12 Terrifying Haunted Houses Near Chicago - Time Out Chicago Beulahs decomposed ghost that has caused people to fall sick on a single sighting. There have been reports from visitors saying that theyve heard scary screams and have seen strange lights from inside the area. Address: 606 S Church St, Decatur, IL 62522, United States, Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 4:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun). : 2 Built in 1916, this historic building was used as an almhouse until 1959. Hotel Baker is another historic hotel located in St Charles, about 56 kilometers (35 miles) from the City of Chicago. Since 2006, the property had become a famous haunted landmark in Illinois under the ownership of Robbin & Norma Terry. Did you ever play Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board during a childhood slumber party? It is rumored that one of the girls was able to channel the other and live like her for an entire year. Haunted Places in Centralia, Illinois Many times the spring-loaded seat has been seen folded down during a performance. Lawrence Ave, west of N East River Rd, Chicago, IL 60656, United States. This cemetery was created back in 1913 and remains a burial site for many Eastern European immigrants who settled in Illinois. However, the most famous part of Illinois has to be the City of Chicago, known for its metropolitan-style architecture and skyscrapers. 2021 Guide to Haunted Houses in Illinois | The Scare Factor There is much to do in this 2,500-acre park, including 15 miles of hiking trails, swimming, and boating. Locals blame accidents on Timber Ridge road on her ghost, who is said to wander the fields with her hair billowing behind her like smoke. Is it any surprise, then, that the humans who died violent, unnecessary deaths roam these halls, seeking peace in the afterlife that may never come? While the exact story is unknown, there are several theories on why this site sees so much paranormal activity. The McPike Mansion has been called one of the scariest structures in the United States and it definitely ranks as the most haunted house in Illinois. If you are vaccinated and have the certification, you can visit this haunted Illinois town from early May to late June and from late July to early October. We're a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program. If you drive past the empty lot flanked by a post office and train tracks on either side at 611 W. 63rd Street in downtown Chicago, you would never know that the location was once the home of Americas first known serial killer, H.H. Theyve heard strange noises and footsteps in the locked rooms. Follow Google Maps. Most Alton Hauntings Tours are 3-hours in length, unless noted otherwise. Slamming of doors and flickering of lights. For an overview of more quaint towns in Illinois, click here. Best Scariest Haunted Houses at Illinois - HauntWorld What are the best fall hikes in Illinois? OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The 16 most haunted places in Chicago - Time Out Chicago Greenwood Cemetery is located in Decatur in Illinois and it has had a long history. The Old Milton School was built in 1904 and formally closed in 1986. Some have even heard weeping nearby. There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. It's been a hub for ghostly activity since the '50s. Holmes murder castle. Follow Google Maps. Four years after the Galena opened, a raging fire destroyed twelve rooms. Most Haunted Places In Illinois: 9 Of The Scariest - OnlyInYourState That more than 35,000 people were once buried there, and as many as 12,000 bodies remained sparking rumors of hauntings. 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. In 1941, Charles was found dead in his bedroom from a gunshot wound to the head. "Other mysterious stories include servants of the building, a cook in the kitchen and a strange death of a woman in the bathtub.". Recent paranormal investigations detected that unusual activities like horrifying screams and unexplained ghost lights still emanate from the cemetery. St. Charles East High School (St. Charles, Illinois), Best Self-Guided Tours in Japan: 10 Amazing Tours For 2023, Airbnb in Clifton, Cape Town: 11 great places to stay in 2023, What are the best Airbnbs in Tokyo? TOURS OFFERED: * Walking Tour (Spring-Fall) $27 * Bus Tours (Fall Only) $46 DINNER TOURS: * Ghosts of the River Road (All Year Around) $52 TOURS DEPART: Haunted Places in Illinois. Best haunted houses in Chicago. Top Illinois Haunted Houses | Find Best Haunted Attractions in IL Looking for more tips on things to do in Illinois, click here. Among them, according to legend, is a woman who was accused of witchcraft around 1900. Originally built in 1869 by Henry Guest McPike, it is located in Alton, Illinois (a town with a haunted history in itself). One such spook is Peg Leg Johnny, an associate of Al Capone who found himself on the wrong side of a lead bullet. They first opened in 1928 and a lot of furnishings from that time have been retained, giving the hotel an elegant vibe. Categories: Real Haunted Houses Ashmore Estates Ashmore, IL Views: 4,034 Photos: 2 Rating: 5 / 5 Exp. Regularly ranked as one of the top haunted houses in Illinois by Halloween connoisseurs, Basement of the Dead has been providing seasonal . Marshal Welch an officer was ambushed and brutally shot dead by Union Army deserters on Dug Hill Road in 1865. Read more 0 One such story involves a farmer who killed his family and buried them at the center of the circle of trees near the barn. 