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| Demon House |
| WARDEN MANSION |
| Prospect Place |
Not much has been known about the McCue Family Estate in Monongahela, Pennsylvania ... until recently. What has been discovered
may shock many who live in or near the area in the small community of Carroll Township. The McCue Mansion has a history that is
layered in horrors and lost souls, and until now, kept secret by the mansion itself. Recently, while planning for the annual Haunted
House Experience, the new owners of the house learned that the land that the mansion now sits upon was once used as a burial
ground for a civilization that once populated the land of Monongahela, Pennsylvania.Little recorded history remains before this rare
photograph that was found in the basement of the McCue Mansion. We have been able to trace some of the earlier history, and also have
found clues and experiences to current history. Sometime in the late 1860's, a young woman, believed to be a widow, with the name
Carla arrived to the area by train. Carla had an appreciation for the finer things in life. In 1871, she commissioned the building of a large
estate on land that was transferred to her by her Uncle who lived in Scotland.The record books for the time are somewhat unclear, it is
clear that she held title to a plot of land, which today is located adjacent to Route 88. During the excavation for the original mansion,
workmen discovered bones from a human hand. After further digging, they unearthed well over 70 unmarked graves, and may have
unleashed the evil on the land that was found to be Demon House.Since this region of Monongahela was not well organized at the time,
the remains of these lost souls were left unknown. Rumors around railroad camps of the areas tell stories that the mansion was once
an ancient burial ground for local Indians. Another tells of the story of how the Spanish had a torturous prison at this location, and these
were the reminders of this era.News of this discovery didn't appear to bother Carla, nor the local authorities. In fact, legend of the time
had her asking to keep some of the remains of some sort.Carla was a women that was known at the time as a healer, many say an evil
witch. People would come from as far as Scotland to visit with Carla to seek healing for their ails and demon possessed souls.From
1872-1888, word of these great deeds traveled the land.Around 1889, word of her help seemed to diminish as people stopped returning
to their homes.In 1891, a child was born at the McCue Estate, and he was named Liam Gavin. From 1889 until 1894, people continued
to arrive at the Estate. On October 13, 1894, a man by the name of Pat Caldwell arrived with his ailing daughter, only to find the Estate
desolate. Caldwell contacted the local Sheriff, who came to the Estate. When they began to look through the home, what they found in the
basement was horrifying when the Sheriff arrived to the McCue Estate, he immediately began an investigation. As good an investigation
that could be completed for 1894. David H. Dennis was the deputy Sheriff that wrote this report of the house. After talking more with the
others in the town, it was decided to go back to the mansion and go into the house to see what was actually happening. A search party
was formed and plans were made to go to the McCue mansion. About the time this was going to happen a letter arrived addressed
simply to D.H.D. This note expressed the need for help, and that the person whose initials were E.V.L., did not want to die like the others.
That same evening the Sheriff's posse went to the estate. The wives of the men recount the story. This account was written by Joan, the
neice of deputy David H. Dennis. She witnessed this from the gates to the estate. The men never came out of the house. On November
2, 1894, no person was ever seen at the house again. It remained empty until 2004.
may shock many who live in or near the area in the small community of Carroll Township. The McCue Mansion has a history that is
layered in horrors and lost souls, and until now, kept secret by the mansion itself. Recently, while planning for the annual Haunted
House Experience, the new owners of the house learned that the land that the mansion now sits upon was once used as a burial
ground for a civilization that once populated the land of Monongahela, Pennsylvania.Little recorded history remains before this rare
photograph that was found in the basement of the McCue Mansion. We have been able to trace some of the earlier history, and also have
found clues and experiences to current history. Sometime in the late 1860's, a young woman, believed to be a widow, with the name
Carla arrived to the area by train. Carla had an appreciation for the finer things in life. In 1871, she commissioned the building of a large
estate on land that was transferred to her by her Uncle who lived in Scotland.The record books for the time are somewhat unclear, it is
clear that she held title to a plot of land, which today is located adjacent to Route 88. During the excavation for the original mansion,
workmen discovered bones from a human hand. After further digging, they unearthed well over 70 unmarked graves, and may have
unleashed the evil on the land that was found to be Demon House.Since this region of Monongahela was not well organized at the time,
the remains of these lost souls were left unknown. Rumors around railroad camps of the areas tell stories that the mansion was once
an ancient burial ground for local Indians. Another tells of the story of how the Spanish had a torturous prison at this location, and these
were the reminders of this era.News of this discovery didn't appear to bother Carla, nor the local authorities. In fact, legend of the time
had her asking to keep some of the remains of some sort.Carla was a women that was known at the time as a healer, many say an evil
witch. People would come from as far as Scotland to visit with Carla to seek healing for their ails and demon possessed souls.From
1872-1888, word of these great deeds traveled the land.Around 1889, word of her help seemed to diminish as people stopped returning
to their homes.In 1891, a child was born at the McCue Estate, and he was named Liam Gavin. From 1889 until 1894, people continued
to arrive at the Estate. On October 13, 1894, a man by the name of Pat Caldwell arrived with his ailing daughter, only to find the Estate
desolate. Caldwell contacted the local Sheriff, who came to the Estate. When they began to look through the home, what they found in the
basement was horrifying when the Sheriff arrived to the McCue Estate, he immediately began an investigation. As good an investigation
that could be completed for 1894. David H. Dennis was the deputy Sheriff that wrote this report of the house. After talking more with the
others in the town, it was decided to go back to the mansion and go into the house to see what was actually happening. A search party
was formed and plans were made to go to the McCue mansion. About the time this was going to happen a letter arrived addressed
simply to D.H.D. This note expressed the need for help, and that the person whose initials were E.V.L., did not want to die like the others.
