The Story Behind This Haunted Fort In New York Is Truly Creepy
The leaves have begun turning and decorations have started to pop up all over the place… our favorite creepy season is here! This time of year New York is lucky enough to have an assortment of haunted houses, tours, and train rides available all over our state. One of our favorite places to track down paranormal activity? This one haunted fort out on Lake Ontario that has quite the creepy story behind it.
The fort was originally built back in 1755 during the French and Indian War, where the fort would be destroyed for the first time by the French in 1759. During the American Revolutionary War the fort was destroyed for a second time in 1778. Afterwards the British would rebuild the strong fort back up again in 1782, keeping it safe until 1796.
Years later in 1814 during the War of 1812, the fort would once again for a final time be destroyed during battle. Although the fort would once again be repaired and rebuilt during the American Civil War, it would eventually fall to ruins for quite some time.
How to get here: 1 East 4th Street Oswego, NY 13126
Years later in 1814 during the War of 1812, the fort would once again for a final time be destroyed during battle. Although the fort would once again be repaired and rebuilt during the American Civil War, it would eventually fall to ruins for quite some time.
How to get here: 1 East 4th Street Oswego, NY 13126
Not familiar with this incredible star-shaped fort? Thanks to Andy Panayotoff on YouTube, you can get a view from above and see how amazing this place really is. While this place may have suffered through a great amount of war and tragedy, the fort itself was always considered a very strategic and strong location for battle and was the reason it would continuously be rebuilt throughout history.
With so many lives lost here to battle, it's historic sites like these that tend to be a popular spot for spirits to stay and linger. One of the most common stories you'll hear is that a figure wearing a red hat has been seen throughout the site, dating back to the old wars fought here.
One of the craziest things about Fort Ontario is that those who work and visit here will tell you that you'll not only experience unusual activity at night, you'll also find yourself in strange situations during the day!
From 1944 to 1946 the fort was used as a place to house Jewish victims of the Holocaust, with a total of over 980 refugees calling the historic site their home. One of the many stories you'll hear is that some of the spirits you'll run into at Fort Ontario are those of the Jewish refugees. It is to be noted though, that while this place is most certainly haunted, all of those who have visited here agree that the spirits always feel very inviting, never giving off any negative energy.
From 1944 to 1946 the fort was used as a place to house Jewish victims of the Holocaust, with a total of over 980 refugees calling the historic site their home. One of the many stories you'll hear is that some of the spirits you'll run into at Fort Ontario are those of the Jewish refugees. It is to be noted though, that while this place is most certainly haunted, all of those who have visited here agree that the spirits always feel very inviting, never giving off any negative energy.
While many of the spirits you'll encounter here will remain nameless, the most popular spirit that has been spotted and spoken of at Fort Ontario is that of Corporal Fykes. Fykes is buried on the property and is known for having a chilling urban legend associated with his spirit and grave.
The local story goes that if visitors of Fort Ontario stand on his crave, they will forever remain haunted by Fykes himself. In an even stranger twist, people say that if you jump over the man's grave, you'll be able to choose which victim Fykes will haunt next! Are you brave enough to disprove this urban legend for yourself?
Other stories told involving spirits around Fort Ontario speak of a soldier who died during battle but sadly, has yet to realize he has passed on to another life. Over the years the fort has become a popular place for local ghost hunters to come and see what they can discover at the site. With so many consistent reports of paranormal activity, SyFy's very own Ghost Hunters decided they had to come and check out this haunted fort for themselves, earning the fort their very own episode titled "Ghostly Refuge".
The local story goes that if visitors of Fort Ontario stand on his crave, they will forever remain haunted by Fykes himself. In an even stranger twist, people say that if you jump over the man's grave, you'll be able to choose which victim Fykes will haunt next! Are you brave enough to disprove this urban legend for yourself?
Other stories told involving spirits around Fort Ontario speak of a soldier who died during battle but sadly, has yet to realize he has passed on to another life. Over the years the fort has become a popular place for local ghost hunters to come and see what they can discover at the site. With so many consistent reports of paranormal activity, SyFy's very own Ghost Hunters decided they had to come and check out this haunted fort for themselves, earning the fort their very own episode titled "Ghostly Refuge".
While the fort has been open to visitors since May, it closes for the season on October 11th and will remain closed until they do their Ghost Tours.
Ghost Tours will be on October 14th & 15th this year, available by pre-sale only. You can stop by the fort and museum to purchase your tickets ahead of time in person, or call over the phone! Tickets are $15 dollars per person and no one under the age of 8 is allowed into this thrilling event. For any further information about the Fort Ontario ghost tours, you can find their website here.
Ghost Tours will be on October 14th & 15th this year, available by pre-sale only. You can stop by the fort and museum to purchase your tickets ahead of time in person, or call over the phone! Tickets are $15 dollars per person and no one under the age of 8 is allowed into this thrilling event. For any further information about the Fort Ontario ghost tours, you can find their website here.
Want to hear some mind-blowing stories from one of the fort’s very own staff members? You won’t want to miss this video brought to you by the Haunted History Trail of New York State on YouTube!
This isn’t the only historic star-shaped fort that you can visit in New York! Check out America’s Most Historic Landscape That’s Right Here In Our State And Will Steal Your Breath Away!
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