The Ghost of the Rawlinsville Brickhouse

The Rawlinsville Brickhouse stands sturdy and unshaken in Holtwood, its bricks whispering stories of a bygone era. But among the laughter of diners and the clinking of glasses, there is another presence—a quiet, lingering shadow from the past.

Her name is Elizabeth.

The attic, musty and dimly lit by a single window, is where she lingers. And hanging in that attic, untouched for decades, is a fur coat. No one dares remove it. Not the previous owners, not the inspectors, and certainly not the current proprietors, Katie Schatz-Stuart and her husband, Robbie. The coat belongs to Elizabeth, and she has made it clear that it stays.

No one knows exactly who Elizabeth was. Some say she was a woman waiting endlessly for her husband to return from war, her figure pressed against the attic window, eyes straining down the road that never delivered him home. Others whisper darker tales—of tragedy, of untimely death, of unfinished business tethering her to the old hotel.

The coat itself is strange. Unlike everything else in the attic, it remains inexplicably dust-free. The floral embroidery hidden within its lining seems to hold a secret, a delicate touch from another time. Once, a woman attempted to remove it, placing it in her car to donate it. But as she drove away, she felt the hairs on her neck rise. She glanced in the rearview mirror—and froze. The coat was levitating in her back seat. She turned the car around immediately, returning it to its rightful place.

Strange occurrences are common in the Brickhouse. A prep cook, one who greets Elizabeth every morning out of respect, once heard an inexplicable crash. Trays had been thrown across the floor. Security footage, which should have captured the moment, instead glitched to static at the exact time of the disturbance.

Another time, an employee—frustrated and exhausted—cursed at Elizabeth in a moment of anger. A lightbulb above her head exploded instantly, showering her in glass.

Even Katie herself has felt Elizabeth’s presence. One evening, as she worked alone in the dusty renovation phase of the building, a strong floral perfume suddenly filled the air. It was out of place, impossible even, in the stale and musty room. Later, someone commented on their Facebook page: You’ll know when Elizabeth is in the room. You’ll smell her perfume.

Then there was the night when two young boys, decades before the Stuarts’ ownership, slept in the attic. At midnight, scratching sounds echoed from the window. Terrified, they screamed for their mother. She assured them it was only a branch. But when daylight came, the boys searched for that branch—only to find that no tree reached anywhere near the glass.

And there is the coat. Always there. Always untouched. Hanging in the attic like a guardian, a warning, or perhaps an anchor keeping Elizabeth’s spirit bound to this world.

One day, Katie wonders, will she finally move the coat? Perhaps place it on the dress form she purchased, proudly displaying it in the dining room below? Would Elizabeth approve?

Or would something… happen?

Until then, the coat remains. And so does she.

Elizabeth is still watching.

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Read More

Read more stories like this in Uncharted Lancaster’s Ghosts, Monsters, and Tales of Adventure book. This 283-page book is packed with 64 unforgettable stories, all set right here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

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About the Rawlinsville Brickhouse

Located in the heart of Holtwood, PA, the Rawlinsville Brickhouse is a warm and inviting restaurant set in a beautifully preserved historic building from 1851. They take pride in offering a fun, family-friendly atmosphere where fresh, high-quality ingredients are at the heart of every meal.

Open seven days a week, you can join them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a refreshing beverage—there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Stop by on weekends for brunch specials or relax during Happy Hour from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

Experience delicious food, friendly service, and a touch of history at the Rawlinsville Brickhouse!

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Resources

• Move this fur coat in the Rawlinsville Brickhouse, and you might hear from a ghost named Elizabeth
• Ralinsville Brickhouse
• Another layer anyone remember this paper on the walls?
• The Rawlinsville Brickhouse Facebook post