The Ghostly Tales of the Jersey Shore

By Patricia Heyer

Ghost stories from down the shore have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!
Welcome to the spooky Jersey Shore! Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms.
Did you know that many of the Jersey Shore's famous lighthouses are haunted? Or that restless ghosts from the past wander these moonlit shores? Can you believe musical apparitions may be rocking--and haunting --the Convention Hall in Asbury Park?
Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see the Jersey Shore and have you sleeping with the light on!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Children's Books
• Release date: May 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781439677933

Patricia Heyer

Patricia Heyer is a local history buff with a special interest in New Jersey folklore and marine science. She has written extensively for both children and adults during her career, including her most recent book for kids, The Ghostly Tales of the Jersey Shore (adapted from her adult book, Haunted Jersey Shore Beaches, Boardwalks, and Lighthouses ). Pat is an avid reader, beachcomber, and animal rescue supporter. She resides on the Jersey shore with her husband Rob and their rescue cat, Gracie.

Book preview

A Ghost Asks Why?

Long Beach Island is a beach lover’s paradise. The eighteen-mile-long beachfront boasts swimming, fishing, great food, and even pirate tours. Each year, more than a hundred thousand visitors arrive at what some people call the best summer vacation spot in New Jersey. What many people don’t know, though, is that Long Beach Island is also called the most haunted island in America!

That may be because the waters around Long Beach Island are so dangerous. Underwater sandbars have caused thousands of shipwrecks along these beaches, taking the lives of thousands of sailors. Perhaps that is why they call it the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

Today, Long Beach Island is one of New Jersey’s most popular tourist spots. But at the dawn of the 20th Century, the island had a bad reputation. Pirates were known to come ashore, and smuggling was big business. At about the same time, lawless bands of thieves known as wreckers roamed the oceanfront, luring ships closer to the shore.

Once a ship was trapped in a sandbar, those onboard had no choice but to try to reach the safety of the beach. All the while, the gang hid in the darkness waiting for the frightened passengers and crew. Then, using a white handkerchief that had a rock tied in one corner as a weapon, the bandits struck the innocent victims, killing them instantly as they came ashore. After robbing their bodies of any valuables, the thieves left them to rot on the