Fort Delaware – Haunted Fort in Delaware City, Delaware
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Full Address: 1 Pea Patch Island, Delaware City, DE 19706
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Fort Delaware sits on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River. This massive stone fortress has witnessed death, disease, and despair for over 150 years.
The fort served as a Civil War prison where thousands of Confederate soldiers died. Their spirits are said to haunt the dark corridors and cells even today.
Visitors report hearing disembodied voices echoing through empty chambers. Shadow figures move along the walls where desperate men once scratched final messages.
The overwhelming sense of sadness permeates every stone of this historic military prison. Many guests leave feeling drained and emotionally exhausted after their visits.
Historical Background
Construction of Fort Delaware began in 1833 and finished in 1859. The massive granite fortress was designed to protect the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia.
The fort’s original purpose changed dramatically when the Civil War erupted in 1861. Union forces converted the military installation into a prisoner of war camp.
Between 1861 and 1865, Fort Delaware held over 30,000 Confederate prisoners. The conditions inside were absolutely horrific for the captured soldiers.
Disease spread rapidly through the overcrowded cells and dormitories during those years. Smallpox, dysentery, and cholera killed prisoners by the dozens every week.
An estimated 2,700 Confederate soldiers died within the fort’s walls during the war. Their bodies were buried in crude graves on nearby Finn’s Point in New Jersey.
The swampy island location made conditions even worse for imprisoned men. Mosquitoes swarmed constantly while rats infested every corner of the prison.
Guards reported numerous escape attempts despite the river surrounding the island. Most prisoners who tried to swim to freedom drowned in the strong currents.
After the Civil War ended, the fort returned to military use. It served as a coastal defense installation through World War II before closing in 1944.
Paranormal Activity Summary
Fort Delaware ranks among the most actively haunted locations in the Mid-Atlantic region. Paranormal investigators have documented hundreds of unexplained events within its walls.
Cold spots appear suddenly throughout the fort even during hot summer months. Temperatures can drop twenty degrees in seconds with no logical explanation.
Disembodied voices are the most commonly reported phenomenon at the fort. Visitors hear men crying, moaning, and calling out for help from empty rooms.
Shadow figures dart between cells and along the exterior ramparts after dark. These dark shapes appear solid and move with clear purpose through hallways.
Electronic equipment frequently malfunctions inside the fort without any technical reason. Cameras drain completely within minutes and cell phones refuse to work properly.
Physical touches are reported by many visitors exploring the prison areas. Guests feel invisible hands grabbing their arms or tugging at their clothing.
The smell of decay and death suddenly appears in certain sections. This overwhelming odor vanishes as quickly as it arrives with no source.
Doors slam shut on their own throughout the fort’s interior spaces. Heavy iron gates close forcefully even when no wind is present.
By the way, have you visited this haunted place in Delaware State? Woodburn / Governor’s Mansion – Haunted Mansion in Dover, Delaware
Ghost Stories & Reports
The most famous spirit at Fort Delaware is known simply as the Crying Soldier. This Confederate prisoner is heard sobbing in Cell Block One late at night.
Witnesses describe hearing a young man’s voice pleading for his mother. The desperate cries continue for several minutes before fading into silence.
Historical records mention a teenage soldier named Private William Thompson from Georgia. He died of smallpox in 1863 just weeks after his sixteenth birthday.
Many believe the Crying Soldier is Thompson eternally mourning his fate. His cell still contains scratches on the wall spelling out “Mother please.”
The spirit of Captain George Ahl haunts the Officer’s Quarters on the second floor. Ahl served as the fort’s commanding officer from 1863 until 1865.
Visitors report seeing a tall man in a Union officer’s uniform standing at attention. He appears solid and real before vanishing when approached or addressed.
Captain Ahl was known for his stern but fair treatment of prisoners. Some believe he remains on duty protecting the fort from intruders.
The ghost of a Confederate doctor named Henry Horner appears in the hospital ward. Dr. Horner volunteered to treat fellow prisoners despite limited medical supplies.
He contracted typhoid fever from his patients and died in August 1864. Staff members report seeing him tending to invisible patients in the empty ward.
The Phantom Chaplain walks the Gun Battery at dawn every morning. This spirit appears as a man in black robes carrying a Bible.
Reverend Isaac Handy served as chaplain to Confederate prisoners during the war. He performed last rites for hundreds of dying men throughout his service.
Witnesses claim the Phantom Chaplain appears to be praying while walking his rounds. His lips move silently as he makes the sign of the cross.
A group of shadow soldiers marches through the parade ground after midnight. These dark figures walk in formation though no sounds accompany their movement.
The shadow soldiers are believed to be prisoners forced into labor details. They hauled supplies and performed maintenance work under armed guard daily.
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View Equipment Guide →Speaking of haunted places, don’t forget to also check this place in Delaware State? Battery Park – Haunted Fort in New Castle, Delaware
Most Haunted Spot
The Dungeons beneath the fort’s main structure are considered the most haunted location. These underground cells held prisoners in solitary confinement for various infractions.
