It's weird. It's wacky. It's what makes South Jersey wonderful. 

Where else could you find a cloven-hooved, red-eyed devil? A wild turkey that has run of a whole town? A prison dungeon, complete with sound effects? There are ghosts and inexplicable goings-on throughout the region and here are just a few. Check them out – if you dare! 
 

Jersey Devil
South Jersey just wouldn't be the same without tales of the Jersey Devil. The mythical creature – or was it a real person? – has bedeviled the Pine Barrens region for more than 260 years, scaring the daylights out of 2,000 eye witnesses. The when, where and how the creature -- with the wings of a bird, the horns of a demon, glowing red eyes and cloven hooves -- came into being is up for debate. Some say he is the result of the partnering of a witch and the devil. Other's claim he is the 13th offspring of a witch who upon learning of his impending birth, cursed her situation. Other legends say he was born of a young 18th century girl who was cursed by villagers when they learned her beloved was a British soldier. Whatever his origins, the Jersey Devil was last seen lurking in the Pine Barrens almost half a century ago. But that doesn't stop the Pineland Preservation Alliance (PPA). Between October and February, the PPA conducts twice-monthly Friday evening "Jersey Devil Hunts" that include campfires, music, and an eerie one and one-half-mile trek into the woods of Wharton State Forest to search for the infamous monster.

Thomasina, The Wild Turkey of Salem
Brakes screech and traffic comes to a halt when Thomasina shows up in Salem. The wild turkey has made a home for herself at the St. John's Cemetery, a historic burial ground, and is generally quite content with her surroundings. But sometimes a girl just needs a change of scenery and that's when chaos reigns. Thomasina will wander through town and the residents, who have become fond of the bird, are quite protective, giving her the right of way as she waddles down Main Street. And speaking of Main Street, look for the Salem Star embedded in the sidewalk on the corner of Broadway and Market. Legend has it that once you step on it, you are destined to return to Salem again soon.

The White Stag of Shamong
If you're driving the back roads of South Jersey and a spectral white stag looms before you, consider yourself lucky. It all started all on a dark and stormy night in 1772 when a stagecoach driver was hurtling headlong towards the Quaker Bridge in Shamong when seemingly out of nowhere, a giant white stag leapt in front of the speeding carriage. The driver stepped down from the carriage hoping to scare away the giant horse when he noticed that the rains had washed away the Bridge. If it weren't for the mysterious White Stag, he would have plunged headlong into the rushing waters. Over the centuries, the White Stag has made several other life-saving appearances and today, locals consider an apparition a sign of good fortune.

Burlington County Prison
Not much has changed since the prison, now a museum, was built in 1807. The dungeon, curiously located on the top floor to prevent escapes, is still there. The cold, dank cells with individual fireplaces are still there. The scaffold used for hangings is still in the prison yard. And even Joseph Clough is still there – at least his ghost is. Clough, sentenced to death for murder, makes an occasional return to the historic prison, haunting staff and visitors. If that's not spooky enough, a recent restoration of the prison now includes sound effects of prison life for a really chilling effect.

February the Moose
Before Bullwinkle, there was February, a big, hairy moose that gained celebrity status thanks to its owner, H.B. Smith. Like many industrial barons of the 19th century, H.B. Smith had a few, well, eccentricities. One was the wildlife preserve he created on the grounds of his home in Smithville. After a trip to the mountains of New Hampshire and Canada to search for specimens for his collection, he returned with a large moose called February. When H.B. entered politics, he hitched his campaign onto February. Literally. With February in the lead, H.B.'s wagon would wind through political parades. The moose became so popular, he got as much attention as the candidate. Almost 150 years later, February is still a well-known South Jersey mascot and each February competitions to re-create February are conducted during the annual Earth Fair on the grounds of Smithville Mansion in Eastampton.
 

Pictured: Jersey Devil Hunt, Wharton State Forest
Courtesy South Jersey Tourism Corporation