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Pennhurst State School: History & Hauntings

by Jennifer Jones
written by Jennifer Jones

A Long-Awaited Visit to Pennhurst

Like the Goldfield Hotel, Pennhurst State School and Asylum was on my Top 5 list of haunted places to visit.  In Summer 2015, I traveled to Pennsylvania to see my family — giving me the perfect opportunity to explore it.

If you’re interested in Pennhurst’s history, there are some great resources available. Preserve Pennhurst provides historical preservation efforts, while The Pennhurst Project dives into personal stories. You can also read Pennhurst Asylum: The Shame of Pennsylvania for a deeper look at its tragic past.

We arrived at Pennhurst about 6 pm and while waiting for my friend Nick to arrive and let us in we wandered around the outside and took some pictures.

The Troubled History of Pennhurst

Pennhurst opened its doors for Patient No. 1 on November 23rd, 1908. Within just a few years Pennhurst was underfunded, understaffed, and overcrowded. As early as July 29th, 1913 there were reports of abuse at the institution. Authorities arrested and charged John Jacobs for beating two young men who didn’t move fast enough for his liking. He beat both of the men with a wooden club.

Financial Corruption and Mismanagement

By 1923 there were accusations of mismanagement of funds. The superintendent received a $5,000 annual salary ($79K today), along with a residence, an expensive car, two servants, and a chauffeur.

The Documentary That Exposed Pennhurst

In the 1960s, local reporter Bill Baldini released an eye-opening documentary. You can watch it here. At the time of its production, Pennhurst State School and Asylum housed 2,791d patients, most of them children. There were nine medical doctors on staff and eleven teachers, none of whom had any training in special education.

The Hauntings of Pennhurst

By the time Pennhurst finally closed its doors in December, 1987, over 10,000 people had passed through its doors. With such a long history of overcrowding, mistreatment, and suffering, it’s no surprise that many believe Pennhurst is one of the most haunted locations in the country.

It wasn’t until the location sat empty and caretakers began experiencing strange things that the site got the reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the United States.

Ghostly Encounters in the Quaker Building

Caretakers reported slamming doors, disembodied voices, and loud unexplained noises echoing through the buildings. But whenever they searched for trespassers, they found no one. The Quaker building is notorious for shadowy figures and full-bodied apparitions. One of the most commonly seen is a young girl with long black hair. Visitors to the Quaker Building report being shoved and scratched, while unseen forces hurl objects across the seemingly empty room.

In the Limerick Building, witnesses have seen an apparition of a nurse dressed in an old-fashioned uniform.

Final Thoughts: A Place You Never Forget

Having spent some time inside Pennhurst I can vouch that the place feels heavy. The history of what took place here still hangs in the air. It’s one of those places that you just will never forget the feel of.

Asylums have long been the setting for dark and disturbing stories—but not all of them come from within their walls. One particularly chilling case, involving a murderous clown with ties to an institution, proves that sometimes, the real horror isn’t the hauntings—it’s the history. Read the bizarre true story here.

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Cemeteries

The Forgotten History of Mount Ogden Mausoleum

by Jennifer Jones
written by Jennifer Jones

A Valentine’s Day Visit to the Mausoleum

I drive past the Mount Ogden Mausoleum almost daily and have always wanted to stop and look inside. But for whatever reason, I never had—until a few days ago. And what better way to spend Valentine’s Day than wandering through, reflecting on the Mount Ogden Mausoleum history?

Before we could go inside, we had to stop at the cemetery office to get the door code. I was half-expecting side-eye from the staff when I asked for access. How would they react if I told them I enjoy visiting cemeteries? Thankfully, they were totally cool about it and gave us the code right away.

Once inside, the mausoleum felt frozen in time. The polished marble floors, the stained glass windows, and rows of crypts made it feel both grand and eerie. What struck me most was the basement level, packed with crypts and noticeably darker than the main floor. Some crypts had photographs of their occupants, like Mary and James Fife. Others stood out for different reasons—like David C. Muckey, the only occupied crypt I saw without a brass nameplate.

But as I wandered through the halls, I started wondering—what was the story behind this place? I knew it had been around for decades, but how had it changed over time? That question led me down a rabbit hole of old newspaper archives, revealing a much stranger history than I expected.

The Birth of the Mount Ogden Mausoleum

The Mount Ogden Mausoleum was officially dedicated on June 9, 1935, with a grand vision of providing a modern and elegant final resting place. The mausoleum’s construction was overseen by Cecil E. Bryan, an architect known for designing impressive mausoleums across the country.

