You’ll find Ingleby’s haunting remains along Ingleby Road (SR 2018) in Centre County, Pennsylvania. This abandoned railroad resort town flourished in the late 1800s as Dr. Frank Barker’s “Resort for Health and Pleasure” along the Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad. When the railway closed in 1970, Ingleby’s decline was swift and absolute. Today, the ghost town harbors dark legends, including tales of mysterious murders, ghostly encounters, and an elusive creature known as the “Ingleby Monster.”
Key Takeaways
- Ingleby began as a thriving resort destination along the Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad in the late 1800s, established by Dr. Frank Barker.
- The town’s decline and eventual abandonment occurred after the railway’s closure in 1970, transforming it into a ghost town.
- The site is accessible via Ingleby Road (State Route 2018), though most remnants lie on private property requiring permission.
- Historic railroad markers along Penns Creek Trail guide visitors through the ghost town’s past infrastructure and settlement areas.
- The abandoned town is known for paranormal activity, including ghost sightings and the legend of the Ingleby Monster.
The Rise and Fall of a Railroad Resort Town
While many Pennsylvania ghost towns emerged from coal mining operations, Ingleby’s story began as a resort destination along the Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad in the late 19th century.
Unlike its coal-mining counterparts, Ingleby rose as a railroad resort town before joining Pennsylvania’s roster of abandoned places.
You’ll find its railroad heritage deeply intertwined with Dr. Frank Barker’s ambitious vision when he purchased 500 acres to establish what became known as Barker’s Resort for Health and Pleasure.
The town’s resort culture flourished as city dwellers sought escape in its remote mountain setting, drawn to hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation along Penns Creek.
The Lewisburg, Centre and Spruce Creek Railroad transformed the region’s economy through woodland resource transportation.
The railroad’s presence was essential, serving as both a lifeline for lumber shipments and a gateway for pleasure-seekers.
When the railway closed in 1970, you’d witness Ingleby’s swift decline, as its isolation led to abandonment and its eventual ghost town status.
For researchers seeking historical context, Ingleby’s story is now part of a broader disambiguation page documenting various locations sharing the name.
You’ll find Ingleby’s remnants by following Ingleby Road (State Route 2018), an unpaved route that leads through what was once a bustling railroad resort town. Federal geographic identifiers list this location under code Q6032566.
Like many historical settlements across England, this Pennsylvania ghost town shares its name with several older villages. While the abandoned Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad tracks can’t be accessed today, you can use nearby Coburn as your primary reference point to orient yourself to the ghost town’s location at 40°50′40″N 77°26′6″W.
Your journey through this historic site connects you to both Bald Eagle State Forest‘s natural landmarks and the surrounding communities of Aaronsburg, Millheim, and Woodward, which serve as modern waypoints for reaching this lost piece of Pennsylvania’s past.
Finding Modern Access Points
For those seeking to locate the vanished town of Ingleby, modern navigation begins with its precise coordinates at 40°50′40″N 77°26′6″W in Centre County’s Haines Township.
You’ll need to respect that most of the site lies on private property, requiring advance permissions from local landowners before exploring.
Your primary route to Ingleby’s remnants follows these verified access points:
- Ingleby Road (State Route 2018) – an unpaved route leading near the ghost town
- Bald Eagle State Forest boundary trails – offering public access to peripheral areas
- Former Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad corridor – though abandoned, provides historical orientation
For navigation assistance, utilize the nearby town of Coburn as your base.
Remember to bring a high-clearance vehicle, as weather conditions can make the unpaved roads challenging.
Historic Railroad Trail Markers
To navigate Ingleby’s vanished streets today, a network of historic railroad markers along the Penns Creek Trail provides essential waypoints and context.
You’ll discover interpretive signage commemorating the Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad, which served as Ingleby’s lifeline until its abandonment in 1970.
As you explore the trail, you’ll encounter markers highlighting railroad heritage near significant infrastructure remains, including the striking Coburn Tunnel.
These plaques detail the railroad’s crucial role in Ingleby’s development as a resort destination and explain how the line’s closure contributed to the town’s decline.
Historical photographs and archival excerpts enrich the experience, while markers near former loading zones and station sites help you piece together the layout of this lost community.
