New York Ghosts

15. Empire State Building

New York, NY

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350 5th Ave New York, NY 10118 Excavation started on The Empire State Building in 1930, and thanks to a labor force consisting of 3,000 men at most, on May 1, 1931, the lights were turned on and the building was officially opened. It received its own zip code in 1980, and in 1981, it was deemed an official landmark. In 1982, it was listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places, and in 1986, it was given the label of a National Historic Landmark. Unfortunately, at least 30 people have jumped to their deaths from the top of the Empire State Building. The first suicide was reportedly by a construction worker, who jumped off the building after getting fired. On May 1, 1947, 23-year-old Evelyn McHale died after falling 86 stories and landing on top of a United Nations limo in front of numerous witnesses. A suicide note found at the scene read, "He is much better off without me. I don't think I would make a good wife for anybody." She and her fiance, Barry Rhodes, were set to marry the following month. A photographer at the scene captured a picture of her lying on the car, and the image became so famous it was shown all over the world, and was even published in "Life" magazine. Because of her condition when she landed, her act was dubbed, "the most beautiful suicide." Rumor has it that her ghostly apparition, still donning the same apparel from when she died, paces the Observation Deck before throwing herself over the edge. Stories say she only makes herself visible to one person - a woman - every time. Considering how many people have died at the location since its opening, it's no surprise there would be so many restless souls. Many report seeing apparitions throwing themselves off the Observation Deck while others have claimed to capture the spirits on camera. The next time you visit the Empire State Building, keep an eye out while you're on the Observation Deck for ghostly figures who aren't yet at rest.