The Angel of the Sea is not only the nation’s second most popular bed and breakfast, but one with a haunting past that has traveled the New Jersey shore. The buildings current location is not the same as where it used to be; in fact the bed and breakfast has moved twice in its 150 year lifetime. The inn was originally called the Weightman Cottage and was built in 1850 by William Weightman, a rich company owner from Philadelphia. The cottage was originally located at the intersection of Franklin and Washington Streets (current day post office). It was later moved closer to the ocean at the corner of Ocean and Beach as a result of an oceanfront fire that destroyed many buildings. At the time, when houses were moved, countless laborers were used (as they were dirt cheap) and the houses were put into logs and moved using horses. The house was successfully moved to its new location by the beach.

Between 1910 and 1920, the cottages we sold to the owners of the adjacent Hotel Lafayette, who decided split the cottage in half to create more ocean view rooms and run the buildings as one hotel called the Ocean View. They cut the back half of the house off and moved it forward, alongside the front, next to the hotel (it had been a yard prior). False facades were built to enclose both structures and they have remained that way ever since. The buildings were moved in 1967 after the new owners of the hotel planned on demolishing them to build a modern motel wing and a preservationist saved them by paying to have them moved. Through the remainder of the 1900’s the buildings were used by students, employees of other inns and even some tourists to stay in the area, but no true maintenance was ever properly performed on the property. That’s when it was purchased by the Girton family in 1988 and turned into the Angel of the Sea. It has since been restored and turned into one of the most beautiful stays along the sea. But enough about the history; after all I did say this place was haunted.

Previous location of the Angel of the Sea

The story of the hotel goes as such. While the bed and breakfast was used was being used by students and employees, there was a young girl who was running late. While some say she was late for work, others say she was late for church or a date. She was up on the second or third floor trying to get into her room so she could change into something more appropriate for her destination. The problem was that she forgot her key and was locked out of her room. To save time and avoid going downstairs, she decided it would be a better idea to go through an adjacent window which was open. She slowly crept out the window, shimmying along the edge until she reached she bedroom window. Unfortunately for her sake, there was screen on the window which she would need to pry off. As she pulled and pulled at the tight screen it popped loose smacking her in the face. She lost her balance on the edge and fell to her death.

The screen hit her...causing her to fall to her death Click to Tweet

The staff at the inn wont say which room the girl was staying but did make mention that it may have been in the second building. As a result there is a variety of paranormal activity which is said to take place in the inn. There are flickers are lights, strange footsteps and objects that move from time to time. Now the building is old and the activity has seemed to decrease with time, but that doesn’t stop ghost fanatics from making the trip to the inn. Apparitions are rare to find, but you never know what kind of presence you will feel. If you stop by the inn, ask the staff what they have witnessed and you make get a good story. Regardless, this bed and breakfast is one of the most elegant places that all tourists should visit on their trip.

We would like to thank Ben Miller, author of The First Resort, In the Land of Exit Zero and countless other tales from Cape May for his help writing this article. If you enjoyed this short read, I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of his books for more.

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Emma

Scare Score

Spent a night here with a friend and all night we heard weird sounds. Most we could contribute to it being an old building but at one point we both distinctly heard something slide across the nightstand. It was the middle of winter so the place wasn’t busy and we were both completely awake when we heard the sound. It was right next to us. After some investigating we figured out it was a vase that had moved. Also heard the bathroom lock jingle a few times. Pretty creepy place
2 years ago
Paul scarpone.

Scare Score

Me and susana were thoroughly impressed. With the wine and cheese. And the tea time added bonus. Great View in great room. And we both caught an apparition in our room. When susana was playing around taking pictures I would recommend this place five stars. Thank you for suggesting it my Peruvian princess. LOL
2 years ago
Sam

Scare Score

Was creepy, i saw a less than 5 foot person/presence in the room at night When I got up to use the bathroom as I turned around from the toilet to go back to bed.
3 years ago
Mike make

Scare Score

I woke up to find blood all over the white comforter. We stayed on the third floor facing the back. Something woke us up in the middle of the night, when we turned the light on the light bulb exploded and scared us to death. After finally getting to sleep after a terrifying night we woke up to find a slimy otherworldly substance covering the walls. Not only is this plane haunted. We suspect aliens probed us in the middle of the night. My butthole was hurting for weeks.
3 years ago
Mark and patty Robb

Scare Score

Me and my wife their for the past 5 years . We enjoyed it everytime ,,food is very good fresh fruit.
The one time we went to bed about 10pm and we sat are lap top computer on the table by a window and it was maybe an hour or so sleeping we both woke to a small bang and looked at each other like what was that got up turn on the light and the computer was in the middle of the floor .
But besides that nice place to stay going back very shortly.
3 years ago
Gwen

Scare Score

About 20 years ago we stayed here. Some said the back bedroom we stayed was where the girl died. I swear everytime we left room came back things were moved. Wierd sensations in the room. We are coming back this week.
4 years ago
Russell Suender III

Scare Score

We stayed at the Angel of the Sea B&B and it was fabulous.My wife and I spent a weekend there for our honeymoon.Food was great.My wife swore she sensed an other worldly presence but not me.
4 years ago

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Haunted Places, Legends and Ghosts

The Angel of the Sea : Cape May, NJ

The Angel of the Sea : Cape May, NJ

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