But the raven, sitting lonely on that placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered; not a feather then he fluttered;
Till I scarcely more than muttered, “Other friends have flown before;
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.”
Then the bird said, “Nevermore.”

Edgar Allan Poe “The Raven”

The Gothfather, known for his macabre stories and eloquent poems, rests in a quiet cemetery in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. Honored in modern times by the NFL football team – the Baltimore Ravens – Edgar Allen Poe, his life and his writings are weaved into local history.

Orphaned at an early age when his mother died shortly after his father abandoned them, Poe was fostered by the Allan Family. As an adult Edgar Poe added the Allan’s name to become Edgar Allan Poe.  His passion was always writing and with a difficult childhood, his writings expressed his pained imagination. Poe became the first American writer who was able to support himself entirely by his works.

Surprisingly, at the age of 26, Edgar Allen Poe married his 13 year old cousin Virginia Clemm in 1835. Ten years later, Poe published the poem “The Raven” which brought him instant success. But Poe was a troubled soul and frequented the pubs in the Fells Point area, a habit that eventually led to his demise. On October 3, 1849, Poe was found wandering the streets in delirium and was taken to Washington College Hospital.  He never did come to his senses and passed away on October 7, 1849 and was said to repeat the name “Reynolds” prior to his death.

It is speculated that perhaps Poe was subjected to foul play. At that time, “Cooping” was popular on the waterfront. Taking unknowing citizens against their will and placed upon ships to work as forced labor. Perhaps Poe’s delirium was due to a severe beating and head trauma caused by a failed kidnapping attempt. Truth be told, one will never know what really caused Poe’s demise.

So dare if you will to enter this haunted cemetery where the Master of Macabre lies.

Through the spike topped metal fencing that keeps miscreants at bay, to enter into the historical cemetery at Westminster Hall and Burying Ground. A large white monument stands to immortalize Virginia Clemm Poe and Edgar Allen Poe. It has been said that up until 2010, someone would sneak over the church walls on Halloween eve to leave a bottle of spirits and three roses.

Walking quietly between the crypts and grave markers in hopes to not awake the evil spirits.

Tucked in the back of the cemetery lays the Poe crypt, where Edgar Allan Poe, his grandfather, and Aunt are at their final resting place.

But the creepiness continues as this is an old cemetery with many resting souls from the late 1700’s through the 1800’s.

But there is always light on the other side. A monument to the innocents showed the promise of hope.

Although I do believe I saw a Ghoul in the Graveyard.

But our homage visit to Edgar Allan Poe was not complete without a search for his home. Like finding a needle in the haystack, Edgar Allan Poe’s last home is attached to a row of project housing that was built in 1938.

Currently closed due to a change in management of the Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore the home is located in an area where two white girls with nice cameras shouldn’t be in. Can you say…”Victim Here!”

May you have a Spooktacular Halloween!