Before its completion, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 17, attended by Mayor Frank Francis and other prominent figures in Ogden. The event marked the beginning of what was supposed to be a prestigious, state-of-the-art burial site.

By 1936, the mausoleum added a crematory, making it the only one between Denver and the West Coast. They heavily advertised this feature, boasting the use of a Bleitz evaporator, described as the “last word in cremation.”

A Living Room for the Dead

One of the most unusual things I found was a 1945 newspaper ad showing the mausoleum’s Chapel Corridor set up like a living room—complete with sofas, armchairs, and lamps. The ad called this “a kinder, more reverent way” to remember loved ones.

I have no idea how long this furniture arrangement lasted, but it’s definitely not there anymore. It’s strange to think of a time when mourning spaces were designed to be comforting and almost home-like rather than sterile and somber.

The Name Change: From Mausoleum to Memorial Park

Originally, the site was named the Mount Ogden Cemetery. In the late 1930s, it was rebranded as Aultorest Memorial Park—a name meant to sound peaceful and inviting.

The name “Aultorest” (a play on “All-to-Rest”) was meant to shift public perception of cemeteries. Ads encouraged people to “drive out and enjoy the beauty” of the memorial park, presenting it more like a landscaped retreat than a burial ground.

However, this rebranding may have also been a strategic move to distract from a growing controversy.

The Financial Scandal: Mismanaged Trust Funds?

In the 1940s, James Harbertson, the manager of Aultorest Memorial Park, was accused of mismanaging the trust fund meant for the perpetual care of the cemetery.

A lawsuit filed in Second District Court alleged that the cemetery’s trust fund had been dissipated, raising concerns about the park’s financial stability. Harbertson denied the accusations, claiming there hadn’t been enough time to respond to the claims.

While the outcome of the case remains unclear, the accusations raise serious questions about whether the cemetery’s financial troubles led to neglect in later years.

Expansion and Decline: The Mountain View Cemetery Takeover

By 1946, Harbertson expanded his influence further by purchasing Mountain View Cemetery, another burial ground in Ogden. At the time, Mountain View was in terrible condition, described in newspapers as overgrown with weeds, covered in trash, and neglected by its owners.

Harbertson promised drastic changes—new landscaping, better maintenance, and tighter security to prevent vandalism. However, this expansion may have also spread resources thin, possibly affecting the upkeep of Aultorest itself.

Newspaper articles from the 1950s and 60s reveal that frustrated lot owners at Mountain View Cemetery held protests, complaining that promised perpetual care wasn’t being delivered. Could this pattern have repeated at Aultorest?

What Happened to the Copper Statue?

One of the most intriguing finds was an article about a copper statue that was supposed to sit atop the mausoleum. The statue, described as larger than life, depicted a robed figure holding a torch and wreath.

Created by local metalworkers, it was covered in gold leaf and outlined in neon lighting—a striking design choice for a mausoleum.

But here’s the mystery: there’s no trace of this statue today. Did it ever make it onto the mausoleum? Was it removed? Or did financial struggles prevent it from being installed in the first place?

Final Thoughts: A Cemetery with a Complicated Past

Walking through the mausoleum, I originally thought I was just visiting an old burial site. Instead, I found a place with a fascinating—and sometimes shady—history.

From its early days as a state-of-the-art facility with a living room-style chapel, to financial scandals, expansions, and its eventual decline, Aultorest Memorial Park tells a story that goes far beyond the marble crypts inside.

I still have questions, especially about the missing copper statue and how the trust fund controversy may have affected the cemetery over time. But one thing is certain—this mausoleum is far more than just a final resting place. It’s a piece of Ogden’s forgotten history.

Have You Been to Aultorest Memorial Park?

If you’ve visited Aultorest Memorial Park or have any family history connected to it, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop a comment below or reach out—especially if you know anything about the missing statue or the cemetery’s past.

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AbandonedUrban Legends

Cry Baby Bridge Utah

by Jennifer Jones
written by Jennifer Jones

The Legend:

A mother took her two young children for a drive, believing they were possessed by the devil. She drove off the bridge into the river, killing everyone in the car. If you sit on the bridge, roll down your windows, and honk three times, you may hear children yelling, “Don’t do it, Mother!”

The History of Cry Baby Bridges

Cry Baby Bridges are a common urban legend across the United States, with each location adding its own twist. Most versions involve a grieving mother who, in desperation, kills her child by throwing them off a bridge or driving into the water. Some stories, like the Cry Baby Bridge Utah legend, blame an abusive husband, mental illness, or supernatural forces like demonic possession. Despite their differences, they all share one eerie claim. If you visit the bridge at night, you may hear a baby crying, see ghostly figures, or experience paranormal activity.

