| Western Massachusetts: Bershire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire County |
| Haunted Sites |
| Other Crossroad Material |
| This site is currently under construction. If you know of any haunted sites in these counties or have experienced something yourself, please e-mail us at: alosa1066@masscrossroads.com Please return later... |
| Mt. Greylock-The Old Coot or the Ghost of Greylock
Both these names have been given to a mysterious stranger seen by hikers and campers in the area. He is described as looking unkempt and sometimes insane, but will vanish when spoken to or when an attempt is made to photograph him. His appearance is attached to a legend about a man lost during the Civil War. He was thought dead, and when he returned he found his wife had remarried. Distraught, but not wanting to disturb her new life, he moved into the woods and lived there until he died, only coming into town to find day work or buy supplies. North Adams-Hoosac Tunnel It should be noted, this site is off limits to investigators. This is not because of the paranormal activity, but because this is still an active railway tunnel and if you are in it when the train comes it is almost impossible to get avoid getting killed!!! This is another sight that might do better in a legend section because this railroad tunnel built in the 1860's has been the stuff of rumors even before it was finished. Hoosac means "forbidden" to the Native American tribes in the area. The five mile stretch of tunnel which is in North Adams and Florida had trouble being built from the beginning, becoming the centerpiece in the rocky political climate in Massachusetts. was the sight of two deaths by explosion which killed two men while it was being built. The man who accidentally killed the man choked in the tunnel exactly one year later. Reports of other accidents differ. Several involved the Central Shaft which lowered and raised workers with only a rope. One time a drill fell and impaled a worker. Another time a fall killed another. On October 17, 1867 an explosion killed 13 miners in the shaft, most not being raised later when the bodies floated to the surface, and some not until two days later. Some had built a raft to survive the water only to have their lives taken by the heavy smoke. A worker lowered during the onset of the tragedy was raised up the shaft, almost dead from the smoke. His only words upon seeing the situation below was, "No hope.” There have been sightings of men going to work in the snow and then finding no men or footprints. In the tunnel lights, like those given off by lanterns can be seen with no one holding such a lantern and moans are heard. There have also been attacks by unseen perpetrators and a headless man who walks the rail. Rob contacted us and wanted to pass on the following comments about the activity. The tunnel was completed in 1877 and has been in constant use ever since. The number of deaths in and around the tunnel is actually somewhere close to 200, but that was pretty good for the time because of the less than OSHA approved work ethics of the time. There were large explosions, roof collapses, etc. that all happened during construction. Also in the center of the tunnel is a 400 foot ventilation shaft that runs from the top of the mountain, down into the tunnel. There were a few reports of workers falling down the shaft, and one report of a razor sharp drill bit which fell down the shaft and went right through a worker below. People that have walked into the tunnel say that they have seen odd lights from within the tunnel. Just to set the record straight on this one, there are 3 electric train signals similar to large traffic lights inside the tunnel, they let the train crew know the position of the switch tracks on either end of the tunnel, the lights are always on, but they change colors when the switch tracks are thrown or if there's another train in the area. After hearing about the possibilities of it being haunted, I went out there one night to take a look, I walked about 20 feet into the tunnel when a cop came in and told me to get out of there. I explained to him how was curious to see if the tunnel's haunted. His words were "I haven't heard anything about ghosts in the tunnel, but if there are any, we don't need any more created by people walking into the tunnel and getting run over by a train". The east end of the tunnel is easily accessible, and the cops don't seem to mind as much as long as you stay away from the tracks. The west end isn't really accessible without trespassing. Howland-Goss Secure Treatment This is another location suggested by old students of mind, although I have not had any staff back up claims. It is another treatment center for young men in DYS, although there seems to be more disturbed kids that come from there. There are a lot of sex offenders, arsonists and drug abusers. Several of my students reported figures in the room at night and noises coming from empty rooms. Two reported waking and seeing their door, locked every night, open. I take his with a grain of salt, but the reports seem genuine. Many students questioned new residents from Goss when they first arrived to see if they had experienced anything. West Springfield-Piccadilly Pub This restaurant in West Springfield was originally opened in 1829 under the direction of Charles Ashley and known as the Ashley house. It has changed names and owners over the past two 176 years, but the one constant has been the paranormal activity. People have seen unexplained mist and faint figures in the basement and the sound of footsteps can be heard throughout the building after hours. The ghost of one old owner, Mr. Vincent has been seen, heard, felt and smelt. Granville State Forest The ghost of a 11 year old boy who died in 1854 can sometimes be seen on the paths. Mt Holyoke College There is a ghost that haunts Pearson’s Hall on the campus of the college. Students experience odd temperature changes, have their sheets ripped of, and a few have seen object move by themselves. Amherst-UMass The campus of UMass Amherst is full of ghost stories and legends and even offers a tour of it morbid history. Some of the stories include a ghostly bell toller, a unsettled librarian and a two fighting chiefs. Although most feel more like legend than actual hauntings, writer Jamie Loo offers an excellent directory of the hauntings in his article for the Collegian entitled “UMass Urban Legends.” |