Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the Strasburg Ghost Tour.
Let me tell you, it was an unforgettable journey into the eerie and mysterious side of this quaint Pennsylvania town.
Our knowledgeable and charismatic guide set the tone for the evening from when our group gathered at the designated meeting point.
Dressed in period-appropriate attire, he exuded an air of mystery that immediately captured our attention.
The tour began as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over Strasburg’s cobblestone streets and historic buildings.
My favorite part of the Strasburg haunted ghost tour was visiting the Annie Gonder Mansion and seeing her final resting place at the cemetery.
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Strasburg Ghost Tour: My Experience
Last night, my wife and I went on the Ghosts of Strasburg Walking Tour in Haunted Strasburg, PA, on Halloween Eve 2021. The beautiful town of Strasburg is nestled in the heart of Amish country and is filled with cozy bed and breakfasts, small shops, and yummy eateries.
We both preferred to do the Ghost Tour of Lancaster, but it was booked solid for weeks, so we settled on the Strasburg Ghost Tour. My family and I visited Strasburg in 2018 and rode on the Strasburg Railroad Train Ride, which was unique.
The temperature was perfect that night at around 58 degrees. We met up with the tour guide and a group of about 15 people in front of one of the storefronts at 1 Main Street in Haunted Strasburg, PA, at 8:45 pm.
The Strasburg Ghost tour guide wore a long black cape and carried a candle-lit lantern. It was a brisk fall night, perfect for a ghost-walking tour.
The Strasburg Ghost tour was an hour and fifteen minutes long, and we walked the entire time. The tour guide would stop now and then and tell us different stories surrounding the spot where we were standing.
There was a lot of historical information, folklore, and spooky happenings.
He was a good tour guide.
How Long Is The Strasburg Ghost Tour?
1 hour 15 minutes
What Is The Cost of The Strasburg Ghost Tour?
$20 per person ($15 ages 4-12)
What is The Haunted Ghost Tour of Strasburg, PA?
The modest town of Strasburg is mainly known for its historical railroad. Thousands flock to this small town every summer to stroll through the Amish farmlands, not realizing the nearby village is rich in ghostly tales of the afterlife.
After hours, this town comes alive with spirits. Ghost carriages carrying Union Civil War soldiers on leave have been spotted on Main Street. The nearby John Funk house, which dates back to 1789, is thought to be haunted by him and his wife.
Mr. Funk is such a vibrant spirit; conversations have been recorded. He’s also been known to wait on customers in the store that now occupies his former residence.
Hidden deep in Pennsylvania, Dutch folklore lurks stories seldom told and only in whispers.
Attend a candlelight ghost tour of Strasburg, a quaint and historic town in the heart of PA, Dutch Country. Experience an entertaining evening with a costumed tour guide spinning tales of haunted mansions, eerie graveyards, and spirits that roam the night in a town lost in time!
These guided candlelight Ghost Tours explore the ghost stories of old Pennsylvania Dutch Country. The reports are based on the book Ghost Stories of Lancaster, PA, which can be found in bookstores and at www.ghostlore.com.
Ghost Tours are available nightly by reservation. Tours in Lancaster depart from Penn Square at the King & Queen Streets intersection. Tours in Strasburg depart from the corner of Main & Decatur Streets (outside the bank at 1 E. Main Street).
My Experience of The Ghost Tour of Strasburg
This isn’t my first walking ghost tour. I’ve done ghost tours of Fell’s Point and Annapolis, Mt. Washington in Baltimore City, and a ghost tour of Gettysburg, PA.
We usually go on ghost tours around this time of year because the weather is good and bugs are non-existent.
I couldn’t imagine a ghost tour in July or August. I enjoy walking around historic towns with like-minded chill people, and it’s relaxing.
We parked on Main Street in front of the storefront next to PNC Bank around 8:30; we were the only ones there.
Around 8:35, another couple visiting from Long Island, NY, showed up, and I chatted with them while waiting for the tour guide. They were very friendly.
A pizza joint across the street called itself a “New York-style” pizza place – We both laughed.
Two other families showed up with their children, and I chatted with them. So we had about fifteen people in total. We saw the tour guide across the street finishing the 7:30 tour.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get the tour guide’s name, but I thought he did well overall. Before we began our ghost tour, he made sure everyone was there, and he just called out names, and then we were good.
We didn’t have to show our receipts.
We had to wait until precisely 8:45 to begin our tour if anyone was running behind.
Strasburg Tour
The first stop on our supernatural adventure was about the building across the street, and he talked about it for about 10 or 12 minutes before crossing Decatur Street to our second stop.
The Strasburg Ghost Tour guide shared spine-chilling stories of ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena as we strolled through the dimly lit streets.
The attention to detail and historical accuracy added a layer of authenticity that elevated the experience beyond a typical ghost tour.