The surrounding area offers scenic landscapes and nature that complement the historical exploration of the abandoned railway.
The trail system spans 46 miles through Western Pennsylvania’s historic corridors.
Nearby Geographic Reference Points
While Ingleby’s physical structures have vanished, its precise location remains fixed at 40°50′40″N latitude and 77°26′6″W longitude within Haines Township, Centre County.
You’ll find the ghost town site nestled against Bald Eagle State Forest, where geographic landmarks help pinpoint its former boundaries. The local ecology features dense mixed hardwood forests typical of central Pennsylvania’s Appalachian region. The area was historically known as Fowler before its name change.
To locate Ingleby today, use these key reference points:
- Follow Ingleby Road (SR 2018), an unpaved route serving as the primary access
- Look for the abandoned Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad bed, which borders the former settlement
- Reference nearby Coburn to the west, your closest active community with modern amenities
These markers create a triangle of coordinates that’ll guide you to this historic location within Pennsylvania’s rugged landscape.
Dark Tales and Haunted History
As you explore Ingleby’s darker history, you’ll find the most chilling tales center around a specific house where two unsolved murders occurred, including the notorious case of an elderly resident found beheaded.
The town’s legends intertwine with accounts of the “Ingleby Monster,” a mysterious creature that locals claim stalks the forested areas surrounding the abandoned settlement. Historical documents reveal that six child graves were discovered in the area, adding a tragic dimension to the town’s haunted reputation.
These stories gained such prominence that young thrill-seekers would visit on Halloween nights, often creating their own frightening scenarios by rigging fake glowing eyes in the darkness to perpetuate the monster mythology.
Unsolved Murder Mystery House
Deep within the remote town of Ingleby, Pennsylvania stands a haunting memorial to unsolved violence – a three-story mansion where two brutal murders occurred.
The most notorious murder investigation centers on an elderly recluse who was found beheaded inside, marking the second unexplained death in this isolated residence. Modern investigators exploring the basement have noted its distinctive six-foot ceiling, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that adds to the property’s eerie ambiance. A detective found DNA evidence on sheets and nightgowns that finally solved one of the town’s darkest mysteries.
Among the haunted artifacts once housed within, you’ll find three particularly chilling elements:
- A possessed grandfather clock featuring a human face that witnesses claim would wink at observers.
- A basement that continues to draw paranormal investigators searching for answers.
- The lingering mystery of the “Ingleby Monster,” a local cryptid some connect to the murders.
Today, while privately owned, you can glimpse inside during special Halloween tours organized by local historical groups, exploring the mansion’s dark past firsthand.
Ingleby Monster Sightings
Since the early 1900s, locals have whispered about a terrifying half-man, half-deer creature stalking the dense woodlands between Coburn and Ingleby.
You’ll find numerous Ingleby sightings documented through the years, with witnesses reporting massive footprints, broken branches, and haunting calls unlike any known wildlife.
The creature descriptions often match: an enormous bipedal being with deer-like features, spotted near abandoned cabins and in remote forest areas.
Multiple witnesses have even reported hearing several creatures calling to each other in the night.
While physical evidence remains largely anecdotal, the reports align with other Pennsylvania cryptid encounters.
The most chilling accounts come from those who’ve fled their homes, including one reclusive resident who was later found mysteriously beheaded in his cabin.
Natural Surroundings and Modern Access
While Ingleby’s remnants lie hidden from direct view, the ghost town‘s natural surroundings offer a stunning backdrop of Pennsylvania wilderness.
You’ll find the site nestled against Bald Eagle State Forest, where wildlife viewing and hiking opportunities abound through pristine woodlands and along Penns Creek Trail.
To experience Ingleby’s natural beauty today, you can:
- Access the area via Ingleby Road (SR 2018), though it’s unpaved and rugged
- Visit the Ingleby View Outlook at Poe Paddy State Park for a panoramic vista of the former town site
- Explore the public Penns Creek Trail, which follows the old Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad bed
While private ownership restricts direct access to the ghost town’s footprint, you’ll still discover rich natural surroundings through adjacent state forest lands and maintained trails.
