The Landon House in Urbana, Maryland, is said to be the one of the most haunted places in Frederick County!

The house was constructed in 1754 along the Rappahannock River.  Later in 1840, it was relocated to Urbana.

General J.E.B. Stuart owned the home during the Civil War. He hosted many social functions at the Landon House, including the ‘Sabers and Roses Ball’ early in September of 1862.  A few weeks later, General Stuart and his troops fought in one of the deadliest battles ever, the Battle of Antietam.

During the the Civil War, the house served as a hospital for both Confederate and Union troops.  Yankee and Rebel soldiers.dated and signed Civil War sketches that are still on the walls.  Many soldiers died in the house.

The Landon House is on the National Register of Historic Places.  It’s also on another list, of haunted places to visit in Frederick County.

Workers have claimed to have see apparitions and say some people feel uneasy about being in the basement where the worst spirits roam.

In 2004 the West Michigan Ghost Hunters Society performed an investigation at the Landon House and found paranormal activity in most of the rooms.  They found extreme feelings of negativity and anger in the basement, and unexplained footsteps in the hallways.

Check out this video a camera crew captured in 2011 of the haunted voices of children.

–Dianah Gibson

If you grew up in Frederick County, you have heard about the ghostly legends associated with Spook Hill in Burkittsville, Maryland.

Spook Hill is a stretch of Gapland Road near a battle site of the Civil War where people say if you put your vehicle in neutral at the base of the hill, the ghosts of Confederate soldiers will push it back up the incline.

Rumors circulating around this mysterious phenomenon say that the ghosts of these soldiers believe they are still at war and pushing cannons and artillery pieces. Some thrill seekers have even said they have heard laughter coming from the woods.

Skeptics say it’s all an optical illusion because the natural surroundings make a downhill slope appear to go uphill.

Have you been pushed up Spook Hill?  Do you believe it’s haunted by the ghosts of Confederate soldiers or is it an optical illusion?

Check out the video and decide for yourself!

–Dianah Gibson

In Western Maryland the leaves have already begun to turn brilliant colors of orange, red and yellow.  The Maryland Department of Natural Resources says the tree’s colorful leaf show is still a couple weeks away for the eastern part of the state.

Some of the best places to go leaf peeping now are at Rocky Gap State Park and Green Ridge State Forest, both in Allegany County,

Some portions of eastern West Virginia have now reached peak color. A perfect time to go hiking through Harpers Ferry and across the Potomac River, up the mountain to Maryland Heights

Locally, the Catoctin Mountains will soon be in full autumn glory with spectacular color. You can also go hiking in the C & O National Historic Park along the Potomac River and the Patapsco Valley State Park to catch the fall foliage.

In Frederick County, you’ll find one of the most unique excursions in the state, the Walkersville Southern Railroad.  This train will take you through historic Monocacy Valley, past scenic farms, and over bridges while you are surrounded by autumn foliage.

The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad in Allegany County takes you on a 2 1/2 hour ride leaving from Cumberland. The Railroad will take you on a journey through the rolling mountains so you can enjoy the gorgeous foliage.

The Shenandoah National Park along the Skyline Drive in Virginia reports there is still a lot of green on the trees but park officials say the leaves will be changing colors soon.

-Dianah Gibson

The Farmers Almanac is calling for our region to see very cold temperatures in the new year and snow showers next month.  The publication is 198 years old and has an 80-85% accuracy rate.

This is what is predicted for the Mid-Atlantic Region:

“The Farmers’ Almanac official winter weather forecast for 2016-2017 is here, and it is calling for an exceptionally cold winter season in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and New England, as well as some cold fronts potentially reaching as far south as Florida. The Western states are forecasted to see milder-than-normal temperatures prevail, while it seems the Rockies will have an “average” snowfall season. According to this forecast, the Northwest may have a wet winter, which could mean strong precipitation in higher elevations.”

“Winter temperatures will be above normal, on average, with the coldest periods in late December, early to mid- and mid- to late January, and early and mid-February. Precipitation will be slightly above normal in the north and below normal in the south. Snowfall will be above normal in the north, below normal in the central part of the region, and near normal in the south. The snowiest periods will occur in mid- to late January and early to mid-February.”