Harmony Inn
The peace and harmony of a historic mansion mixes with haunting intrigue at this Pennsylvania pub
Paranormal Reports at
Harmony Inn
- A woman’s shadowy form is often spotted inside
- A ghost named ‘Barney’ purportedly moves objects and slams doors
- Potential EVPs are recorded by visiting ghost hunters
- The ghost of ‘Louie’ lingers near the inn’s entrance
- Anomalies are captured on photos and videos taken inside the inn
- Shadow figures are frequently encountered
- The apparition of a young girl is sometimes seen
- Unexplained cold and warm spots are reported
History of Hospitality at Harmony Inn
Many of America’s coziest and most inviting hotels began life as opulent private homes. Such is the story of the Harmony Inn, in the small town of Harmony, Pennsylvania. The historic Italianate-style home was built by a well-known local banker.
But shortly after being built, it started a new life as a popular saloon and hotel, a life that continues today.
Busy life goes on, and the Harmony Inn greets ever more patrons. But some of them say that there’s more than an inviting atmosphere that’s alive in the building today.
Some say ghosts of old owners, workers, and guests haunt the Harmony Inn, startling visitors and give the inn an eerily unique charm.
Timeline of Harmony Inn's History
Swipe or use timeline points to see Harmony Inn through the years
1856
The region of Harmony, Pennsylvania was first settled around 1804. The community got its name from the organization that helped settle it, the Harmony Society. But despite this early founding, the community grew quite slowly in its early years. By 1850, only around 400 people called Harmony home. But the community had promise, and attracted many businesspeople. In 1856, enterprising banker Austin Pearce built a grand, Italianate home in Harmony. He also began establishing business interests in the area.
1860
Pearce found some success in Harmony, building the town’s bank right across from his home in 1860. But not long after that, Pearce’s investments soured. He was forced to sell his businesses and his Harmony home. Another family, the Zeiglers, purchased the mansion and took to updating it into a saloon and hotel. They reopened it as The Zeigler Hotel, a popular stop off for travelers from Pittsburgh in the late 1800s. The family operated the hotel for many years, but ultimately sold it off in the 1900s.
1985
In 1985, two investors purchased the building. They hoped to revitalize the aged saloon, transforming it into Harmony’s first craft beer bar. This brought in new customers and signaled a new life for the old home. Renamed the Harmony Inn, the business met its current owners in 2013, and has remained a favored local pub since. And while the town of Harmony doesn’t get many visitors, the inn still proves popular with ghost hunters. Hauntings purportedly lurk through the Harmony Inn, and some people will travel across the nation just to find them.
Is Harmony Inn Haunted?
Harmony Inn has several well-known ghosts. A few have even been given names. One popular hotel phantom is Louie, the ghost of a man who was supposedly killed early on in the saloon’s operation, just outside the front door.
Louie’s shadowy apparition can purportedly be seen lingering around the inn’s entrance today.
It’s possible that Louie is forever reliving his last moments. And he isn’t alone in haunting the area around Harmony Inn’s entrance.
Guests and staff sometimes report the vivid apparition of a woman appearing inside the Harmony Inn, always close to the entrance. But while Louie has a name, no one has yet attached an identity to this mysterious, ghostly woman.
Meet Barney’s Ghost at the Bar
Another notable haunter of Harmony Inn is a man known as Barney. Barney is said to have been a regular patron of the saloon in its early years, but died one day falling down the home’s stairs. Now, Barney’s ghost is blamed for much of the mischief and playful activity around the bar.
He is known for moving small objects, tossing coins at people, throwing glasses off of the bar, and slamming doors around the building. All, seemingly, just to get a little attention and a rise out of the inn’s visitors.
Harmony’s Little Girl Ghost
Barney isn’t Harmony’s only playful spirit either. Some people also report the presence of a young girl’s apparition frolicking through the building and playing. Most often, the girl is simply seen running and exploring through the halls and rooms.
Witnesses say that she is best identified by her usual white dress. Additionally, she is said to have an odd limp in her gait. No one knows who this little girl is, or where that spectral limp came from. But she remains a favorite phantom of Harmony Inn regulars.
Chilled Spirits at this Pennsylvania Pub
Other activity around Harmony Inn comes from uncertain sources. Cold spots are frequently found inside, though no specific ghost has ever been blamed for them. Similarly, some visitors report sudden warm spots as well, all without any known cause.
Numerous other oddities are also reported by guests and staff. Some may get a glimpse of shimmering apparitions appearing in the basement. Others experience chilled, invisible hands grabbing them at the bar.
Strange Photos & Mysterious Voices
Ghost hunters are regular visitors to the Harmony Inn today. Many of them come hoping to capture evidence of the inn’s famous specters. And interestingly, many claim to succeed.
Some people record potential EVPs of ghostly voices talking amongst themselves around the restaurant. Many others also claim to capture the inn’s numerous apparitions and shadow figures on film.
Grab a Brew & Stay for a Boo
Harmony Inn today is a small town Pennsylvania success story. The historic home has been a fixture of its community for a century and a half now, and shows no signs of slowing down. The unique and friendly atmosphere of the inn today helps make it a must-stop location for visitors to Harmony.
And the ghosts within certainly help to make any visit unforgettable.
As an active pub, Harmony Inn doesn’t get many opportunities for full, private paranormal investigations. But they are always awaiting eager paranormal enthusiasts, and the staff are often open about their ghost stories.
While there are plenty of reasons to visit the Harmony Inn, the ghosts are undeniably a draw for many travelers. The inn certainly seems to be a place where the living and the dead can live in harmony.
