Capitol Hill Haunts

by Tim Krepp

“In a sprightly, entertaining style, Krepp tells of the spooks and specters that haunt the U.S. Capitol, the Marine Barracks, and other sites and homes” (Hill Rag).   From the Demon Cat that stalks the Washington crypt to the restless spirit of John Quincy Adams in Statuary Hall, it is no wonder that in 1898 the Philadelphia Press declared the Capitol to be the most thoroughly haunted building in the world. Yet there are as many ghosts in the neighborhood as there are beneath the dome. Local writer and guide Tim Krepp intrepidly takes on the best-known haunted tales while also exploring the lesser-known specters. From the weeping lady of the Maples to Commodore Tingey, who still stands watch in the Navy Yard, to the dozens of famous ghosts hosted by Congressional Cemetery, many former residents seem bound to their old home. Join Krepp as he explores the most historic and hair-raising haunts of the Hill.   Includes photos   “A hair-raising guide to Washington's ghosts.” —The Washington Post

Genres: Paranormal, Nonfiction, Ghost Stories, History

131 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2012

Reviews

[Craig Ranallo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patriotic spooks!

[Dayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different look at Washington, DC's Capitol Hill most American's don't think about!

[Britt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than most books compiling local ghost stories. The author doesn’t try to convince you ghosts are real or get all dramatic about the legends. It’s just the stories he has heard and it includes interesting tidbits of history and long lost buildings. There were times when he referenced things that I needed more information on or reminders from earlier in the book. But, overall, a decent read for Halloween—you can make your own ghost tour walk.

[Mystic Miraflores · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was interested in reading this book because I live across the river from DC in Northern Virginia and visit the Capitol area often. This was a fairly interesting book, nothing really creepy or chilling. Then about halfway through, I saw the author wrote "Sir Alfred Conan Doyle" instead of "Arthur". I was stunned. How could someone make such a simple mistake? Where was the editor? The book lost all credibility with me.

[Vicki Marmillot · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book because I was going to DC and like to visit purportedly haunted places. This book references ghosts and hauntings but provides more of a history of sites rather than going into too much detail about the actual haunting. For folks that are looking for historical reference, it is a very informative book. And while it is necessary, I think, to know a bit of the history of a place to understand the haunting, I personally don’t require this ‘in depth’ of an explanation.

[Monica Hyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dry at times, but I did enjoy the tales and stories included in this Haunted America volume. Being so close to DC, I was curious about the different haunts that are taking place even to this very day. Quite the tales are told in this book, and across a very wide range of dates, which is very much appreciated.

[Beattie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few interesting stories in here, but it isn’t very well cited or written. There are also a few inaccuracies in here about the Capitol building itself which makes me wonder how accurate other parts of the book are.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 The historical info is as interesting, if not more so, than the "hauntings".

[Washington Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hair-raising guide to Washington’s ghosts, from the Demon Cat to the weeping lady of the Maples.


“It is one of the oldest buildings in the city and has been the epicenter for drama high and low for more than two hundred years. It is the symbolic center of the District of Columbia, so much that our lettered and numbered roads start from here. Obviously, weighty decisions of great national importance have been and still are debated here, but the Capitol has also seen its fair share of violence, heartbreak, and just general mayhem as well.”

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

CAPITOL HILL HAUNTS - Tim Krepp

For those of you that love ghost stories or who want to investigate our Nation's Capitol, Washington, D.C. this is the book for you. The author gives a detailed description of each building he has encounter by people who have experienced them. The intriguing background history and the story of the haunt are interesting lore.

[Becca Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oooohh, spooky!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd actually give this 3.5 stars. It was very interesting as a history book. I had hope for more narrative, however. I would have liked more 1st person encounters of ghosts. A few of the stories, while interesting, just ended with the idea that maybe the building is haunted.