Fort Delaware, sitting on Pea Patch Island in the middle of the Delaware River, has a rich history that you may have learned about on a school field trip. Originally constructed in 1859, the Fort was used as a Prison Camp for Confederate Prisoners of War during the Civil War. Later, it was used to store guns and protect the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia during the Spanish-American War. Now, it is believed to be one of the most haunted places in Delaware.

Fort Delaware was notorious for its role as a prison, and the majority of those captured came from the hellish battlefields at Gettysburg. General Albin F. Schoepf was in charge of the Fort at that time, and he was known to the Confederate Soldiers as “General Terror.” With nearly 13,000 prisoners kept in wooden barracks, the conditions in Fort Delaware were horrifying. Food rations were tiny and nearly inedible, water was putrefied, and prisoners were so tortured that sergeants would throw rats into the crowds and watch them scramble for a warm meal, all the while laughing at their struggle. Scurvy, smallpox, and severe malnutrition were prevalent.

It’s not a surprise, then, that many of the 2,700 men who perished in the camp (and even those who lived to see their freedom realized) continue to haunt Fort Delaware, seeking to tell their story to those who walk the haunted halls.

Fort Delaware is located on Pea Patch Island and is a frequent spot for school field trips and historic tours.
Facebook / Fort Delaware
Usually, on these more mild tours, the horrifying conditions of the Fort Delaware Prison are downplayed a bit, for the crowds. After all, not everyone is comfortable telling 5th graders that a "rat call" was often the highlight of officers' weeks.

That being said, if you're interested in the history of the fort, the tours do an excellent job of telling you why, how, and when Fort Delaware was an active part of the United States Military.
This photograph from 1863 shows soldiers at the height of Fort Delaware Prison activity.
Facebook / Fort Delaware
The soldiers here participated in, and witnessed, some of the darkest actions taken on behalf of the United States Military, in treating their prisoners of war so poorly. I often wonder what they would think of modern-day POW regulations and the "rules of war."
If you're more interested in the Fort Delaware paranormal history, you're in for a real treat this fall.
Facebook / Fort Delaware
Fort Delaware is honest about all of its history - including the presence of ghosts, poltergeists, and unruly spirits that walk the prison halls and tunnels. You can take a FIVE-hour paranormal investigation tour (including ferry time) of the Fort, led by the Diamond State Ghost Investigators and park staff. You'll have the chance to witness and participate in a full investigation. Seek out spirits in the haunted prisoner barracks, mess hall, officer's kitchen, ordnance room area, officers quarters, prisoner barracks, and west end of the Endicott section of the fort. You'll be split into small groups of seven and partnered with a DSGI Investigator as you're lead through all of the spooky areas of the fort. At each area, an investigator will be present with EMFs, data recorders, and temperature sensors. You can even bring your own ghost-hunting equipment, as well.

Be warned - participants on this full-length investigative tour have reported feeling the presence of several spirits around them, poking them, and making noises to make themselves known.
Walking through the tunnels during the day is spooky enough for me, honestly. When I'm feeling super brave, I'll re-watch the episode of Ghost Hunters that was filmed here.
Flickr / Simon
Even in full daylight, shadows, sounds, and weird, sudden chills have made me feel truly creeped out at Fort Delaware. Maybe it's the fact that I've read many, many ghost stories from Fort Delaware, or that I've seen the episode of Ghost Hunters that featured the fort, in their season three finale. During that episode, the paranormal team heard what sounded like cannon fire reverberating through the tunnels, and they captured a man peeking around the corner of their room on a thermal imaging camera. One of the investigators was tugged on by a spirit, and the sounds of rattling chains occurred throughout the episode.
If you're braver than I am, but still not up for a five-hour investigation, there are a few more options for ghost-hunting at Fort Delaware.
Facebook / Fort Delaware
The shorter Paranormal Investigation tour is only about three hours long, including ferry time. It's similar to the Extended Tour, but some areas of the Fort are left alone, and the groups may be larger. It is still led by investigators from Diamond State Ghost Investigators, who use EMFs, data recorders, and temperature sensors to search for paranormal activity. It seems after one of these experiences, no one would be questioning, "Is Fort Delaware haunted?"
Then again, not everybody believes in ghosts, hauntings, or paranormal activity. And yes, there is a tour for the skeptics, too.
Photo Credit
The "Paranormal Investigation 101" tour is great if you're not one to be able to shake your skepticism right away. Diamond State Ghost Investigators will go over the basic tools, techniques, and etiquette for conducting a paranormal investigation. They'll talk about the difference between an intelligent haunt, and a residual haunt. They'll help you look at the evidence through a skeptic's eye, practice debunking techniques, and explain to you the minute details about EMF, EVPs, and orbs! At the end of it all, you'll go out with your investigator on an hour-long "hunt." Can they make a believer out of you?
So are you brave enough to take any of the Fort Delaware ghost tours? If you are, act fast when the tour dates are announced, because they're seasonal and limited in the number of participants allowed.
Flickr / Edward Weston
You can find tickets, dates, and costs on the Delaware State Parks Paranormal Tours website. The extended, five-hour paranormal investigation of Fort Delaware only occurs once, so if that's what you'd like to do, keep watch for the date to be announced and make your reservation. There are also the Paranormal 101 Tour and a shorter Paranormal Investigation tour.

If you’d like to get a good feeling for what to expect on a Fort Delaware Paranormal Investigation, check out this video from WHYY:

What do you think about the hauntings of Fort Delaware? Have you ever visited any haunted places in Delaware? If you love all things spooky, hit the road and check out the Ghosts of Woodburn in Dover, too.

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More to Explore

abandoned fort in Delaware

Kim Magaraci | August 13, 2021

Are there any other interesting abandoned places in Delaware?

Other interesting abandoned places in Delaware include:

  • Cape Henlopen State Park
  • Fort Miles
  • Bancroft Mills
  • Alapocas Run State Park

Cape Henlopen State Park is home to another abandoned fort in Delaware - Fort Miles. You can visit the Fort Miles historic area and see the remnants of history left behind! You can even climb one of the iconic World War II-era fire control towers that provide a stunning view of the whole cape area. Delaware is also home to a beautiful and eerie abandoned textile mill - Bancroft Mills. You can see it as you hike through Alapocas Run State Park - but beware, it has a history of catching on fire.

What are the most haunted places in Delaware?

The most haunted places in Delaware include:

  • Pea Patch Island
  • Maggie's Bridge
  • Addy Sea Inn
  • Fort Miles

Pea Patch Island is, without a doubt, the most haunted spot in Delaware, but it requires planning to visit. If you're looking for another haunted spot to see in the First State, you might want to drive to Seaford, where Maggie's Bridge has been the source of local lore for years. The Addy Sea Inn is a cool place to stay if you're looking to vacation with a spirit. Fort Miles is haunted, too - keep an eye out near the bunkers and you may see the ghost of a soldier who never wanted to leave.

What's the best way to visit Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island?

Here is the best way to visit Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island:

In order to get to Fort Delaware, you'll have to take the ferry from Delaware City. It's a quick and smooth ride, so don't worry about getting seasick! If you're looking to learn about the history and the role of the Fort in the harbor defense system, visit during the summertime and take a guided tour with a docent. If you're mostly interested in the haunted aspect of the abandoned Civil War prison, mark your calendar for the fall, when Fort Delaware hosts paranormal investigations on Pea Patch Island.

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Fort Delaware State Park, 45 Clinton St, Delaware City, DE 19706, USA