Philly's ghost guy keeps the city's haunted history alive
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Josh Hitchens. Photo: Courtesy of J.R. Blackwell
Josh Hitchens was 8 when he went on his first ghost tour with his grandparents in Colonial Williamsburg. Now he's Philly's go-to ghost guy.
Why it matters: Hitchens is a paranormal historian who takes his craft seriously — no comically bad spectacles of specter hunting here.
- The 39-year-old has written three books, including "Haunted History of Philadelphia." And he's the voice of Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, a nightly candlelit walking tour along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence National Park, Old City and Society Hill.
The big picture: With everything from Gettysburg to one of the most famous prisons in the world, Pennsylvania is ranked one of the most haunted states in the country.
- Hitchens became an early study, often begging his mom to visit the library to read up on spooky tales. His mom had one rule growing up: He could check out creepy books as long as they weren't the only books he read.
- "Great parenting," he says.
Between the lines: Hitchens tells Axios that over the years, he's learned that the most haunting ghost stories carry "pain and suffering … and moments of extreme emotion."
- "That's what leaves their imprint on a place."
As for telling them? Beyond the "here's this place, and it's haunted," compelling tales "talk about the history, why should you care that it's haunted."
- "Then you get into, 'And here's what people have experienced here.'"
Ultimately, "it's about engaging the imagination. It goes all the way back to when we were sitting around campfires thousands of years ago."
In the spirit of Halloween, Axios Philly asked Hitchens about all things dark and mysterious.
👻 On his argument for the existence of ghosts: "People have been experiencing hauntings throughout human history. There's ghost stories in the Bible. Millions of people … can't all be delusional."
Philly's best haunts: Baleroy Mansion, Fort Mifflin and Eastern State Penitentiary.
- "You can just feel the life that has gone through that place," he says of the penitentiary.
📚 On his favorite creepy books: Alvin Schwartz's "In a Dark, Dark Room," particularly the story "The Green Ribbon." (Spoiler alert: "As Jenny's on her deathbed, 'OK, you can take the ribbon off,' and then Jenny's head fell off. That made an impression on a 6- or 7-year-old.")
On his creepiest spots in the U.S.: Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California. Alcatraz Island.
- "You're definitely grateful when you're getting the boat off there."
🎬 His favorite scary movie: "The Midnight Hour."
Cheesiest scary movie that's still worth your time: "Satan's Little Helper."
- "The writing and acting is so unintentionally hilarious."
🍬 Favorite Halloween tradition: Wrapping 400 bags of candy for trick-or-treaters.
Favorite candy: Snickers.
Most hated: Rolos.
🎃 On the importance of Halloween: "It's a time to remember the dead. And perhaps a time when the dead may walk and visit."