Forest Park Cemetery, also known as Pinewoods Cemetery, is often called the “Gateway to Hell” and is widely considered to be the most haunted forest in New York. It is located in the town of Brunswick, New York, and is home to over 100,000 graves, including the remains of many prominent figures from New York history.
history of forest park cemetery
Forest Park Cemetery in Brunswick, New York was founded in 1897 by a group of wealthy Troy businessmen under the Forest Park Cemetery Corporation. However, the cemetery had apparently been in use since at least 1856, based on older gravestones.
The original area chosen for the cemetery occupied over 200 acres (81 ha) of farmland in what was then rural Brunswick. Meant to outgrow and even outclass Troy’s Oakwood Cemetery, it was originally designed by Garnet Baltimore, the first African-American graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
The Forest Park Cemetery Corporation went bankrupt in 1914 and the cemetery was never completed to the original plans. The only structure that had been built was the receiving tomb, which still stands today, albeit in a dilapidated state. The receiving tomb was built from granite and featured a copper roof with a large skylight and contained 128 marble catacombs used for storing corpses during the winter. In 1914 the cemetery was re-incorporated by New York City natives under the name Forest Hills Cemetery.
Forest Park Cemetery Dark History
The cemetery has a long and dark history. It was founded in the early 1800s and was used as a burial ground for soldiers during the Civil War. In the late 1800s, the cemetery became a popular place for people to hold séances and other occult gatherings.
Today, Forest Park Cemetery is known for its paranormal activity. Visitors have reported seeing strange lights, hearing voices, and feeling cold spots. Some people have even claimed to have seen ghosts and other apparitions.
One of the most famous paranormal stories associated with Forest Park Cemetery is the story of the headless angel statue. It is said that the statue bleeds from the neck at night and that it can be heard crying out in pain.
Another popular story is the story of the white lady. It is said that the white lady is the ghost of a young woman who was buried in the cemetery in the early 1900s. She is said to wander the cemetery at night, searching for her lost love.
Forest Park Cemetery is a popular destination for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers. However, it is important to note that the cemetery is still an active burial ground and should be treated with respect.
Well, I’m here to tell you about Forest Park Cemetery in Brunswick, New York, a spot with lots of ghostly stories and strange happenings.
- The Headless Angel Statue: Picture this: a statue in the cemetery that’s said to bleed from its neck at night and cry out in pain. Spooky, right? Some folks think it’s haunted by the ghost of a young woman who had a terrible accident that left her without a head.
- The White Lady: Then, there’s the legend of the “White Lady.” People say she’s the ghost of a young woman who was buried there in the early 1900s. She’s said to wander the cemetery at night, looking for her lost love.
- Collapsing Mausoleum Doors: Some folks claim that the doors of the mausoleums will suddenly fall to the ground, revealing no caskets inside. Others say they open and close on their own, even when there’s no wind.
- Disappearing Tombstones: Can you imagine tombstones vanishing and then reappearing somewhere else? Some say that happens at Forest Park Cemetery. Others think the tombstones move on their own.
- Strange Lights and Sounds: People who visit the cemetery have reported seeing weird lights, hearing voices, and feeling super cold spots. Some have even said they saw ghosts and other mysterious figures!
Even though there’s no scientific proof for these stories, they’ve made Forest Park Cemetery a hotspot for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers.
Read More: This Place Named as the Most Haunted Place in New York
Why is Forest Park Cemetery considered to be haunted?
There are a number of reasons why Forest Park Cemetery is considered to be haunted. One reason is the cemetery’s long and dark history. It has been used as a burial ground for over 200 years, and many people have been buried there under tragic circumstances.
Another reason for the cemetery’s haunted reputation is its isolated location. The cemetery is surrounded by dense forest and is rarely visited by anyone other than ghost hunters and thrill-seekers. This creates an eerie and atmospheric setting, which is perfect for paranormal activity.
Finally, the cemetery is home to a number of unexplained phenomena, such as the strange lights and sounds that have been reported by visitors. These phenomena have only added to the cemetery’s reputation as a haunted place.
Whether or not Forest Park Cemetery is truly haunted is a matter of belief. However, there is no doubt that it is a fascinating and eerie place with a long and dark history.
So, if you’re ever in the area, be sure to explore Forest Park Cemetery, but always remember to be respectful of the history and the people who rest there. Who knows, you might have a spooky story of your own to share one day!