Mount Olivet Cemetery Frederick Maryland

Stories & Folklore

Stories & Folklore are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location and passed down from generation to generation. This section could also contain research notes as well.

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Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland, is a peaceful resting ground by day—but by night, it’s whispered to be one of the most haunted places in the region. Locals and visitors alike have reported ghostly encounters and strange happenings across the cemetery’s sprawling grounds. One of the most chilling tales involves the apparition of a "Lady in White," said to drift silently between the gravestones. A homeowner whose property backs up to the cemetery once spotted the woman gliding through the darkness, her pale form glowing faintly before vanishing without a trace. Some believe she is the spirit of a grieving widow, eternally searching for her lost love.

Another recurring story involves "three spectral Confederate soldiers" seen kneeling before the cemetery's Confederate monument at dawn. Witnesses have described the soldiers as silent, solemn figures in tattered uniforms, their heads bowed in mourning. When approached or looked at directly, they vanish. This apparition has become one of the most talked-about supernatural events associated with Mount Olivet, especially because it recurs in the same area and often coincides with a sudden drop in temperature or a whiff of pipe tobacco in the air—an odd occurrence, considering no one nearby is smoking. The scent has been noted by ghost tour attendees and paranormal investigators alike, even when no visible source could be found.

Perhaps the most unnerving account comes from a visitor who claimed to have been followed home by something after visiting Mount Olivet. In a Reddit post, the individual detailed a series of terrifying events that began the night after their cemetery visit: whispers in their home, objects moving on their own, and a persistent feeling of being watched. They even captured a video that allegedly featured a disembodied voice. Convinced the spirit had attached itself to them, they returned to the cemetery to perform a ritual and ask the entity to leave—after which the activity reportedly stopped. Whether these stories stem from lingering energies, imagination, or something more, Mount Olivet continues to draw interest not just for its history but for the spirits that may still wander its paths.

Added by: sdonley on 07/03/2025 DB#: 1713
Source(s): Various

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One of the most enduring ghost stories tied to Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland, is that of "Mary Jane"—a young woman whose tragic tale has fueled local legend for generations. According to lore, Mary Jane was a beloved member of the community in the 19th century, though details about her life and death remain vague and often contradictory. What is consistent, however, is the eerie claim that her spirit still lingers near her grave, unable—or unwilling—to move on. Some say she died of a broken heart; others whisper of betrayal or even foul play. Regardless of the cause, her restless energy is said to be felt by those who dare visit her burial site after dusk.

Visitors to Mount Olivet have reported seeing the "ghostly figure of a woman in a long dress" near Mary Jane’s grave, often described as either weeping softly or staring blankly into the distance. The air around the grave is said to grow unusually cold, and electronic devices—especially cameras and phones—often malfunction when near her plot. Some paranormal investigators claim to have captured faint EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) saying the name “Mary” or simply, “Why?” One of the most chilling accounts involves a night watchman who claimed to see her standing at the edge of the cemetery, only to vanish as he approached. Whether fact or folklore, the tale of Mary Jane’s ghost adds to Mount Olivet’s mystique, reminding visitors that not every soul finds peace—especially those haunted by sorrow.

Added by: sdonley on 07/03/2025 DB#: 1714
Source(s): Various

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Among the many spectral sightings at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland, one of the more unusual reports involves "ghosts dressed in 1950s-era clothing". Unlike the expected Civil War soldiers or Victorian mourners often associated with historic cemeteries, these apparitions appear surprisingly modern—men in neatly pressed suits and women in mid-century dresses with pin-curled hair, some even wearing cat-eye glasses. Witnesses have described seeing these figures walking slowly among the headstones as if attending a funeral, often in small groups and always eerily silent. Their presence is especially strange given that they appear in broad daylight or during the early evening hours, catching passersby off guard.

Several accounts suggest these 1950s-era spirits appear around a certain section of the cemetery, possibly near a cluster of mid-20th-century graves. One chilling story tells of a visitor who waved politely at what they thought was a group of people dressed for a themed photoshoot, only to watch them suddenly vanish behind a monument. Others have reported hearing soft organ music—reminiscent of a funeral service from that time period—with no visible source. Some paranormal enthusiasts theorize that this ghostly gathering may be a residual haunting, an imprint of a funeral ceremony that occurred decades ago and somehow repeats under the right conditions. Whatever the case, these sharply dressed spirits add a mysterious—and stylish—twist to the haunted history of Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Added by: sdonley on 07/03/2025 DB#: 1715
Source(s): Various

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Paranormal Claims

Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, please contact PANICd.com, and we will review and add your information.

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Claim #	Added	Added By	Claim
3816	07/03/2025	sdonley	People have reported seeing an apparition of a lady in white wandering around the graves at night.
3817	07/03/2025	sdonley	Apparitions of Confederate soldiers have been seen around the Confederate memorial and graves.
3818	07/03/2025	sdonley	Visitors have detected the smell of pipe tobacco.
3819	07/03/2025	sdonley	Apparitions of several people dressed in 1950s clothing have been seen, and then they disappear.
3820	07/03/2025	sdonley	Visitors have reported feeling cold spots.
3821	07/03/2025	sdonley	Visitors have reported hearing whispers.
3822	07/03/2025	sdonley	Some have reported spirits following them home.
3823	07/03/2025	sdonley	Some believe that the cemetery is watched over by the spirits of Native Americans who originally inhabited the land.

Additional Resources

This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.

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Tales from the Whitehill Crypt Added: 07/03/2025 By: sdonley	Information about the cemetery and the Whitehill Crypt.
Wikipedia Entry Added: 07/03/2025 By: sdonley	Wikipedia entry for this location.
All Hallow’s Eve at Mount Olivet Added: 07/03/2025 By: sdonley	Interesting information about spirits at the cemetery.