In honor of Friday the 13th, here's a list of some strange local lore.
It's Friday the 13th, which means the superstitious best be wary.
In the spirit of the day, we asked local historian Len Buscemi to share stories of some of the Lehigh Valley's spookier spots, and added in a few of our own.
"Hexenkopf, History, Healing and Hexerei" by Ned Heindel1. Hexenkopf Rock
This spot in Williams Township -- off Hexenkopf Road, of course -- translates to "witch's head." Stories abound of Native American rituals and evil spirits and cursed farmers. The Haunted Easton Tours website says a woman was sentenced to stand in the Centre Square pillory for six hours four times a year for bewitching a farmer's horse. "This area has been known for witchcraft for over two centuries," Buscemi said. "Hexenkopf Rock gained a reputation as a repository for evil, a residence of demons and witches. The superstitions had their roots in folk medical practice."
2. The (former) Black Horse Tavern
(lehighvalleylive.com file photo)Also in Williams Township is a restaurant supposedly haunted by the ghost of murdered mobster Johnny "The Wop." The establishment on Route 611 is now Stemie's Place. "The legend is Johnny is staying there guarding a large sum of money that was hidden before he was gunned down," Buscemi said. Another ghost, that of a young boy, has also been reported, he said.
3. The Easton Area Public Library
(Sue Beyer | lehighvalleylive.com file photo) The library was built on a graveyard, and all of the graves were to be moved before construction, Buscemi said. But were they? "Over the years several individuals have said they see an image of a woman wondering around the inside and outside of the library," Buscemi said. "Employees on the second floor have heard drawers of filing cabinet's open and closing when no other person was there."
4. Getter's Island
The 1833 hanging of Charles Getter for the murder of his wife was a public spectacle, according to Buscemi and Easton Haunted Tours. He was marched down Northampton Street to the island, and thousands apparently watched. "They lined the Northampton Street Covered Bridge and both Easton and Phillipsburg shore lines. It had a carnival-type atmosphere" Buscemi said. The first rope broke, but Getter died on the second attempt.
5. The State Theatre
(lehighvalleylive.com file photo)As the Freddy Awards are doled out, take some time to remember their namesake: J. Fred Osterstock, pictured above. He was the manager of the Easton theater for many years. "As a youngster, I remember seeing him there. He ran a tight ship -- no funny business or goofing off," Buscemi said. "Many State employees and volunteers and some patrons swear they have seen Fred wandering about the theater." A 2009 Express-Times expedition to find Fred's ghost was, well, inconclusive.
6. A church?
(Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com)A ghost supposedly hangs around the First Presbyterian Church on Spring Garden Street in Easton. "The legend goes that Dame Winton was murdered by a jealous wife at the ... parsonage next to the church," Buscemi said.
7. Anywhere in Blairstown
(lehighvalleylive.com file photo)On Friday the 13th, anyway. The northern Warren County township and some surrounding areas were the locations used to film the original 1980 "Friday the 13th" movie. Fans of the horror flick still come to see familiar landmarks, especially when the date rolls around.
8. Princess Doe's grave
(Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com)There's nothing supernatural about this spot, but it is surrounded by mystery. The body of a still-unidentified young woman was found in 1982, bludgeoned to death in a Blairstown Township cemetery. Nicknamed "Princess Doe," she was one of the first widely publicized lost children and the case became nationally known. Her grave is well-cared for and various trinkets have been left there.
Have any ghost stories of your own? Share them in the comments below.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.