The Haunting of Cape May: Stories From America’s First Seaside Resort

Cape May, located on the New Jersey shore, has been a sought-after vacation destination since the 18th century. The area has a rich history, starting with the indigenous Lenni-Lenape people and later being settled by European colonists in the mid-17th century. By the late 1700s, Cape May gained popularity as a tourist destination, attracting visitors with its scenic ocean views, fresh air, and delicious seafood. 

Over the years, more and more hotels have been built to accommodate the increasing number of tourists. In 1878, a large fire destroyed 35 acres of the town. Regardless, this disaster prompted residents to rebuild and present Cape May as a family-friendly alternative to racier resorts like Atlantic City and more expensive destinations like the Hamptons. 

As the tales on the popular nighttime trolley tours suggest, some visitors never depart from Cape May. Moreover, every building and landmark in the seaside town appears to have a ghostly story, leading one to believe that the town is haunted. 

The Emlen Physick Estate, now a museum and the headquarters of the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities, was originally a family home. Frank Furness designed a grand 18-room mansion for Dr. Emlen Physick, his widowed mother, and two unmarried aunts. Even though Dr. Physick held a medical degree, he never practiced and lived leisurely. 

The Cherry House, a private residence in Cape May, is a site of many ghost stories and rumors of supernatural activity. The home, built in 1849, has been inhabited by many people over the years, and it’s the past residents who are said to be the source of the ghostly rumors. 

The owners of the Cherry House, Beth and Frank Acker, have experienced strange occurrences, such as doors opening by themselves even after being deadbolted. Contractors have also had similar experiences. For example, an electrician reportedly saw the apparition of an elderly woman coming out of a wall, causing him to scream and flee the house. 

The Hotel Cape May was a grand hotel that was built during the early 20th century in Cape May. It was intended to be a central part of the town’s development plans and a key attraction for wealthy guests. Regardless of its grandeur and initial opening in 1908, it faced problems and had to close just a few months later for repairs. 

Jennifer Brownstone Kopp wrote about her visit to the old hotel before it was demolished. The interior was so cold that icicles formed. Kopp took timed exposures and captured strange white blurs and possibly the profile of a ghostly woman. 

The Hotel Macomber was built in 1916 and remained the newest hotel in Cape May for over 50 years. Room 10 has a haunted reputation due to persistent knocking, but when guests open the door, no one is there. 

If Cape May’s reportedly haunted buildings are too much, head to the local beaches for a break. Nonetheless, beware, even the beaches might have their own hauntings. Higbee Beach is said to be one of the most haunted outdoor areas in the town. 

According to McManus, the disturbed burial at Higbee Beach may be linked to the hauntings there. Reports of a ghostly man seen walking along the beach at sunset have been heard. He always vanishes before anyone can get a clear look. 

The Queen’s Hotel in Cape May has a unique history compared to other family homes and seaside hotels in the area. According to “Haunted Places,” the hotel once housed a gambling establishment and brothel, with working women living on the third floor. 

Guests of the Queen’s Hotel claim to smell perfume in the haunted Plum Room. One incident involved guests being locked out of their room, although the owner, Dane Wells, was skeptical. The rumor of a guest sleeping on the landing due to a stuck door is persistent but denied by Wells. 

Lighthouses are often rumored to be haunted due to their association with lonely lighthouse keepers and nearby shipwrecks. The Cape May lighthouse is no exception, with reports of ghostly activity due to its three previous structures. 

The Peter Shields Inn and Restaurant in Cape May is known for its delicious cuisine but also for its ghostly visitations. 

The Congress Hall hotel, built in 1816, is rumored to have collected a few ghosts over the years, despite a fire in 1878 that destroyed the original structure. The hotel was promptly rebuilt in 1879 and has undergone various renovations while maintaining its original character. 

Gail Farace, a medium writer, claims to have experienced various spirit encounters at the Congress Hall hotel. During lunch, Farace spotted a well-dressed woman carrying a parasol, but her companion did not see her. She followed the ghost to the lobby, where she pointed at nothing before disappearing. 

The Washington Inn, a drinking establishment in Cape May, is rumored to have a ghostly resident. A young girl’s spirit is said to call out the names of staff members, but only when they are working alone. Regardless of the eerie experience, the staff has named her Elizabeth. 

The Washington Inn building, which houses the restaurant and bar, was built in 1846 in the style of George Washington’s Mount Vernon home. Private for nearly a century, it became a public establishment in 1940. Identifying Elizabeth’s spirit may be challenging given its long history and numerous visitors. 

Cape May is indeed a historic seaside resort with a rich history and a reputation for ghostly activity. From the Congress Hall hotel to the Washington Inn, many buildings in the town have their ghostly residents and tales of supernatural experiences.