Ghost Stories and Historic Haunts in Downtown Lock Haven: Join Lou Bernard for a Haunted Tour of the Town
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN— As the autumn winds start to usher in a chill, the streets of downtown Lock Haven will unveil their haunted past with the return of the much-anticipated haunted tours, led by none other than Lock Haven native Lou Bernard, writer, historian, folklore enthusiast, and Field Researcher for the Lock Haven Paranormal Seekers.
With a flashlight in hand and a story for nearly every corner, Bernard invites brave souls to delve into the city’s shadowy histories and ghostly tales—all to benefit a worthy cause.
Starting and ending at Triangle Park in downtown Lock Haven, the haunted walking tours have become a local tradition over the 17 years that Bernard has guided them during the spooky season. Be sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss the chance to experience the captivating haunted history of Lock Haven.
Tours last approximately one hour and will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 17; Friday, October 18; and Saturday, October 19. These spine-tingling walks continue the following week on Thursday, October 24, and Saturday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m. each night.
For those willing to brave the ghostly hours, late-night tours at 10:00 p.m. are available on Saturday, October 19 and 26. An exclusive night owl tour will also take place on Friday, October 25, at 10:00 p.m. No pre-registration is required for the tours; just show up with the $5.00 admission fee and an open mind.
This year’s haunted tours offer a blend of familiar tales and fresh stories that have never been shared before. For Bernard, these tours are an annual tradition that not only shares Lock Haven’s haunted history but also raises funds for various nonprofit organizations. This year, all proceeds are dedicated to supporting the Highland Cemetery in Lock Haven. With an entry fee of just $5.00 per person, attendees will be directly contributing to the maintenance and preservation of the historic resting place.
Since these are walking tours, participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight for safe navigation through the nighttime setting. Rain or shine, tours will proceed unless there is lightning. For the safety and comfort of all attendees, smoking is not permitted during the tours.
In an interview with The Record, Bernard was asked why he specifically chose Highland Cemetery to benefit from the haunted tour proceeds. As a board member of the Highland Cemetery Association, Bernard recognized the need for extra funds to support its maintenance and upkeep. He also mentioned that this cemetery is one of his favorites. “I love Highland Cemetery, and the place is probably haunted,” he quipped.
Bernard revealed that many of Lock Haven’s historical figures and past mayors are buried at Highland Cemetery, which is why it’s one of his favorite cemeteries, especially as a writer with a keen interest in local history. “Many of the historic people I write about are buried there,” he said. “And one day, I hope to be up there myself,” he added with a touch of humor.
A new destination on the tour this year is located near the corner of Water and Grove Streets at what was the residence of one of Lock Haven’s former elected officials. “I’ll be talking about the first Mayor of Lock Haven on the tour,” Bernard shared before noting that the mayor allegedly haunts his former home to this day.
Another destination on the tour is known for the ill-fated Kamp family, all of whom mysteriously died in the same building at young ages. The four family members tragically passed from unrelated causes ranging from illness, heart failure, and other seemingly random issues that had no rational explanation.
Bernard shared that one of his favorite local paranormal tales originates from 8 Bellefonte Avenue in the building that formerly hosted Alanna’s Ice Cream. While he didn’t divulge the details of the story, he hinted that this particular building has an interesting connection to the Titanic, but to hear the complete story, you’ll have to join one of this year’s haunted tours.
“Most of Lock Haven’s early history reads like the first chapter of a Stephen King novel,” Lou said, emphasizing the area’s rich and sometimes sinister history. From Native American burial grounds to a haunted cemetery that no longer exists because the graves were relocated to other cemeteries in the city, Lock Haven teems with paranormal activity, according to Bernard.
When asked where the most haunted areas are in Lock Haven, Bernard replied without hesitation: “The most haunted spot in Lock Haven is the old jail next to Robb Elementary School.” Built in 1852, the old jail on Church Street hosted two men who managed to escape in 1912. The pair complained about rats getting into their cells, so they were given traps. As inmates without much to pass the time, the men got creative and fashioned a key out of wires from the traps to unlock one of the back doors and make their escape into the alley.