While these legends are widespread, documented evidence to support them is rare. In many cases, the stories evolve from real tragedies—car accidents, drownings, or even suicides. But over time, the details shift, and fact becomes folklore. Some historians believe these stories come from older ghost tales or past cases of infanticide exaggerated into legend. Whether based on truth or fiction, Cry Baby Bridge stories, including the Cry Baby Bridge Utah legend, continue to fascinate ghost hunters and folklore enthusiasts.

The History:

I’ve heard stories of various Cry Baby Bridges across the United States but didn’t know Utah had one. I discovered it while reading an article about haunted spots across the state. Bear River City isn’t far from where I live. Since it was Halloween, I figured it was the perfect time to visit the infamous Cry Baby Bridge Utah.

We got to the bridge and saw it had been closed off some time ago. A new bridge stood beside the old one. Thankfully, they left the old bridge standing. After climbing through some brush, we saw the bridge stretched out before us.

It quickly became clear why the bridge had been abandoned.  Made of steel, the bridge had holes every few feet, some large enough for a foot to slip through. Rust covered the bridge. We looked for any indication of a car going off the edge of the bridge. While it would’ve been easy enough to repair the bridge, there were no areas that we could see that showed any signs of previous damage.

Searching for the Truth

When we got home, I figured a mother dying by suicide and murdering her children would have been a major story. Bear River City is tiny, so it would have made big news.

I searched the internet and newspapers for any mention of a major car accident, accidental deaths, murder, or suicide in Bear River. Finding nothing, I expanded my search to Corinne, Tremonton, and Brigham City. But still, nothing.

Then I found a May 16, 1931, article with the headline: “Driver Freed of Blame in Bridge Death.” While the story didn’t involve a mother killing her children, it was still incredibly tragic.

On the morning of Friday, May 16, 1931, a four-year-old-boy by the name of Ellis Anderson was playing near the bridge while his father was working in a nearby field.  A mail carrier was crossing the bridge when a dog darted in front of his car.  He swerved to avoid the dog but lost control, striking Ellis and throwing him off the bridge into the river below. His father pulled his body from the river. The medical examiner stated he was dead at the time of his arrival on the scene.  The mail carrier later said he hadn’t seen the little boy chasing the dog.  Another article says that the driver struck both Ellis and a 12-year-old companion by the name of Norman.  The article didn’t mention Norman’s condition, but he apparently survived.

Could This Be the Origin of the Legend?

This wasn’t the tragedy I expected to uncover, but it makes me wonder. Could this be the real event behind Bear River City’s Cry Baby Bridge legend? Stories like these often evolve over time, blending fact with folklore. Have you ever visited a Cry Baby Bridge or heard a similar legend? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below or share your own eerie experiences of Cry Baby Bridge Utah!

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Cemeteries

Mill Fork Cemetery

by Jennifer Jones
written by Jennifer Jones

Tucked away in Spanish Fork Canyon, Mill Fork Cemetery is easy to miss — but once you spot it, you won’t forget it. I first noticed it on a drive back from Moab, a weathered sign barely visible before the highway swallowed it again. A few weekends later, curiosity got the best of me, and we set out to explore.

I hadn’t done any research on the cemetery beforehand, and I wasn’t sure what to expect, other than it was old.  What we found upon arrival surprised us, and honestly, it’s the oddest cemetery I’ve ever visited.

Driving under the Mill Fork cemetery sign, I had no idea what to expect. Stepping out of the car, I saw a wooden staircase leading to a long bridge over a dry wash. My curiosity skyrocketed. At the top of the stairs stood a metal gate and the cemetery, enclosed by a chain-link fence. The official internment count is 17, likely the graves with headstones.  However, Find A Grave lists 46 total burials, with the first in 1895 and the last, according to the State of Utah, in 1926.

Mill Fork Cemetery - The Dead History

Walking through the small cemetery, I saw most graves belonged to two families. Nearly all were very young when they died. Another gated chain-link fence surrounded these graves, with large bushes making them hard to see. Mill Fork Cemetery was turning out to be unusual. Outside the cemetery, I spotted 2-3 possible unmarked graves. Some were small mounds covered with rocks. One had a wooden headstone so worn that any writing had long disappeared.

A Cemetery Full of Questions

Mill Fork itself has all but vanished, leaving behind little more than this cemetery. I wanted to know its story — especially how so many children ended up buried here. What I found was a string of tragedies, each more heartbreaking than the last.