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. An argument ensued between the lovers and she stormed out hoping to find a ride home. (View on Map) There are many legends about ghosts in Graceland Cemetery, but the statue of Inez Clarke, who was only six years old when she died in the 1880s, is among the most well-known. Address: 100 W Main St, St. Charles, IL 60174, United States. The Red Lion Pub is home to countless ghosts that have been sighted on multiple occasions over the decades. Check out these nine haunted cemeteries in Illinois. Haunted Illinois: 11 Haunted Spots Across The State After raping and killing her, the janitor cut her body into pieces and stuffed them into different lockers. The factory was used as a school and later became a residence but by the early 70s, was abandoned. Illinois College was founded in 1829 and is believed to have several haunted buildings on campus. Civil War section, the cemeterys most notorious haunted spot. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you. . Farmer City Haunted Forest | Illinois Haunted Houses | The Scare Factor This specter has a gruesome backstory that was once front-page news. Great views abound, and it was easy to found industry. Any tour of the most haunted places in Chicago worth going on includes a stop at the Red Lion Pub in Lincoln Park. 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. It is likely that it was originally a Native American burial ground, and it has definitely been robbed many times over the centuries. The truth behind their assumptions was more horrifying than they could imagine. In Golconda, theres Dixon Springs State Park. She said the people who lived there wanted her to come and stay with them. The graveyard, at the highest point of the 810 feet mountain, has however remained. There, tourists claim to have seen blood suddenly appear in rivulets down the walls and hear chains rattling amidst the haunting cacophony of the dying, moaning for salvation from their prison. Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet: Built as a vaudeville theater in 1926, the Rialto is rumored to be the site of multiple ghostly hauntings, including a long-dead actress, a young boy and a couple who allegedly jumped to their deaths from the theater's balcony. At the end of the seventh year, the Devil comes to claim your soul. 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. It's famous as the rumored site of the "White Lady" or "Madonna of Bachelor's Grove," who, according to legend, was buried next to her child and whose apparition can sometimes be seen holding a baby in her arms. 24-hour front desk Address: Unnamed Road, Forest Park, IL 60130, United States. This abandoned cemetery is considered one of the most haunted places in the Chicagoland area. Whether you're looking for some real scares this Halloween Season, or you're simply fascinated by Illinois's haunted history, you'll want to check out Illinois Haunted Houses's database of real haunted houses across Illinois that are filled with thrills, chills, and scares year round! Mississippi Palisades State Park is located in Savanna. 1. Night guards have walked by the statue to find it missing only to see it back in its place again by morning. 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. Adding to the creepiness factor, its also the location where three young boys were found dead in 1955. This knocking happened for months before doorknobs began to turn on their own. For those daring enough to venture into these woods, theres a whole world of ghastly spirits waiting for you. Let's have a look at the list of haunted places in Illinois that you may want to visit in order to disprove the beliefs of other people. They always have a creepy legend attached to them. 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. Meeting/banquet facilities Ghost Hunts in Illinois Ashmore Estates Overnight Ghost Hunt, Ashmore, IL $ 89.00 - $ 109.00 If you're looking to take your thrill-seeking levels higher than a local Chicago haunted house or haunted attraction, then spending the night in one of Chicago's most haunted hotels is a must. This abandoned cemetery is considered one of the most haunted places in the Chicagoland area. 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. The road is tucked between the Trail of Tears and Brown Barrens in Southern Illinois. Resurrection Cemetery in Justice: Late Chicago ghosthunter Richard Crowe documented dozens of sightings of hitchhiking ghost Resurrection Mary, most often seen by men driving along Archer Avenue near the Willowbrook Ballroom (which, sadly, burned down in 2016), where legend has it Mary danced her last dance before her tragic death. 