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Baltimore: An unexpected treasure trove of paranormal mysteries
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Many would assume that because Baltimore is not famous for its hauntings, that it is not an exciting paranormal destination. Haunted places, however, can be found virtually everywhere, and Baltimore is no exception. While Colonial Williamsburg and Gettysburg may be more famous for their ghost stories, Baltimoreans don’t have to go far from their own backyards to find spirits.
Locations steeped in history, especially those that have seen much suffering and death, tend to attract more ghosts. For this reason, many of Baltimore’s historical sites, including Fort McHenry, the Constellation (a submarine permanently parked in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor), and even parts of Fells Point and Ellicott City are reported by locals to be haunted.
Perhaps the most famous Baltimore ghost story relates to one of its most famous former residents. Edgar Allan Poe has always had a reputation of being a kooky, spooky guy, and his house and the graveyard where he was laid to rest seem to be accordingly haunted. There is some debate as to the identity of the Poe toaster, the figure who leaves roses and cognac at Poe’s gravesite every year on his birthday. Whether this is a paranormal entity or a very much alive Poe fan, it is not the only mysterious event in this small churchyard cemetery. Poe’s house is also said to be home to a female ghost, thought to have been Poe’s relative.
Another legend that is fairly well-known to locals is that of Black Aggie. This statue, which stood at the grave of General Felix Agnus in Druid Ridge Cemetery in Pikesville, allegedly killed anyone who dared to spend the night in its arms. Legend also held that the statue’s eyes glowed eerily at midnight, and would blind whoever had the misfortune of looking into them. But don’t run off to see the infamous statue for yourself quite yet. The statue was moved to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, in the 1960’s before purportedly disappearing, and its present location is not certain.
Whether these legends are fact, stretched truth, or fiction, they have long given Baltimoreans stories to tell when gathered around a campfire late at night. Though belief in the paranormal is a personal decision, one thing is certain: humans will always be fascinated with the unknown, and the afterlife, perhaps the greatest unknown of all, is no exception.
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