Top 5 Scariest Places in Warren County

Warren County has its fair share of spooky locations and haunted places. In Great Meadows, there’s a road that is now being referred to as one of the top 5 scariest streets in the world. And in Oxford, a mansion where doors open and close…and revolutionary war ghosts roam.

And while Halloween is quickly approaching, it might be an appropriate time to rank local legends.

Here’s a list of the top 5 scariest places in Warren County:

Shades of Death Road, Great Meadows

This infamous Warren County road is now being hailed as one of the most ominous destinations. A new report released by RLSMedia has named Shades of Death Road in Great Meadows, NJ the “fifth scariest road in the world.” Shades of Death Road, also referred to as “Shades” by locals, runs for 7-miles along an old “haunted lake-bed.” Many folks also say if you catch mist coming from Ghost Lake, it looks like two silhouettes rising from the water.

So how did the infamous road get its name? No one knows for sure. But according to Weird NJ, Shades of Death road got its name from a series of gang related murders, where men would fight each other for a woman’s hand in marriage. Another theory is that the road was originally called “The Shades” and with the mysterious unsolved deaths, the local residents decided to add “Death” to its name. To date, the name of the road remains a mystery!

Shippen Manor, Oxford

Nestled in the town of Oxford, the Shippen Mannor, is a restored 18^th century iron master’s mansion that is listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Local legend has it that it’s haunted by the paranormal and for years “ghost walks” have been held at the manner. Folks claim to have seen a revolutionary war soldier roaming the grounds, along with doors opening and closing on their own. In additionto the numerous alleged ghost sightings, the manor’s rich 250-year history has brought in more than just tourists to the Shippen Manor Museum. It’s was featured on an episode of the national TV-show, “Ghost Hunters,” back in 2010.

For folks who want to visit, the museum is open the first and second Sundays from April to December, from 1-4 pm, excluding holidays. 

Friday the 13th, Blairstown

Have you ever watched “Friday the 13^th” in Blairstown, New Jersey? You might run into Jason Voorhees on the streets! Every year hundreds of people will purchase their tickets in advance just to be able to watch it at the famous Roy’s Hall. To support the film, people will dress as the characters and walk around town both before and after the movie. There’s also a very famous diner, multiple shops, and folks can visit exact locations where the movie was filmed.

            According to Explore Warren, the filmmaker Sean S. Cunningham chose his setting as Blairstown because it was scenic and perfect for his (at the time) low-budget film. Blairstown offered the rural and rustic charm that Cunningham claimed he needed in his 1980 film. The film became a classic and inspired other filmmakers to film the same genre. While sitting in the audience, the film fanatics go crazy every time a new location in Blairstown appears!

Centenary University (Tillie Smith)

In April of 1886, Matilda “Tille” Smith was found murdered and lying in an open fields on the grounds of Centenary, where she lived and worked as a kitchen maid. Eventually, maintenance employee, James Titus, was arrested and charged with Tillie’s murder. He went to trial and was convicted of her murder even though evidence against him was circumstantial. He was sentenced to hang; however, escaped death by signing a guilty confession. Titus served 19 years in prison before being released in 1904.

            A marble monument located in Union Cemetery in Hackettstown, stands in memory of Tillie.  Each year, Centenary students visit her grave to reflect on Tillie, and pay their respects. For years stories of Tillie sightings have been shared among students at the university. Some say, Tillie’s ghost walks with female students from time-to-time…acting as their guardian angel. Others claim to have spotted Tillie’s ghost in the theater. While many have different versions of Tillie’s visits, one thing is certain – her legacy will live on and she will never be forgotten. 

Jenny Jump State Forest

While Jenny Jump is the perfect location for hiking, camping, fishing and other outdoor activities – the state forest also comes with an urban legend. According to an account of the story posted on NJMonthly.com, members of the “Minsi” tribe of Lenni Lenape Native Americans ambushed a young girl named, Jenny, and her father. In an effort to save his daughter’s purity he yelled “Jump, Jenny, Jump!” Some folks assume Jenny was jumping into her father’s arms…but that part of the story is still unclear. Jenny is said to have ultimately fallen to her death  – thus the name Jenny Jump State Park.

Published by Author Asma Ali