Outdoor Exploration
Self-Guided Cemetery Walk
Walk or drive the 340-acre Victorian garden cemetery, founded in 1863. Notable burials include lumber-era industrialists.
- Duration:
- 1.5 hr
- Days:
- Daily during posted hours
No photograph
on file
Est. 1863on file
HauntBound archive · catalog record
Reported phenomena, as catalogued
- 01Apparitions
- 02Phantom voices
- 03Phantom sounds
Cemetery / Burial Ground
Wildwood Cemetery
1863 Garden Cemetery on Williamsport's West End
1209 Cemetery St, Williamsport, PA 17701
Research updated May 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Free public access during posted hours.
Access
Limited Access
Paved roads through hilly, wooded grounds; many monuments on slopes
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1863 · Victorian Rural Cemetery · Williamsport Lumber-Era Burials · Lycoming County Heritage Site
The Wildwood Cemetery Association incorporated on August 17, 1863, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, then one of the wealthiest lumber-shipping ports in the United States. The 340-acre site was laid out in the rural cemetery style established earlier by Mount Auburn in Cambridge and Laurel Hill in Philadelphia, with winding drives, planted slopes, and monuments scaled to a Victorian sense of mourning.
The cemetery received many of the lumber-boom industrialists who built Williamsport's Millionaire's Row along West Fourth Street. By the early 20th century, Wildwood had become Lycoming County's primary non-denominational burial ground. A crematorium was added in the early 20th century, and the site continues to operate as a private nonprofit cemetery under the management of the Wildwood Cemetery Company.
The Pursel family vault, with escape hatches that can be opened from the inside, reportedly because of a fear of premature burial, is noted in regional cemetery accounts.
The cemetery remains accessible to the public during daylight hours for self-guided visits.
Sources
- https://wildwoodcemeterypa.com/
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/wildwood-cemetery-and-crematorium
- https://www.northcentralpa.com/community/have-you-heard-the-haunted-tales-of-wildwood-cemetery/article_021c5ffc-5969-11ee-ad52-7f68b67209ce.html
ApparitionsPhantom voicesPhantom sounds
Wildwood Cemetery occupies enough acreage that local folklore organized itself spatially. Wildwood Avenue divides the grounds, and each side has its own reported sightings. Fairies are said to be visible on the east side on clear nights, while the west side has stories of a banshee-like figure that howls and sings sad songs in the night.
The Pursel vault, built with escape hatches that could be opened from the inside, anchors a different layer of cemetery lore. The hatches reflect a Victorian-era fear of premature burial; their physical presence at Wildwood means the artifact of that fear remains visible to visitors today.
The accounts are local rather than national. Wildwood is not the subject of major paranormal television investigations, and the cemetery's owners do not promote or solicit paranormal visits. The grounds are open during posted hours for respectful self-guided visits.
Notable Entities
The west-side wailing figure
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceFind a place to stay near Wildwood Cemetery
Lodging nearbySome links on this page may earn HauntBound a small commission when you book, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial picks are independent. Full disclosure
Sources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
Free Guide
Get the Pennsylvania Haunted Trail Guide
11 verified stops, rated for families, mapped in order. Free.
One email to confirm, then the guide link. Unsubscribe anytime.
Similar Destinations
Cemetery / Burial Ground
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Los Angeles, CA
Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a 62-acre cemetery at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood, California, founded in 1899 as Hollywood Cemetery on a 100-acre tract of former farmland. Paramount Pictures' studios occupy 40 acres of the original cemetery property. The cemetery was renamed Hollywood Memorial Park in 1939 and Hollywood Forever in 1998 after a 1990s bankruptcy and revival. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
$ All Ages
Family: High
Aerial survey · USDA NAIP Cemetery / Burial Ground
Bloods Point Cemetery
Belvidere, IL
Bloods Point Cemetery was established in 1836 in Flora Township, Boone County, taking its name from Arthur Blood, an 1830s settler and the first European-American resident of the region. The cemetery serves as a burial ground for over two centuries of local residents.
$ All Ages
Family: Moderate
Aerial survey · USDA NAIP Cemetery / Burial Ground
Dice Road Cemetery (Richland Lutheran Cemetery)
Hemlock, MI
Richland Lutheran Cemetery is located in Richfield Township, Saginaw County, on Dice Road approximately a quarter mile east of Hemlock Road. The cemetery records 953 burials and dates to the 19th century. The broader Dice Road corridor gained regional notoriety in the 1970s through documented paranormal investigation of a nearby farmhouse.
$ All Ages
Family: Moderate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wildwood Cemetery family-friendly?
Daytime visits are quiet and reflective; appropriate for all ages. Hilly terrain may challenge strollers. Overall family fit: High.
How much does it cost to visit Wildwood Cemetery?
Free public access during posted hours. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Wildwood Cemetery wheelchair accessible?
Wildwood Cemetery has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Paved roads through hilly, wooded grounds; many monuments on slopes.