State Theatre: Freddy’s Ghost

State Theatre—now known as State Theatre Center for the Arts has one beloved ghost.

This theatre that opened in 1925 is in Easton, Pennsylvania. Architect William H. Lee designed it. He took his inspiration for his design from the Davanzanti Palace in Florence, Italy. The result is a unique blend of beauty and grace.

State Theater

The State Theatre was first used for touring vaudeville acts. When this era ended it like most theaters in the U.S. was then used as a movie theater.

From the 1930s until the 1960s J. Fred Osterstock managed this theater. He loved the building so much that during the flood of 1955 he lived in his office to protect the building.

After Fred’s death in the 1970s, the theatre fell on hard times. Its beautiful frescoes and artwork were painted over. The building was now used for rock concerts.

This activity evidently stirred up Freddy’s ire. It was during this time his ghost began to make appearances.

J. Fred Osterstock

The theaters’ night maintenance staff was the first to see Freddy’s ghost. On several occasions, they spotted a man who they thought was trespassing.

They first saw him standing in the back of the theater. When they approached him, he vanished into thin air. This shocked them for he appeared real.

On another occasion, they watched this figure as it went into a utility closet—they followed him, but he just disappeared.

They were so alarmed they called in the police. The first time the officers found nothing. The second time they were called out, the officers brought their police dogs.

Once in the theater, these dogs stopped in their tracks and refused to move. They stood still, their hair on end and growled at a sight no one else could see.

In the 1970s historian Ken Klabunde was closing the building for the night when he spotted a figure walk off the stage while he was alone. Intrigued, he did some research. He discovered a photo of Freddy and realized this was the man he had seen.

By the 1980s the theater was in such terrible shape plans were made to tear it down. A group of concerned citizens came together and saved the building.

Today, the State Theatre has been restored to its original beauty. Live theatre and concerts are performed in the building once more.

Freddy’s ghost still haunts the building—it appears he is pleased. He is so active, a live radio show broadcasts from the building every Halloween. Listeners can call in with their questions for Freddy.

His ghost is so appreciated that the State Theatre gives out an award named the “Freddy Awards.” This ceremony is the theatre's own Oscars.

2014 Freddy Awards
Photo: Bill Adams

Haunted Carnegie Library

Carnegie Library

In 1903, the town of Easton Pennsylvania chose a lot to build their new library on.

There was one problem the lot they chose contained an old cemetery. This meant 514 graves had to be moved.

Most of these remains where claimed by relatives and re-interred at other cemeteries. But there were 30 bodies that were dug up that went unclaimed.

One of these deceased was “Mammy” Elizabeth Bell Morgan who was buried under the west lawn of the new Carnegie library.

Another was William Parson who was placed in the front yard of the library.

The remaining 28 unidentified bodies were reburied in a common vault under the northeast driveway that leads to the library.

As mentioned in other posts it is never a good idea to disturb the dead.

In the case of Easton’s new library this stirred up quite a bit of paranormal activity.

Evidently, Mammy did not like being disturbed for her ghost is seen floating across the library lawn at night.

She was first spotted 3 months before the library opened, after floating across the lawn she was seen—her head glowing—looking out of one of the new building’s windows.

People who have seen her apparition over the years state she is transparent.

The driveway where the common vault is located has become a trouble spot. The area above the vault keeps sinking in and has to be repaired frequently.

The library displays a map that shows the location of these graves.

The Carnegie library building is also haunted.

People hear doors slam shut loudly and on the second floor items are often moved.

There have been numerous reports of books thrown from shelves and people who work in the library often report being touched by unseen hands.

One ghost in particular likes to mess with people’s hair as the stand near the stacks.

When Carnegie still had a card file the drawers where often seen opening and closing of there own accord.

Both employees and patrons of the library have also seen ghostly figures walking through the building’s basement.

This ghostly activity happens so frequently that staff state they take it all in stride. It seems they do not mind sharing the space with spirits.