The Most Haunted Cemeteries of the East Coast

October 20, 2025

Where the gates may close at dusk, but the stories never end.

Cemeteries are meant to be places of peace. Yet along the East Coast, some graveyards seem unwilling to rest quietly. They hold the country’s earliest settlers, Revolutionary soldiers, poets, politicians, and families whose names are etched into history. Visitors walk through rows of tilted stones and towering monuments and often come away with more than just an appreciation for the past.

From Maine’s rocky coast to Florida’s oldest city, these cemeteries carry both history and haunting. You don’t need to slip in after dark — even in daylight, the atmosphere is enough to raise goosebumps.

Maine — Eastern Cemetery (Portland)

Founded in 1668, Eastern Cemetery is Portland’s oldest burying ground. Within its walls lie soldiers from the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, sea captains, and victims of Portland’s early epidemics. Paranormal groups often note shadowy figures moving near the oldest headstones, and “Haunted History Tours of Portland” regularly include the site.

New Hampshire — Point of Graves (Portsmouth)

This small, waterfront cemetery was established in 1671, making it one of New Hampshire’s oldest. Shipbuilders, merchants, and children of the early settlement rest here. The stones lean at odd angles, and visitors report cold spots and the feeling of being watched. Local guides from Portsmouth Harbor Tours share their history in seasonal walks.

Massachusetts — Granary Burying Ground (Boston)

Granary Burying Ground is a cornerstone of the Freedom Trail. Here lie Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and victims of the Boston Massacre. More than 5,000 souls are buried in less than two acres, leading to whispers of restless energy. Daytime tours of the Freedom Trail often pause here with stories of figures seen pacing near Hancock’s obelisk.

Rhode Island — North Burial Ground (Providence)

Established in 1700, this sprawling cemetery holds over 40,000 graves, including signers of the Declaration of Independence and governors of Rhode Island. Its quiet hills have long been tied to reports of glowing orbs and phantom figures. “Providence Ghost Tours” often reference the site, though much of it is free to wander during the day.

Connecticut — Ancient Burying Ground (Hartford)

Dating back to 1640, this cemetery holds Hartford’s original Puritan settlers, governors, and colonial officials. More than 6,000 people are buried here, though only about 400 stones remain. The oldest markers are etched with winged skulls and hourglasses — and visitors claim to see figures moving among them at dawn. The Ancient Burying Ground Association offers guided tours.

New York — Old Dutch Churchyard (Sleepy Hollow)

Made famous by Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, this cemetery holds Revolutionary soldiers, town founders, and Irving himself. Tourists and locals alike report hearing phantom hoofbeats along the paths — a nod to the Headless Horseman. The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery next door runs popular lantern-lit tours that bring the legend to life.

New Jersey — Old Tennent Church Graveyard (Manalapan)

This 18th-century graveyard served as a field hospital during the Battle of Monmouth. Both British and American soldiers are buried here. Visitors tell of ghostly figures kneeling near the graves at dusk. The churchyard occasionally opens for historical tours tied to Revolutionary War events.

Delaware — Immanuel Episcopal Church on the Green (New Castle)

Founded in the 1600s, this graveyard is among the oldest in Delaware. Early governors, soldiers, and townspeople rest here. Locals whisper of a woman in white who drifts near the chapel wall and vanishes without a sound. Seasonal tours of historic New Castle sometimes include the site.

Maryland — Westminster Hall & Burying Ground (Baltimore)

Best known as the resting place of Edgar Allan Poe, Westminster’s graveyard draws thousands each year. Stories of shadows and strange sounds are common, with some visitors swearing they hear faint recitations of Poe’s poetry. The Westminster Preservation Trust offers tours that highlight the cemetery’s history and its most famous resident.

Virginia — Hollywood Cemetery (Richmond)

Sprawling over 135 acres, Hollywood Cemetery is the burial place of U.S. Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler, as well as Confederate President Jefferson Davis. It’s also tied to the “Richmond Vampire” legend, said to haunt the nearby mausoleums. Ghost tours in Richmond often weave cemetery stories into their routes.

North Carolina — Oakdale Cemetery (Wilmington)

Opened in 1852, Oakdale is a Victorian-style cemetery filled with ornate monuments. Among its notable residents is Rose O’Neal Greenhow, a Confederate spy who drowned off Fort Fisher. Her grave draws many visitors, some of whom claim to see her figure moving among the stones. Oakdale Cemetery offers guided history tours.

South Carolina — Magnolia Cemetery (Charleston)

Dating to 1850, Magnolia is draped in Spanish moss and filled with history. It’s the final resting place of poets, politicians, and Confederate generals. Locals claim to see shadowy figures and hear faint music in the older sections. Some Charleston ghost tours pass its gates, though access is daylight-only.

Georgia — Bonaventure Cemetery (Savannah)

Immortalized in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Bonaventure is as famous for its beauty as its hauntings. Statues, angel carvings, and tree-lined avenues set the scene. Visitors have reported footsteps, voices, and even children playing where no one is present. Bonaventure Historical Society runs guided tours.

Florida — Tolomato Cemetery (St. Augustine)

A Catholic cemetery dating to the 1700s, Tolomato is tied to legends of bishops, soldiers, and children whose spirits linger. One of the city’s most photographed sites, it is often included in St. Augustine’s many ghost tours, which reference figures that vanish as quickly as they appear.

Be Careful Out There

Cemeteries are places of memory and mourning, and every visit should be approached with respect. A few things to keep in mind:

• Check visiting hours. Most cemeteries are open dawn to dusk only unless special permission is granted.
• Respect the grounds. Many stones are fragile; some mark active burial sites.
• Stay on paths. Old ground can be uneven and unstable.
• Photography etiquette. These are sacred spaces — always be mindful of mourners.
• Leave nothing behind. No rubbings, no trinkets, no litter.

Walk lightly, listen closely, and you may leave with more than just a photograph.