Dead Man’s Hollow
Posted: 10.03.2024 | Updated: 10.03.2024
Less than an hour outside of Pittsburgh lies the 450-acre conservation area of Dead Man’s Hollow. As the name suggests, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill nature preserve; these trails offer a uniquely eerie experience.
Throughout the eight miles of hiking trails, brave explorers will walk by (and through, at some points) an abandoned pipe factory and long-forgotten railroad tracks. To help navigate the disorienting routes, the path has been marked by red, dripping paint splattered on nearby trees.
As you follow this dastardly trail, you might spot the locals’ very own cryptid — a forty-foot snake — or something even more sinister.
Why is Dead Man's Hollow haunted?
Dead Man’s Hollow was the site of many tragedies throughout the late 19th century. There are reports of a man shot in cold blood by a band of thieves, as well as a mystery man hanged. It’s even been said that a greedy bank robber killed his accomplice on the land and stashed the money somewhere among the trees. Some claim the money is still hidden there to this day.
During Pittsburgh’s industrial boom, the area was also home to several factories and a stone quarry. Throughout the years, several workers died from on-site accidents at these locations.
All of these deaths have led to a mingling of spirits said to hang around the natural area. Yet, Dead Man’s Hollow is only a tiny piece of the dark history of Pittsburgh’s industrial boom. If you want to explore the haunted origins of some of Pittsburgh’s best ghost stories, book a ghost tour with Pittsburgh Ghosts.
How Dead Man’s Hollow got its dark name
Until the mid-1800s, the land along the Youghiogheny River was simply a peaceful, tree-lined area. Then, a string of heinous crimes took place.
The first was around 1874 when it’s said that a decomposing man’s body was found hanging from a tree. While the story has been passed down through the generations, no historical records reveal who the poor soul was.
Just a few years later, one George McClure was chasing after some men who had robbed his dry goods store. He followed them to the Hollow, where they exchanged shots. McClure was killed in the shoot-out.
Ward McConkey was arrested for the murder at only 17 years old. He always claimed he was innocent of the crime, but he was eventually found guilty. Two years later, his alleged last words before being hanged were, “Goodbye, all you murderers.” Many people believe one of the area's ghosts is McConkey, who is still trying to seek revenge for wrongfully being executed.
These deaths led to this section of land being dubbed “Dead Man’s Hollow” by the locals.
A string of deadly accidents
The deaths of McClure, McConkey, and the unknown man seemed to jumpstart a pattern of accidents in Dead Man’s Hollow. In 1883, two quarry workers were killed in an on-site explosion. However, this one could be chalked up to negligence as the men had tried to thaw their frozen explosives by putting them next to a roaring fire.
Not long after, a man was said to have drowned in the Youghiogheny River after falling off the ferry carrying him across.
Then, in 1905, a worker at the pipe factory, Mike Sacco, pulled the rope to lower the elevator he was riding in. Rather than going down, the elevator started moving up. Thinking he could beat the machine, Sacco tried to jump out — only to get wedged between the ceiling and the elevator. The scene was quite grisly, and he died shortly after from his injuries.
Another writhing tale
Beyond the stories of murder and deadly accidents, Dead Man’s Hollow houses its very own cryptid legend: a giant snake.
For decades, local Pennsylvanians have claimed to have seen a massive snake slithering between the tall trees of the Hallow. The snake is said to be upwards of 40 feet long, though it’s never been photographed. The creature is often referred to as Pittsburgh’s equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster.
What ghostly encounters take place in the Hollow?
If you choose to go for a hike around Dead Man’s Hollow, you may encounter a few otherworldly experiences.
People have reported shadowy figures darting behind trees in the distance. Others have said a strange smell lingers in the woods. Some hikers have claimed to hear multiple voices following them as they maneuver down the trail.
One of these ghosts will reportedly try to get hikers close to the riverbank in hopes of pulling them into the water. Could this be the man who drowned after falling off the ferry? Or one of the spirits of those who were murdered?
If you go hunting for the hidden cash from the bank robbery gone wrong, keep an eye out for a jealous spirit.
Visiting Dead Man’s Hollow today
Today, Dead Man’s Hollow is owned by Allegheny Land Trust, which maintains the conservation area. They welcome spectral enthusiasts to explore the area and have recently developed some uniquely spooky events to attract more visitors — including chilling 5K and half marathon runs through the woods.
Run organizer Kevin Smith said, “I'm going to bet there will be a lot of [personal records]. Everybody runs faster when a ghost is chasing them."
Exploring More of Haunted Pittsburgh
While Dead Man’s Hollow lies outside the city boundaries of Pittsburgh, its history is inextricably linked with the dark beginnings of the Steel City.
Take, for example, the abandoned railroad tracks hidden by the overgrowth in the natural preserve. Back in Pittsburgh proper, you can learn the importance of the rails in the city’s history, as well as how the infamous 1877 railway strike led to the deaths of over 20 people.
In the city, there are countless more tales of murder, backstabbing, and greed. If you’ve had your fill of nature and want to return to some brick-and-mortar ghostly sites, book a ghost tour with Pittsburgh Ghosts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real Pennsylvania hauntings.
Sources:
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/pennsylvania/dead-mans-hollow-haunted-pgh
https://www.hauntingsaroundamerica.com/post/dead-man-s-hollow-pennsylvania
https://archive.triblive.com/news/haunted-or-not-dead-mans-hollow-a-fascinating-spot
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