According to Bernard, there were a few people in the area who claimed to have witnessed the inmates after their escape, and when the press caught wind of the story, it spread. People speculated that the inmates headed for the mountains to hide, but despite all attempts made by authorities to locate them, neither of the men were ever found– they’d left without a trace, never to be seen again.
During his interview, Bernard was asked about any particularly chilling experiences he’s encountered while guiding a haunted tour, and he spoke about an incident that occurred at the Simpson Building at 118 W. Water Street. This historic and haunted building was included in the tour in prior years when it was unoccupied, and one evening, while recounting the building’s haunted history to a group of tour attendees, the lights unexpectedly turned on in a room on the upper floor. If that wasn’t jarring enough on its own, a mysterious silhouette became visible to the spectators in one of the windows, adding an eerie authenticity to the building’s story at just the right moment.
The haunted tours were originally born from Bernard’s passion for local history combined with his knack for storytelling. Now, they serve as a way to share spine-chilling chronicles of the past while also supporting worthy causes.
In 2007, Bernard proposed the concept of hosting haunted tours in downtown Lock Haven to a Clinton County-based organization, but the idea was shot down. Undeterred by skeptics, Bernard decided to forge ahead and start leading haunted tours in the downtown area because he felt that other haunted destinations in Pennsylvania, like Gettysburg, had successfully gained recognition by promoting their haunted histories, and he strongly believed that Lock Haven had just as much, if not more, to offer in the same regard.
He chose a nonprofit organization to receive the tour proceeds, and although he claims the tours started off small, they have since grown to become an annual tradition cherished by many locals. Today, Bernard welcomes nonprofit organizations to contact him if they’re interested in teaming up for a fundraising opportunity.
“I did not intend for anything like this to become my career,” Bernard said when asked about the inspiration behind his tours and paranormal investigations. Initially, he pursued a college education to become an elementary school teacher, but his passion for local history and the ghostly tales associated with it trumped his original career plans. Although he completed his education, Bernard ventured into various job roles, including stints in fast food, roofing, and bartending, and with his love of history, he’s also worked in a museum.
Bernard’s fascination with the paranormal began long before he entered the workforce, however. As a child, he took it upon himself to form a paranormal investigation team. “When I was six years old, I organized my brother and my cousins into a group called ‘The Ghost Gang,’” he shared. “I’ve always been interested in stuff like that, and I’ve been at it now for almost two decades.” Fast forward to today, and Bernard now leads paranormal investigations through the Lock Haven Paranormal Seekers (LHPS), a local group that uses a scientific approach to gather and evaluate evidence of paranormal activity for members of the community who request their assistance.
When investigating paranormal activity with LHPS, Bernard puts much of his focus on finding evidence that can be proven. “I never say anything I can’t prove,” he emphasizes, always striving for authenticity in his investigations. To substantiate or debunk suspicions of lingering spirits when conducting an on-site investigation, Bernard blends his research findings from local historical archives with information provided by the property owners and uses special equipment to detect paranormal activity.
As far as his writing career goes, Bernard primarily focuses on local history and paranormal accounts that he’s uncovered through years of research. He began this journey when a coworker suggested he take a shot at writing an article for a local publication. Following this advice, Bernard submitted a story about a woman who worked as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Impressed by his writing, the publisher asked him to continue submitting articles on a monthly basis. Soon, his work gained popularity, leading him to begin to write for two local newspapers.
Today, Bernard’s writing can be found in several publications, both in print and online. Locally, his editorial column, “Lou’s View” where he writes historical and paranormal content, can be found in The Record, both online and in print, and his writing can also be found in The Express. In addition to those, Bernard also writes for West Branch Life, The PA Wilds, and his writing is regularly featured on NorthCentralPA.com.
For those eager to learn more about local legends, the haunted tours offer an opportunity to connect with the tales that Bernard has written about.
If you’re prepared to step into the past and walk alongside its phantoms, the adventures led by Lou Bernard promise a memorable dive into the supernatural heart of Lock Haven, so join him as he brings life—and the afterlife—to the town’s storied streets and uncovers just what makes Lock Haven a hotbed for the haunted.
To reach out to Lou with any questions about the upcoming tours, send an email to loulhpa@gmail.com. To read more about Clinton County’s rich haunted history as told by Lou himself, check out his editorial column, “Lou’s View” in print and online at https://therecord-online.com.
