In 2023, I traveled to Old New Castle to investigate this claim, but I couldn’t confirm it. However, I did uncover something else.
Back in the 1990s, the David Finney Inn was a high-end restaurant. When the 2000s rolled around, it closed its doors. Then, in 2023, it reopened as a new establishment—a Mexican restaurant called Oaxaca. On a cold November day, I treated myself to a visit. After a brief historical tour of the Amstel House, I crossed the street to Oaxaca, located inside the David Finney Inn. Naturally, I had my dowsing rods on hand.
The David Finney Inn is a grand building on Delaware Street, right in the heart of Old New Castle. Oaxaca occupies a section of the first floor, including what used to be the bar area. While my primary aim was to seek spiritual answers, I couldn’t help but notice something else: this was some of the most affordable Mexican food I’d seen in years.
Francisco, the GM of Oaxaca, personally took my order. As I waited, I pulled out my dowsing rods and asked him about any hauntings. Though he hadn’t seen or heard anything unusual, he admitted to occasionally feeling as if he wasn’t alone when the restaurant was empty.
Soon after, my enchiladas arrived, and they were nothing short of fantastic. Not only was the meal affordable—a rare gem these days—but it was genuinely some of the best Mexican food I’d had in years. Oaxaca might just serve the best Mexican cuisine in all of Delaware.
But this brings us to the final question, Traveler: Is it haunted?
After finishing my second diet soda, I conducted a light, after-dinner séance with my dowsing rods. To my surprise, the rods seemed to confirm the presence of a spirit. The responses aligned with my questioning, though the entity didn’t disturb my meal in any way.
So, while the paranormal can neither be proven nor disproven, I left Oaxaca believing in its haunted reputation. In more ways than one, it’s a place I’ll gladly return to—for the food, the history, and perhaps, the spirits.
Until next time,
Safe travels, Traveler
THE EXIT 13
This Spooky Traveler’s column focuses on haunted locations around the New England area. Victor S. Johnson is an adventurer, tour guide, and published author. His dedicated hobby is traveling through the United States (and soon after, the world), checking out old reported hauntings and sharing his findings with his audience over on his YouTube channel, Destination Spooky.
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