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CHAPTER 4

Lambert Castle

PATERSON

THIS CASTLE DOES NOT HAVE A TREACHEROUS APPROACH along the Carpathian Mountains, nor does it have a sinister owner like Count Dracula. This castle was constructed in 1892 by the “Silk Baron” of “Silk City,” Catholina Lambert, who came to America from England in 1851, when he was seventeen years old. His successful business ventures allowed him to build his own castle atop Garret Mountain in Paterson. He and his wife, Isabella Shattuck, had seven children. He collected art and displayed it in the castle’s three-story atrium. In fact, when he fell into debt later in life, selling pieces from his collection allowed him to live in the castle comfortably until his death in 1923.

Stained glasss window of Florence Lambert

Before beginning the self-guided tour of the castle, I spoke with the docents on duty, members of the Passaic County Historical Society. Of course, I had to ask if they had had any paranormal experiences while volunteering at the castle. Both women said they hadn’t but that the director might have some experiences to share. He wasn’t in, so I left my card in hopes he would contact me. He never did. Historical society people are either “hot” or “cold” about the idea of ghosts. There is no in between. I don’t take offense to their perception in either case.

The first docent I spoke with mentioned that all seven of the Lambert children had died. The longest-living child was Florence, who died at the age of twenty-four. She was married and had given birth to one child but died of pneumonia shortly thereafter. She is fondly remembered as the Biblical character Rebecca in the stained glass window on the landing of the main staircase.

I had my sons with me on this visit, so I was hopeful that I might capture an EVP or two, given the deaths of the children. There were a couple of times that we were secluded from other castle visitors and I was able to record. I even prompted my younger son to say, “Come play with us.” He did a good impression of the ghostly girls from The Shining, but it wasn’t enough to attract any phantom children.

When we came out of the castle, three large turkey vultures landed on the grass just below where I had my car parked, an ominous sight in spite of the clear and sunny day. I had to drive past the vultures for my sons to get a closer look. As we went down the drive, we saw a dead squirrel on the side of the road. He was not crushed. He appeared intact and was lying on his back with his mouth open. There was a little trail of blood trickling from his mouth. I wasn’t sure if the turkey vultures portended the dead squirrel we saw, or if he was certain to be their next snack. Either way, the vultures and squirrel gave us a macabre adrenaline rush.

We drove around to see the tower that Lambert built in 1896 for a 360-degree view of the Paterson region and the New York City skyline in the distance. The self-tour pamphlet notes that in WWII the tower was used to monitor the skies for enemy war planes. This tower was accessible by the public until the 1960s, when it was deemed unsafe. The tower is now being renovated and will reopen to the public. I think it would be interesting to do some EVP work in this tower given its age and the renovations.

From here, we drove to Garret Mountain Reservation. This is home to the seventy-seven-foot Great Falls of the Passaic River. It’s said that a ghost sometimes can be seen coming through the mists of the falls, suspected to be the spectral remains of a suicide victim. It was also the site of a military encampment during the Revolutionary War. People claim to see a Revolutionary soldier limping along the side of the road, holding his arm.

Garret Mountain Reservation is a scenic park with shady places to pull the car over and just relax. I was telling my sons about “Elvis” performing here on a stage he sets up himself. Sadly, we didn’t find him, but if you check Weird N.J. magazine, issue no. 29, page 57, you’ll see his picture.

Lambert Castle tower

Of course this park is not without its legend of the madman who terrorized parked cars along “Lovers’ Lane” in the 1950s and 1960s. I could see this being a perfect spot to park the car and make out above the city lights. I can also understand how such a terror tale might be produced by the overactive imaginations of young people. The story goes that a patient in a nearby psychiatric facility escaped and made his way to Garret Mountain. He had a prosthetic hook for his left hand. He mounted the hood of one of the parked cars and frightened the couple inside. The young man put the car in reverse and sped backward hoping to dislodge the “psycho hood ornament.” After the young man backed up and then stopped the car abruptly to go forward and exit the park, the escapee fell off the car. When the couple arrived at the girl’s home, they were shocked to find the hook stuck in the passenger’s car door handle.

Having a conversation with one of the volunteers at the castle was interesting. Although she had not experienced anything paranormal, she said she would not want to spend the night alone in the place! She told me that if she were forced to remain there all night, snowbound, for example, she would have every light in the place turned on. I can empathize. The place is overwhelming in the daytime. I wouldn’t want to be there at night either.

This volunteer was kind enough to substantiate her apprehensive feelings by telling me of a fellow volunteer’s encounter. One night when this volunteer was locking up the castle, she was going from room to room on each floor checking for remaining visitors. She worked her way down to the main floor. As she stepped off the staircase to return to the reception desk, she saw a man out of the corner of her eye. As she turned to get a better look, she saw the man crossing the atrium. She followed him to ask him to leave. But as she entered the atrium, she noticed a cold chill in the air. There was no one there. She walked the perimeter of the atrium and could not find the man she had just seen walking through. It was then she realized why the man appeared familiar to her. She’d seen his portrait: it was Catholina Lambert.

The park is closed from sundown to sunrise and therefore not legally accessible to investigate at night. However, people have seen the Revolutionary War soldier at dusk limping along the road toward the park exit. I suggest taking the tour of Lambert Castle and recording for EVPs if you can be secluded from other tourists. Then, drive on to Garret Mountain Reservation and enjoy some Elvis songs. As the sun sets, head slowly toward the park exit, and do some “drive-by shooting.” While one person drives, the passenger can aim the camera out the window. Ready, aim, fire!