| A man moves into a house on Lancaster Street, | | | | died, "the polka spontaneously played for a group |
| Baltimore. One day, he decides to take down the | | | | of regulars sitting at the bar." When they checked |
| previous owner's kitchen curtains. He takes out a | | | | the jukebox, the polka was not among the |
| wobbly stool and steps up to remove them. | | | | selections available. "They thought it was Doc |
| Suddenly, he looses his balance and begins to fall. | | | | saying goodbye." |
| Then, a hand presses against his back, steadying | | | | Maryland has a lot of ghostly activity, says |
| him and he doesn't fall. No one else was in the | | | | Beverly Litsinger, co-founder of the Maryland |
| room besides himself. | | | | Ghost and Spirit Association, an organization that |
| Later, he recounts the story to the woman who | | | | researches and investigates ghostly paranormal |
| sold him the house. She replies, "That must be | | | | phenomena throughout Maryland, "most likely |
| mom. She once fell from that stool and broke her | | | | because it has a lot of history." |
| arm. She must have wanted to prevent the | | | | The Fell's Point Ghost Tour lasts about an hour |
| same thing from happening to you." | | | | and a half and features about a dozen locations |
| This is just one of many stories you'll hear while | | | | around the neighborhood. For a real ghost-hunting |
| taking the Fell's Point Ghost Tour. Fell's Point is | | | | adventure in the Baltimore area, be sure to visit |
| riddled with ghostly happenings. Not only is it one | | | | these places, as well: |
| of the oldest neighborhoods of Baltimore, Md., it | | | | • Fort McHenry, which was, in part, the |
| also has experienced a lot of death. In both 1794 | | | | inspiration for Francis Scott Key's Star Spangled |
| and 1797, many people died of yellow fever. So | | | | Banner, is said to be haunted not only by soldiers |
| many, that the bodies piled up like cordwood in | | | | who died defending the fledgling US, but also |
| what is now Fell's Point Square, which may also | | | | people who were detained in its dungeons at |
| be the site of their mass burial. | | | | other points in the fort's history. |
| Establishments highlighted on the tour have had | | | | • The USS Constellation is said to be haunted |
| ghostly headless chickens running around the | | | | by a young Naval officer or seaman who died in |
| basement, an African American spirit who likes to | | | | service to his country. One story also tells of a |
| move an ash can from the fireplace to the front | | | | priest who was given a tour of the ship by an |
| door, and an apparition that walks down the | | | | older man, only to find out later that no such man |
| street only to disappear in front of his grave. | | | | worked there as a guide. |
| "One of my favorite stories," says Amy | | | | • The Westminster Church and Catacombs, |
| Lynwander, co-founder of Fell's Point Ghost | | | | which is home to Edgar Allan Poe's grave, as well |
| Tours, "is at Duda's where we talk about Doc, a | | | | as other well-known historic figures, has a long list |
| retired seaman" who used to live there. He had a | | | | of spooky stories. Visitors have reported hearing |
| favorite polka that he played on the jukebox | | | | hushed voices, feeling invisible hands touch them, |
| often. After he died, the polka was retired from | | | | and felt icy spots with no explanation. |
| the jukebox. However, some months after Doc | | | | |