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. With Halloween just around the corner, there are plenty of local haunts to be had in Illinois. The Shoe Factory Road is infamous for the paranormal incidents which attract ghost hunters and investigators from all over the country. Union Precinct, IL 62952, United States. Illinois is a midwestern state in the USA with the well-known Mississippi River to its west. Also, Victorian Christmas which is close to Thanksgiving is a great time to visit Woodstock. The Adults-Only Resort In Illinois Where You Can Enjoy Some Much-Needed Peace And Quiet, 7 Quirky Facts About Illinois That Sound Made Up, But Are 100% Accurate, Most People Dont Know That This Charming Small Town Was Named After Ancient Egypt, The Best Breakfast In Illinois Is Served At This Iconic Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurant, The Ultimate Terrifying Illinois Road Trip Is Right Here And Youll Want To Do It, 13 Haunted Landmarks In Illinois For The Ultimate Ghost Hunter, The Story Behind This Evil Place In Illinois Will Make Your Blood Turn Cold, The Spooky Stories Behind The Most Haunted County In Illinois Will Give You Goosebumps, Illinois Ancestors Tombstone Project/Janine Crandell. For many, this is considered to be one of the scariest places in Illinois. 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. This apparently happened when she was leaving for home after completing a seasonal bulletin. Residents of the mobile home near the site claimed to have heard knocking on the doors and windows hours after the crash but no one was there. 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. At the outskirts of the graveyard, a towering oak surrounded by a black, iron fence seems out of place in the otherwise normal final resting place for long-deceased residents of Chesterville. Founded in 2011, IllinoisHauntedHouses.com is a simple and unique online haunted event & attraction resource created to make it easy for locals to find Haunted House, Spook Walk, Corn Maze, and other Halloween Attractions in their local area. This 19th-century town of Williamsburg became a ghost town after the railroad was built to the east of the town and all residents moved to live closer to it. Its believed that the Tinker familys ghosts also haunt this little mansion. The most haunted spots in Chicago Photograph: Andrew Nawrocki 16. 606 S Church St, Decatur, IL 62522, United States. Cairo, Illinois 62914, United States. Some of the prettiest foliage trails include Ghost Dance Trail and Oak Tree Trail. 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. This 24,500-square foot mansion, named Mayflower Place, was an extravagant wedding present for Laura Shedd and her new husband, Charles Schweppe. 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. 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. 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. Here are some creepy houses from around the state that might just give you the heebie jeebies. It stands as one of the most haunted places in Illinois. The Abingdon Middle School is one of the many haunted schools in Illinois that has spooky legends associated with its past. Whether or not you believe in spirits or ghosts or any paranormal entity, the story of the Dug Hill Road will still make you consider it among the most haunted places in Illinois. Peoria State Hospital, Bartonville, Illinois, 11. This building hosts the most paranormal activity, along with the four on-site graveyards where thousands of patients were laid to rest. Here is a list of more southern Illinois tourism attractions. 1. Once slated as the economic hotbed of the Midwest, Cairo soon succumbed to racial unrest. Address: Ricketts Ave. and U.S. 24, Bartonville, Illinois 61607. 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. Follow Google Maps. The community lashed at a woman in each of these, accusing her of consorting with the devil and practicing black magic. When she failed, she laid all of her children out on the bed, poured oil over their bodies, and lit the match that sealed her fate. 1. 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. Haunted Houses with Multiple Attractions: 23. Follow Google Maps. Those who have tried to move it find that their hand goes right through the corpse like it's a ghost. The Phantom lady wearing different stages of clothing and sometimes nothing while roaming the cornfields where earlier there was an ancient cemetery. Book this ghost tour to see all the haunts, including H.H. By 1880, the Galena had lost its luster, and the city removed the top stories. Ashmore Estates located in Ashmore, Illinois, is a historical building built in 1916. A strange and cold feeling while passing over the graffiti-covered Acid Bridge that connects to the East Kirsch Road. There are no records about this burial site and when it began. In the cemetery lies the Massock Mausoleum, which is a final resting place for two brothers who died back in 1920. Spooky Illinois Attractions Have a haunt/halloween