tommy’s Folly” because locals believed it was too large to succeed. It was renamed Congress Hall in 1828. The original wooden structure was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1878, which leveled much of Cape May. It was rebuilt in brick in 1879. Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Franklin Pierce, and James Buchanan vacationed here, and Benjamin Harrison made it his “Summer White House.”
The massive, L-shaped yellow building occupies an entire city block overlooking the ocean. Its signature features are the towering white colonnades that line the front porch, with rows of rocking chairs. The interior featured high-gloss checkered floors and the iconic Brown Room cocktail lounge.
With over 200 years of history, the hotel has numerous reports of hauntings. Guests and housekeepers have reported seeing a man in a Victorian-style suit walking the halls of the third floor, only to vanish into a wall or a closed door. In the areas that once housed the hotel’s infrastructure, staff have reported hearing disembodied voices and the sound of phantom machinery, believed to be the spirits of former employees from the 19th century. Another common report involves a young boy, roughly 10 years old, who is seen running through the lobby. Some believe he is the spirit of a child who drowned in the surf in front of the hotel in the late 1800s.
Hotel Macomber
Located at 727 Beach Avenue, Hotel Macomber was one of the last grand Victorian hotels built in Cape May in 1916. Originally called the New Stockton Villa, the hotel has seen its share of sorrow, including the tragic suicide of an owner and the accidental deaths of staff members.
The Macomber is a shingle-style Victorian building with a distinctive wrap-around porch that provides beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. It has narrow, winding corridors and original woodwork that creaks a bit.
The Macomber is famous for several recurring spirits. Irene Wright, known as the “Trunk Lady” was a frequent guest in the 1940s who always stayed in Room 10. She was known for bringing a massive steamer trunk. Guests today report the sound of a heavy object being dragged down the hallway outside that room, often accompanied by a strong scent of vintage perfume. In the basement, contractors and staff have reported not-so-friendly entity that growls at people who enter his workspace. He is often heard knocking on pipes or moving heavy furniture. There is a legend that says a waitress in the 1930s choked to death on a piece of stolen chicken in the kitchen. She is blamed when the dining room chandeliers flicker and is known to occasionally nudge people near the walk-in refrigerator.
The Cape May Lighthouse
Standing at Cape May Point, the Cape May Lighthouse has guided sailors to safety since 1859. It is actually the third lighthouse to stand at this location; the previous two were claimed by shifting sand and rising tides. Despite the three lighthouses, the treacherous waters of the Delaware Bay have claimed countless lives nearby.
The lighthouse stands 157 feet tall, a white tower with a bright red lantern room at the top. To reach the gallery, you must climb 199 cast-iron spiral steps. It’s worth it; the view from the top is breathtaking.
The Lady in White is probably the most famous legend of Cape May Point. Many who climb the spiral stairs have reported seeing a woman in a flowing white dress. She is often described as holding a lantern in one hand and a small child in the other. She is seen both on the stairs and on the outdoor gallery, looking sorrowfully out at the sea. Another common report is the sound of heavy boots echoing on the iron steps above or below people as they climb, even when they are the only ones in the tower.
Elaine’s
Located at 513 Lafayette Street, Elaine’s is a boutique hotel and restaurant that leans into its reputation as a “Haunted Mansion.” The building dates back to the mid-1800s and has served various purposes, from a private residence to a boarding house and eventually a dinner theater and boutique hotel. It is a sprawling, multi-winged Victorian structure with a large, inviting porch.
One of the most commonly reported hauntings involves a young girl who is often seen in the dining area. She is described as curious and playful, sometimes seen sitting at a table with guests or peeking out from behind curtains. A taller, more imposing male figure is often spotted in the upstairs guest rooms. He wears a wide-brimmed hat and is known for standing at the foot of the bed, watching guests as they sleep before disappearing.
The Cherry House
Located on Hughes Street, a picturesque residential street, the Cherry House is a private residence that occasionally opens for tours. Built in 1849, this home survived the 1878 fire that destroyed much of the town. It has passed through many hands, often for small sums of money, suggesting a history of rapid turnover. It is a classic Greek Revival/Victorian hybrid, characterized by a wide front porch, symmetrical windows, and a yard filled with old-growth trees. The interior remains largely original, with wide-plank floors and historic murals.
The most famous resident ghost is believed to be a former owner, Lois Kulp, who lived there for decades before passing away in the house. The current owners report that she is a neat freak ghost; if items are left out of place, they are often found tucked away in drawers or moved to different rooms the next morning. She is also known to cause specific rooms to drop in temperature by 20 degrees in seconds. Many visitors report an overwhelming sense of not being alone in the parlor, a feeling of being watched by someone who is protective of the home.
Why Cape May?
Why is this small New Jersey town so densely populated with the dead? Paranormal investigators often point to two factors:
The Architecture: Cape May has the highest concentration of 19th-century Victorian buildings in the country. Many believe that the original materials, including both old wood and stone, soak up the emotions and energies of the people who lived and died within them.
The Ocean: Water is often considered a conductor for paranormal energy. Being surrounded by the Atlantic and the Delaware Bay creates a unique environmental situation that may impact paranormal phenomena.
Regardless of the reasons, Cape May seems to have a tremendous amount of paranormal energy. Aside from that, it’s truly beautiful and is a great place to vacation. Even if you have zero paranormal experiences, it’s worth it.
For More Information:
https://www.capemay.com/
https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-cities/top-ten-most-haunted-places-in-cape-may/
Coming Up Next
Next in Field Notes from the Beyond: Another installment of Defining the Paranormal!
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