-Carolann Fisher–Linn-
With Halloween around the corner, and Sommerville Valley Road Nightmare Hayrides in full swing in Ellicottville (Fri. Sat. Sun 7:30-9:30), it is definitely the scary season. No reservations needed and (hint) Fridays and Sundays have fewer visitors for this 40-minute adventure. (716) 699-4839
The Ellicottville Historical Society is once again hosting a series of ghost walks around the village. Catch one at 7pm at the village gazebo on October 21 or 28. $10 cash or check. Learn about people and stories in Ellicottville in days gone by. Participants will walk to the cemetery on Jefferson Street with Ellen Frank, historical society VP narrating as you go. (716) 699-2276 or (716) 474- 8528.
Wildwood Sanitarium at 79 Prospect in Salamanca started as a sanitarium where people went to be cured of tuberculosis and alcoholism. It operated until 1923 when the owner operated it as a holistic, natural healing, osteopathic hospital clinic. In its heyday, the Wildwood Sanitarium was advertised as “the only Osteopathic Infirmary and the first and only osteopathic institution in the state of New York. Not a fashionable resort, but a place to heal.” It is said to be haunted. Step back into the 1800’s and see it for yourself. It’s open for ghost tours, special events and private investigations. (716- 578-4586)
Another tuberculosis sanitorium, the old J.N. Adam Memorial Hospital in Perrysburg is worth a drive by but no one is allowed to trespass on the property with its rusty metalwork and crumbling stately old buildings. There are reports of shadowy figures and blood-curdling screams heard by those who dared to ignore the warnings and NO Trespassing signs. Having worked there myself in the ‘80’s and hearing the screams of my mentally disabled patients and seeing the pitiful, abandoned humans, I can easily understand how some of those poor souls, now passed on, are having their say, haunting the grounds.
Wing Hollow Allegany speakeasy – The Mafia (think Al Capone) had vacation spots in the Olean Rock City area in the thirties. They frequented various local speakeasies, one of which was in Wing Hollow (the ski resort came later). Shadowlands.net reports that people were killed there. Apparently, there is a swamp surrounding the building and faces were seen in the windows.
Speaking of Allegany, if you are out that way and want to get close to nature, The Allegany River Valley Trail is a 6+ mile loop that winds its way along the Allegheny River, through Gargoyle Park in Olean, and then along Constitution Avenue and back towards St. Bonaventure University. The paved surface encourages walking, jogging, and biking. The bald eagles who watch the fishermen will likely be watching you too, along with the deer who may choose to run ahead of you. No ghosts reported!
Another Allegany stop on your haunted tour is St. Bonaventure University Francis Hall. Francis Hall began as a Seminary but became a dorm after it was closed in 1974. Rumor has it that workers and students heard weird noises and felt strange things (spirits?). According to shadowlands. net, they also report that Devereaux Hall has a ghost jogger running up and down the halls. The Bona’s website tells us that the ghost encounters at Dev Hall make it very popular with the students, who will tell you that they have encountered one of its many ghosts at one time or another. Historically, Ellicottville has a connection to both St. Bonaventure University and to Nicholas Devereaux who was instrumental in getting the University and our local Roman Catholic church established. Also, he was the man who obtained the legendary bell from Spain that now hangs in St. John Episcopal Church, brought here from the Erie Canal in Buffalo by 2 teams of oxen in 1838 (dirt roads all the way). The bell is said to be the oldest working bell in the United States.
Allegany State Park, where you can still catch the last of the gorgeous fall colors is also said to be haunted along the Allegheny River. Witches Walk is considered a supernatural area to the Senecas. Many visitors have seen ghostly orbs (“witch lights”) and some hear distant drumming. Next time you visit at nighttime, look … listen…Run