You Won’t Want To Visit This Notorious Cemetery Near Pittsburgh Alone Or After Dark
By Beth Price-Williams|Published May 21, 2019
×
Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Do you believe in ghosts? Even if you don’t or you’re on the fence, you might just find your mind changed after a visit to this notorious cemetery near Pittsburgh. You can certainly visit during the day. But, for the best chance of experiencing the paranormal, stroll through the cemetery after dark with or, if you’ve got the stomach for it, without your friends. Before you go, though, here’s the backstory.
Nestled in the town of Buena Vista, about 40 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, Dravo Cemetery sits right along the Youghiogheny River Trail.
In fact, the church, which originally opened in 1824, burned down twice, the second time in 1920. After the second fire, the church members decided not to rebuild.
Spanning only half an acre, Dravo Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 700 souls. However, the identity of only 81 of the individuals in those graves are known.
In addition to the nine Civil War veterans and the lone War of 1812 veteran buried at Dravo Cemetery, the majority of the graves are believed to belong to children. Local lure says those children died from illness or disease.
For years, visitors to the cemetery have told tales of the unexplained and the paranormal. Some visitors claim to hear the sound of a train whistle and see the outline of a train - much like the train that sparked the devastating church fire nearly a century ago - rush by the cemetery.
But, if you really want to be spooked out, keep an eye out for the barking, two-headed dog that's often seen and heard by those who visit in the evening.
Have you ever been to this cemetery near Pittsburgh? Did you experience the paranormal? Share your experience in the comments! Then, click here to read about 10 more haunted places around the city.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.