haunted places in illinois
The ghost of a child playing with a knife with which he killed his family may appear sitting on the steps of the building. An attic consisting of 12 tiny rooms and a hallway with whipping posts meant to punish the slaves. In this travel magazine we share our best tips and adventures. Referred to as Chicagos Most Haunted Hotel and another artifact of the Worlds Fair, the Congress Plaza consists of a maze of hallways occupied by phantoms of times long since past. Orbs can be seen floating along the grounds. The case went cold for more than 40 years until forensic evidence from another disappearance revealed the culprit, a man named Silas Jayne. Some of the prettiest foliage trails include Ghost Dance Trail and Oak Tree Trail. They first opened in 1928 and a lot of furnishings from that time have been retained, giving the hotel an elegant vibe. Heading to Chicago? Love Illinois? One of the best-haunted locations in Illinois, the Ridge Cemetery feels the grimmest when visited after sunset. Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur is one of the most haunted sites in the entire country. Greenwood Cemetery is among the most haunted places in Illinois, and possibly the entire country. Special Directions: Located in South Park (Click for Fullscreen Map)About This Attraction: Haunt Types: This Creepy Ghost Town In Illinois Is The Stuff Nightmares Are Made Of Once upon a time, Cairo, Illinois was one of the most popular towns in Illinois. As the site of several Native American burial mounds, this sylvan gathering place of spirits seems to haunt all five of the senses with reminders of the tribes who rest there. It involves two young women who suffered from severe mental health conditions. Devils Bake-Oven, Grand Tower, Illinois, 7. While there is some disagreement about who exactly it is roaming these grounds, a dozen different spirits have made themselves known to visitors, including Native Americans, the original owners, servants, and escaped slaves. With all the paranormal movies flooding box offices, its not hard to believe that there are many people out there fascinated with another world that we may not be able to fully grasp. Follow Google Maps. Squealing of tricycle tires, yelling and screaming voices. Categories: Real Haunted Houses Ashmore Estates Ashmore, IL Views: 4,034 Photos: 2 Rating: 5 / 5 Exp. Manteno State Mental Hospital in Manteno: claims the ghosts who inhabit it scared his first wife so badly, Tormented Spirits Are Haunting Old Joliet Prison: Ferak Column, 4 Famous Ghost Stories From The Most Haunted Hotel In Illinois. Brown Rd, Minooka, IL 60447, United States. You're in luck -Illinois has a rich haunted history, and there's lots of houses across the state that are truly haunted by spirits who haven't quite left the living world yet. Home/Yard Haunts: 11. Located 20 minutes from St. Louis, the Drury Inn is said to have paranormal occurrences. The most haunted spots in Chicago Photograph: Andrew Nawrocki 16. Civil War section, the cemeterys most notorious haunted spot. Haunted Places in Chicago, Illinois 0 Benton House Chicago, Illinois 0.8 miles from the center of Chicago, IL The Benton House, circa 1909, may be haunted by "Ma" Benton. By 1954, there were more than 8,000 patients. Its terrible. The mansion was left untouched for almost 50 years. Looking for more? Great views abound, and it was easy to found industry. Shoe Factory Rd, Hoffman Estates, IL, United States. In 1979, American Airlines Flight 191 bound for Los Angeles left the Chicago airport where it crashed into an old abandoned hangar killing all 258 passengers. There are myths of ghost sightings on various levels of the hotel including Al Capone, an old Scarface on the eighth floor, Peg Leg Johnny who loves to play with the room electronics and lights as well as a little mischievous boy in Room 441. There have been reports from guests who heard her cries and had their bed linens disturbed even though no one else has had access to the room. Poplar Groves Edwards Apple Orchard boasts 30 varieties of apples, such as Ginger Gold, Liberty, and Blondee, within its 100 acres. Founded in 1803, Alton is a historical town whose main attraction is the McPike Mansion. With a list this extensive, your paranormal adventure trip might get more exciting and terrifying while searching for the most haunted places in Illinois. A bar across the street from the cemetery, Chet's Melody Lounge, has purportedly seen its fair share of shaken-up drivers who claimed to encounter the legendary ghost, and it's a favorite spot for those hoping to catch a glimpse of her. He was only one of the many African Americans who found themselves