Hangman's Elm in New York's Washington Square Park is known for its supposed hauntings, linked to its morbid history as a site for public executions, including that of traitors during the Revolutionary War and the slave Rose Butler, who was hanged nearby for arson in 1820. While no public records confirm these hangings, the tree's legends persist, with reports of ghostly figures swinging from its branches, cold breezes, and shadowy apparitions in the park. Potter's Field: The area of Washington Square Park served as a potter's field, a burial ground for the poor, criminals, and victims of epidemics, creating a somber atmosphere. The land was used for public executions before being developed into a parade ground in 1826, contributing to the area's dark reputation. Visitors and students have reported seeing dark, ghostly figures hanging from the tree's branches. Some people experience inexplicable cold breezes on hot days and the feeling of being watched. Other phenomena include shadows that swing from the tree and the disappearance of figures dressed in 18th-century clothing. Hangman's Elm is one of Manhattan's oldest trees, estimated to be over 300 years old.