Haunted stories in Delaware are nothing new, and shouldn't surprise you. Because Delaware was one of the first settled areas of what is now America, it's got some extraordinary history amongst its old buildings, forts, and land. Of course, with any long history, there are some creepy, unexplained occurrences. These ghosts, hauntings, or other eerie occurrences are enough to make you reconsider where you walk at night, think about what buildings you'll visit, and try to understand the tragedies that led to these unsettled souls finding the need to reach out from the other side.

1. Fort Delaware, Pea Patch Island

Fort Delaware is so haunted that it was featured on Ghost Hunters, and in the fall, you can participate in Paranormal Investigations. On the show itself, the ghost hunters's thermal camera picked up lots of activity in the tunnels, and loud noises that sounded like cannon fire reverberated throughout the grounds. Guests have reported feeling hands on their shoulders, losing necklaces, and hearing those same loud cannon booms.

2. Addy Sea Inn / B&B

The Addy Sea Inn has a long history of being haunted, and visitors often embrace the (so far) friendly ghosts just shake bathtubs around and surround the guests, making them feel like they're being watched. Rumor has it, the resident spirit is a former custodian who did not want to leave after he passed away.

3. Blevin's House, Smyrna

Blevin's House has a long history of hauntings, from orbs of light appearing, to the spotting of dark, shadowy figures and silhouettes of hell hounds. Whispers can be heard and chilling vortexes can be felt when you walk through the property.

4. Bellevue Hall, Wilmington

The 2nd and 3rd floor of this mansion are closed to visitors, and they are especially haunted. Ghosts can be heard laughing and shouting as they flick lights on and off and rearrange the chairs.

5. Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes

Now, here's a historic haunting in Delaware. It should come as no surprise that the area around Fort Miles is still patrolled by a former soldier who was stationed here. A phantom soldier is still on duty behind Tower 12 at Cape Henlopen State Park. Get too close to his post by the dune and you'll be growled or yelled at. If you're lucky, you'll spot his face in the background of photographs you take here.

6. Old Maggie's Bridge, Seaford

Maggie's Bridge, on Rd 78 in Seaford, is rumored to be the place where a pregnant woman perished in a car accident. Much like saying "Bloody Mary" in a dark bathroom mirror will summon the ghost, if you stand on Maggie's Bridge at night and shout "Maggie, I have your baby!" you'll hear the rustling of a mother trying, at last, to find peace.

7. Catman's Grave, Frankford

The Catman is a gravekeeper who chases troublemakers away from Long Cemetery in Frankford. When he died, he took on cat-like features and scares teenagers away from partying on the cemetery. Local legend has it that a Catman creature, in life a graveyard caretaker who had catlike features, watches over the cemetery from beyound the grave. He is said to scare away teens who come to the graveyard to party. Be careful, because if you knock on his aboveground tomb and disturb his rest, he'll tinker with your car so that it won't start when you go to leave.

8. Woodburn (Governor's Mansion), Dover

The Governor's Mansion is one of the most interesting hauntings in Delaware. The Woodburn Ghosts are the partying ghosts of Delaware! They've been known to refill wine decanters, dance around in revolutionary-era clothing, and make guests feel welcome in 'their' home. There is one evil spirit here, and you can read more about the haunting at Woodburn here.

9. Cannonball House, Lewes

This is one of the best known buildings in Lewes, so you've probably driven by it, even if you've never visited. It survived the shelling of Lewes during the war of 1812, and still has a cannonball lodged in its side to this day. Not only is it well known, but it's very haunted. Screams, footsteps and voices have been heard by many, many people.

10. Lum's Pond State Park

My least favorite of the Delaware hautings stems from the woods at Lum's Pond, where screaming and pleading can be heard when all else is quiet. In the 1970s, a young runaway was found murdered here - her killer was never found. You can read more about the Swamp Trail haunting here.

11. Smyrna Museum, Smyrna

This museum was a Civil War recruiting house and spirits still hang around to this day. Visitors tell about how they feel watched, see furniture move, and hear unexplained noises and voices when they visit.

12. Salem Church Rd, Newark

The aptly named Salem Church Road was the spot where a family of 6 were hanged for witchcraft in the early 1900s. They still haunt this spot to this day, and you can see them crossing the road. This is a frequent spot for car accidents, leading many to believe the family is getting revenge.

13. Delaware City Hotel, Delaware City

Now the location of Crabby Dick's Bar, this historic hotel in Delaware City is home to several ghosts. Orbs and shadows in photographs, paranormal readings from investigators, unexplained noises and objects being knocked over or moved are regular occurances here.

14. Black Diamond Road, Smyrna

Because this road was built on the site of a Native American Graveyard, it's common for families living on this road to find orbs and shadows in the pictures they take. Restless spirits seem to be trying to find their peace.

15. Bay Oaks, Lewes

Another site built on Native American graveyards and holy grounds is the Bay Oaks section of Lewes, right over the canal. Here, a battle once took place between Dutch settlers and the Native Americans, which is why it seems like all of the reported hauntings target those with Dutch ancestry.

Have you heard any of these haunted stories in Delaware? If you're looking for more creepy things to explore and learn about in the First State, check out our Northern Delaware Spooky Road Trip and pack the car with your friends who want to help track down our eeriest spirits.