Devil’s Chair, Lake Helen–Cassadaga Cemetery

The Story

Local folklore transforms a red-brick mourning bench in the Lake Helen–Cassadaga Cemetery into the Devil’s Chair. Retellings say someone sitting there at midnight may hear a whisper or encounter an unseen presence. Another version claims an unopened beer left on the bench becomes empty while its seal remains intact. News 6 identifies the chair with the Thatcher family burial plot, grounding the legend in a specific memorial rather than the whole nearby spiritualist community.

The Hauntings

Local folklore transforms a red-brick mourning bench in the Lake Helen–Cassadaga Cemetery into the Devil’s Chair. Retellings say someone sitting there at midnight may hear a whisper or encounter an unseen presence. Another version claims an unopened beer left on the bench becomes empty while its seal remains intact. News 6 identifies the chair with the Thatcher family burial plot, grounding the legend in a specific memorial rather than the whole nearby spiritualist community.

A sense of place.

Visitor Experiences

Have you experienced something here?

This future chapter will bring together stories from the PHASM community. An unexpected encounter, a lingering feeling, or a quiet visit—your experience will be welcome.

Submissions are not open yet.

Sources & further reading.

• Devil’s Chair, Lake Helen–Cassadaga Cemetery — attributed ghost account (reports)
• News 6 — Devil’s Chair (reports)

Plan Your Visit

Active burial ground. Do not enter at night, leave alcohol, climb, disturb graves or use the bench as an invitation to trespass; current public visiting rules require verification. Current access is unconfirmed.