The Eerie History of Washington Square

Washington Square, located in the heart of Philadelphia, is a name that echoes across the United States, each place bearing its own history and legends. However, Philadelphia’s Washington Square stands out, not just for its historical significance, but for the numerous ghostly tales that accompany its storied past. This square, steeped in history and tragedy, has a unique and compelling reason to be considered one of the most haunted locations in America.

Why is Washington Square haunted?

Washington Square has a rich history that started before we were even a nation. It’s one plagued by all manner of vivid tales, tragedies, and dead bodies. Read on to unveil the horrors of Washington Square. When you’re ready to see some of Philadelphia’s most haunted locations in person, book a ghost tour with Philly Ghosts!

The Grim History of Washington Square

Established in 1682, Washington Square was initially known as Southeast Square. Covering about 6.4 acres, it is now a significant part of Independence National Historical Park, administered by the National Park Service since 2005. Long before the United States became a nation, this area bore witness to numerous events that left an indelible mark on its legacy.

In the mid-18th century, as Philadelphia began to expand, Washington Square served a variety of purposes, from grazing livestock to being a center of burgeoning community life. However, it also became a site of immense suffering and death, particularly for the African American community, who faced harsh living conditions and exploitation.

As diseases ravaged the community, many African Americans died, and without the means for proper burial, their bodies were interred in what became known as Potter’s Field. This practice of using Washington Square for mass burials set a grim precedent that continued for decades.

The Revolutionary War brought further tragedy to Washington Square. As soldiers and civilians alike fell victim to the conflict, their bodies were hastily buried in the square to prevent the spread of disease. The site became a mass grave, accommodating the dead from various conflicts and epidemics, including the devastating yellow fever outbreaks.

Washington Square’s use as a burial ground continued even after the Revolution, becoming the final resting place for the poor, the unidentified, and those without the means for a proper burial. This period saw the square accumulate a vast number of bodies, creating a foundation of sorrow and loss.

By the mid-20th century, the city of Philadelphia sought to transform Washington Square from a neglected burial ground into a place of honor and remembrance. In 1954, the city council decided to erect a monument dedicated to the soldiers and sailors of the Revolutionary War. The resulting “Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier,” designed by architect G. Edwin Brumbaugh, features the remains of unidentified soldiers unearthed during archaeological examinations within the park.

The Haunted Legacy of Washington Square

One of the most lucrative business ventures back then was Body-Snatching.  The purpose of body snatching, primarily in the 19th century, was to sell the cadavers for dissection or anatomy lectures in medical schools. In those days, these practices weren’t deemed illegal, and with no guidelines on this act, schools were free to take full advantage of the availability of these corpses.

Up until the Anatomy Act of 1832, the only legal stock of corpses for medical studies were those sentenced to death by the courts. However, such judgments did not produce enough subjects for medical and private anatomical schools. During the 18th century, hundreds had been hung for trivial crimes. The medical schools were racing in the bodies, and the demand was met… until the start of the 19th century.

When the concept of Human Rights was explored, the rivulet of executions dwindled to a trickle. During those few years, only about 56 people were being sentenced to capital punishment each year, and now, the families could ask for leniency and solicit the judge not to permit the corpse to be dissected. Meanwhile, medical schools were growing and expanding; there was an uptick, and suddenly, more than 500 cadavers were needed annually in the states.

Body snatchers entered the picture, and their preferred place to retrieve their product was Potter’s Field, right where Washington Square is.

Leah the Scarecrow

The one phantom most seen in the area is that of an old Quaker woman in a black overcoat. Her name is Leah. Back when body snatchers were stalking Washington Square, Leah used to live nearby. One day, she decided to protect the cemetery’s occupants and started prowling the parameters for the snatchers. Whenever she’d spot one, she would signal the guards with a scream or a whistle.

For years, until her death, Leah was a fixture in the Potter’s Field. Today, she is said to still patrol the grounds, protecting the graves she considers to be sacred.

Check out our blog for more creepy details on Philadelphia’s most haunted locations. To see some of city’s cursed hotspots in person, book a ghost tour with Philly Ghosts!

Sources:

https://archive.org/details/anatomymurdersbe00rosn

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-bones-idUSDEL10463220070619

https://www.ushistory.org/tour/washington-square.htm