Lincoln University resident Kevin Lagowksi is shining a light on Chester County’s eerie history with his latest book, writes Ken Mammarella for Chester County Press.
The celebrated author’s newest release, Ghosts and Eerie Legends of Chester County, Pennsylvania, explores local legends and haunted spots throughout the region. His exploration of haunted inns, cemeteries, and fields provides a unique look at local Chester County history.
Lagowski begins the book with the story of the “ticking tomb.” According to one local legend, a young child once swallowed a pocket watch in the eighteenth century, and now rests in a tomb near London Tract Church Cemetery in Landenberg. While Lagoswki himself didn’t hear any ticking, the spooky local lore still attracts plenty of visitors year-round.
He also highlights the notorious Devil’s Road, a stretch of road east of Kennett Pike. He notes that while there is a lack of a consistent haunted backstory, reports of mysterious black cars and oddly shaped trees make the local spot a spooky destination worth visiting.
Additionally, he also writes about the haunted history of the Brandywine Battlefield. YouTubers, re-enactors, and anonymous online posts claim to have seen figures of soldiers and horses across the landscape over the years, something Lagowski documents in the book.
Other local hotspots include Chaddsford Winery, where many employees claim to have seen the figure of a little girl playing in the winery yard.
With plenty more stories in the new book’s 112 pages, Lagowski’s thorough documenting of spooky stories throughout Chester County is an intriguing read for adventurous thrill-seekers or everyday history lovers alike.
Read more about Kevin Lagowski and the author’s recent book on local haunted spots in Chester County Press.
_____
Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on VISTA Today in December 2025.
