Did you know that one of the most haunted places in the world is right here in Delaware? Yes, I’m talking about the Fort that hosted your school field trips. Fort Delaware is so creepy that it was featured on the TV show Ghost Hunters, and real-life ghost hunters take to the Fort every fall to bring people on a paranormal tour of the grounds.
Fort Delaware was built on Pea Patch Island just after the war of 1812, when Americans realized the strategic location of this harbor island.
Facebook / Fort Delaware State Park Officially, construction of the Fort on the island began in 1817. There were several modifications throughout the years, and the present day Fort was constructed between 1848 and 1860.
For years, the Fort was used as military barracks and a headquarters in the valuable Delaware Bay, protecting the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia.
Facebook / Fort Delaware State Park The Civil War delayed some construction, but by 1866 there were over 150 large guns mounted to defend the fort.
During the Civil War, the fort was used as a confederate prison, and the horrors that unfolded here are unspeakable.
Facebook / Fort Delaware State Park The guards entertained themselves by throwing live rats to starving prisoners and watching the prisoners fight over them, and 2,500 died. Most of the deaths were caused by illness, and the cramped conditions and poor nutrition offered to the prisoners were big contributing factors.
Most days, you can tour Fort Delaware and learn about the island’s history.
Facebook / Diamond State Ghost Investigators During the daytime tours, you can explore the grounds of the island, see the guns up close, and see what life was like on a military base in the past.
This October, though, you can take your tour one step further. Diamond State Ghost Investigators is hosting a 5-hour-long overnight paranormal investigation at the fort.
Facebook / Diamond State Ghost Investigators For decades, Delawareans have known that Fort Delaware is one of the most haunted places in the country, and now you can experience it for yourself.
Are you brave enough to walk the halls after the sun has gone down?
Facebook / Fort Delaware State Park Some of the haunted happenings at Fort Delaware include loud cannon sounds, chilly bursts of hair, unclasped necklaces and strange jingles carrying through the halls.
The 5-hour investigation starts at 9:30 PM, so you’ll be exploring in the dark.
Facebook / Diamond State Ghost Investigators Walk through the mess hall, officers’ kitchen, ordnance room area, officers’ quarters, and west end of Endicott, keeping an eye and an ear out for anything out of the ordinary. Your team leaders will have EMFs, data recorders, and temperature sensors that will help pinpoint where spirits may be.
If you don’t believe in ghosts, you’re sure to have a change of heart after five hours in a dark, abandoned, haunted prison fort.
Facebook / Fort Delaware State Park
The extended paranormal investigation tours are offered on October 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, & 27. The ferry departs at 9:30 p.m. sharp, and guests must be at least 13 years of age to participate. You’ll want to make your reservations well in advance (read: way before October!), and you can do that right here.
Facebook / Fort Delaware State Park
Officially, construction of the Fort on the island began in 1817. There were several modifications throughout the years, and the present day Fort was constructed between 1848 and 1860.
The Civil War delayed some construction, but by 1866 there were over 150 large guns mounted to defend the fort.
The guards entertained themselves by throwing live rats to starving prisoners and watching the prisoners fight over them, and 2,500 died. Most of the deaths were caused by illness, and the cramped conditions and poor nutrition offered to the prisoners were big contributing factors.
Facebook / Diamond State Ghost Investigators
During the daytime tours, you can explore the grounds of the island, see the guns up close, and see what life was like on a military base in the past.
For decades, Delawareans have known that Fort Delaware is one of the most haunted places in the country, and now you can experience it for yourself.
Some of the haunted happenings at Fort Delaware include loud cannon sounds, chilly bursts of hair, unclasped necklaces and strange jingles carrying through the halls.
Walk through the mess hall, officers’ kitchen, ordnance room area, officers’ quarters, and west end of Endicott, keeping an eye and an ear out for anything out of the ordinary. Your team leaders will have EMFs, data recorders, and temperature sensors that will help pinpoint where spirits may be.
For more of the best Delaware ghost tales, read The 8 Best Places To Spot A Ghost In Delaware.
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