Monsters, Madness and Mayhem: The Haunts of Newark
Behind the masks, the fake blood and iconic Halloween soundtrack that plays all season long, comes ample amounts of folklore, stories and urban legends that all of the “spooky season” favorites stem from.
New Jersey is no stranger to its urban legends. From sightings of the Jersey Devil, to ghost children and even the spirit of a former mob hitman, these legends keep the mysteries of New Jersey alive. But who would have thought of a ghost train coming alive once a month when the clock struck midnight?
The legend originated during the 1870s, where on the 10th of every month, a ghost train passes through the Broad Street Station in Newark, never stopping to pick up any travelers. Supposedly, the train is said to be driven by an engineer who was killed on those very tracks in 1868.
During the 1870s, spectators reported hearing the trains whistle and the wheels screeching against the rails as the invisible train flew by. On one particular occasion, nearly 600 individuals witnessed the Newark ghost train speeding through the station. The train has coined the name “Express Train to Hell,” leaving many happy it has not yet stopped to pick up any unlucky passengers.
According to the Newark Courier, supernatural enthusiasts wait on the 10th day of every month to hear the ghost train screeching through the station. Generally, the train is never heard.
This isn’t the only story of ghostly sightings in Newark. “The Lady in White” is a legend that stems from tragedy and is similar to other legends from around the world.
In the 1940’s, a newly wedded couple left their wedding reception to begin their honeymoon in upstate New York. As the groom drove him and his wife through the countryside at night, he realized that the road was a lot more menacing and harder to see without the sunlight guiding him. His wife felt an unsettling feeling in her gut that something wasn’t right, but decided to keep the peace and not worry her husband on their wedding night. The groom kept finding himself driving in circles, feeling himself growing more and more tired the more he continued to drive. Soon, the bride fell asleep and the groom began to doze. Without realizing, the groom fell asleep and crashed the car into a tree.
When the police arrived at the scene of the crash the next day, they found the deceased body of the groom pinned inside the car. Yet, even after much searching, the body of the young bride was never found. The “scene of the crime” occurred at Branch Brook Park in Newark, where visitors often flock to see the cherry blossom trees in addition to the Lady in White. While the tree where the accident occured is now cut down, on a rainy or stormy night, drivers can see a ghostly image of a woman crossing the street.
Have you seen any ghosts lurking around the streets of Newark? Let us know!
Featured image courtesy of: rsilva444