3 real life haunted places in Monmouth County to visit this Halloween

By:  | September 27, 2024 |  |  Monmouth County

By Ryan Loughlin

It’s October, and of course it’s not hard to find haunted attractions at every turn. Hayrides, haunted houses and other pretend scares are plentiful this time of year, but sometimes a guy in a Michael Myers mask jumping out at you with a plastic knife just isn’t enough.

For those in search of some true-to-life scares, here are a few real-life places in Monmouth County that have been rumored to be haunted by actual ghosts. Visit them … if you dare.

The Spy House, Middletown

(photo credit: Craig Johnson)

Arguably the best-known house on this list for fans of the paranormal, The Spy House has been featured everywhere from TV shows to local publications such as Weird NJ and is often referred to as “the most haunted house in America.”

Located in Port Monmouth, the house is part of Bayshore Waterfront Park (where it’s known by its proper name — the Seabrook-Wilson House). Originally constructed as a small cabin in 1720, the house has been the recipient of many additions over the years, but its notoriety comes from the legend that at one point during the revolutionary war, the innkeeper used the house as a tavern and would often host British troops, getting them to reveal secrets while under the influence of a few too many drinks. Hence the nickname of “The Spy House” was born.

Much of the ghostly reputation of the property stems from the tales of Gertrude Neidlinger, a former caretaker who would give tours and spin yarns of a macabre nature. Though many doubt the validity of her stories, sightings of a paranormal nature have been reported by many folks, both from inside the house and through the windows while standing outside. Ghostly apparitions of a young boy in an upstairs window and rocking chairs moving on their own from unseen forces are just a few of the chilling sitings that have been reported. The Spy House is located at 119 Port Monmouth Road in Port Monmouth.

The Allen House, Shrewsbury

Built in 1710, the Allen House sits at the Four Corners intersection at Broad Street and Sycamore Avenue in Shrewsbury. In 1754, the house was sold and re-opened as the Blue Ball Tavern, the same moniker it was known as in 1779 when it was occupied by traveling soldiers from the Continental Army during the revolutionary war. The tavern was raided by Loyalists and 3 Continental soldiers were killed with 9 more taken as prisoners in what came to be known as “The Allen House Massacre.” Ghosts of the bloodbath are said to haunt the home to this day.

The house is currently owned and operated as a museum by the Monmouth County Historical Society. In past years, ghost tours have taken place in October, but the home is currently under renovation, so it can only be viewed from the exterior presently. The Allen House is located at 400 Sycamore Ave, in Shrewsbury.

Lake Avenue, Asbury Park

While much of Lake Avenue in Asbury Park is packed with thriving businesses and fabulous restaurants, two features of the picturesque street have been the source of more than a few chilling encounters.

One of the reportedly haunted sites is Wesley Lake itself, which runs the length of the street, gives it its moniker and divides the town from Ocean Grove. A woman was found dead in the lake back in 2004, and since then, multiple sightings — and hearings — of “The Lady of the Lake” have been reported. The unusual thing? It seems folks on the Asbury Park side of the lake have seen her, while those on the Ocean Grove side only hear her. A truly bizarre, uncommon and creepy phenomenon.

Just opposite the lake is Kennedy Park, a small, but picturesque grassy area that fills the space between the serenity of Lake Avenue and the bustling action on Cookman Avenue. While it may seem pleasant and unthreatening, a legend has been around for hundreds of years that a Native American can be seen wandering the grounds. The story goes that a Lenape Chieftain murdered his young wife and buried her and now roams the area at Kenndy Park. Sightings of the ghostly apparition have been occurring consistently for years.

For those looking for even more ghost stories of Asbury Park, a tour of the macabre sites of the entire town can be booked at: www.usghostadventures.com/asbury-park-ghost-tour