Two Ghost Stories of Clarence
By Grace Sabedra
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Sunday, September 22nd, marked the first day of autumn, which means “spooky season” is right around the corner. Around this time of year, people hear about ghost stories, possessed buildings, and even unexplainable events. Normally, you hear of a haunted location and think, “Wow, I’m glad I don’t live there.” If you ever find yourself believing that to be true, you might want to reconsider your thoughts.
Clarence, New York, is home to multiple terrifying stories related to spirits and ghostly areas. In particular, Delaware Road, just off Goodrich, is probably the most haunted road in all of Western New York. Just under fifteen minutes away from Clarence High School, Delaware Road is known for its eerie stories of mysterious figures and spooky creatures.
While researching the mysterious road, I decided to take a trip to see it in person. I expected the road to feature abandoned buildings but instead realized the road was nothing more than a pathway through the countryside of Clarence. I’ll admit, there was an odd sensation that hit me in the face when I drove past the random parking lot, on the right side of the street. Many people have also felt this way and some even have said to have been pushed, but when they turned around, encountered nothing but an empty road. Others have claimed to see some kind of strange orb or shadowlike character. Some stories people share say they made contact with a creature that looked part dog and part horse. This creature is known to have growled at people late at night or even howled in the woods. Is this just somebody's pet dog? Or is this a new haunted organism?
I only saw deer, overgrown grass, broken trees, many gates, and random pathways. At night people claim that a whole different experience occurs. People say that while walking at night, their flashlights suddenly stop working. That would be terrifying because this road's only light is a lantern from a ghostly old man who walks at nighttime. Spectators have sometimes seen this old man with a young girl who casually walks on this road. Is this real or just a made-up tale? Who knows, but I wouldn’t test that theory.
It’s not just roads that are haunted in Clarence—it’s also local meet-up spots. Have you ever been to the Clarence Center Coffee Company and Cafe located at the Four Corners? Well if you have, you’re about to learn the cafe is a little spooky.
A close friend of one of my family members used to work at Clarence Center Coffee and claimed that the basement was haunted by the ghost of a young girl. She shared with us this interesting story of her time working at the cafe. She claims that when she or any of her colleagues would run to the basement to grab daily products, a small voice would repeat the simple words, “Excuse me.” She explained it as if the little girl was invisible but was trying to gain the attention of the cafe’s workers. Over time, she became so used to the ghostly voice, that she was unphased when it would speak to her. She is certain the ghost was very friendly, as it never harmed the workers and never bothered the customers. The workers were never afraid of her and to this day the cafe is not worried about the little whispers of the ghost girl. She said that someone once told a girl died in the building many years ago, and since then it’s been haunted.
The ghostly little voice was not the only mysterious thing that occurred at the cafe—abnormal actions like items falling off shelves, freezers left open, and faucets randomly running were typical. Again, these events never bothered the cafe but were still a little strange and spooky.
Next time you go to a local Clarence restaurant or shop, ask the workers if they have ever experienced a ghostly sighting in the building. You would be surprised to find out that Clarence Center Coffee Company and Cafe, as well as Deleware Road, are not the only two haunted locations in our area. In fact, rumor has it that Humbert House in Clarence Hollow is a little spooky as well. Don’t be afraid, though—most of our local ghosts won’t disturb you. At least for now.
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