10 Fascinating Facts About the Haunted Brickhouse Inn: Gettysburg’s Most Supernatural Bed & Breakfast
The Brickhouse Inn, located on Baltimore Street in Gettysburg, PA, is a Victorian-style Bed & Breakfast featuring rooms with historic elegance and modern amenities. But this luxurious accommodation offers much more than comfortable lodging—it’s considered one of the most haunted locations in America’s most supernatural town. Let’s explore 10 fascinating facts about this historic inn and discover why paranormal enthusiasts and history buffs alike are drawn to its mysterious corridors.
1. The Brickhouse Inn was built in 1898 and still features original Victorian elements
The Victorian house that serves as the main building was constructed in 1898, preserving the authentic charm of the late 19th century. Guests can walk on the same original wood floors and admire authentic furnishings from that time period, creating an immersive historical experience. Despite maintaining its period authenticity, the inn successfully combines old-world elegance with modern conveniences like satellite TV and high-speed Wi-Fi.
2. The inn has earned over 2,300 five-star reviews and multiple prestigious awards
This historic bed and breakfast has welcomed guests for generations and built an impressive reputation for excellence. The Brickhouse Inn has received more than 2,300 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor and earned both the Certificate of Excellence and Hall of Fame Designation for several consecutive years, demonstrating consistent quality in hospitality and guest experience.
3. It sits within walking distance of where Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address
The inn’s prime location places guests just a short walk from some of America’s most significant historical sites. Visitors can easily reach the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, where President Abraham Lincoln delivered the famous Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, making it possible to literally walk in the footsteps of history during their stay.
4. The adjacent Welty House served as a Civil War refuge and sniper’s nest
Sitting next to the main inn is the historic Welty House, former home of Solomon Welty and his family. During the three-day Battle of Gettysburg, the Weltys and their neighbors, the Rupp family with six children, took shelter in the home’s cellar while the battle raged around them. The house’s roof was used as a temporary sniper’s nest, and bullet marks from the battle are still visible on the brick exterior today.
5. A Civil War sharpshooter fired the fatal shot that killed Jennie Wade from the Welty House
The Welty House holds a tragic place in Civil War history as the location where a Confederate sharpshooter fired the bullet that killed 20-year-old Jennie Wade, the only known civilian casualty of the Battle of Gettysburg. The bullet pierced through two doors of the nearby Jennie Wade House while she was kneading dough in her kitchen, linking the Brickhouse Inn property directly to this somber historical event.Visitors can learn more about Jennie Wade’s story and other supernatural encounters on a Gettysburg Ghost Tour.
6. Guests regularly report hearing footsteps in empty hallways
Even the most skeptical visitors have reported unexplained phenomena during their stays at the Brickhouse Inn. One of the most common supernatural encounters involves hearing the distinct sound of footsteps following behind guests as they walk through empty hallways, creating an eerie sense of invisible companionship throughout the historic building.
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7. Civil War soldier apparitions have been spotted on the inn’s grounds
Multiple guests and staff members have reported seeing ghostly figures of Civil War soldiers wandering the property. These apparitions are believed to be the spirits of fallen soldiers who returned to their place of death, possibly still searching for their way back home after more than 150 years since the battle ended.
8. The Welty House rooms experience increased paranormal activity during winter months
Staff members and guests staying in the converted Welty House rooms report that supernatural occurrences intensify during the winter months when fewer visitors are present. The most frequently reported phenomenon is hearing the voice of Solomon Welty speaking in the middle of the night, suggesting that the former homeowner’s spirit remains active in his family’s historic residence.
9. Certain areas of the inn experience unexplained temperature drops
Guests frequently encounter sudden, localized drops in temperature while moving through specific areas of the inn. These cold spots occur without any apparent environmental cause and are often considered classic signs of paranormal activity by ghost investigators, adding to the inn’s reputation as one of Gettysburg’s most haunted accommodations.
10. The inn offers basement tours of the original Civil War shelter
The owners have recently begun offering guided tours of the Welty House basement, the same cellar where the Welty and Rupp families huddled together for safety during the Battle of Gettysburg. These tours allow guests to experience the exact location where two families survived one of the most intense battles in American Civil War history, providing a tangible connection to the dramatic events of July 1863.
The Brickhouse Inn stands as a remarkable testament to both Gettysburg’s rich historical significance and its reputation as America’s most haunted town. Whether visitors come seeking luxury accommodations, historical immersion, or paranormal encounters, this Victorian bed and breakfast delivers an unforgettable experience where the past refuses to remain buried.
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