Ghosts of Old Bensonhurst

While Bensonhurst is a neighborhood that has seen continuous changing and evolving in almost every aspect, as night descends, ghouls, ghosts and other nameless wretches caught between worlds reinhabit ours and keep us from a good night’s sleep in the relics of time long gone that still remain. 

From a ghost that knocked on walls, to the spirit of a murdered lawyer, to a ghost haunting a local railroad, to a shadow being watching a little boy, to the oldest cemetery in our midst, it’s time to turn up our collars, hit the streets, and beware the Bensonhurst things that go bump in the night. 

Led by James Scully — NYC historian, tour guide, podcaster, director / co-creator of the award-winning historical audio fiction soap opera,, and creator of —  our unique haunted Bensonhurst experience will focus on and include:

• An overview of notable early New Utrecht history, from the Dutch days to the days of the early United States, we’ll talk about how and by whom this area was settled and why, while we tell stories about the many different cultures and people who have called old New Utrecht and Bensonhurst their home.

• How the death of a young woman along the Coney island and Sea Beach railroad led to a ghost haunting the train tracks soon after

• The story of the M**der of a young lawyer and his ghost that haunted the home of the family who inhabited the 81st street house after his death

• Liberty Poles, and Mile Markets — Stories and trips to important historical landmarks and why they were and still are important to the people of Bensonhurst and New Utrecht

• The story of the Revolutionary War soldier said to haunt the Dutch Reformed church grounds on 18th Avenue

• A trip to the oldest cemetery in the area

• The story of the Indian Pond, the border of Gravesend and New Utrecht, and a boy awoken from sleep in the middle of the night by a shadow being standing over his bed

• And more!

See you there!

* Please bring water and comfortable shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking. This tour will happen rain or shine, unless there is torrential rain or a blizzard, which then a makeup date will be announced.

** Runtime for this tour is roughly 90-120 minutes.

*** This tour begins in front of Milestone Park on 18th Avenue between 81st and 82nd street and concludes at the old New Utrecht Cemetery on 85th Street and 16th avenue

About James

James Scully is an outgoing native New Yorker who grew up in a Bensonhurst home with four generations of family. He had close relationships with both his grandparents and great-grandparents. This exposed him to an invaluable amount of local history and culture, helping him to become a passionate historian, writer, and director.

He’s a graduate of Xavier High School in Manhattan, Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, and spent over a decade working as an art director and copywriter for media companies such as Condé Nast and Hearst before becoming a writer, director, and historian. His history focus is both New York City history and US radio history. 

James produces and hosts The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast (https://bayridgedigest.com) . He has also developed historical audio fiction productions, like the 2022 official Tribeca audio selection Burning Gotham, set in 1835 New York City (http://burninggotham.com). 

James is a member of the Salmagundi Club, has given numerous talks and webinars on various history subjects, and is a New York City sightseeing/tour guide.

Testimonials

"Learning of incredible stories I'd never heard before." -Mary

"Guide was engaging, info was interesting" -Christine

"I liked all the historic information on or near the sites where events occurred and/ the people sited lived." -James

"The content was amazing, but even more amazing than the Content was our guide Mr. Scully. Thank you" -Debbie

"I liked James. He is friendly, extremely knowledgeable, speaks well and at the correct volume. He cares about getting the facts right." -Lawrence

"James Scully is the best guide we've ever had. Very informative, entertaining and passionate." -Carol

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