Established around 1875, Mill Fork was a logging camp that was implemental to the development of the railroad through the canyon.  At its height, it had a population of about 250 people, three sawmills, charcoal kilns, a general store, and housing for railroad employees.

A Deadly Scarlet Fever Outbreak

The first burials in Mill Fork Cemetery were in June 1893: Edna Eva Finch (3), Effie Finch (3), and Georgia Geraldine Finch (5). The Salt Lake Herald reported that a woman and her child fled a scarlet fever epidemic in Grand Junction, Colorado. They stopped in Mill Fork for a few days, unaware they were infected. They also didn’t mention coming from a city experiencing an outbreak. In that short time, they spread the disease, and many became ill. The Finch family suffered most, losing three children. The original stone markers have disappeared, recently replaced with wooden ones.

The next burial was Myrtle Elliott on May 31, 1905. Nine-year-old Myrtle was outside with her older brother. He was unloading 100-pound sacks of grain from a wagon. Not realizing she was behind him, he accidentally dropped a sack on her.r.

Tragedy Strikes the Elliott Family — Twice

Unfortunately, tragedy didn’t end for the Elliott family. Three years later, William Edson Elliott was killed by runaway coal cars. The first mine car hit him so hard it knocked off his hat. Six more cars ran over him. The eighth car derailed after striking him.

The irony in Edson Elliott’s death is that for years he was a railroad section foreman in charge of keeping sections of rail safe for travel.  He was only working inside the Castle Gate Mine temporarily, waiting for outside work to become available.

Murder in Mill Fork: The Death of Ida Ballard

The last and most shocking story behind the Mill Fork Cemetery belongs to Ida Viola Chadwick Ballard and her husband and murderer, Paris Ballard.  Ida had family ties to Mill Fork, but she and her husband were living in Salt Lake City at the time of their deaths.  Paris worked as a farmhand on Antelope Island and was often gone for stretches at a time.  Apparently, he struggled with alcoholism, and when he was back in Salt Lake with Ida, he experienced jealous fits while intoxicated.  Neighbors said they seemed to be a nice couple overall.

A Deadly Confrontation

On the day of her death, the 12th of September, 1919, Ida Ballard was able to get Deputy Sheriff Arthur Waller to accompany her back to their apartment in order to dissuade her husband from carrying out threats he had previously made against her.  When they got to the apartment, Paris was gone, and they assumed he had gone back to Antelope Island for work and wouldn’t be a problem at that time.  It turns out he had not headed back to Antelope Island, but instead was out purchasing a gun and some whiskey.

He later returned to the house and began arguing with Ida.  A neighbor who lived on the other side of the apartment reported hearing him yell at Ida to come into the house, and when she refused, he was seen dragging her inside.  The neighbor told police that she couldn’t hear what they were arguing about, but that the tone was angry. She then heard Ida pleading for her life when two shots rang out followed by three more shots and silence.

When police arrived they found Ida dead on her knees at the foot of the bed, and Paris face down on the bed barely alive.  As they were getting ready to transport him to the hospital, they found a half-empty flask of whiskey in his pocket.  He died later that evening at the Salt Lake Emergency Hospital.  For whatever reason, their family decided to have them buried side by side in the Mill Fork Cemetery.

A Forgotten Cemetery, A Preserved Legacy

Thanks to Doug and Christie Atwood, Mill Fork Cemetery hasn’t faded into obscurity like the town it once served. If you ever find yourself passing through Spanish Fork Canyon, take the detour. Walk across the bridge, step through the gate, and read the names that time nearly erased. And before you leave — sign the guestbook. Who knows how many more visitors this place will see?

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Cemeteries

Goldfield Nevada Cemetery

by Jennifer Jones
written by Jennifer Jones

On the outskirts of a nearly forgotten town, where the desert stretches endlessly under an unforgiving sun, lies the Goldfield Cemetery. One of the most interesting things about the town of Goldfield itself is that the dead now far outnumber the living. There are approximately 1,200 people buried in the city cemetery. According to the 2010 census, only 248 people currently reside in Goldfield.

A Cemetery on the Move: Why Goldfield Relocated Its Dead

Goldfield’s original cemetery wasn’t just inconveniently located, it was in the way. Originally situated near the railroad tracks, it quickly became an issue once Goldfield started booming. Visitors stepped off the train and immediately faced rows of graves, hardly the warm welcome city officials had in mind. But aesthetics weren’t the only reason for the move.

In March 1908, the Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad agreed to remove all the bodies from the old cemetery and relocate them to a new plot further west. Why? Because they needed the land for side tracks and switches. That’s right, progress rolled in. The dead had to make way for the living. Workers exhumed about 70 bodies and reburied them in the current Goldfield Cemetery, leaving the original burial ground to be paved over by industry.