Complete darkness and isolation drove many men insane in these cramped spaces. Guards reported hearing screaming and banging from the Dungeons at all hours.
Modern visitors report overwhelming feelings of panic and claustrophobia in the Dungeons. Many cannot complete the tour and must leave immediately due to anxiety.
Cell D-7 is particularly active with paranormal phenomena occurring regularly. Visitors report being pushed, scratched, and having their hair pulled by unseen hands.
The temperature in Cell D-7 remains perpetually cold regardless of outside conditions. Even in August, breath becomes visible when entering this specific cell.
A Confederate prisoner named Samuel Jenkins died in Cell D-7 in 1862. He was placed in solitary confinement for attempting to escape the fort.
Jenkins apparently went mad after three weeks in complete darkness and isolation. He was found dead with his fingernails torn off from clawing the stone walls.
The paranormal doesn’t stop here—this haunted place might also interest you in Delaware State? Old Swedes Church – Haunted Church in Wilmington, Delaware
Can You Visit?
Fort Delaware is open to the public as a state park and museum. The fort operates seasonally from April through September each year.
Regular admission costs fifteen dollars for adults and ten dollars for children. This includes the ferry ride from Delaware City to Pea Patch Island.
Historical tours run daily during operating season with costumed interpreters playing period characters. These daytime tours focus on Civil War history and fort operations.
Special paranormal tours are offered on select Friday and Saturday nights. These ghost tours cost thirty dollars per person and book up quickly.
Photography is allowed throughout the fort during both day and night tours. Many visitors capture unexplained orbs and anomalies in their photographs.
The ferry to Pea Patch Island departs from Fort DuPont State Park. Visitors should arrive at least thirty minutes before scheduled tour times.
Fort Delaware typically opens at 11 AM and closes at 6 PM. The ghost tours run from 8 PM until midnight on designated evenings.
Best Time to Visit
Paranormal activity increases dramatically during the autumn months at Fort Delaware. October brings the highest number of reported encounters and unexplained phenomena.
The anniversary of the fort’s darkest days falls in late summer and early fall. More prisoners died during August and September than any other months.
Night tours between 9 PM and 11 PM produce the most compelling evidence. Investigators have captured their best footage during these late evening hours.
Overcast days seem to amplify spiritual activity within the fort’s walls. The heavy atmosphere appears to provide energy for paranormal manifestations.
First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports
Tour guide Rachel Martinez experienced a terrifying encounter in the Dungeons in 2019. She was conducting a ghost tour when an unseen force shoved her against a wall.
Martinez reported feeling hands on her shoulders pushing her backward with significant strength. Multiple tour guests witnessed her being thrown despite no one standing near her.
Photography enthusiast David Chen captured a remarkable image in the Officer’s Quarters in 2021. His photograph clearly shows a uniformed figure standing in an empty doorway.
Professional analysis confirmed the image was not edited or manipulated in any way. The figure appears solid and detailed but was invisible to the naked eye.
Paranormal researcher Jennifer Walters recorded EVP evidence throughout the fort in 2018. Her equipment captured voices responding directly to questions she asked aloud.
One recording contains a voice clearly saying “Get out” when Walters asked if anyone wanted to communicate. Another EVP session produced the name “Thompson” when she asked who was present.
A group of college students conducting research overnight in 2020 fled the fort. They reported seeing multiple shadow figures surrounding them in the parade ground.
The students claimed the shadows moved closer despite their demands to stop. All five witnesses provided consistent descriptions of the threatening entities.
Paranormal Investigations & Findings
The Atlantic Paranormal Society investigated Fort Delaware in 2015 for their television show. They documented significant electromagnetic field fluctuations and unexplained temperature changes.
TAPS investigators captured audio recordings of footsteps and voices in empty sections. Their thermal imaging cameras revealed human-shaped heat signatures that disappeared within seconds.
Ghost Adventures filmed an episode at Fort Delaware during their 2017 season. Zak Bagans and his crew experienced aggressive paranormal activity throughout their investigation.
During the lockdown, equipment was thrown across rooms by unseen forces. Multiple crew members reported feeling physically ill in the Dungeons area.
The Delaware Paranormal Research Group conducts regular investigations at the fort. They have accumulated hundreds of hours of compelling audio and video evidence.
Their most impressive capture shows a full-body apparition walking through a locked gate. The figure appears in period clothing and moves naturally before dissolving.
Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions
The fort contains numerous structural hazards including uneven floors and steep stairs. Visitors should wear appropriate footwear and watch their step at all times.
Certain areas remain closed to the public due to safety concerns. Ignoring posted signs and barriers can result in injury or prosecution for trespassing.
The island is only accessible by official ferry during operating season. Attempting to reach Pea Patch Island by private boat is illegal and dangerous.
Strong river currents surround the island making swimming extremely hazardous. Multiple drowning deaths have occurred in these waters over the years.
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