Top 5 Most Haunted Places in Schenectady, New York

​​​​​​​​The following is a list of allegedly haunted locations in Schenectady, New York. To view my full list of ghost stories and haunted locations in New York, Click Here. And if you liked this list, be sure to check out my new book, The Folklore & Haunted Locations Guide: New York, available on Amazon!!
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#1 - Front Street Park

Coordinates:  42.820599°, -73.943146°
Location Address:  Front Street, Schenectady, New York, 12305
Front Street Park in Schenectady, New York is said to be haunted by the spirits of former British settlers who were killed by French and Native American soldiers during the Schenectady Massacre. On February 8, 1690 a party of over 200 French and Mohawk Indian forces attacked the village of Schenectady, killing nearly half of its population and destroying most of the houses and other buildings there. Locals walking in the park at night often report witnessing apparitions wearing clothing from the late 1600's, as well as hearing disembodied voices, moans, and gunshots. Others report feeling sudden cold spots or drops in temperature, as well as feelings of being watched by an unseen entity.


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#2 - Historic Vale Cemetery

Coordinates:  42.805817°, -73.932600°
Location Address:  907 State Street, Schenectady, New York, 12307
Established in 1857, the Historic Vale Cemetery in Schenectady, New York spans over 100 acres and contains over 33,000 burial plots. Visitors at the cemetery report witnessing apparitions and shadow figures, while also hearing the sounds of disembodied voices and whispers. Paranormal investigators who enter the cemetery late at night often report witnessing strange glowing orbs and flashing lights, as well as hearing the sounds of a choir singing in the empty church nearby.


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#3 - Mad Jack Brewing Co. at The Van Dyck Lounge

Coordinates:  42.816536°, -73.943146°
Location Address:  237 Union Street, Schenectady, New York, 12305
The Van Dyck Lounge in Schenectady, New York was constructed in 1947 as a jazz lounge, and according to local historians was also the site of an old brothel during the 1800's. Its stage has hosted many famous jazz musicians over the years, including Roy Eldridge, Teddy Wilson, and Thelonious Monk. The location is said to be haunted by the spirit of a woman who was killed in one of the stairwells, and whose apparition is often seen by guests and employees. Although her spirit has been reported by employees and guests numerous times over the years, the woman's identity is unknown.


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#4 - Union College

Coordinates:  42.819302°, -73.928981°
Location Address:  897 Union Street, Schenectady, New York, 12308
Founded in 1795, Union College is a private liberal arts college in Schenectady, New York. The wooded area of campus known as Jackson's Garden is said to be haunted by the spirit of a young woman named Alice Van der Veer, who was allegedly burnt alive in 1672 after she was discovered having a romantic relationship with a young suitor, which her father had forbidden. Students near Jackson's Garden have reported encountering Alice Van der Veer's spirit late at night, allegedly still searching for her lost love. In May of 1946 an article about Alice Van der Veer was published in the New York Folklore Quarterly, titled "The Union College Ghost," and in October of 1957 the story was made internationally famous when Life magazine published a Halloween spread about the Union College haunting, called "By Moonlight Burned."


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#5 - Yates Magnet Elementary School

Coordinates:  42.829653°, -73.919265°
Location Address:  725 Salina Street, Schenectady, New York, 12308
Students and employees at Yates Elementary School in Schenectady, New York report witnessing the apparitions of former students who passed away, and whose spirits allegedly wander the hallways at night. Although many believe the school to be haunted, very little additional information is available regarding this location.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​For additional information, or to see my complete list of folklore tales and haunted locations in New York, click here. And if you liked this list, be sure to check out my new book, The Folklore & Haunted Locations Guide: New York, available on Amazon!!​

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