Ghosts of Southwestern Pennsylvania

Haunted America

by Thomas White

The ghostly woman of Summit Cut Bridge, a black hound that guards the Gates of Hell and the whispering dead entombed beneath the Black Crossthese are the spirits of southwestern Pennsylvania. Join local author Thomas White as he recounts such chilling stories as that of Revolutionary War witch Moll Derry and the phantom bride of White Rocks and the hair-raising tale of the angry specter of a steel millworker burned alive in a ladle of molten iron. Ascend the secret stairs of the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh and wander the dim stretch of Shades of Death Road in Washington County to encounter the otherworldly denizens of the Keystone State.

Genres: Nonfiction, Paranormal, Ghosts, Supernatural

130 pages, Hardcover

First published August 27, 2010

About the author

Thomas White is the university archivist and curator of special collections in the Gumberg Library at Duquesne University. He is also an adjunct lecturer in Duquesne's History Department and an adjunct professor of history at La Roche College. White received a master's degree in public history from Duquesne University. Besides the folklore and history of Pennsylvania, his areas of interest include public history and American cultural history. He is the author of Legends and Lore of Western Pennsylvania, Forgotten Tales of Pennsylvania, Ghosts of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Forgotten Tales of Pittsburgh and Forgotten Tales of Philadelphia (co-authored with Edward White), all published by The History Press.

Reviews

[Lisa Shower · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh!

Nothing too exciting here. The book was written nicely but imparted little mystery. Just did little for me but recite facts.

[Kelly Lynn Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, fun -- and historical! -- look at many of the most well known ghost stories and legends of the region. I certainly learned a lot about the region that I didn't know before, and learned of a few cool places I wouldn't mind checking out (like the Depreciation Lands Museum in Ross Township). And, of course, the ghost stories themselves are quite fascinating.

[Bonnie Dorrenbacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in local history, along with lore and ghost stories of the area. This book was very interesting and I am looking forward to reading more stories by this author.

[Christopher Vertosick · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this, you'll probably never look at ghost stories the same way again and appreciate them even more. Keep a smart device or dictionary handy if you're not a big history buff though for unfamiliar terms. Anyway, I really enjoyed how the author took the time to analyze some of the paranormal allegations from different angles and provide some explanations that skeptics may have, such as mentioning if renovations took place on the property. I also liked how the author took the time to research each event the ghost story was based on to see if it had any historical authenticity. What was really interesting was how sometimes one story was similar to another that was said to have occurred nearby, and how if there was no proof that it happened, it may have still had some historical basis from an event that was recorded to have happened. It was also fascinating how the author pointed out how much you can learn about a community that told the ghost story, because of how the tellers sometimes project their own beliefs, fears, or interpretations in them. I never realized how sometimes a ghost story can teach you a lot more about the living than the dead.

[Elena Santangelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give this about a 3.7, so I rounded it up to 4. Well-written and researched. Lots of local history and lore, though probably of less interest to those unfamiliar with the areas. Also, a lot of the stories are typical urban legends that you could find anywhere, and the author admits as much, but I found the specific legends and history interesting.

If you're looking for a book of spinetingling horror stories, look elsewhere (and honestly, stick to fiction for that stuff).

[Carolyn Kanon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giving it 3.5 stars, simply because I believe some stories that I have heard in my few years in SW PA wave been left out. However, it is an entertaining read. I wish more info had been provided on how to find all of these sites (old maps are interesting but don’t necessarily help), and that there were more Washington County locations to explore. But for what it is, it is a solid read for the spooky season.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't really grab me but it was a quick read, and I appreciate that the author took the approach of, as he states, to neither prove nor disprove ghosts but show that "at least some of the legends have subtler and more complex meanings".

[Mike Oconnor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these short stories of local hauntings. A great way to learn some local history.

[Kurt Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent. Author is kind of a wet sandwich

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun quick read about local ghost stories from around the region!

[Jill Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ghost stories are weak but the history and folklore are interesting.

[Peggy Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information pertaining to where I'm from!

[Junemarie Brandt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better written than most ghost books. I appreciate it being literate and having a dose of skeptism.