In 1896, a mental institution opened in Cedar Grove, NJ. After over one hundred years, the site has now become an attraction for haunted location enthusiasts and skeptics alike.
Overbrook Asylum is located in what is now Cedar Grove, and includes over 300 acres as well as 30 buildings. While it was functioning, an estimated 10,000 people died. On December 12, 1917, the boilers of Overbrook suddenly failed, and twenty-four patients froze to death. There were over thirty cases of severe frostbite. The conditions became so bad that the families of patients were urged to remove their relative so they would not be killed or frozen. Most of the patients came during the Great Depression. After the 1960s, the amount of incoming patients decreased dramatically and Overbrook was officially closed in 2006. There were still patients at the mental hospital, though, who were moved to a new location, but the asylum property was not yet destroyed.
There are many mysterious tales of hauntings from the asylum. In 2008, as “Choke” was being filmed at the asylum, a crew member was inside Building Five after shooting for the day. A rumor spread that he saw something so demonic that he does not talk about it to this day. Did he really see something, or does he remain silent because nothing ever happened?
Hundreds of theories exist about what ghosts inhabit the asylum. Over 10,000 people died while it was in service, so believers think there are bound to be spirits still there. The story of the Building Five “Choke” ghost is a famous tale. There are underground tunnels that connect every building, and apparently, a nurse still roams these tunnels. On YouTube there are people who claim to have seen something. It could very easily just be a friend crawling on the ground, but you never know.
If anyone is interested in going to the asylum, be careful. It is said that policemen patrol the area. There are signs saying not to trespass, and there are reports of people actually being prosecuted for this. It is not recommended, but if you’re a thrill-seeker (or a curious ghost hunter) use caution.