related news story or a tip? The case went cold for more than 40 years until forensic evidence from another disappearance revealed the culprit, a man named Silas Jayne. To keep her restless spirit at bay, the residents bound her soul to the oak tree and utilized the anti-spectral properties of iron to prevent her from escaping from her grave. Free shipping for many products! Some of the popular IL haunted houses have been Aurora Basement of the Dead, Oak Lawn Midnight Terror, Downs Haunted House, Montgomerty Massacre Haunted House, Statesville Haunted Prison, Lockport HellsGate, Hells Gate, Chicago 13th Floor Haunted House, Morton Grove House of Torment Haunted House in Chicago, Elgin Evil Intentions, Rantoul The tiny ghosts of two children, whose mother threw them from a window, still delight in mischief, filling the empty labyrinth with bone-chilling laughter. Late-night travelers report feeling uneasy, hearing strange noises, and experiencing a sudden drop in temperature as they pass over the paranormal site. The ruins of abandoned and crumbling brick and mortar Victorian-style structures showcase a harrowing racial past. Address: Ashmore, IL 61912, USA Address: Damen Grain Silos, 2860 S Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60608, USA Address: Old Shawneetown, IL 62984, USA Address: Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Collinsville, IL, USA Address: Cairo, IL 62914, USA The Robinson Woods which once belonged to Alexander Robinson (Chief of an American Indian Tribe in the 1800s), supposedly have dark spirits lurking in the tree trunks while some spirits are not even of this world. With a list this extensive, your paranormal adventure trip might get more exciting and terrifying while searching for the most haunted places in Illinois. It is free to visit. Discover more details about the two ghosts that haunt the, McPike Mansion, 2018 Alby St, Alton, IL 62002, USA, This beautiful and popular venue is rumored to be haunted by an actress who was turned down for a role in a play at the opera house. The stone building and the farm near the Poplar Creek Forest preserve are both believed to be haunted. Do you think these are the scariest places in Illinois? She has even been known to hitch a ride from unsuspecting cabbies. Springfield is the sight of his grave at the Oak Ridge Cemetery where visitors have spotted him walking near his very own tombstone a night. 12 Most Haunted Places in Illinois | Terrifying Haunts in IL Get more stories delivered right to your email. In no particular order, here are 13 of the most haunted cemeteries in Illinois, according to hauntedplaces.org. 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. The best time to visit Greenwood Cemetery, Decatur, one of the most haunted Illinois locations, is just before sunset and through the night. The site has been a cemetery since 1840 but is home to just 82 plots many of which were left unused. When darkness falls across Illinois, it's prime time for ghost sightings and paranormal stories. Witnesses have seen apparitions and heard slamming doors and footsteps, and someone unseen has been known to put out the fire in the fireplace. 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. Locals claim that late-night explorers will hear the girls sobbing echo through the trees and see a misty presence appear in the inky night. With a total population of 2,000, Cairo has become a ghost town that still has traces of White Supremacy at its worst. The workshop will take place before the ghost hunt and will include topics and information like: Illinois Haunted Houses - Your Guide to Halloween in Illinois According to talk around campus, Beecher Hall was once a medical building and the top floor was a space for storing cadavers. Nightmare tales of haunted schools always appeal to ghost lovers. Once you are able to stop your hands from shaking, if you have a true ghost story thats happened to you while in Illinois we would love to hear it. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Haunted Places haunted places, illinois, state, usa, 1. Spooky Illinois Attractions When darkness falls across Illinois, it's prime time for ghost sightings and paranormal stories. Holmes eventually confessed to 27 murders, though some estimate his death toll as closer to 200. Follow Google Maps. 10. Love Illinois? Neighbors found her horrifically burnt after she crawled out of the informal funeral pyre and died later that day. 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. It is believed that whatever is haunting the abode comes from a time well before the mansion was even built. Unsubscribe in one click. Room service John Crenshaw, who made his living kidnapping freed African Americans and selling them back into slavery, built this family residence in the 1830s. She was the daughter of an iron mill supervisor who fell in love with a riverboat pilot. Orbs can be seen floating along the grounds. In a revengeful attack, they killed the Marshal in cold blood. He commissioned the building in 1889 and hired hands completed it just in time for thousands of visitors to pour into the Windy City for the Worlds Fair in 1893. But Travel + Leisure recently named the Congress as Chicago's most haunted place, noting that gangster Al Capone headquartered his shady dealings there, and it's also said to be haunted by victims of infamous "Devil in the White City" serial killer H.H. Address: 611 W. 63rd St., Chicago, IL 60621. The 16 Most Haunted Places in Illinois | Haunted Rooms America 7th Avenue, Sterling, Illinois 61081, United States. 