Entry No. 27 — the Philadelphia file — filed under: haunted
Fort Mifflin
Built to guard the Delaware and nearly leveled by a week-long 1777 British bombardment that killed dozens of defenders, the fort now bills itself outright as "one of the most haunted sites in the country" and runs after-dark investigations inside its actual dungeons and casemates.
The story
Built in the early 1770s on Mud Island in the Delaware River, Fort Mifflin was designed to protect Philadelphia from naval attacks. Its defining moment came in November 1777, when British warships unleashed a relentless, week-long bombardment that nearly leveled the structure and killed dozens of American defenders. That brutal standoff delayed the British fleet long enough for George Washington's army to safely establish winter quarters at Valley Forge.
The military eventually rebuilt the stronghold, using it as a Civil War prison for Union deserters and Confederate soldiers before slowly letting it fade from active defense. Tucked away on Hog Island Road directly behind the runways of Philadelphia International Airport, the fort occupies a bizarre geographic dead zone where modern jet engines scream overhead above cold, damp 18th-century brick casemates and subterranean dungeons.
What it's like
Getting there feels like a wrong turn into industrial swamp land behind airport cargo gates. Once inside, you navigate dark brick vaults, officers' quarters, and unlit underground corridors. For the night investigations, bring a reliable flashlight, wear heavy layers and sturdy boots, and prepare for long periods of quiet waiting in pitch-black stone rooms.
The move: Book the Open Investigation Evening (7pm-midnight, ~$49/person) for unrestricted access to the fort's most-reported-haunted rooms, or take a candlelight tour instead and compare notes on the walk back to the car.
- 📍 Eastwick / Fort Mifflin
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 6400 Hog Island Road, Philadelphia, PA 19153
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum — Pair a night in 18th-century stone dungeons with a daytime walk through 75 historic racing sports cars just two miles away in Eastwick.
- The Woodlands — Extend the secret history tour by visiting this 54-acre Victorian cemetery and 1770 estate in West Philadelphia before heading out to Hog Island Road.
- The 8th House — Stop by this Point Breeze witchy community shop for herbs or tarot cards before plunging into Fort Mifflin's dark after-hours investigations.
Good to know
When is Fort Mifflin open to visitors?
General daytime admission runs seasonally from March through December. Special night events, candlelight tours, and paranormal investigations take place on select dates year-round.
What is the Open Investigation Evening?
It is an after-hours event (7 p.m. to midnight, roughly $49 per person) offering self-guided access to the fort's dungeons, casemates, and reputedly haunted quarters in total darkness.
How do I get there?
The fort is located at 6400 Hog Island Road in the Eastwick neighborhood, situated right on the Delaware River just south of the airport runways. Driving is required.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Wikipedia · visitphilly.com · battlefields.org
last checked: 2026-07-19