Creepy places abound in New Jersey – and this is the time of year stories of the paranormal are told.
Some would say the creepiest place is the Statehouse – but aside from that, legend has it that’s it’s further north – in the town of West Milford.

It’s a densely wooded strip which has been rumored to be the scene of ghost sightings and Satanist gatherings.

Some say it is home to animal hybrids left there by what was the “Jungle Habitant.”

However, some of the other haunted areas along the road are a 19th century iron smelter which was said to double as a Druid temple; the ruins of Cross Castle used for gatherings of witches and Satinists; and phantom trucks which chase cars, only to disappear at the end of the road.

Closer to my home is the legend of the weeping soldier and the ghost of Cookie at the Tennent Church in Manalapan.

The church was around since Revolutionary War times; and part of the legend is that, around midnight, the ghost of a soldier sits in the pew and cries.

There’s also a gravestone marked “Cookie” who was supposedly killed while waiting for her date on prom night. On the anniversary of her death, legend has it that she’s seen waiting at the cemetery gate calling out her date’s name.

Some believe that the building is haunted – although by a benevolent being – perhaps looking to protect the school.

Some school officials believe the building — which served as a high school and elementary school since its completion in 1930 — is still inhabited by something, or someone, otherworldly.

"It's always just been kind of mischievous," said Bill Cox, transportation and security coordinator for Barnegat schools, of the supernatural experiences. "We don't know if Lizzy (Edwards) is haunting the school, but if she is, she's a good ghost."

People who've worked in the building in years past say the "good ghost" — and maybe a few of her late colleagues — pass the time slamming lockers, turning lights on and off, and playing 1940s music for no one in particular.

My own experience has to do with the Roebling Steel Mill, which is slated to be refurbished as part of a project to showcase the town’s history.

Having gone to the Roebling Museum with a group from a paranormal society, we tried in vain to locate ghosts in the portion of the museum that was used as a jail.

The only sound that was being made was coming from frogs outside the building.

But we were told that if we wanted to find a ghost, the best place would be the uninhabited steel mill – which at that time had been closed by the feds and designated as a brownfield.

Apparently someone would mysteriously appear in a window on the second floor of the building ever now and then. Surprising since there was no floor separating the first and second floor.

I’m sure there have to be many others I’m leaving out – but if you have one of your own, please share.

There’s nothing like a good ghost story this time of year.

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