Hidden amongst the streets of Pittsburgh sit haunted houses, restaurants, and even forests that house spirits from the long history of this city. These ghostly residents offer more than just a scare; they are living echoes of Pittsburgh’s industrial past, dramatic tragedies, and vibrant cultural heritage. Prepare to delve into the most chilling corners of the Steel City as we explore its most notoriously haunted historic locations which you can even visit for yourself. Just be warned, we do not take blame for any possessions or ghostly accidents that may occur. Enter if you dare!
Historic Haunted Houses, Restaurants, and Beyond in Pittsburgh
Congelier House
1129 Ridge Avenue
It’s pretty special for Pittsburgh to have what was said to be the most haunted house in America, or, rather, the House the Devil Built. The origins of this house on the North Side come from Charles Congelier in the 1860s. It’s said that Congelier moved here and built his mansion where he lived with his wife and maid. Congelier’s wife, Lyda caught him in an affair with the maid, leading her to sever both their heads with a knife and meat clever. Days later she was found rocking in a chair while singing to the maid’s head.
While there is no evidence of either Congelier living on this property, it has been prone to various accidents including a gas blast in 1927 which took out the home, leaving just the property behind. Many believe there is still a bustle of paranormal activity where the house once stood.
Dead Man’s Hollow
McKeesport
While Dead Man’s Hollow is simply a spot within the Allegheny County woods, its name sticks for a reason. Back in the 19th and 20th centuries, the land housed both a quarry and a pipe factory. After years and years of abandonment, you’ll find the crumpled structures amongst the grounds that were once thriving with industrial life. Throughout history there have been reports of accidental deaths, murders, and even odd natural disasters. Legend tells us one of the ghosts that mainly haunts the land is Ward McConkey and his victim George McClure. After being accused of shooting McClure in the Hollow, he was executed in the same spot he now haunts.
Green Man’s Tunnel
South Park Township
Okay, so, the look of this deep, dark tunnel alone gives us nightmares but its backstory only makes things spookier. The story goes that Charlie No-Face, aka the Green Man, was an electrical worker whose face melted in the same accident that killed him. The site of said accident is in an abandoned Pittsburgh railroad tunnel. Many have seen his green form within this tunnel and the area surrounding it.
The crazy part about this backstory is that Charlie No-Face was actually a real man. He had no eyes or nose due to an incident in his youth. But, he didn’t die. In fact, he lived to old age where he would walk the streets in the deep of night, giving rise to the ghostly stories. Regardless of the truth about Charlie No-Face, you’ll want to bring flashlights along because there definitely is something lurking in these tunnels.
Church Brew Works
Lawrenceville
What could be cooler than sitting back and having a brewski with a ghost? That’s right, your favorite brewery in the city may be haunted, too. Back in 2022, Ghost Hunters TV show took to Pittsburgh’s Church Brew Works to investigate apparitions and footsteps. This brewery was originally St. John the Baptist Church. Though the Diocese of Pittsburgh closed the church in the 1990s.
While there is no specific backstory for this brewery, there are recurring hauntings. Most often seen is an apparition of a lady in white wandering the church in search of help. Sometimes she kneels to pray, others she just walks the space. There are also reports of random voices during quiet periods, items moving seemingly on their own, and inexplicable feelings of eeriness or being watched. Head in for a beer or dinner on your free evenings to see if you can witness a sighting for yourself.
Clayton Mansion
7227 Reynolds St
A mansion owned by one of the wealthiest and most famous families in Pittsburgh just has to be haunted. Henry Clay Frick and his family took over the home in 1882 where they had two children and unfortunately lost two children, one dying just after birth and the other passing at six-years-old. In 1905 the family moved to New York City, leaving the mansion in a rush and taking very few of their belongings. His daughter, Helen, loved Pittsburgh so much she gave back to the community even after her leaving and returned to live in the home for her last three years of life.
Many years later, two manifestations of women watch over Clayton Mansion. Both hold themselves high and politely share the space with visitors. Some of the staff relate these two to Helen Frick and Adelaide Childs Frick, Helen’s mother. Security has heard women’s footsteps on the third floor where Helen’s bedroom was and Adelaide’s bed is often seen with an indentation as if someone has laid on it.
Cathedral of Learning
4200 Fifth Avenue
The Cathedral of Learning (aka Cathy) is a fixture of Oakland and the University of Pittsburgh’s campus. Stretching high into the sky at 42-stories, this building is a gothic architecture daydream. There are so many different places to find manifestations here but one of the most common spots is the Early American Room. Some people believe the hauntings in this room come from Martha Jane Poe McDaniel’s donated quilts. It’s thought her spirit is attached to them and therefore stays in this space. Here you’ll also feel cold spots, see objects moving on their own such as a cradle, and see shadows in the corners and against the walls.
On the first floor the Croghan-Schenley Ballroom is another room that has hauntings. In here, it’s said one of the room’s namesake’s, Mary Schenley, leaves shadows around the room. But she has also been seen in the attached room and throughout the long hallways.
Shiloh Grille (Shiloh Gastro)
123 Shiloh St
If you ever go to Shiloh Gastro for a bite to eat, we recommend not dining alone or else the ghosts may keep you company instead. Kate Soffel is a famous figure in Pittsburgh history for her association with the Biddle brothers’ escape from the local prison. In fact, without Kate falling for the brothers, they would’ve never have made it outside.
The reason we bring Kate up is because her family actually lived in the building where Shiloh Gastro sits. We have a feeling it’s her ghost that haunts this comfort food restaurant since most of the manifestations have to do with a woman. Some staff say that the restaurant will smell like cigarette smoke even when there are no customers in the space. But the real hauntings come in the form of a woman in a white gown. Some have seen this figure in the upstairs dining room and may even be the reason for footsteps as well as eerie occurrences in the women’s restroom, flickering lights and glitching phones in her old bedroom, and random doors closing on their own. Stop in and ask your waiter or waitress if they’ve seen a thing or two. Many are happy to share their own experiences.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo Courtesy of lstraubbruce
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