Legacy of the Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad
As one of Pennsylvania’s most strategically important 19th-century rail projects, the Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad shaped the region’s development through its complex history of expansions and mergers.
The railroad’s legacy lives on through its remarkable engineering achievements, including two historic tunnels carved through Paddy and Tunnel mountains, which you can still explore today.
The railroad’s economic impact transformed local communities by connecting Union and Centre counties to essential markets. Under PRR control, it served as a defensive route against competing railroads while facilitating the transport of iron ore, coal, and agricultural products.
The L&T Railroad’s strategic route enabled regional commerce while protecting PRR interests and transporting vital industrial and agricultural resources.
Though financial challenges led to its eventual merger with PRR in 1915, the L&T’s 43-mile route through Pennsylvania’s challenging terrain stands as a monument to 19th-century railroad ingenuity and determination.
Mysterious Events and Local Legends
The abandoned tracks and structures of the Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad sparked more than just memories – they became the backdrop for Ingleby’s rich supernatural folklore.
You’ll find ghostly encounters woven into the fabric of local history, especially around the historic Eutaw House and Dr. Barker’s old residence near the tracks.
The area’s most notable paranormal features include:
- The six-grave cemetery that emanates an unexplained mysterious aura
- Reports of strange lights and shadows in the surrounding dense woods
- The Eutaw House’s connection to Edgar Allan Poe’s spirit, claimed to linger since 1939
Natural phenomena often fuel this eerie folklore, from harvest moon atmospherics to unexpected cold drafts in abandoned structures.
These elements, combined with Ingleby’s isolation, continue to captivate those seeking the freedom to explore its supernatural mysteries.
Preservation Status and Current Landscape
Despite its rich historical significance, modern-day Ingleby exists primarily on private lands with limited public access.
Today’s Ingleby remains hidden from public view, its historical treasures preserved behind private property boundaries.
You’ll find preservation challenges stemming from the lack of formal historic designations and reliance on private owners’ initiatives. The landscape changes are evident as nature reclaims what was once an industrial site, with most original structures either repurposed or lost to time.
If you’re interested in exploring the area, you can access the Penns Creek Trail, which follows the old railroad right-of-way, or visit Ingleby View Outlook in Poe Paddy State Park.
The surrounding environment features mixed hardwood forests and mountainous terrain typical of Centre County. While the Hastings Mansion remains as a private residence, you’ll mostly encounter a wilderness setting where the ghost town once thrived.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Wildlife Species Can Commonly Be Found Around Ingleby Today?
You’ll find white-tailed deer, raccoons, eastern cottontails, and chipmunks thriving in the area’s preserved habitats, while the wildlife diversity includes various birds, reptiles, and important native pollinators.
Are There Any Remaining Artifacts From the Original Schoolhouse?
Like secrets buried in time’s vault, you won’t find confirmed schoolhouse remnants today. Due to private land ownership and lack of historical preservation efforts, no verified artifacts remain accessible to researchers.
What Was the Town’s Peak Population During Its Most Prosperous Years?
You won’t find exact historical demographics for Ingleby’s peak growth, though evidence suggests it likely supported a modest population of a few hundred residents and seasonal visitors during its resort heyday.
Did Any Famous Historical Figures Ever Visit Ingleby’s Resort Facilities?
Despite hundreds of visitors to Barker’s Resort between 1870-1900, you won’t find documented evidence of any famous historical figures staying there. Local legends and ghost stories have overshadowed the resort’s actual visitor history.
What Businesses Operated in Ingleby Besides the Railroad Station?
You’d find Barker’s Resort for Health and Pleasure, lumber operations, fruit farms, and a horse breeding enterprise. While records don’t confirm a general store or lumber mill, these core businesses sustained the community.
References
- https://happyvalley.com/spooky-valley
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingleby
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHPt6Tbbx7E
- https://indianacountyparks.org/our-trails/ghost-town-trail/ghost-town-trail-history/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm3wxSOqlYM
- https://hainestwp.org/history/
- https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/nj1/chap2.htm
- https://centrehistory.org/the-abcs-of-centre-county/
- https://kids.kiddle.co/Ingleby
- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6032566