shackled in Crenshaws attic, outfitted as a dungeon of horrors. The community lashed at a woman in each of these, accusing her of consorting with the devil and practicing black magic. A weeping woman who is searching for her children who had gone missing. Raven's Grin Inn in Mount Carroll: Recently rated among the most haunted places in America by Thrillist, the inn is owned by Jim Warfield, who "turned his house he does actually live there into a maze of his spooky art, prop gags, and a not-so-safe-but-exhilarating three-story slide into the haunted wine cellar. Between the 1790s and the 1870s, the area was rife with river pirates, highwaymen, counterfeiters, and horse thieves. Legend has it that the opera houses ghost, Elvira, was an actress who committed suicide by jumping from the tower of the theatre after she didnt get the lead part. Once slated as the economic hotbed of the Midwest, Cairo soon succumbed to racial unrest. I hope you liked my post on the most haunted places in Wisconsin. One ghost is believed to be an old stagehand who was killed in the theatre when he fell to his death from the catwalk. It sounds like the ghost that haunts the Woodstock Opera House might just have the best seat in town. You can visit this haunted Illinois location between 10 am to 5 pm. Ghost lights that appear on the southern edge of the cemetery are said to be of the spirits of lost souls searching for where their bodies are now buried. The saddest story, though, is that of Esmerelda. The prison closed in 2002, but "with numerous executions having taken place at the prison, rumor has it that many of the inmates may be serving time as ghosts," according to the Illinois Office of Tourism. While it's OK to visit the cemetery during the day, police are always on the lookout for nighttime trespassers unless you're part of an authorized ghost tour. Union Precinct, IL 62952, United States. The road is tucked between the Trail of Tears and Brown Barrens in Southern Illinois. This Illinois haunted location was turned into a factory and has the story of a schoolgirl named Mary associated with it. Address: Lebanon Road, Collinsville, IL 62234. Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, Related Posts to the Most Haunted Places in Illinois, 22 Most Haunted Places in Minnesota | Scary Locations to Visit, Haunted Casa Monica Hotel, St. Augustine, Florida | Ghosts on every floor, Ultimate Guide to Pre Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France. Manteno State Mental Hospital in Manteno: The hospital, which opened in 1930, was said to be one of the most cutting-edge mental health facilities of its time until a typhoid outbreak in 1939 killed 47 patients. This is one of many homes in Chambersburg in need of some TLC. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeths articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals. While there is no longer a trace of the Murder Castle where serial killer H.H. No one knows exactly when this site began being used for housing the deceased, but graves began appearing as early as the 1820s. Address: W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60706, United States. Learn more about the history of the strange patch of land at, It is rumored that you might come across a dead body on the ground along this swatch of road, one of the most haunted places in Illinois. This hotel is known to be haunted by one of its former chambermaids who drowned herself after her lover left her. But the Rialto is far from the only haunt in Joliet, home to the Scutt mansion which as seen several deaths over the years as well as the Frank Shaver Allen House, Patrick C. Haley Mansion and more. The ruins of abandoned and crumbling brick and mortar Victorian-style structures showcase a harrowing racial past. Kennedy Hill Road, IL, United States. Cairo, Illinois 62914, United States. The McPike Mansion is a notorious supernatural site, consisting of an abandoned 16-acre mansion situated on a large, 15-acre swath of land that nature has reclaimed over the last 60 years. One of the most haunted areas of the cemetery is a confederate grave memorial that commemorates a crew of soldiers who all died from Yellow Fever on a train passing through the area. It's been a hub for ghostly activity since the '50s. Haunted Barns: 6. Follow Google Maps. Beulahs decomposed ghost that has caused people to fall sick on a single sighting. The story of a St. Charles High School freshman girl being raped by a janitor while she was practicing the flute in the schools band room got circulated. Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago: Lions and tigers and ghosts, oh my! He was not found out until after he started kidnapping people from the Underground Railroad operation. Incidents of occult activity, rotting structures, and stories of paranormal activities like dark apparitions and strange lights in the area make this an exciting place to visit. Meeting/banquet facilities Follow Google Maps. feet in size, and has over 60 rooms and 100 actors ready to scare the living soul out of you. People have reported seeing the statue of Inez move on its own. With a total population of 2,000, Cairo has become a ghost town that still has traces of White Supremacy at its worst. But haunted story aside, Robinson Woods is also a famous picnic ground. Haunted Places in Illinois: Tour the Galena Hotspots. Lawrence Ave, west of N East River Rd, Chicago, IL 60656, United States. For those daring enough to venture into these woods, theres a whole world of ghastly spirits waiting for you. Orbs of light or figures might get captured in photos despite them not being in the shot. Find out what else this ghost gets up to at the, Woodstock Opera House, 121 W Van Buren St, Woodstock, IL 60098, USA, This southern Illinois town sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, but suffered from much flooding and is now nothing more than a ghost town. Basement of the Dead. Address: Timber Ridge Road, Cambridge, Illinois 61238, Timber Ridge Road seems unsuspecting enough, at least until motorists catch the fluttering of a white gown in their periphery as they angle their way through the so-called Death Curve.. Famous for the ghost of a wailing woman killed on the railroad tracks, the 7th Avenue Dead End is truly a haunted road in Illinois in every sense. A lot of the attractions offer guided tours as well, so if you are interested in history and are looking for a unique experience, a haunted tour is really a great option. This 2,630-acre park has 13 miles of trails to explore and quite a few waterfalls to see. The best time to visit Greenwood Cemetery, Decatur, one of the most haunted Illinois locations, is just before sunset and through the night. Restaurant All rights reserved. The building has been the citys pride over the years not only for the Victorian style dcor and development of arts in Illinois but also for the ghost stories associated with it. Address: W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60706. The Woodstock Opera House Best Haunted Places in Northern Illinois Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock If you are courageous enough to be pranked by a ghost, then Aux Sable Cemetery is the best haunted Illinois location. So how did this upscale hotel make it on the list for the most haunted places in Illinois? A circus performer, stuntwoman, professed travel buff and lover of Tom Waits, Stephanie is looking forward to sharing her favorite Chicago haunts with both adventurous locals and curious travelers. 1. Dont say we didnt warn you. Address: Unnamed Road, Forest Park, IL 60130, United States. This apparently happened when she was leaving for home after completing a seasonal bulletin. Since Alton is one of the most haunted places in Chicago, Illinois, its best to take a tour of the mansion during pre-Halloween days in October when the city hosts ghost hunting events. By 1880, the Galena had lost its luster, and the city removed the top stories. A girl who went missing and was later found walking toward the Ridge Cemetery told her mother that people living in the cemetery had told her to stay with them. Book this ghost and gangster tour to see all the top haunts! Those brave enough to trek down the trails report smelling lavender, watching torches move near the gravesites, and hearing the sound of tom-tom drums reverberating through the groves of trees. Showmen's Rest | Forest Park Showmen's Rest is a section of Woodlawn Cemetery where remains from a 1918 circus-train wreck were buried in a mass grave. They got things right by founding the town at a great location, right at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Many haunted stories involve the tragic demise of residents of the past who remain on this plane of existence still today. Mrs. Markham attempted to slice her own throat with a blunt knife following her foul deeds. Though the Land of Lincoln was supposed to be a free state, this was the home of a slave owner who took his operations beyond their legal extensions and kept people chained up in his attic. Once a vaudeville and silent movie house in the 1920s, Lincoln Theatre is now believed to be home to several ghosts. But the real highlight is the limestone caves and rock formations, such as Indian Head and Twin Sisters. Illinois's Halloween Entertainment Guide, Not-So-Scary Haunted Houses (Kid Friendly), George Stickney House - Bull Valley Police Department, Former Chicago Historical Society Building. However, the most famous part of Illinois has to be the City of Chicago, known for its metropolitan-style architecture and skyscrapers. