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Haunted Spots In St. Lawrence County

Explore the Spooky Spots

*Updated for the 2023 Season*

During most of the year, it’s easy to walk past many of these places in St. Lawrence County without thinking of anything spooky. But if you’re in the mood for something a bit haunted, the North Country has several great spots surrounded with intrigue, history, and legends. Here are some we’ve heard about, and links to learn more if you dare!

The Claire House in Ogdensburg

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The Claire House B&B

709 Franklin St., Ogdensburg

Once a church rectory built in 1884, this imposing limestone manor is filled with terrifying entities that tie back to its religious beginnings. The Claire House once neighbored the original St. Mary's Cathedral and was home to the Rector and other priests for 76 years. When fire destroyed the cathedral in 1947, precious relics were saved from the flames and secretly stored in the basement of The Rectory. Since then, it was sold to a succession of families who used it as their home. During this time, the house fell into serious disrepair and there has been haunted sightings ever since. Many have claimed to see ghost sightings of Bishop Conroy, the original Rector of the house who lived there for 37 years. Others have seen the Skeleton-Faced Lady AKA Mrs. Gardner & Our Little Girl and Mystery Ghost. The building was purchased in 2019 by Hal and Rachel Kench, who have rehabilitated the property and converted it to a "Haunted B&B". An episode of "Ghost Hunters" was filmed here and featured as the 2023 season finale titled "Diocese of the Dead".

More info: https://www.theclairehouse.com/ and https://www.newyorkupstate.com/places-to-stay/2023/04/new-ghost-hunters-episode-to-feature-haunted-outdoor-adventure-b-b-in-upstate-ny.html

Satterlee Hall in Potsdam

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Satterlee Hall

44 Pierrepond Ave, Potsdam

SUNY Potsdam was founded in 1816, making it one of the 50 oldest colleges in the United States. The spirit of Dr. Howard Satterlee, first dean of SUNY Potsdam, is said to still roam the hall of his namesake. He is said to favor the third floor, and sometimes turn on the clock tower lights. Other apparitions have been observed in the Knowles basement and students have seen doors slam by themselves.

Open during regular business hours: https://www.potsdam.edu/about/directory/buildings/satterlee-hall

More info: https://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/suny-potsdam/ and https://www.newyorkhauntedhouses.com/real-haunt/suny-potsdam.html

The Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg

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Frederic Remington Art Museum

303 Washington St., Ogdensburg

The Frederic Remington Art Museum is known for not only its art collection but also the ghost of Elena Vespucci, the mistress of Daniel Parish. The Museum is the site of the former home of Parish and Vespucci. They moved back to Europe and spent their final days separately across the ocean, but many believe Vespucci’s spirit travelled back to her old home, where she once spent the best and happiest years of her life. Vespucci’s voices, along with the ghost of Remington and others, have been reported by visitors.

Open during regular business hours: https://fredericremington.org/hours-of-operation-c16.php 

More info: https://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/frederic-remington-art-museum/ and https://seeksghosts.blogspot.com/2019/05/a-ghost-at-frederic-remington-art-museum.html

Herring-Cole Hall in Canton

Herring-Cole Hall

University Ave, Canton

If you ask the students who spent any time here, the T-shaped Herring-Cole Hall at SLU, which is on the National Registry for Historic Buildings, is a hotbed of supernatural activities. Countless sightings have been observed over the years by the students. Rumor has it that the haunts make it a great spot for seances and meditations, but it could partially be the acoustics too. 

Open by appointment/reservation

More info: https://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/herring-cole-hall/

Pine Grove Cemetery #2

Cook Street Road, Massena

Many of the plots in Pine Grove #2 were relocated from Barnhart Island during construction of the Seaway in 1955. One section in particular, belonging to the Barnhart family, is sectioned off and wrapped in iron fence. A source of local legends, among them accounts of unexplained claw marks on the inside of caskets. Visitors from ghost hunters to children have all felt presences.

Open to the public dawn til dusk

More info:

Spanky’s Restaurant

3 N Main Street, Massena

Known as one of the most haunted places in the country, an old rail car was converted into a small diner in 1956. Over the years, the restaurants changed hands until the father of present day owner Valeris J. LeValley purchased it. Her dad, “Spanky”, had various unexplained experiences in the restaurant. Lights and equipment turning on and off, presences felt, and faces and voices seen and heard. One woman reportedly had her shoelaces tied together while dining.

Haunted basement open for ghost hunts and tours by appointment

More info:

The Hub

1 Lincoln Street, Canton

The Hub, an old cottage on the St. Lawrence University campus, is said to be the residence of the ghost of Florence Lee Whitman, the daughter of former president of the college John Stebbins Lee. Famous paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren claimed to have witnessed a ghost in the butler’s pantry in the 1970s.

Private residence not open for visits

More info: https://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/the-hub/

Holcroft House

8 Clarkson Ave, Potsdam

Witnesses have described an apparition, believed to be Elizabeth Clarson, the mother of the college’s namesake, at the Holcroft House. Among the sightings reported are lights that turn on by themselves, moving furniture and parting curtains, sounds of footsteps and a crying woman, random banging, and a Ouija board that once spelled out “Elizabeth”.

Open by appointment

More info: https://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/holcroft-house/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNYbelUfGoM&ab_channel=ClarksonUniversity

Mater Dei College/Academy at Ivy Ridge

5631 NY-37, Ogdensburg

As a former school for troubled teens, witnesses have felt being watched by the presence of a ghost boy and a phantom nun at the former Mater Dei College, later the Academy at Ivy Ridge. With a turbulent history that included riots, accusations of assault, and other troubles, the school closed in 2009 after being open seven short years.

Closed

More info: https://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/mater-dei-college-academy-at-ivy-ridge/ https://www.newyorkhauntedhouses.com/real-haunt/academy-at-ivy-ridge.html

Ogdensburg Public Library

312 Washington St., Ogdensburg

Librarians at the Ogdensburg Public Library have reported seeing apparitions in the building and have had unusual experiences. Originally a residential mansion, it was remodeled between 1921 and 1922 after a devastating fire. According to the librarians, the ghosts are more friendly than fright.
Open to the general public during regular business hours: https://www.ogdensburgpubliclibrary.org/hours

More info: https://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/ogdensburg-public-library/ and https://www.newyorkhauntedhouses.com/real-haunt/ogdensburg-public-library.html

Do you have any haunted St. Lawrence County stories? Contact us and let us know!

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