George Washington early on realized the strategic advantage of the high plateau on the west bank of the Hudson River. Thaddeus Kosciuszko designed the fortifications in 1778 and Washington set up his headquarters at West Point in 1779. The Continental soldiers built the forts, redoubts and batteries that are a part of West Point’s landscape today.
Future generations of soldiers learned the art of war at the point, most have taken this knowledge, as officers, with them to the many battlefields Americans have fought upon.
Each class of cadets endures four grueling years at West Point in their efforts to become strong leaders. In its history many of its cadets have returned to teach future cadet classes, others having given their lives for their country, have returned to be buried at the Academy.
Colonel Sylvanus Thayer lived in this house while he acted as the Superintendent in charge of the Academy from 1813 to 1833. In 1973 a psychic determined that this house is “infested” with ghosts.
Unexpected knocks on doors and walls are common as well as the slamming of doors and other noises throughout the house. Overnight guests often find their personal items have been scattered throughout the house.
This ghost was seen materializing out of the wall and a closet in the room. On another occasion, a spirit form rose up out of the middle of the floor. A cadet while showering saw his bathrobe swinging on its hook and suddenly he was shocked by cold water.
The hauntings continued until mid-November of 1972 at which point the commanding officer had all the furniture removed from the room, and declared it off-limits to the living. Room 4714 is close to the point’s graveyard. It is also near a site where a fatal fire once burned down an officer’s house.
The witness sensed the man was extremely agitated and angry. His uniform was stripped of all medals. When further research was done it was discovered that this man had been court-marshaled but then exonerated by a military court. It appears he cannot forgive or forget this incident. He roams the grounds of West Point still venting his anger.