That same evening the Sheriff's posse went to the estate. The wives of the men recount the story. This account was written by Joan, the
neice of deputy David H. Dennis. She witnessed this from the gates to the estate. The men never came out of the house. On November
2, 1894, no person was ever seen at the house again. It remained empty until 2004.
| Haunted Places |
Prospect Place was built between 1856 - 1857 by George Willison Adams. The mansion is 9500
square feet and consists of 27 rooms. Today it is being restored by George Willison Adams'
great-great grandson, George J. Adams. Prospect Place is listed on both the United States Park
Service National Register of Historic Places and the Ohio Underground Railroad Association's list.
For a more detailed history, I recommend visiting the Official Prospect Place website. This site is
awesome, it contains lots of great information about the mansion and the Adams family. Prospect
Place is supposedly one of the most haunted places in Ohio. One of the ghosts that is often seen is
that of a young lady who died in the late 1800's. She was very sick with a terrible fever. One night
she wandered down the hall by herself during a party. She wandered outside on the second floor
balcony where she fell over the rail and onto the stone steps below. Since this happened in the
winter the ground was frozen, and therefore they had to wait until the ground thawed before she
could be buried. They supposedly kept her body in the basement, packed in snow to keep it from
decomposing. Today she is seen near the balcony door and in the basement. The most haunted
areas of Prospect Place are the basement, the ballroom, and the barn. The basement is haunted
by both the girl who fell off the balcony and some of the slaves who stayed in the basement on their
way to freedom. I'm honestly not sure why the ballroom is haunted, but many ghost hunters have
experienced quite a few strange things there. The barn is haunted by seven people who were
hanged there. Another interesting thing about the mansion is one of the rooms in the servant's
quarters. One of the large rooms is painted haint blue...this is the original paint that was on the
walls. According to Appalachian Tradition, painting a door haint blue is supposed to keep evil spirits
from entering. This entire room is painted this color! It really does make you wonder what the
servants were so scared of!
square feet and consists of 27 rooms. Today it is being restored by George Willison Adams'
great-great grandson, George J. Adams. Prospect Place is listed on both the United States Park
Service National Register of Historic Places and the Ohio Underground Railroad Association's list.
For a more detailed history, I recommend visiting the Official Prospect Place website. This site is
awesome, it contains lots of great information about the mansion and the Adams family. Prospect
Place is supposedly one of the most haunted places in Ohio. One of the ghosts that is often seen is
that of a young lady who died in the late 1800's. She was very sick with a terrible fever. One night
she wandered down the hall by herself during a party. She wandered outside on the second floor
balcony where she fell over the rail and onto the stone steps below. Since this happened in the
winter the ground was frozen, and therefore they had to wait until the ground thawed before she
could be buried. They supposedly kept her body in the basement, packed in snow to keep it from
decomposing. Today she is seen near the balcony door and in the basement. The most haunted
areas of Prospect Place are the basement, the ballroom, and the barn. The basement is haunted
by both the girl who fell off the balcony and some of the slaves who stayed in the basement on their
way to freedom. I'm honestly not sure why the ballroom is haunted, but many ghost hunters have
experienced quite a few strange things there. The barn is haunted by seven people who were
hanged there. Another interesting thing about the mansion is one of the rooms in the servant's
quarters. One of the large rooms is painted haint blue...this is the original paint that was on the
walls. According to Appalachian Tradition, painting a door haint blue is supposed to keep evil spirits
from entering. This entire room is painted this color! It really does make you wonder what the
servants were so scared of!