8 haunted Chicago sights you probably didn't know about Situated in Alton, IL, the stories from this 19th-century haunted cemetery are not for the faint-hearted. It was a burial ground since the 1820s, but only became recognized in 1857. Guests of the hotel have reported seeing her apparition wandering the Gold Coast Room, the Palm Court and the tenth floor ever since. Weve summed up a few of the haunted attractions in this article, ranging from hotels to cemeteries, for your next trip. According to the story, Mary would hitch a ride, then ask to be let out of the car near the cemetery where she would simply vanish. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites without extra cost to you. His suicide note read, Ive been awake all night. Henry, aka former university President Henry William Shryock, died . They got things right by founding the town at a great location, right at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Besides being the only operating mineral spring in the state, its also home to some paranormal activity. Learn more about, Illinois 1, IL-1, Equality Township, IL, USA, One of the strangest things to have ever happened in Illinois is something not everyone believes. 600 W Martin St, Abingdon, IL 61410, United States. The carcass of a mutilated cow was found without any blood and removed reproductive organs. We take your privacy seriously and will never sell your data to anyone. Tragic struck this couple not long after when Laura Schweppe died from a heart attack in 1937. Nighttime is the right time to visit this Illinois haunted attraction. Cornfield/Maze: 3. 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. Love Illinois? She is buried in Resurrection Cemetery and those who have seen her have reported an apparition of a woman in a white dress and dancing shoes. 13 Scary And Possibly True Stories Of Hauntings In Illinois McPike Mansion in Alton: Located in "America's Most Haunted Small Town," and dubbed one of the 25 most-haunted places in America, the mansion attracts thousands of visitors and paranormal investigators each year. Address: N. Co Rd 425E, Chesterville, IL 61911. Holmes may have actually killed hundreds of people during his lifetime). The Drake Hotel in Chicago: While the Congress Hotel is known as one of the most haunted hotels in America, the Drake is allegedly haunted by the "Woman in Red," who fell to her death from the hotel roof on New Year's Eve shortly after it opened in 1920. Location. Follow Google Maps. Sometimes they were met by an apparition pleading for help finding their luggage on the other side of the door. In Oglesby, theres Starved Rock State Park. Next up on the most haunted places in Illinois is Lebanon Road that is home to seven bridges collectively referred to as The Seven Gates of Hell. These bridges are said to be entrances to the underworld, with vicious hellhounds, jowls oozing with rabid fury, guarding each one. 13 of the Most Haunted Cemeteries in Illinois | HuffPost Chicago So this week we're investigating one of them: the alleged haunting of Munger Road, which . Golf course (within 3 km). ILLINOIS It's that time of year again time for hayrack rides, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and, of course, haunted houses. Haunted Hayride: 10. Its no wonder that the post office and grassy knoll where his pet project once stood is alight with paranormal activity. Restaurant Any time of the year would be good to visit the Dug Hill Road to experience a nightmare-inducing incident on this haunted road in Illinois. And there are 16 miles of trails for you to take in all the fall foliage. The sight of Elvira roaming in the hallways and looking out the windows of the upper stall. Follow Google Maps Here is an overview of more central Illinois attractions. Its believed that both Laura and Charles haunt the home. 2011-2023 IllinoisHauntedHouses.com. Today, fifty-five rooms, three dining areas, shops, and a four-story atrium remain. A decade later, in 1869, a basement boiler exploded. Address: Route 1, Equality, Illinois 62934. Manteno State Mental Hospital, Manteno, Illinois, 12. Several terrifying stories have come up in the past few decades. See our privacy policy for more information on how we use your data. 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. Its believed that about seven spirits haunt Bachelors Grove. Dr. George Zeller wrote in his book Befriending the Bereft that on the day of Old Books funeral, hundreds of spectators witnessed a full-body apparition of the man standing under the Crying Tree.. Book this ghost and gangster tour to see all the top haunts!