There’s A Haunted Town In America That’s Completely Abandoned And Off-Limits To Visitors

Could the ghost stories about a small town in Connecticut be the reason why it’s strictly off-limits to visitors?

The fact that entering this forbidden town in southern New England is illegal might make it even more enticing for thrill-seekers and horror enthusiasts.

But for those of us who would rather keep the spooky tales at arm’s length, these chilling stories are enough to make you cover your eyes and keep the lights on.

Back in the early 1740s, a group of settlers made their home in a part of Cornwall, Connecticut.

Many of these early residents were part of the Dudley family, which led to the town being named Dudleytown—no surprises there.

Nestled in an area ominously called the Dark Entry Forest (a name that sounds like something out of a scary movie), the valley was initially used for farming.

However, by the 19th century, most residents had abandoned the area in search of more fertile ground.

It’s just as well they left, as those who stayed faced far worse fates. Cue the eerie soundtrack.

One such resident, Nathaniel Carter, moved his family to Dudleytown only for six of his relatives to succumb to cholera.

The remaining members relocated to New York, where tragedy struck again, and they were killed on their new land.

In another chilling incident, a man named Gershon Hollister died suddenly while building a barn for his neighbor, William Tanner.

Tanner, in turn, became consumed by strange tales of creatures emerging from the woods, a claim his neighbors echoed.

In 1804, General Herman Swift faced his own tragedy when his wife, Sara Faye, was struck by lightning on their front porch and died instantly.

The grief overwhelmed the general, and he too passed away shortly afterward.

Over time, more residents of Dudleytown succumbed to unexplained deaths, and reports of mysterious creatures lurking in the nearby trees became more frequent.

By 1900, the town was nearly empty. Most residents had either died or fled, leaving Dudleytown completely abandoned after the last remaining family disappeared or passed away.

Years later, Dr. William Clarke stumbled upon the desolate town and decided it would make a good spot for a second home.

However, in 1918, upon returning from a trip to New York, Clarke found his wife deeply shaken, claiming she had seen creatures in the woods.

Though Dr. Clarke eventually left Dudleytown, he took steps to preserve the area by helping establish the ‘Dark Entry Forest Association.’

This initiative aimed to protect the remains of the settlement and the surrounding forest.

Today, only remnants of cellar holes and a few stone foundations are left of Dudleytown. To prevent vandalism and trespassing, visiting the site is illegal.

Still, curious adventurers continue to sneak in, with some reporting the unsettling sensation of phantom hands brushing against them as they explore.