In the eerie realm of abandoned settlements, Dudleytown stands out as a particularly unsettling ghost town. Nestled within the foreboding Dark Entry Forest in Cornwall, Connecticut, this former community is rumored to be afflicted by a curse, reminiscent of the chilling storyline in the 1999 horror film, The Blair Witch Project.
The town’s decline began after a series of tragic events drove its residents away, paving the way for paranormal investigators, troublemakers, and vandals to descend upon the desolate area. Established in the 1740s by Thomas Griffis, Dudleytown saw subsequent settlers like Gideon Dudley, Barzillai Dudley, and Abiel Dudley, followed by Martin Dudley a few years later.
While initially home to a small populace, Dudleytown started fading into obscurity in the 19th century as inhabitants gradually relocated elsewhere. However, the settlement’s downfall took a darker turn with the arrival of Nathaniel Carter, whose family members succumbed to cholera soon after moving in. Following these tragic deaths, more misfortune befell the town, including the unexplained demise of Gershon Hollister and the subsequent descent into madness of William Tanner.
Further mysterious deaths plagued Dudleytown, such as the lightning strike that claimed Sara Faye Swift’s life in 1804, leading to the inconsolable demise of her husband, Herman. By 1900, all remaining residents had either perished or departed, leaving Dudleytown deserted. Legend has it that a curse befell the land due to an ancestor of the Dudleys being executed by King Henry VII in England for treason.
Fast forward to the 1990s, and Dudleytown became a hub for vandalism and decay. The release of The Blair Witch Project in 1999 exacerbated the situation, attracting thrill-seekers and ghost hunters to the haunted locale. Reputed as a real-life “Village of the Damned,” Dudleytown is believed to harbor poltergeist activities, ill fate, and insanity.
To deter trespassing and vandalism, the landowners of the former Dudleytown site have closed off access to the public. Visiting Dudleytown is now prohibited as it is private property, aiming to preserve its eerie legacy and prevent further disturbances.