At the time of the Revolutionary War there was probably a small village on the present site of Mount Pleasant. Court records indicate
a house was erected there by Michael Smith and he was licensed to keep a public inn in 1793.
Andrew McCready laid out the town on land he purchased from Nathaniel Marshall on August 28, 1797. In 1876 N.B. Critchfield attempted
to gather a comprehensive history of the town. Most of what he found out was based on the recollections of older inhabitants, and only
back to about 1810. At that time there were about 34 log houses in the village. The first brick house in Mount Pleasant was built in 1812
and in later years was occupied as a store-room, known as Isaac Stauffer's.
The names of some of the oldest citizen's that he recalled were; Michael Smith, Alexander McCready, Charles Fulwood, Esq., William
Hunter, Conrad Keister, William Cherry, Clement Burleigh, Esq., William Anderson, James Lippincott, Rev. James Estep, John Connell,
William Flynn, and David Hunter.
The town was on one of the main thoroughfares between the East and the West; the old road was known as the Glade and was built by
the state. It was the main highway from Somerset to West Newton and then to Pittsburgh. The road was improved regularly and in time
was transformed into the turnpike. The Somerset and Mount Pleasant Turnpike Company was formed with the Honorable John Lobingier
as president. The town depended on this road for commercial communication with other parts of the country until the railroads took its
place.
Mount Pleasant was incorporated on February 7, 1828. The first election was held in the house of Robert Hitchman. That first election took
place in May 1828 when Abraham Shallenberger was elected Chief Burgess, and Jesse Lippincott, Assistant Burgess. Councilmen
elected were; Jacob Rubert, Rev. Samuel Wakefield, Robert Hitchman, Jacob Kern, and John Hosler. David Fullwood was elected
Secretary and John Hitchman, Treasurer.
An act of Assembly passed in 1845 allowed incorporated parts of the borough of Mount Pleasant to choose their own overseers of the
poor, and support their own poor apart from the townships of Mount Pleasant and East Huntingdon. Samuel Shupe and Abraham
Shallenberger were overseers until the spring election of 1846.
There is no definite origin of the name Mount Pleasant except that it was called that because of its pleasant and commanding location.
However, as early as 1774 the Redstone Presbytery organized the Mount Pleasant Church which was located about 2 miles from the
present town. It is probable that the town took it's name from this historic old church.
a house was erected there by Michael Smith and he was licensed to keep a public inn in 1793.
Andrew McCready laid out the town on land he purchased from Nathaniel Marshall on August 28, 1797. In 1876 N.B. Critchfield attempted
to gather a comprehensive history of the town. Most of what he found out was based on the recollections of older inhabitants, and only
back to about 1810. At that time there were about 34 log houses in the village. The first brick house in Mount Pleasant was built in 1812
and in later years was occupied as a store-room, known as Isaac Stauffer's.
The names of some of the oldest citizen's that he recalled were; Michael Smith, Alexander McCready, Charles Fulwood, Esq., William
Hunter, Conrad Keister, William Cherry, Clement Burleigh, Esq., William Anderson, James Lippincott, Rev. James Estep, John Connell,
William Flynn, and David Hunter.
The town was on one of the main thoroughfares between the East and the West; the old road was known as the Glade and was built by
the state. It was the main highway from Somerset to West Newton and then to Pittsburgh. The road was improved regularly and in time
was transformed into the turnpike. The Somerset and Mount Pleasant Turnpike Company was formed with the Honorable John Lobingier
as president. The town depended on this road for commercial communication with other parts of the country until the railroads took its
place.
Mount Pleasant was incorporated on February 7, 1828. The first election was held in the house of Robert Hitchman. That first election took
place in May 1828 when Abraham Shallenberger was elected Chief Burgess, and Jesse Lippincott, Assistant Burgess. Councilmen
elected were; Jacob Rubert, Rev. Samuel Wakefield, Robert Hitchman, Jacob Kern, and John Hosler. David Fullwood was elected
Secretary and John Hitchman, Treasurer.
