Olivia Fisher 
Bergen County is not just strip malls, quiet suburbs, pizzerias, and traffic on Route 17; it also has a haunted past that might still linger in the present. This corner of the Garden State has a haunted history stretching back centuries, complete with Revolutionary War spirits, mausoleum mysteries, and a janitor who might still be sweeping up after hours. With a mix of historical fact, eerie folklore, and a few tales that blur the line between truth and myth, we at BG have done some digging — literally and figuratively — to bring you a guide to the county’s spookiest legends. Read on for a lesson on ghost stories in Bergen County, NJ.
Baylor Massacre Burial Site
The Baylor Massacre was an attack by British forces against Continental Army troops on September 27, 1778, during the Revolutionary War. British soldiers led by Major General Charles Grey launched a successful surprise attack on the 3rd Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons, commanded by Colonel George Baylor, near what is now River Vale. This left at least 15 American soldiers dead, with another 54 wounded or captured. For decades, local legend held that dozens of these men were buried in tanning vats somewhere in the area, but the exact location was lost to time. Then, between 1967 and 1968, a group of researchers and historians set out to find the forgotten graves and finally succeeded. By 1972, the site was transformed into a park where six soldiers’ remains were reinterred. Some visitors and residents in the nearby area may have seen the restless apparitions of those lost soldiers wandering the area.
Devil’s Tower
Legends and rumors have surrounded the Devil’s Tower, a stone structure in Alpine. Some claim that after circling the tower a specific number of times, a ghost will appear. The space is officially known as Rio Vista and was built in 1910 by millionaire sugar importer Manuel Rionda on a 300-acre estate. The tower was built as a tribute to his wife, Harriet Clarke. Others claim that Harriet even jumped to her death after seeing another woman, and her spirit is the one lingering at the site. However, she actually passed away in 1922, so this ghost story might be more myth than fact.
Easton Tower
Built around 1900, the Easton Tower in Paramus was made of wood and stone has stood its ground even as the surrounding land was developed. Rumors suggest that those who use the nearby trails of Saddle River County Park can hear strange noises from inside the tower, and at least one witness claims to have seen an apparition at the window. The tower was originally used as the housing for a water pump on the estate of businessman Edward D. Easton.
Read More: A Guide to Bergen County’s Oddities + Weird Local Lore
Oldest Cemeteries
The two oldest surviving cemeteries in Bergen County are the First Dutch Reformed Churchyard and the French Huguenot Cemetery, resting places for at least a dozen French and Dutch settlers who passed away before 1700. The First Dutch Reformed Churchyard is located at 42-46 Court Street in Hackensack, while the French Huguenot Cemetery, dating to 1677, is located on Ray Woods Lane in New Milford. Another now-defunct cemetery is the African American Baptist Church Cemetery, also known as Bergenfield Black Cemetery and Old Slave Cemetery, which dates to 1672 and is likely the oldest in Bergen County aside from any burial sites of the Lenape. Another old cemetery in the area includes the Old Paramus Reformed Church Cemetery in Ridgewood, dating to 1725. Perhaps the spirits of early settlers and longtime residents still wander these grounds, silently watching Bergen County’s future unfold from the past.
Paramus Golf Course
If players at the Paramus Golf Course have heard or seen something around the 12th or 13th hole, they might be onto something. The course is located on land once owned by the Zabriskie family. Several members of the family were buried here, and in 1922 were reinterred at the Valleau Cemetery belonging to the Old Paramus Church in Ridgewood. Although no remains are located beneath the golf course, the remnants of two mausoleum structures are still present and apparent near Holes 12 and 13. Dating to the 19th century, the mausoleum could house nearly 30 bodies. According to oral history, the cemetery’s location was called “the June Orchard” and was once surrounded by a stone wall. Local farmers who spoke of the vault recalled that tenant farmers and pet ponies were also laid to rest in the surrounding cemetery.
Roberge Elementary School | 617 Westwood Avenue, River Vale
Local legend in River Vale subscribes to the idea that one of the community’s elementary schools is haunted by a friendly janitor who died of a heart attack. Apparently he is heard sweeping hallway and bathroom floors, and when he is present, one will laugh out of nowhere.
Spook Crossing
According to author Sigmund H. Uminski, there is a haunted spot called River Edge visited by Revolutionary War soldiers. On Howland Avenue, there is a small brook just west of Cleveland Place. Known as “Spook Crossing,” it was said to be haunted by the ghosts of Revolutionary War soldiers who died from poisoned cider. Sigmund claimed that some in town seldom passed after the sun went down.
Steuben House | 1209 Main Street, River Edge
The Steuben House, also known as the Zabriskie-Steuben House, was used by George Washington as a temporary headquarters for over two weeks during the Revolutionary War. The house was originally occupied by Loyalist Jan Zabriskie until it was confiscated to serve as a military headquarters. After the war, the confiscated home was given to Major General Baron von Steuben in recognition of his service as inspector general of the Continental Army. By 1788, the home was sold back to the Zabriskie family. It was eventually purchased by the State of New Jersey and, since 1939, has served as Bergen County Historical Society’s headquarters. Legend states that the house is haunted by the ghost of General Baron von Steuben, whose apparition made a particularly spooky appearance in the 1950s. Allegedly, he was sitting in a chair when he struck up a conversation with a woman who had been working there. After some time, he asked how the war was going, and when she told him that the Revolution ended nearly two hundred years prior, the General’s ghost appeared confused and promptly disappeared.
The Hermitage | 335 North Franklin Turnpike Ho-Ho-Kus
The Hermitage has been known as a ghost house since at least as far back as 1917, when Bess Rosencrantz and her niece opened a tea room there. Bess and her niece developed the lore that the space was haunted, and it has stuck since. The space dates back to 1750. In 1778, Theodosia Prevost opened her home to General George Washington after the Battle of Monmouth, and in 1782, Theodosia married Aaron Burr here.
See More: The History Behind Hudson County Town Names
Follow @thebergencountygirl on Instagram for the latest Bergen County updates, sign up for our email list here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 30+ events weekly to peruse.
