Believe it or not, the dead are alive in central New Jersey, especially in northern Somerset County. The question is not whether they are real or not, but rather whether they are disturbing or friendly. As we share, the Mr. Local History Project is looking for the public to share their paranormal experiences at the end of this story.
5. Jersey Devil -The 13th Scorned Freak Child – Pine Barrens, New Jersey
The Jersey Devil is one of the most famous urban legends in American folklore, particularly in New Jersey. According to the tale, the creature was born in the early 18th century to a woman named Mrs. Leeds, who was said to have been cursed with a thirteenth child.
Upon discovering she was pregnant with a thirteenth child, she allegedly exclaimed, “Let this one be a devil!“ When the child was born, it was said to transform into a terrifying creature with the head of a goat, bat-like wings, and a long, forked tail.
The newborn quickly flew out of the window, disappearing into the Pine Barrens, a vast forested area in southern New Jersey. Since then, countless sightings of the Jersey Devil have been reported. Locals describe eerie noises in the woods, strange footprints, and glimpses of the creature darting through the trees. Some say it has a blood-curdling screech that can send chills down your spine. Over the years, the legend of the Jersey Devil has become a part of local culture, inspiring stories, films, and even sports teams.
Whether viewed as a myth or a true creature, the Jersey Devil remains a haunting figure, embodying the mysterious and supernatural aspects of the Pine Barrens. But it did get named after New Jersey’s NHL hockey team!
4. Devil’s Tree & The Deadly Caretaker – Liberty Corner, New Jersey
Farmer gone mad – under the spell of the tree – defended the tree with his white pickup truck. Killed his family and burned down his house. His spirit still guards the Devil’s Tree.
If you aren’t afraid of some bad karma, the Devil’s Tree in Bernards Township is said to be cursed. Anyone who disrespects the tree will have harm come to them. The lone oak tree comes with different legends, including that it was the site of a farmer who hanged himself after killing his family, and anyone who attempts to cut down the tree will find themselves coming to an untimely end.
He has been said to drive a white pickup truck around the area over the hillside grass and drive recklessly towards anyone who attempts to desecrate the tree and the devil portal. Some say that in the winter, the ground beneath the tree is free from snow, while a nearby boulder named “Heat Rock” is always warm to the touch, no matter the season, and is rumored to be a portal to Hell.
3. Ghost Portal – Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster, New Jersey
On a tour of the Trump estate, the Estate manager, David Schutzenhofer, invited me to spend the afternoon with the Trump property. David was a great guy and very knowledgeable about the history of the home and some of the people who once lived on the estate.
He showed me around the building once owned by John Delorian and his 4th wife, Christina Ferrara (divorced in 1985). In the 19th century, the area was owned by the Cowperthwaite family. The original farmhouse was one of the biggest in the area for over a century. We shared stories about the history of the property and the area, of which there are many. Then David asked if I wanted to see the ghost portal. I was taken back a bit and looked at him with this quirky smile and said, “Sure, I do.” So he brought me past Delorian’s son Zach’s bedroom and right down a short hallway to a closet door. We’re both standing outside the door, and he says, “Here it is.” I was like…. Okay, now tell me the story.”
Word has it that many guests who have been allowed upstairs at night have actually seen “multiple—up to 3 servers at a time carrying trays from the portal door up and down the hallway into the bar area and sitting room upstairs. They roam, stop, continue to roam, then walk back through the portal door and are gone. No noise, no harm, very well behaved.
I asked him to come back again at night when no one was upstairs, and he said Sure. I did, and I honestly can say I didn’t see any ghosts, but I twice felt a VERY COLD breeze of air come through my body. You be the judge.
2. Dr. Moldenke and His Castle – Warren, New Jersey
One of the most popular ghost tales from Warren, New Jersey, is about the ghost of Dr. Moldenke himself, who is said to haunt the grounds of his former castle area. Visitors have reported seeing a shadowy figure and hearing strange noises, especially near the old laboratory and mausoleum. Some believe that the ghost is still conducting experiments or guarding his beloved castle.
Moldenke Castle, also known as Castle Elisnore, in the Watchung section of Warren, NJ, has a fascinating and eerie history. Built in 1900 by Dr. Richard Moldenke, a metallurgist, the castle was modeled after the Moldenke family castle in Denmark. It stood as a grand structure with 35 to 40 rooms, including a laboratory, a mausoleum with 21 crypts, and even a Civil War cannon.
The castle was abandoned and fell into disrepair over the years. In 1969, a mysterious fire gutted the building, and arson was suspected due to the strong smell of kerosene and open fuel oil tanks. The ruins of the castle have since been a source of controversy.
1. Chinqueka, the Chimney Rock Ghost – Bridgewater, New Jersey
There are indeed some local legends and folklore about paranormal activity around Chimney Rock in Bridgewater, NJ. One of the most notable stories involves sightings of ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena. People have reported seeing mysterious lights, hearing strange noises, and even encountering ghostly figures in the area.
The Chimney Rock Spirit, also known as Chinqueka, is a local legend associated with the Chimney Rock section of New Jersey, in the Bridgewater Gap. The story typically revolves around the ghost of a woman who is believed to haunt the area, often described as wearing a white dress. According to the legend, Chinqueka met her untimely death at or near Chimney Rock, and her spirit is said to haunt the area. This tale takes us back to the 16th century. Chinqueka, an Algonquin word for Goldfinch, was the daughter of the tribal leader of the Leni Lenape tribe, which had settled near Bound Brook in the Raritan Valley.
It is said that on a hunting trip in the Ramapo Mountains, Chinqueka and the Lenape hunting warriors crossed paths with a Prince from the nearby Manhattan tribe. The two groups continued to hunt in unison and actually became close. The leader of the Lenape tribe became friends with the Prince on the trip and ultimately bequeathed his daughter to Chinqueka. It didn’t seem to matter to the Chief that he had previously bequeathed his daughter to a local Lenape warrior back in Bound Brook. His name was Manassamitt.
When they returned to Bound Brook, the Prince and Chinqueka would often escape the tribe and go for long walks in the First Watchung mountain area, and Chimney Rock was a beautiful lookout to visit. But not this time.
While the prince was atop Chimney Rock waiting for Chinqueka, he didn’t know he was being followed by Manassamitt. Manassamitt was so enraged that he had lost Chinqueka, he attacked the Prince, bludgeoning him to death and throwing him off the Chimney Rock cliff into the Raritan Valley below. When Chinqueka arrived and saw what had happened, her sorrow was so strong that she threw herself off the cliff to her death below.
When word got back to the Manhattan tribe about the Prince and Chinqueka’s deaths, the two tribes declared war that lasted for years. Those who visit Chimney Rock have noted ghostly sightings, shrieks of screams, and the sounds of a crying woman near the site. Have to admit, I wouldn’t go near that cliff’s edge if I heard such sounds!
The Haunted Tour Map
Have a tale to share about the Jersey Horrors in Central New Jersey?
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Supposedly, Mead Hall at Drew University is haunted. Before the campus Safety office moved to a newly built building, night operator/dispatchers had some “odd” occurances.
Thanks for the tip. We’ll investigate!!!!