A Harsh Resting Place: The Graves of Goldfield

Many of the graves belong to miners, drifters, and pioneers. These people sought their fortune in Goldfield’s gold rush, only to find hardship, disease, or violent ends. The markers range from elaborate headstones to crude slabs of rock. Some are etched with names, others bearing only the word Unknown. Over the years, volunteers have worked to keep the inscriptions legible. Often, they painted the letters red to preserve what little history remains.

A Death by Library Paste: Goldfield’s Strangest Grave

When I learned that I would be visiting Goldfield, I was excited to learn that one of my favorite headstones was located in the Goldfield Cemetery. I know, I know, it doesn’t take much for a girl like me to get excited. But this isn’t just any old headstone……

It is the Unknown Man who died from eating library paste on July 14th, 1908.

People know little about this poor soul. Times were often tough in Goldfield, money was hard to come by and many people were hungry. I’m also guessing he was probably older, and not in the best of health to begin with. Apparently, he took a jar of library paste and decided it would be better than eating nothing at all. Unfortunately, he didn’t realize that library paste contained alum and clove oil. Both substances, in high enough quantities, are toxic. Or perhaps the paste didn’t kill him, and he was just unlucky enough to die with a jar of it nearby. People forever remember him as the Unknown Man who died from eating library paste.

Final Resting Place — or Is It?

History lingers in Goldfield Cemetery, where the dry Nevada landscape holds forgotten names and tragic stories. Boomtowns rise and fall, but the dead don’t leave, they just move when necessary.

The Unknown Man who died from eating library paste may not have shared his name, but he left behind a story. A story that people still tell more than a century later. And in the end, don’t we all hope for the same? To be remembered, even if it’s for something a little… unusual?

So if you ever find yourself in Goldfield, take a walk through its cemetery. Read the names — or the spaces where names should be. Stop by the Unknown Man’s grave. And if you listen closely, you might just hear the whispers of those who came seeking fortune but stayed forever.

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AbandonedHistory

Goldfield High School

by Jennifer Jones
written by Jennifer Jones

A School Frozen in Time

On the corner of Euclid & Ramsey in Goldfield, Nevada, the Goldfield High School stands in a state of graceful decay. While most visitors come to see the Goldfield Hotel, this school is one of the oldest surviving structures in town. Peering inside, and it feels as if time stopped in 1952, the year it closed.

A Grand Beginning

The school opened in 1907, during Goldfield’s gold rush boom, when the town’s population peaked at 20,000 residents. At the time, it was the largest and best-equipped high school in Nevada.

The Nevada State Journal called it “one of the state’s points of pride”, describing its modern, sanitary design. Built at a staggering cost of $103,000 (about $2.6 million today), it was a symbol of Goldfield’s prosperity. It even had the only standard-sized basketball court in Nevada outside the University of Nevada.

The Daily Appeal Aug 7, 1907

Goldfield‘s Decline & The School’s Fate

As Goldfield’s mining operations became less profitable, the population began to shrink. When the town’s largest mining company left in 1919, it was clear Goldfield was in decline. Then in 1923, a massive fire, caused by an exploding still, destroyed most of the town. Only two major buildings survived: the Goldfield Hotel and the high school.

A School in Limbo

After its closure, Goldfield High School changed hands several times. In 2000, it was auctioned for just $8,000. Later, it was even listed on eBay with a starting bid of $30,000, but it’s unclear if it ever sold or what the final price was.

Exploring the School in 2013

In the summer of 2013, I had the rare chance to explore the school in the summer of 2013 with my friend Helmey Kramer, and it did not disappoint. The structure was weathered but still intact, with original desks, chairs, and chalkboards standing in empty classrooms. One of the most striking details? Old writing on the walls, messages left behind by the children who once studied there.

FYI: Paranormal Investigations at Goldfield High School

Given the building’s long and eerie history, it’s no surprise that some believe spirits still roam its halls.

While I’m not personally affiliated, I recently learned that Goldfield High School is open for overnight paranormal investigations. If you’ve ever wanted to explore this eerie, abandoned school after dark, click here for more info.

Preserving Goldfield’s History

Since 2008, the Goldfield Historical Society has been working to restore the high school and preserve its legacy. If you’d like to support their efforts, visit the Goldfield Historical Society website to learn more. Even in its current state of decay, Goldfield High School remains a haunting reminder of a once-thriving town, and for some, perhaps a school that never truly closed.

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