Where is The Most Cursed Place in Pennsylvania?

Beyond Ghost Stories: Unearthing Pennsylvania's Most Cursed Place

Hex Hollow (Gettysburg/York County Border Region)

While not a single specific address, "Hex Hollow" refers to a secluded, wooded area near the border of York and Adams (Gettysburg) Counties, an area notoriously linked to the dark practice of "hexerei" or Pennsylvania Dutch pow-wow, and, most famously, to a brutal 1928 murder known as the Hex Murder of Rehmeyer's Hollow.

The Hex Murder and Its Eerie Aftermath

The tragic events of 1928 form the grim bedrock of Hex Hollow's cursed reputation. Nelson Rehmeyer, a "hex doctor" (a practitioner of folk magic, both good and bad), was brutally murdered in his isolated farmhouse by three younger men, led by a desperate farmer named John Blymire. Blymire was convinced that Rehmeyer had placed a hex upon him, causing his crops to fail and his family to fall ill. He believed that stealing Rehmeyer's spell book and a lock of his hair, and then burying his body, would lift the curse.

The murder itself was gruesome, but the subsequent events and the lingering atmosphere around Rehmeyer's property are what fuel the "cursed" narrative:

• The Unbreakable Curse: Even after the murderers were caught and convicted, the belief persisted that Rehmeyer's hex, or perhaps the dark energy unleashed by his violent death, remained. Locals claimed misfortune continued to plague those connected to the case and even the land itself.
• The Haunted Farmhouse: Rehmeyer's farmhouse became a focal point of paranormal activity. Visitors and investigators have reported strange lights, disembodied voices, objects moving on their own, and a pervasive sense of dread—some claim to have seen apparitions of Rehmeyer himself.
• Persistent Bad Luck: Beyond the house, the general area of Hex Hollow is rumored to be a magnet for misfortune. Stories range from inexplicable car troubles and strange animal behavior to an oppressive feeling that descends upon those who linger too long.
• The Graveyard of Unrest: While Rehmeyer is buried in a local cemetery, the entire tragic affair brought a spotlight onto the folk magic practices of the Pennsylvania Dutch, suggesting a darker undercurrent to the otherwise peaceful region. The site of the murder, in particular, is believed to hold restless energy.

Why Hex Hollow Stands Out as "Cursed"

Unlike a mere haunting, which implies a spirit tied to a place, a "curse" suggests an intrinsic malevolence or a lingering opposing force. Hex Hollow fits this description perfectly because:

• It's Rooted in Dark Magic: The very origin of the tragedy – the belief in a hex and the desperate act to break it – imbues the location with a supernatural origin story beyond simple tragedy.
• The Malevolence is Pervasive: The stories aren't just about Rehmeyer's ghost, but about a broader sense of bad luck and oppressive energy affecting the area and anyone who disturbs it.
• The Tragedy Was Human-Instigated: It wasn't just a natural disaster or an accident, but a premeditated act born from fear and superstition, leaving a dark imprint.

Visiting Hex Hollow: A Cautionary Tale

Today, Rehmeyer's Hollow, including the original farmhouse (which is now privately owned and sometimes open for tours or paranormal investigations by appointment), remains a place of intense interest for ghost hunters and those fascinated by the macabre. The woods around it are still secluded and can feel unnervingly quiet.

While the beauty of rural Pennsylvania is undeniable, the legends surrounding Hex Hollow serve as a stark reminder of a darker chapter in the state's past, where superstition and fear led to a tragic end, forever imbuing a quiet corner of the Commonwealth with the chilling aura of a cursed place. Whether you believe in hexes or not, the undeniable sense of unease and the tragic history make Hex Hollow a truly unsettling and unforgettable location.