3 Lakes Pavillion, Durand Eastman Park - Rochester, NY - Ghosts and Hauntings on Waymarking.com

From Wikipedia (visit link) :
"The White Lady who is said to haunt Durand-Eastman Park in Rochester, New York, is believed to be the spirit of a mother whose daughter was kidnapped and raped. There are also other variations of the story, including one more intricate story, which depicts the mother as overly protective of her daughter, who rarely goes out. When a man asks to take her daughter out, the mother is at first hesitant, but on the daughter's insistence, reluctantly agrees. When the daughter fails to return that night, the mother is informed the next morning that the body of her daughter has been found on the shore of the lake. From her remains, it is clear that the daughter has been brutally raped and strangled. The mysterious man is never seen or heard from again. Another variation of the story depicts the daughter simply vanishing, and the mother searching for her with two large German Shepherd dogs. Eventually the mother throws herself into Lake Ontario, and drowns. It is thought that the ghost of the white lady and her two dogs still wander the area looking for her daughter's murderer. The White Lady is said to protect women in the park from men who mean to harm them, and to attack men in the hope that she will find her daughter's killer.

"A film loosely based on this urban legend known as "The Lady in White" was created by Frank Loggia (trailer can be viewed at (visit link) ), but was filmed in other parts of upstate New York, rather than in Rochester. One popular misconception is that a stone barrier which overlooks the Lake, on Lake Shore Boulevard is in fact the White Lady's "Castle." This is in fact not true, it was built as an overlook, to accompany a restaurant which used to stand on the top of the hill overlooking the lake. While the stone steps leading up to this area still exist, the restaurant has since been demolished. Photographs of this area as it once was can be found in the Rochester photo archives, accessible through the Rochester Library online website. Additionally, any actual historical evidence of a murder of this kind taking place in Durand Eastman Park, has never been uncovered, and thus the validity of this story is suspect."

From RocWiki (visit link) :
"The Lady In White (aka White Lady) is a well-known haunting in local lore. Many variations regarding the specifics of her story exist. The central theme is the soul of a grieving mother that can be seen at times searching the Durand-Eastman Park beach and park for those responsible for her daughter's disappearance and/or for the daughter's body. One variation on the story includes two spectral hounds that accompany the Lady on her search. Some versions assert the Lady can be glimpsed at nightfall, rising out of one of the small ponds near the edge of Lake Ontario. The daughter's age and the nature of her disappearance varies with the telling as well. In some versions, she is a teenager who runs away with a lover, but he turns on her and kills her. In others, she is raped and murdered by one or more local brigands.

"Contrary to many stories that have been circulating, the "White Lady's Castle" wall is just the remnants of an old refectory (dining hall), a popular eatery for pre-Depression era vacationers who would often come from near and far to spend entire summers on the lake shore. It was possibly named Three Lakes Pavilion. This information was verified with Patricia Wayne, current Irondequoit town historian. It is NOT the remnants of the White Lady's house, an old insane asylum, or a retaining wall that housed canons despite some people's insistence on adhering to these fabricated stories. The refectory failed during the Great Depression, and over the years the wooden structure that once sat atop the wall succumbed to vandalism and arson. All that remains is the Spanish fort-style wall, which looks much like a castle wall.

"Unfortunately, despite the efforts of current Irondequoit town historian Patricia Wayne and historians before her, there are no records that match any details of the stories. Though the story can't be verified, there are numerous sightings every year of the infamous Lady in White. "

Other websites with variations on the story (mostly with huge errors, which gives rise to the ghost story turned Urban Legend):
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Public access?: There is parking at the base of the stone wall facing Lake Shore Boulevard, depicted in the pictures posted to the gallery. Visting hours: 24/7 Website about the location and/or story: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:

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