The tales ranged from the tragic to the mysterious, leaving us captivated and eager for more.
The second stop was the Strasburg Ghost Tours’ original location, now Main Street Antiques.
The guide talked about a haunted hotel down the street that was too far to walk (not for me,) and we continued west on Main Street pretty far until we got to our next stop, The Archive Building.
Throughout the tour, our guide encouraged questions and interaction, fostering a sense of camaraderie among the group.
The small size of our tour allowed for an intimate experience, and I appreciated the personal touch that made this ghost tour stand out from others I attended.
Haunted Gonder Mansion
Afterward, we continued on W. Main Street until we reached the magnificent twin-turreted Victorian-era Queen Anne Gonder Mansion.
Located at 130 West Main Street, this estate has a deep setback and a sidewalk lining the stone wall. It was built by local railroading tycoon Benjamin B. Gonder, also known as B.B., in 1905.
The Victorian-era home was built either next door or across the street from the modest home where the family formerly resided. But they left something behind in the former home when moving next door.
His wife, Mary, their two children, and BB’s unmarried sister, Annie Gonder, lived with BB.
Benjamin Gonder had left his sister Annie to live in the home herself, secluded from the rest of the family. Annie was thought to have several mental disabilities that the family seemed embarrassed by.
She was rumored to be “simple-minded,” and BB’s wife, Mary, found her an embarrassment, especially when entertaining guests. Among other things, Annie had a habit of loudly laughing at things male guests said, especially ones she found attractive.
Annie struggled to understand the rejection from the family she loved so much. She spent hours every day staring out the window at the beautiful home from which she was forbidden to enter.
BB was the first of the Gonder family to die.
He suffered a heart attack and died at home on March 16, 1916. Annie’s melancholy deepened after BB’s death until she unexpectedly left town one day on May 28, 1918. It was soon discovered that Annie had committed suicide by drowning herself in Pequea Creek just west outside Strasburg.
It would appear that even in death, Annie was an embarrassment to Mary. When it came time to bury Annie in the nearby Strasburg Cemetery, her grave was placed to the far left on the Gonder family plot, and the tombstone was turned so it faced away from the rest of the family.
Legend says that Annie, barred from living in the lovely mansion, now spends her afterlife there, haunting the corridors and parlors of the home to which she was denied entrance. Why only be seen or heard by men? Perhaps Annie doesn’t want her sister-in-law Mary to know she’s there.
Five men, including BB Gonder, have died in the mansion.
Since then, it seems as though Annie Gonder has kept her promise. Her spirit is said to haunt the Gonder Mansion, and she is particularly fond of scaring men of the house.
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Mud Sales
Before going to the Strasburg Cemetery, we stopped where Mud Sales and Auctions are held.
The tour guide said the property belongs to the Strasburg Fire Department, and volunteer fire companies protect many counties and villages.
These fire companies must raise funds to pay for needed equipment and supplies, so they make a sale/auction once a year.
Think of it as a benefit auction. Many locals donate items for sale to give the fire department much-needed funds.
Since many items are sold outside during potentially muddy Spring conditions, these events have earned the nickname “Mud Sales.” I don’t recall much of the story about this location, but something about Jake, who disappeared and wagon with “Bell’s On.”
Strasburg Cemetery
The last stop on our supernatural adventure was the Strasburg Cemetery, a place steeped in history and rumored to be haunted by restless spirits.
Our guide skillfully wove tales of the town’s past, blending facts with local legends that sent shivers down our spines. The flickering lanterns added an extra layer of ambiance, creating an eerie and enchanting atmosphere.
We went inside and visited the Gonder Family burial plot. The guide spoke directly behind Annie’s grave, which was alone regarding the other headstones.
There is a small headstone to the left of Annie’s grave; I believe it is the grave of a small child from the Gonder family.
All other headstones are semi-circle away from Annie’s grave marker.
The guide spoke for fifteen minutes and allowed us to take pictures. The guide walked us back to 1 Main Street, and we gave him a $10 tip. For some reason, the tour guide reminded me of Adam Carolla.
Overall, the Strasburg Ghost tour was enjoyable, and I highly recommend it. It’s safe for people of all ages, but I don’t recommend it if you have difficulty walking.
One of our group members, who used a cane for walking, left the tour at Main Street’s Archive/ Records building.
So, how haunted was Strasburg, PA? It was not, but it was a great experience, and I will have to revisit it during the day. I hope you enjoyed reading my Strasburg Ghost Tour Review.
Next October, I will do the Ghost Tour of Lancaster.
Strasburg Ghost Tour Review Conclusion
In conclusion, the Strasburg Ghost Tour exceeded my expectations in every way. It seamlessly blended history with the paranormal, creating an immersive and spine-chilling experience.
Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, this tour offers a captivating glimpse into the mysterious side of Strasburg. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a thrilling and entertaining evening filled with ghostly tales and local lore.
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