Haunted New England : Gay City State Park, Hebron, Connecticut

If you grew up where I did, you spent many summer days in the lake at Gay City, running along the small beach and hiking along the trails that run through the over 1000 acre area. But, did you know that the beloved park is thought to be haunted?

Gay City was once owned by the Gay family, named after John Gay and operated as a village in the 1700s, when the town was founded. There are still pieces of its original glory that can be found there, such as stone structures and remnants of the old mill, which was built in 1811. The mill itself burned down twice and after the unfortunate events, the town once known as Factory Hallow was never able to recover 100%. There are also confirmed and rumored deaths of mill workers that took place on the property. The town is also took a hit because of two rumored murders,both of which were never fully solved.

Supposedly, locals and visitors alike have claimed they saw the spirits of these murder victims and rumored spirits of those that died while working at the Mill Site. More recently, there are new rumors of the spirit of a teenager who DID drown in the lake in 2010, showing up at the park. May they rest in peace. 

There have been reports of mists, orbs, footsteps and whispers throughout the entire lot. Some claim to hear a man whisper "the hollow" at night, but to me, that sounds like something out of a bad 90s horror movie. 

Others claim a girl also drowned many many years ago and can be heard screaming and crying near the lake. While the lake has always given me the creeps, thats most likely due to the fact I am deathly afraid of all dark water. I will admit the beach area does have an unsettling atmosphere. 

The father back into the woods you get the more unsettling it feels, it not spirits, there is most definitely some residual energy that this former town has absorbed over the years. 

The Gay family, along with other extended family are buried on location. If you go, please do be respectful and tread lightly across this area of the park. The graves can be found just inside the entrance.

 How would I investigate?

I would probably start with an EVP session at the entrance near the graves. I may do a question and answer session or pendulum session to establish or confirm some information. 

In the picnic, lake area EVPs are also a good idea, photos and night vision images. Heat detecting equipment to help spot any temperature fluxuation. 

 Near the Mill Site, I would do EVP, photos and video, pendulum sessions and motion detectors. Trigger objects may be helpful in establishing a connection with anything that may be there. 

I would also record myself, to document any physical or emotional changes or reactions. A lot of activity that may take place here stems from energy and emotion. Therefore, taking careful note of how people are reacting and behaving during the investigation is key.

Can you go?

Yes! Gay City is open to the public all year round from 8 o'clock in the morning until around 6-7pm (sunset). The beach area and trails are also public. 

Ive never experienced any outstanding or solid experiences other than feelings and things Ive heard through clairaudience.