An act of Assembly passed in 1845 allowed incorporated parts of the borough of Mount Pleasant to choose their own overseers of the
poor, and support their own poor apart from the townships of Mount Pleasant and East Huntingdon. Samuel Shupe and Abraham
Shallenberger were overseers until the spring election of 1846.
There is no definite origin of the name Mount Pleasant except that it was called that because of its pleasant and commanding location.
However, as early as 1774 the Redstone Presbytery organized the Mount Pleasant Church which was located about 2 miles from the
present town. It is probable that the town took it's name from this historic old church.
| R&R STATION |
| NEMACOLIN CASTLE |
Nemacolin Castle is located off the National Road, US 40, in Brownsville, Pennsylvania.
Nemacolin Castle is named after Nemacolin, a Native American who helped the white settlers move west along what is today the
National Road.
Nemacolin Castle was built by the Bowman family. It started out as a small building that was used as a trading post along the
Monongahela River in 1789. Nelson Bowman, who was a member of the 2nd generation of the Bowman family to live in the house, built
onto the original building to create the structure as it is today. The house is rumored to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.
There are many secret hiding spaces in the house, however, there is no documentation to prove that it actually was a part of the
Underground Railroad.
Nemacolin Castle is supposedly very haunted. There are at least ten ghosts that have been seen during tours. All of the ghosts are
friendly. Sometimes they show themselves, other times people just feel cold spots, hear unexplainable sounds, see movement out of the
corner of their eyes, or catch orbs on film. Two of the ghosts that are often seen are Elizabeth, a "prim and proper" lady, and Mary, a seven
year old girl with dark, curly hair.
Nemacolin Castle is named after Nemacolin, a Native American who helped the white settlers move west along what is today the
National Road.
Nemacolin Castle was built by the Bowman family. It started out as a small building that was used as a trading post along the
Monongahela River in 1789. Nelson Bowman, who was a member of the 2nd generation of the Bowman family to live in the house, built
onto the original building to create the structure as it is today. The house is rumored to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.
There are many secret hiding spaces in the house, however, there is no documentation to prove that it actually was a part of the
Underground Railroad.
Nemacolin Castle is supposedly very haunted. There are at least ten ghosts that have been seen during tours. All of the ghosts are
friendly. Sometimes they show themselves, other times people just feel cold spots, hear unexplainable sounds, see movement out of the
corner of their eyes, or catch orbs on film. Two of the ghosts that are often seen are Elizabeth, a "prim and proper" lady, and Mary, a seven
year old girl with dark, curly hair.
First Floor- A waitress and a dishwasher both saw the image of a little girl standing near the cash register area by the front window. When
confronted, the spirited child moved into the center hall. The waitress gave chase while the dishwasher ran the opposite direction through
the kitchen to the other end of the hall. A local milkman was killed one morning on his usual route as he attempted to step inside the
restaurant. The brakes failed on a truck further up Main Street, sending the vehicle crashing into the R&R. Witnesses report seeing a
ghostly image stepping inside the restaurant and sitting at the first booth. Something odd caught Sherry Wingrove's attention late one night
as she cleaned the restaurant. Looking over a railing into a staircase leading to the lower level bar, she noticed a young boy. After a brief
second look at the apparition, she fled the room. Guests often report the sounds of children playing in the halls.Second Floor- The Victorian
Lady appears to be all dressed up and ready to go out on the town - but apparently she never leaves the building. Guests have reported the
elegant woman moving up and down the hall. She even knocks on doors when she's in a playful mood. Some think that she may have
been stood up by a potential suitor. More than one former hotel owner just won't go away. This early 20th century man made his fortune
during the time he owned the R&R and some say you can still see and hear him checking on his property, or perhaps checking up on the
current owners. He frequents Room # 8. Another former owner coincidentally seems to occupy the same room - # 8. Legend tells us that
he grew old in the hotel and passed away in bed. The same character, as a younger man, also haunts other areas of the hotel as he locks
a teenage daughter in a top floor room instead of institutionalizing her. Female guests occupying Room # 7 frequently report being touched
by an unseen man - one the hotel has appropriately nicnamed, the Groper. If you're in bed with your spouse, you may feel light touches. But
this ghost gets a little more aggressive if you're alone - so make sure those bed sheets are pulled tight for the night. The Top Hat Man and
his friend, Sarah, occupy Room # 2. The Top Hat Man can also be seen in the halls and coming down the stairs. Apparently Sarah comes
to visit him in his room. Room visitors report the feeling of someone staring at them; well, maybe two entities staring.Third Floor- A psychic
told the owners that a mob boss was murdered in Room 16 by the bathroom door. This is the room where the mob boss apparently met up
with a guy now known as the Snitch - who set the murder in motion it is believed during a meeting with two hit men in the hotel bar. Room
17 is where it is believed that one of the hotel owners locked up his teenage daughter. Instead of institutionalizing the young woman, it is
believed he kept her in this room. Many reports of banging and knocking are reported from Room 17. Guests staying in Room 15, also
known as the Portal Room, report some very odd things going on. Hotel owner Sherry Wingrove says a psychic told her there is a portal
area in the bathroom which allows ghosts to come and go. Open the old trunk, also in the bathroom, and it's always cold. At least two
children can be heard playing loudly in the third floor hallway - running up and down and sometimes bouncing a ball. Some report hearing
the sounds from the lobby area near the stairs. When hotel owner Sherry Wingrove checks out the disturbance, no one is ever around.
