Despicable Destinations

Looking for historical haunts near here? You’ve come to the right place.

Bridgewater, Massachusetts (home of the Scare Bears) sits in the heart of what’s become known as the Bridgewater Triangle. Home of the Hockomock Swamp and Freetown State Forest, the Bridgewater Triangle is home to many supernatural, and some not so supernatural–but still evil–experiences. People have reported seeing Bigfoot, aliens, pteradactyls, ghosts, demons, puckwudgies, and Satanic cults. A lot of this is contested, of course, but some of this is indisputably real. In the 70’s and 80’s, for example, there were a string of brutal murders in Fall River and surrounding towns. Some of that took place in Freetown State Forest. Explore at your own risk.

Hockomock Swamp:

  • Location: Bridgewater, MA
  • History: Believed to have Native American spirits and paranormal forces within the swamp from the Wampanoags. Hockomock even means “Where the spirit dwells”. A variety of sightings have been claimed including Bigfoot, apparitions, and puckwudgies (an old Native American folklore).
  • Activities: Hiking around the area is free. Ghost hunting is also free. 

King Philip’s Cave

  • Location: Norton, MA
  • History: Claimed sightings near King Philip’s Cave include “spook lights” and “phantom drums” – the inexplicable ghostly appearance of balls of light and the sound of drums, respectively. Its ghostly acclaim is inexorably tied to its connection with King Philip’s War – the “bloodiest war per capita in U.S. history.” The legend goes, Wampanoag leader Metacomet, or King Philip, watched from the cave as his people launched an assault on the town of Simsbury, burning it to the ground.
  • Activities: The dog-friendly hiking trail is free.

Assonet Ledge

  • Location: Freetown State Forest, Fall River, MA
  • History: Created as a result of granite quarrying in the 1800s, the Assonet (a Native American word meaning “place of stones”) Ledge is one of many creepy spots throughout the Freetown State Forest. Sightings include phantom fires and apparitions, and the ledge is rumored to give people the urge to jump off it into the water below. There’s even one ghost story about a woman who threw herself off the ledge waiting for her lover – her ghost is said to still haunt the ledge today.
  • Activities: Hiking around the area is free.

The Lizzie Borden House:

  • Location: Fall River, MA
  • History: Lizzie Borden was said to have murdered her stepmother and father in 1892. She allegedly used an ax to kill her parents; it is said she struck her parents over 40 times. The murder took place in Lizzie’s home in Fall River, where it is said her ghost still remains.
  • Activities: Ghost tours cost $35, 90 Minute Tours cost $25, and Overnight stays cost $300.

USS Salem:

  • Location: Quincy, MA
  • History: A ship which now resides in Quincy was once used in the Mediterranean to move sick soldiers in the early 1950s. It is said many soldiers died while on the ship, therefore that’s where their spirits remain. People have claimed to see spirits and apparitions.
  • Activities: Guided tours and overnight stays are available. Cost is unknown; call for details. 

The Hoosac Tunnel:

  • Location: North Adams, MA
  • History: 4.74 miles of tunnel connects the Northern Berkshire towns of Florida, MA and North Adams, MA. While being built, 190 people were killed in the span of 25 years. After it opened, another 30 were killed, and several tragedies occurred. In 1875, 13 miners were killed from an explosion. Legend has it that you can hear agonized cries and see the ghost of miners and their floating lanterns lighting up the darkness.
  • Activities: The Eastern Portal is the only one accessible for public viewing.

The Hawthorne Hotel:

  • Location: Salem, MA
  • History: Established in 1925, Hawthorne hotel is named after the famed local author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Some rooms, such as room 325, and 612, as well as the entire sixth floor are said to be especially haunted. Guests have reported seeing a ghostly woman walking the halls, hearing strange noises, and feeling as if they had been touched by an invisible force.
  • Activities: Rooms available starting at $251 dollars per night. Wedding venue is also available.

Danvers State Hospital:

  • Location: Danvers, MA
  • History: This psychiatric hospital was built in 1874, opened in 1878, and closed in 1992. A total of 278 people reportedly died at the hospital in one year. Visitors at times have reported hearing screaming, banging, and crying noises. The cemeteries are hotbeds for paranormal activities where apparitions are commonplace and disembodied voices are allegedly heard.
  • Activities: It is closed to the public, but you can still visit the cemeteries.

Medfield State Asylum & Medfield State Hospital Cemetery: