Horrifying haunts in Maryland

Maryland has a very rich history, and with great history comes great hauntings. From a great author’s resting place to an iconic horror movie’s filming location, there are lots of spooky places to check out in Maryland this Halloween, and I visited a couple to see if the local legends were really true.

Edgar Allan Poe’s Grave

Edgar Allan Poe is one of America’s greatest writers, known for his short stories and his iconic poem, “The Raven.” Poe spent quite a bit of time in Baltimore and is buried there in the Westminster Hall. The circumstances of his death are shrouded in mystery, but he was last reported seen drunk at “The Horse You Came in On Saloon,” another place to visit on this list.

The grounds are beautiful, though unfortunately, the church itself is not open to the public. There are plaques throughout the cemetery that inform visitors about the owners of the graves, and some of them include interesting information about the burial trends at the times of their deaths. 

There’s a general sense of malaise you might feel while visiting, but I visited during the day, so it wasn’t super spooky. At Poe’s grave, however, there were a few mysterious black feathers strewn about – evidence of a spirit’s visit, perhaps?

Edgar Allan Poe's Grave

Photo: The memorial to Edgar Allan Poe at Westminster Hall.

The memorial to Edgar Allan Poe at Westminster Hall. Photo courtesy of Josey Merolli.

The Horse You Came in On Saloon

The Horse You Came in On Saloon is Baltimore’s oldest saloon, and the only bar in Maryland that existed before, during and after Prohibition. It was established in 1775 and has been a popular hangout spot in Baltimore since.

In 2019, it was named the most haunted restaurant in Maryland by the Food Network. The Horse was the last place Edgar Allan Poe was seen before his death. Patrons have reported seeing Poe’s ghost walking the nearby streets on his way to the saloon, and have even spotted him inside the restaurant. Floating orbs of light can be seen by the bar, and bartenders will leave out a glass of cognac for the ghost of Poe.

It was definitely the spookiest place that I visited, and I could feel something brush the back of my neck as I wandered around.

Admiral Fell Inn

The Admiral Fell Inn is only a block away from the Saloon, so you can check both out in one trip if you’d like. Though the inside of the Inn is very pretty, it has a dark history. 

In the early 1900s, Fell’s Point – where the inn is located – was a hotspot for crime. Originally, the Inn was a Christian boarding house called the Anchorage, which housed sick sailors. Nuns would take care of the sailors, but without the help of modern medicine, many of them passed away despite the nuns' best efforts. The building only became Admiral Fell Inn in 1985, which is when other guests began to visit. 

Guests have reported seeing floating sailors or butlers on their visits. At times when the hotel is empty, owners claim they’ve heard ghostly parties going on in the upstairs floors. Though I didn’t see any spirits, it was definitely interesting learning about the history of the hotel. The hotel doesn’t try to hide its spooky history, even offering its own Admiral’s Historic Ghost Tour.

Coffin Rock in Seneca Creek State Park

If you’ve ever seen The Blair Witch Project, you’ll recognize this name. Though not “really” haunted, Coffin Rock in Seneca Creek State Park is still cool to check out if you’re a horror buff. 

In the film, this is where Heather, Josh and Michael were last seen before disappearing to search for the witch. According to the legend in the film, it’s also where the bodies of a search party were found, tied together and disemboweled, before mysteriously disappearing. 

The surrounding woods are beautiful, and though it’s off the official trail, enough people have visited the rock that they’ve beaten down a path and it’s pretty easy to find. To find it, drive down to Black Rock Mill, cross the street to find the trailhead sign for Seneca Ridge Trail, look to your left and cut down to the bank, then follow the fisherman's trail until you find the rock. 

Though I didn’t encounter the Blair Witch on my visit, I did find some of the stickmen from the movie hanging in the trees by Coffin Rock. If you visit, make sure you start your walk back before it gets dark, as you don’t want to get lost in the woods

With Halloween just around the corner, definitely check these haunted places out if you’re interested in spooky stuff!