For this Halloween season, Atlantic & Sound launched its very own spookily, fun design featuring famous Long Island haunted locations. Read on to learn more about the creepy history behind these hauntings, if you dare…

Kings Park Psychiatric Center, Kings Park

Just hearing the phrase “abandoned psychiatric center” would send shivers down anyone’s spine, but in 1954, at the height of its operation, the Kings Park Psychiatric Center, was seen as a valued civic institution, providing essential jobs for locals and mental health services to 10,000 patients. However, declining patient population led to its closure in the mid ‘90s and although trespassing is illegal, local residents sneak their way into the decaying psychiatric center. Riddled with graffiti and vandalism, its decrepit walls host blood-curdling screams, shutting and closing doors and ghostly apparitions according to those who enter.

photo credit: left (Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_Park_Psychiatric_Center) 

Lake Ronkonkoma, Ronkonkoma

The legend behind Lake Ronkonkoma boasts both an ancient curse and a very-real tragic history. While the algae population and pollution of the lake might discourage many from swimming in its waters, the curse of Lake Ronkonkoma should be the final nail in the coffin to dissuade would-be swimmers. How did this lake become cursed? According to legend, in the 1600s, a Setauket Native American Princess killed herself after being forbidden to be with her true love, an English settler. Ending her agony, she rowed out into the middle of the lake and stabbed herself in the heart, thus forever becoming the Lady of the Lake. Ever since, she haunts the lake looking to replace her love, and with over 150 drownings—mostly male victims—, it’s hard not to believe that there’s some truth to this ancient curse. 

Southampton Campus Windmill, Stony Brook University Southampton

The Southampton Campus Windmill, known as the Mill Hill Windmill or College Mill, is haunted by Beatrice Clafin. The young girl used the windmill as a playhouse and one day fell down its steep steps, broke her neck and tragically died. Campus students report seeing her ghostly face through the almost eye-like windows of this 300-year-old windmill.

photo credits: left (Stony Brook Southampton: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/southampton/about/index.php); right (Fire Island Lighthouse: https://www.fireislandlighthouse.com/planyourvisit) 

Fire Island Lighthouse, Fire Island

Some might be surprised to hear that the Fire Island Lighthouse is supposedly haunted. Visitors who have climbed its 182 steps have reported moaning, unexplained creaking stairs, closing doors and even seeing a ghost-like figure. Legend holds that this ghostly presence is that of a 1800s caretaker who, stricken with grief after the death of his sick daughter, hung himself. It is believed that his spirit roaming the lighthouse is his last attempt to signal for a doctor’s help.

Camp Hero, Montauk

Made more recently famous by inspiring the Netflix cult-classic, Stranger Things, the abandoned military base Camp Hero State Park has become Long Island’s own Area 51. Known as “The Montauk Project”, it is said that the government conducted secret experiments, including tests on UFOs, time travel, and kidnapped boys, one of whom supposedly opened a fourth dimension door and let out a demonic creature. Legend has it that the creature—cough, cough, a Demogorgon?—still resides in a containment underground of the camp.

photo credits: left (Alexandra Charitan: https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/camp-hero-montauk-conspiracy-theories/); right (Getty Images: https://allthatsinteresting.com/amityville-horror-house#2) 

Amityville Horror House, Amityville

Would this list be complete without the Amityville Horror House? We’re wrapping up this hair-raising compilation with Long Island’s most infamous haunted location. In 1974, 24-year-old Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed the six members of his family. While a horrific event, the murders notoriety gained its modern-day popularity after the Lutz family moved in a year later. George and Kathy Lutz lasted less than 30 days in their haunted new home after experiencing paranormal activity like: green slime oozing from walls; the levitation of Mrs. Lutz’s body; waking up every morning at 3:15am, the same time as the DeFeo murders; seeing a demon with half its head blown off. Though highly exaggerated, the 1977 book, The Amityville Horror, by Jay Anson was based on the Lutz's supposed experience and grew into a classic, spawning multiple films and flocks of tourists ever since. 

Atlantic & Sound 2021 Autumn Collection

Long Island’s past is loaded with spooky myths and urban legends. With this rich history spanning centuries, there were many spine-chilling locations to choose from when creating our Haunted Landmarks design.

The design is part of our new autumn collection launched this September. The Fall gear includes cute Nork Fork inspired bags, shirts and sweatshirts, new cozy beanie hats, and a Long Island Jack-o-lantern carving. 

View the entire collection by clicking here. 

What’s Your Spooky Long Island Story?

Have you had any encounters with our listed demonic locations? Is there a sinister spot that isn’t on our list? Comment below with your own Halloween tale and send shivers down our spines!