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! The factory was used as a school and later became a residence but by the early 70s, was abandoned. With Halloween just around the corner, there are plenty of local haunts to be had in Illinois. 2nd February so you can partake in the festivities of the town. According to talk around campus, Beecher Hall was once a medical building and the top floor was a space for storing cadavers. Fitness centre Ashmore Estates located in Ashmore, Illinois, is a historical building built in 1916. The Massacre is custom renovated every year for the Halloween season. The Legendary Dungeon of Doom Haunted House Medieval Torture Museum with Audio Guide and Ghost Hunting Experience Torment at Twelve Hundred The Haunting at Horse Creek Hayride of Horror Killdare Haunted City Disturbia Haunted House Siegel's Cottonwood Farm Pumpkin Fest & Sniper Paintball Ride Windy City Ghosts Reaper's Realm Soul Takers Acres 1320 Milton Rd #3a, Alton, IL 62002, United States. Drury Inn & Suites in Creve Coeur. Henry, aka former university President Henry William Shryock, died . : 2 Built in 1916, this historic building was used as an almhouse until 1959. A satanic trail where cult practices were allegedly carried out in the 80s. Also a burial for Civil War soldiers, you may just catch a glimpse of a Confederate apparition in uniform. Sound of Indian tom-toms and wood being sawed near the burial mounds. It was a burial ground since the 1820s, but only became recognized in 1857. Instead, so-called medical professionals delighted in their research into the effects of injecting people with malaria, performing oft-botched lobotomies, and any other experiments that caught their fancy. If you are someone who wished ghost hunting was an actual job (because youd actually be pretty great at it) these 13 true hauntings in Illinois are exactly what you need to send your hair on end and your teeth chattering. It is believed that whatever is haunting the abode comes from a time well before the mansion was even built. Originally built in 1869 by Henry Guest McPike, it is located in Alton, Illinois (a town with a haunted history in itself). Excalibur/The Castle - Chicago, IL Often referred to as Excalibur, the building definitely looks like it's haunted just from the outside alone. The Red Lion. If you want to experience a nightmare-inducing ordeal with lots of ghoulish vibes, this is the road that you need to travel. A train wreck in 1918 killed about 58 people and all of them were buried within the grounds of Woodlawn Cemetery. Address: 520 South Michigan Avenue Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago: Chicago has no shortage of ghost stories. Nighttime is the right time to visit this Illinois haunted attraction. Although some of those places are known to be haunted, they are still really attractive to a lot of travelers who want to experience the haunted history of those places. 606 S Church St, Decatur, IL 62522, United States. Some of the staff refuse to go into the older wing of the hotel at night. A female apparition may be seen sobbing and asking visitors if theyve seen her baby. Those who have read Erik Larsons Devil in the White City know the history surrounding the multiple murders that took place during the 1893 Worlds Fair in Chicago (historians believe that H.H. Once the dream home of the illegal slave trader and breeder couple John Crenshaw and Sinia Taylor and their five children, the Hickory Hill mansion is definitely on the list of the most haunted places in Illinois. Among them is Old Book, a gravedigger known for crying under an elm tree each time someone died. You'll laugh as much as you scream as he guides you through his ever-changing life's work." Flashlights dying out without no reason, flickering of the lights, and a strong smell of lilac in the attic (a perfume Sarah wore). Sudden sighting of body parts inside the lockers which vanish in an instant. Ghostly shadows, strange noises, lavender and violet scent in the dead of winter, ectoplasm mist, and red or white orbs. The entire village consists only of a few houses, a diner, and a small cemetery where a witchs remains lie in an unmarked grave. Holmes resided (a post office now occupies the site), screams can still be heard in the area and pets become visibly scared when walking by this site in Englewood. Originally from the quaint beach town of Fenwick Island, Delaware, Stephanie has called Chicago home for nearly a decade. It's believed that about seven spirits haunt Bachelor's Grove. Though the mansion is one of the most haunted places in Illinois, visitors are no more allowed inside as the structure has become unsafe and requires urgent repairs. Looking to scare up more Halloween fun in 2019? The spirit of Alexander Robinson who saved American lives during the Massacre of Fort Dearborn. But bellhops and housekeepers arent the only souls wandering the winding corridors of the DeSoto House Hotel. 