Outdoor Exploration
Ghost-Town Cemetery Visit
Visit the secluded mid-1800s cemetery and the foundation remains of the abandoned village of Crum.
- Duration:
- 45 min
Photo coming soon
Cemetery / Burial Ground
Crum Cemetery
A small mid-1800s burial ground and the crumbling remains of the vanished village of Crum in Shade Township, Somerset County, tied to the persistent (and unverified) legend of Rebecca Crum, an accused witch.
Crum Road, Central City, PA 15926
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Free; remote rural cemetery reached by a dirt path off Crum Road. No facilities.
Access
Limited Access
Remote, wooded; reached via Easy Camp Road to Crum Road and a dirt path. Rugged footing.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1850 · Burial ground of the vanished pre-Civil War village of Crum · A locally famous 'ghost town' cemetery in the Laurel Highlands · Anchor of the Rebecca Crum witch legend documented in regional media
Crum Cemetery (also recorded as Crum-Oldham Cemetery) sits in a remote, wooded part of Shade Township, Somerset County, in the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, reached by a dirt path off Crum Road north of Central City and near Windber. It is the last visible trace of the village of Crum, a small community that predated the Civil War and has since disappeared entirely except for the graveyard and a few crumbling foundations.
The roughly 60-grave cemetery has tombstone inscriptions dating from the mid-to-late nineteenth century. As the village was abandoned and the surrounding land reverted to forest, the isolated cemetery became a locally famous 'ghost town' site, drawing genealogists, history enthusiasts, paranormal investigators, and — less welcomely — partygoers and vandals attracted by its seclusion and rundown appearance.
The Shadowlands index conflated this site with a location near Murrysville and added embellishments (an abandoned 'Dead Zone' mansion, headless figures, cult activity) that are not supported by any credible source. The verifiable, well-documented site is the Somerset County cemetery near Windber, whose folklore centers on Rebecca Crum.
Sources
- http://hauntsandhistory.blogspot.com/2009/06/creepy-crum-cemetery.html
- https://www.wind-watch.org/newsarchive/2012/09/15/old-crum-village-a-somerset-county-ghost-town/
- https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2318030/crum---oldham-cemetery
Sense of being watchedFigures seen among the gravestonesCold, oppressive atmosphere in the isolated woods
Crum Cemetery's enduring legend is that of Rebecca Crum. In the most-repeated tellings, Rebecca grew and sold herbal remedies — or learned curative and spiritual arts from Native neighbors — and was branded a witch by townspeople who blamed her for hexes and misfortune. Some versions say she and her family were burned in their home; others claim she was buried alive in an unmarked grave just outside the cemetery's bounds. Visitors to the secluded graveyard report uneasy sensations, the feeling of being watched, and occasional sightings of figures among the stones.
Researchers have cast strong doubt on the story. As reported in coverage of the site, the Daily American newspaper found no historical record of any Rebecca Crum in the community, suggesting the witch tale is folklore rather than documented history. The cemetery's remote setting and decayed appearance have made it a perennial destination for legend-trippers, which in turn fuels fresh 'experiences.'
HauntBound presents the Rebecca Crum legend as the area's documented oral tradition while noting it is unverified, and treats the Shadowlands-only additions (cult activity, headless figures, an abandoned mansion) as uncorroborated.
Notable Entities
Rebecca Crum (legendary accused witch; no historical record found)
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crum Cemetery family-friendly?
Very remote, no cell service, rough access, and a magnet for after-hours trouble. Better suited to prepared adult visitors making a respectful daytime trip. Overall family fit: Low.
How much does it cost to visit Crum Cemetery?
Free; remote rural cemetery reached by a dirt path off Crum Road. No facilities. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Crum Cemetery wheelchair accessible?
Crum Cemetery has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Remote, wooded; reached via Easy Camp Road to Crum Road and a dirt path. Rugged footing..