As the weather cools down and the leaves start to change, you may find yourself craving a scary movie night or a visit to a haunted attraction.
With fall in the air and Halloween around the corner, why not plan a getaway to a place where you can step into a real haunted house?
In Clarion County, ghostly legends lurk around the candlelit corners of historic homes and under the dark canopies of centuries-old trees. If you’re looking for a fall trip where you can hunt for ghosts one minute and walk through a haunted attraction the next, these local legends and seasonal events are worth exploring.
The Ghosts of the Sutton-Ditz House
The director of the Clarion County Historical Society was working late at the Sutton-Ditz House one night when an antique phone suddenly rang. When she answered, she heard static, followed by a child’s voice saying “mother.” Then the line went silent.
Weeks later, she remembered that Thomas Sutton, who built the house, and his six-year-old son had died there in March 1853, just days apart. The mysterious call had come on March 24, around the same date as the young boy’s death nearly 170 years earlier.
But the strange stories don’t end there. During a paranormal investigation at the house, a spirit box repeatedly said “bear,” leading staff to an antique bear-fur coat in storage. Other visitors have reported seeing a young, sickly-looking boy on the staircase landing. Clearly, the house has stories to tell.
Built in the 1840s–50s, the Sutton-Ditz House is now a museum that hosts the Clarion County Historical Society. A visit offers much more than tales of the paranormal: you can wander through recreated period rooms, enjoy changing exhibits on the history of Clarion County, and talk to staff members about the home’s past residents.
Whether you’re interested in the history, the hauntings, or a little of both, it’s just one of several places in Clarion County where the past still lingers.
Visiting the Sutton-Ditz House:
Hours: Wednesday through Friday, 10 am–4 pm. Other times are available by appointment with one week’s notice.
Contact: 814-227-6443 or clarionhistory@comcast.net
A Haunted History Tour Across Clarion County
The Sutton-Ditz House is a great place to start your journey through Clarion County’s haunted past, but it’s not the only spot tied to a local legend. From historic chapels to old cemeteries, the county is full of places where local history and ghost stories intertwine.
Hart Chapel at Clarion University
Located on the campus of Clarion University, Hart Chapel is home to several ghostly legends. Visitors to this early 20th-century chapel sometimes see a spectral woman dressed in vintage clothing. Some say she’s the spirit of a former student or faculty member, still wandering the chapel in search of something—or someone.
Other visitors have heard faint whispers, footsteps, and piano music, even though the chapel’s piano is now silent. Whether you believe the legends or not, this former chapel and theatre is an architectural gem in a scenic spot, making it well worth a visit.
Crybaby Cemetery
Just off Triangle Road near Knox sits St. Luke’s Cemetery: a serene, shaded spot full of historic tombstones and monuments. Locals have given it another name: Crybaby Cemetery.
According to legend, this cemetery is the final resting place of two twin infants who died of fever in the early 1900s. Inseparable in life, the twins were laid to rest in separate graves at opposite ends of the cemetery.
On moonlit nights, the twins can sometimes be heard crying restlessly. Some visitors have even reported seeing the tombstones bleed or move as the infants long to be reunited.
Are the legends true? Decide for yourself by visiting this fall.
Spooky Events to Put on Your Fall Calendar
After touring the Sutton-Ditz House and walking around Hart Chapel and Crybaby Cemetery, visit one of Clarion County’s frightfully fun attractions. Whether you want to be scared silly or enjoy a low-key haunted hayride, there’s something spooky for everyone.
Booville Spooktacular Haunted House in Shippenville
Every year, Shippenville decks out two houses on Main Street with eerie lights, sounds, and effects. Walk through the yards and houses past giant skeletons, glowing gargoyles, and fearsome monsters. This free event is a fun way to get into the Halloween spirit—and maybe even encounter a few spirits along the way. Check the Facebook page for details as Halloween approaches.
Field of Screams Haunted Corn Maze at Zacherl’s Farm Market in Shippenville
Wind your way through a haunted corn maze at Zacherl’s Farm Market in Shippenville, navigating spooky twists and turns as you evade ghosts and monsters and try to find your way out. After all the excitement, you can sit back and relax with delicious, fall-themed food from local vendors.
The Haunted Masquerade Ball at the Clarion Mall
For one night in October, the Clarion Mall transforms into a haunted masquerade, complete with spine-chilling tunes, a costume contest, a spooky scavenger hunt, and more. This family-friendly event is a great opportunity to unwind with your fellow ghouls and goblins.
Community Halloween Traditions Across the County
Halloween in Clarion County brings together fall foliage, harvest festivals, and charming small-town celebrations. Clarion, East Brady, Foxburg, Knox, Hawthorn, and New Bethlehem all typically hold trick-or-treat nights and Halloween parades on October 31. After the parade, stick around for a truck-or-treat, where kids can load up on treats as they make their way from one decked-out vehicle to the next.
Complete your itinerary with a visit to the Autumn Leaf Festival, where you can celebrate Clarion County’s fall splendor with a parade, leaf-themed crafts, local vendors, and more. Or head to one of the area’s pumpkin patches to navigate a corn maze, enjoy a haunted hayride, and snap photos with bright orange pumpkins. In Clarion County, autumn is a season of rich natural beauty and plenty to discover, whether you prefer heart-pounding thrills or laid-back fun.
A Fall Getaway in Clarion County
Wandering through a historic cemetery just before twilight, navigating the twists and turns of a haunted corn maze, or hiking beneath the dark canopy of Cook Forest—however you choose to fill out your stay in Clarion County, there are enough spooky and fall-themed experiences to keep you coming back year after year.
For a ghoulish October getaway, pick a fall event, like the Field of Screams Haunted Corn Maze or the Autumn Leaf Festival, and build a trip around it. While you’re here, be sure to tap into some of the local legends that spring from the area’s hundreds-of-years-old history. The ghostly stories of Clarion County are waiting for you to uncover them.