Lower Level- The Lower Level at the R&R can be accessed in three ways. The locals step inside from the rear door at the parking lot and
into the bar. There are also two interior staircases from the first level.Hotel Owner Sherry Wingrove has accumulated many tales from the
bar area and the storage room from both patrons and employees.Sightings and strange sounds and footsteps are heard frequently in this
area.
confronted, the spirited child moved into the center hall. The waitress gave chase while the dishwasher ran the opposite direction through
the kitchen to the other end of the hall. A local milkman was killed one morning on his usual route as he attempted to step inside the
restaurant. The brakes failed on a truck further up Main Street, sending the vehicle crashing into the R&R. Witnesses report seeing a
ghostly image stepping inside the restaurant and sitting at the first booth. Something odd caught Sherry Wingrove's attention late one night
as she cleaned the restaurant. Looking over a railing into a staircase leading to the lower level bar, she noticed a young boy. After a brief
second look at the apparition, she fled the room. Guests often report the sounds of children playing in the halls.Second Floor- The Victorian
Lady appears to be all dressed up and ready to go out on the town - but apparently she never leaves the building. Guests have reported the
elegant woman moving up and down the hall. She even knocks on doors when she's in a playful mood. Some think that she may have
been stood up by a potential suitor. More than one former hotel owner just won't go away. This early 20th century man made his fortune
during the time he owned the R&R and some say you can still see and hear him checking on his property, or perhaps checking up on the
current owners. He frequents Room # 8. Another former owner coincidentally seems to occupy the same room - # 8. Legend tells us that
he grew old in the hotel and passed away in bed. The same character, as a younger man, also haunts other areas of the hotel as he locks
a teenage daughter in a top floor room instead of institutionalizing her. Female guests occupying Room # 7 frequently report being touched
by an unseen man - one the hotel has appropriately nicnamed, the Groper. If you're in bed with your spouse, you may feel light touches. But
this ghost gets a little more aggressive if you're alone - so make sure those bed sheets are pulled tight for the night. The Top Hat Man and
his friend, Sarah, occupy Room # 2. The Top Hat Man can also be seen in the halls and coming down the stairs. Apparently Sarah comes
to visit him in his room. Room visitors report the feeling of someone staring at them; well, maybe two entities staring.Third Floor- A psychic
told the owners that a mob boss was murdered in Room 16 by the bathroom door. This is the room where the mob boss apparently met up
with a guy now known as the Snitch - who set the murder in motion it is believed during a meeting with two hit men in the hotel bar. Room
17 is where it is believed that one of the hotel owners locked up his teenage daughter. Instead of institutionalizing the young woman, it is
believed he kept her in this room. Many reports of banging and knocking are reported from Room 17. Guests staying in Room 15, also
known as the Portal Room, report some very odd things going on. Hotel owner Sherry Wingrove says a psychic told her there is a portal
area in the bathroom which allows ghosts to come and go. Open the old trunk, also in the bathroom, and it's always cold. At least two
children can be heard playing loudly in the third floor hallway - running up and down and sometimes bouncing a ball. Some report hearing
the sounds from the lobby area near the stairs. When hotel owner Sherry Wingrove checks out the disturbance, no one is ever around.
Lower Level- The Lower Level at the R&R can be accessed in three ways. The locals step inside from the rear door at the parking lot and
into the bar. There are also two interior staircases from the first level.Hotel Owner Sherry Wingrove has accumulated many tales from the
bar area and the storage room from both patrons and employees.Sightings and strange sounds and footsteps are heard frequently in this
area.