1. Address: Route 1, Equality, Illinois 62934. Since this wooded area is situated along the Des Plaines River, you can also see lots of deer, resting birds, beavers and butterflies. 600 W Martin St, Abingdon, IL 61410, United States. Built in 1869 by Henry Guest McPike, paranormal investigation reports have found that the house is haunted by the ghost of the former owner Paul Laichnger and his domestic help Sarah Wells. The school building is not in use and it is unclear if access is allowed to the floor where she had died. When darkness falls across Illinois, it's prime time for ghost sightings and paranormal stories. The fifth floor of the inn is said to be especially haunted and is where most of the eerie things have been reported. Rooms in the hotel have high ceilings, huge bathrooms and are decorated with grand, classic looking furniture. Read about nine of the most haunted places in Illinois. Here are four touring options to check out in town: The site has been a cemetery since 1840 but is home to just 82 plots many of which were left unused. Sound of footsteps and figure Marys ghost may appear if you pay a visit. Sign up for our newsletter and receive Halloween event updates, discounts and more! Even if it's not haunted, Raven's Grin has some pretty ominous warnings for visitors. How Greenwood Cemetery even started is a complete mystery. Today, fifty-five rooms, three dining areas, shops, and a four-story atrium remain. Illinois is a Midwestern state jam-packed with haunts. Top 7 Haunted Places In Illinois, USA - Updated 2023, Search Vrbo for the best Holiday Homes & Rentals, haunted places in illinois | congress plaza hotel, Top 9 Hotels With Water Park In Illinois, USA - Updated 2023, 17 Best Vacation Rentals With Private Pool In Illinois, USA - Updated 2023, 10 Best Airbnbs With Pool In Illinois, USA - Updated 2023, 10 Best Things To Do In Decatur, Illinois, 10 Best Things To Do In Charleston, Illinois - Updated 2023, The 10 Most Haunted Places In Indiana, USA, The 9 Most Haunted Places In California, USA - Updated 2023, Top 5 Hiking And Trekking Spots In Waimea Canyon, Hawaii, A Guide To Bosphorus Cruise - Updated 2023, A Guide To Six Flags Fiesta - Updated 2023, 10 Best Things To Do In Shannon, Ireland - Updated 2023. Alongside these notoriously dangerous men, violent histories of war, massacres, cold cases, lost love, and slave kidnappings form the backdrop for a terrifying tapestry of terror right in the heartland of America. Neighbors found her horrifically burnt after she crawled out of the informal funeral pyre and died later that day. The sight of Elvira roaming in the hallways and looking out the windows of the upper stall. Well. Bloodstains were on the walls in every room and over the staircase where the woman hung herself and the child fell and died. Most Alton Hauntings Tours are 3-hours in length, unless noted otherwise. Holmes. Paranormal investigators and those interested in the otherworldly flock to this mansion every year in the hopes of seeing a ghost. Elephant statues can also be found surrounding the burial ground with their trunks lowered to symbolize mourning. Robinson Woods is the burial ground for both Alexander Robinson and his family. The hotel is also a "poltergeist magnet," according to Chicago magazine, and is rumored to be the site of hauntings by the "Woman in Black" (we're sensing a theme here), tied to one of Chicago's most bizarre unsolved mysteries after a wealthy guest was shot to death in 1944 when a stranger stepped out of that bathroom in her room and began firing. Historians believe that the rumors of the ghost began when townspeople would hear the cries of these prisoners, mistaking them for the laments of tortured souls from beyond the grave. Native Americans of the Illini Confederation first settled this area around Decatur. It is rumored that residents still roam here, though, but you won't want to see them. Sin Yee is a small-business owner, freelance writer and a content creator. Address: 5900 W Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, IL 60445, United States, Website: Bachelors Grove Cemetery, Chicago.
haunted places in illinois
