The Jersey Shore in Monmouth County is home to three reportedly haunted houses. According to local folklore and long-told ghost stories, they are the Seabrook-Wilson House (Spy House), the Historic Village at Allaire, and the Allen House.Â
1. Seabrook-Wilson House (The Spy House)
Located in Port Monmouth, the Seabrook-Wilson House, also known as “The Spy House,” is a notorious paranormal hotspot.
- History:Â The oldest section of the house dates to around 1720. In the 1960s, a caretaker fabricated tales of it being a Revolutionary War tavern where patriots spied on British soldiers. While the espionage story is unfounded, it helped preserve the historic site and fueled local interest in its ghostly lore.
- Alleged hauntings:Â Visitors to the house and surrounding Bayshore Waterfront Park have reported various paranormal activities. Among the alleged spirits are a young boy who looks out a window, a woman searching for her lost baby, and an old, bearded sea captain. The basement is also said to be haunted by a British soldier, Captain Morgan, who was supposedly murdered there.Â
2. Historic Village at Allaire
This restored 19th-century iron-making town in Farmingdale is home to several lingering spirits.
- History:Â The village was owned by James Peter Allaire, a philanthropist and engineer. After experiencing tragedy and bankruptcy, the Allaire family left behind a legacy that includes stories of the paranormal.
- Alleged hauntings:
- The “Big House”:Â Staff and visitors claim that Hal Allaire, James’ youngest son, haunts the Big House, where he supposedly moves objects and plays with candles. The ghosts of Allaire’s two wives are also said to reside there.
- The Manager’s House: The ghost of Oscar Cheesman Smith, the Iron Works manager, has allegedly been seen on the second floor, where he spells out his fiancée’s name, “Laura,” with children’s toy blocks.Â
3. Allen House
Situated in Shrewsbury, this building served as a tavern during the Revolutionary War and has a history of paranormal claims.
- History:Â Built around 1750, the house was a popular tavern during the Revolutionary War, frequented by soldiers. It was purchased by the Monmouth County Historical Association in 1954 and opened as a museum.
- Alleged hauntings:Â The house has long been the subject of ghost stories, with reported hauntings that may include the spirits of soldiers. Some people believe the activity is connected to the time when it was a tavern, with past events creating an energetic imprint on the building.Â