Sunshine, sandals… and spine-chilling ghost stories? If you think summer vacations are all about beach towels and bland hotel rooms, think again. This year, we’re trading flip-flops for phantom footsteps and cocktails for corset strings. Welcome to Cortland County, where the air is thick with mystery, the inns are haunted, and something with claws might be watching you from the treeline. (Hi, Truxton Beast. We see you… maybe.)
Cortland Curiosities: A Strange & Forgotten History Trail isn’t your average sightseeing stroll. It’s a self-guided tour through a land of lost sanatoriums, suspicious fires, ghostly innkeepers, murder cases, and yes—unsolved cryptid sightings. Whether you're a history buff, paranormal enthusiast, or just someone who likes their travel plans with a twist of weird, this trail promises a summer escape that’s anything but ordinary.
Pack your EMF reader and your sense of adventure. Things are about to get… curiouser and curiouser.
Explore: Choose Your Trail, Chase the Tales
You don’t need a tour guide to uncover Cortland’s most chilling stories—just your phone and a sense of curiosity. The Cortland Curiosities Trail is a self-guided, choose-your-own-adventure-style journey through the county’s most peculiar and eerie places.
Getting started is easy. Just open cortlandcuriosities.com on your phone and browse the themed trails. You might be drawn to chilling ghost stories, unsolved crimes, forgotten fires, or local legends—like the elusive Truxton Beast, said to roam the hills and hollows of the county to this day.
Each trail includes an interactive map with coordinates and directions to each stop. As you arrive at each location, the next chapter of the story will unfold right on your phone screen—like a ghostly guide leading you deeper into the mystery. Along the way, you’ll uncover true stories tied to the landscape—some tragic, some strange, all completely fascinating. These are the kinds of tales that don’t make it into textbooks but live on in whispered retellings and creaky floorboards.
Not to be missed The 1890 House Museum, Cortland’s very own gothic Victorian castle. Grand, gloomy, and gorgeous—just how we like it.
Built by industrialist Chester Wickwire, the mansion is a favorite among ghost hunters and psychics. TV’s Ghost Hunters even stopped by in 2013 to poke around. Since then, the paranormal crowd hasn’t been able to resist the creaky staircases and shadowy corners of the old Wickwire estate.
Take a guided tour if you're feeling brave, or retrace Chester’s last day with the Cortland Curiosities map in hand. Want to go full ghost-hunter? Join a real paranormal investigation with Dream Seekers Paranormal and their arsenal of spirit-detecting gear. Some visitors claim to feel cold spots. Some hear whispering in empty rooms. And some say they’ve caught something on camera they definitely didn’t see with their eyes. Could it be Chester? Or maybe… the Truxton Beast trying on Victorian formalwear?
Stay the Night (If You Dare): The Glen Haven Inn
When it’s time to turn in for the night—or huddle under a blanket with a flashlight and a copy of Practical Water Cure—you won’t find a more atmospheric stay than the Glen Haven Hotel, nestled on the southern end of Skaneateles Lake.
Originally known as the Rest Haven, this historic building once served as a speakeasy for the Glen Haven Sanatorium, which sat across the lake. In its heyday, guests and staff of the sanatorium would row across the water under cover of night for secret cocktails and clandestine meetups. It’s a romantic image, if not for the ghost said to have never left.
Locals whisper about Lillian Dumont, who, on August 2, 1889, took her own life in the sanatorium closet using her corset string. When the sanatorium burned to the ground, the spirits didn’t go far. Some say Lillian still lingers, now known as the Glen Haven Screamer. Guests and staff alike have reported eerie wails echoing across the lake at night.
The first floor of the inn operates as a tavern serving up a killer menu, creative cocktails, and their famous bison burgers. Upstairs, the recently reopened inn boasts three beautifully restored bedrooms that sleep 6–8 guests, a full kitchen, and a cozy lounge. The eclectic furnishings, old photographs, and peekaboo lake views offer a epic setting for your spooky summer retreat. It’s the perfect place to tell ghost stories—or become one.
Haunts: Trail-Adjacent Oddities, Eats, and Eerie Little Extras
While you’re chasing down local legends and unsolved mysteries, don’t forget to explore Cortland Curiosities' Haunts— a collection of shops, eateries, and experiences that echo the strange energy of the Curiosities Trail. These trail-adjacent stops might not have ghosts (although we wouldn’t rule it out), but they’ve certainly got stories. Check out a few of our favorites.
Boos: Grace's Closet in Crown City Curiosities is a must-visit for vintage lovers and true crime buffs alike. Located in the historic Cortland Corset Building, this boutique brims with vintage fashion, accessories, curiosities, and antiques. The shop pays tribute to Grace “Billie” Brown, a local woman whose ill-fated romance with Chester Gillette ended in cold-blooded murder—a story that shocked the nation. Shop for the perfect vintage outfit, get your tarot read on a First Friday, and don’t be surprised if you feel like someone’s watching from the dressing room mirror.
Boozes: For something a little stronger, head through the woods to Dragonfyre Distillery. This medieval-themed distillery is a fantasy come to life—complete with dragons, knights, hobbit holes, and handcrafted spirits. Sample local bourbon, whiskey, and moonshine while sitting under timbered ceilings or sipping on the patio. Be sure to try “The Sweet Feed,” a drink so good it was the last one ever swigged by the ill-fated Mr. Seeber, whose mysterious end you'll uncover on the Bone Yards & Burial Grounds trail.
Brews: And when you’re ready to refuel with something hearty swing by Homer Hops, where the beer is cold, the bites are crave-worthy, and one brew in particular comes with a curious twist. Lot 42 isn’t just a name—it’s a nod to a strange patch of land outside Cortland where bones, headstones, and butter ladles were unearthed. Locals say the lot gives off strange energy. The kind that makes your hair stand up, your compass spin, or your beer taste just a little too good to be natural. Coincidence? Or is there something still brewing beneath the soil? One sip of Lot 42 and you might find yourself pondering the mysteries of life… or at least ordering another round.
One Last Warning…
If, during your trip, you see something strange in the woods—a tall, shadowy figure with glowing eyes and a penchant for disappearing when approached—don’t be alarmed. You may have just encountered the elusive Truxton Beast, Cortland’s own cryptid, rumored to roam the county and photobomb unsuspecting tourists. No promises, but keep your camera ready.
Plan Your Trip
Your strange and unforgettable weekend is only a click away. Visit cortlandcuriosities.com to explore the trails, map your stops, and prepare for a self-guided adventure through the weird, the spooky, and the historic heart of Cortland County. Choose your trail. Chase the tales. And don’t forget to leave a light on.
Still hungry for haunted history? Craving cryptid sightings? Follow @cortlandcuriosities on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook for more eerie inspiration, behind-the-scenes peeks, and ghostly updates from the trail. Your next spooky story might just be a scroll away...