The Spooky Small Town In New Jersey That Could Be Straight Out Of Stranger Things

If you keep up with pop culture, you’re probably familiar with the hit show, Stranger Things. Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, it focuses on the strange (and sometimes spine-chilling) events that begin to occur in a seemingly safe small town. Hawkins is the kind of place where neighbors help neighbors and the community often comes together. Kids bike to school without a care and residents take pride in their local businesses.

While the show features telekinesis and terrifying beasts, the story can be simplified down to its most basic components – there’s a small town where strange things happen. If the show took place in the Garden State, I imagine several locations would be quite suitable. The first that comes to mind is Cape May, but I’ve previously covered the town’s peculiar past (and present). You can check that out here. Another small New Jersey town overflowing with paranormal activity is…Keyport.

Wikipedia/Mr. Matte

By day, it's far from spooky. The charming shore town is the kind of place almost anyone would want to live. It's about twice as safe as the national average, offers waterfront parks and piers and has a bustling downtown area along Broad and Front Streets. While there are plenty of businesses to enjoy, local favorites include Mike's Subs, Drew's Bayshore Bistro (the best seafood!) and Broad Street Diner.

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Image/Jersey Shore Ghost Tours

Some have called Keyport the most haunted town in Monmouth County. I disagree...that title would have to go to Asbury Park but the thriving city doesn't quite meet the criteria for a small town-focused article. Keyport, however, has it all...small town charm and spooky occurrences.

There are several spots in Keyport which are widely accepted as haunted. The first is the Barton House, pictured. It is said that the ghost of a Civil War soldier still lingers in one of the bedrooms. Nearby, you'll find the former home of Dr. Harry M. Poppick. Residents report feeling sheets being tugged inexplicably, hearing heavy footsteps by the front door, whispers and whistling.

The town is also home to two church buildings believed to be haunted, or have some sort of supernatural ties. The first is the former Trinity Church, now a restaurant. Some say it is haunted by a ghost named Lorraine. Then, there's St. Joseph's Catholic Church... It features a statue of St. Joseph, whose evening shadow looks a lot like...Satan. While I'm sure it's nothing sinister, I could very easily be wrong.

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Image/Jersey Shore Ghost Tours

I'm no paranormal expert, but I sure do find the supernatural to be quite fascinating. If you'd like to discover more of Keyport's haunted history, take a tour with Jersey Shore Ghost Tours. They offer seasonal tours of both Keyport and Red Bank, and they've got the gear to help you connect with the beyond. Their next event (in Keyport) will be a walk with spirits on November 11th. Take a nighttime tour with a real-life medium. You'll learn all about local ghosts while enjoying the opportunity to communicate with them, if you get lucky.

Of course, this article is all in good fun. It’s Halloween and I love a good spooky story! If you’re looking for more haunted New Jersey, check out the Proprietary House Museum, the old Burlington County Jail, the story of The Watcher or, my personal favorite, the tale of Indian Curse Road – it features frightening footage that gives me the chills every time.