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Midwest

Illinois

104 dossiers141 claims89 legends56 alleged entities3 ghost townsheaviest files, ranked →

The record for Illinois opens with Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, Congress Plaza Hotel and Cave-in-Rock — the deepest files in the jurisdiction. The most-filed claim types here are Named Ghost Legend (47 dossiers), Apparition (44) and Reported Anomalies (10). Of its 104 sites, 82 are listed as open to the public — confirm access before visiting. The oldest dated entry is Fort de Chartres, established 1753.

Localities:Chicago27 Alton5 Springfield3 Cairo3 Cave-in-Rock2 Alto Pass2 Chester2 Nauvoo2 Vandalia2 Elgin2 Galena2 Godfrey2

Counties:Sangamon Co. 3 Morgan Co. 3 Cook Co. 2 Hardin Co. 2 Coles Co. 2 Madison Co. 2 DuPage Co. 2 Will Co. 2

By filing type:Sites30 Historic sites27 Hotels8 Towns7 Cemeteries4 Historic houses3 Hospitals3

By phenomenon:named ghost legends47 apparitions44 reported anomalies10 hauntings7 historical legends5 legends5 investigation results3

Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery

Midlothian, Illinois

Cemetery associated with documented cultural history.

4 claims · 4 legends→

Congress Plaza Hotel

Chicago, Illinois

1893 World’s Fair hotel with a mobster reputation and sealed-room lore.

4 claims · 2 legends→

Cave-in-Rock

Cave-in-Rock, Illinois

Cave associated with documented cultural history.

3 claims · 3 legends→

Dana-Thomas House

Springfield, Illinois

Historic house associated with documented cultural history.

3 claims · 1 legend→

High confidence

Mineral Springs Hotel

Alton, Illinois

Hotel associated with documented cultural history.

3 claims · 1 legend→

High confidence

McPike Mansion

Alton, Illinois

Mansion associated with documented cultural history.

3 claims · 1 legend→

Old Joliet Prison

Joliet, Illinois

1858 fortress prison—Jake and Elwood Blues walked out its gate.

3 claims · 1 legend→

Crenshaw House State Historic Site

Junction, Illinois

Historic house associated with documented cultural history.

2 claims · 2 legends→

High confidence

Garden of the Gods (Shawnee)

Harrisburg, Illinois

Shawnee’s sandstone fins and the legends of the "Garden."

2 claims · 2 legends→

Anna Bixby's Cave

Cave-in-Rock, Illinois

Cave associated with documented cultural history.

2 claims · 2 legends→

Resurrection Cemetery

Justice, Illinois

Justice cemetery famous for "Resurrection Mary," Chicago’s vanishing hitchhiker.

2 claims · 2 legends→

Holy Family Church

Chicago, Illinois

The 1860 church—the oldest in Chicago, spared by the fire.

2 claims · 2 legends→

Jackson Park / Midway

Chicago, Illinois

The 1893 fairground—where the White City stood and the dead remain.

2 claims · 2 legends→

Board of Trade

Chicago, Illinois

The 1930 Art Deco tower—where Ceres watches the pit.

2 claims · 2 legends→

Tribune Tower

Chicago, Illinois

The 1925 Gothic tower—the stones from everywhere.

2 claims · 2 legends→

Wrigley Building

Chicago, Illinois

The 1924 white terra cotta—where the clock watches Michigan Avenue.

2 claims · 2 legends→

Shawneetown

Shawneetown, Illinois

The oldest town in Illinois—where the bank refused Lincoln.

2 claims · 2 legends→

Fort Massac

Metropolis, Illinois

The 1757 fort—the Ohio River’s guardian.

2 claims · 2 legends→

Bald Knob Cross

Alto Pass, Illinois

The 111-foot cross—where the hilltop draws the faithful.

2 claims · 2 legends→

Kaskaskia

Kaskaskia, Illinois

The island capital—where the Mississippi stole the town.

2 claims · 2 legends→

Chester

Chester, Illinois

The Popeye town—where the river and the cartoon meet.

2 claims · 2 legends→

East St. Louis

East St. Louis, Illinois

July 2, 1917—the riot that burned the city.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Carthage Jail

Carthage, Illinois

Where Joseph Smith was killed—June 27, 1844.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Iroquois Theatre site

Chicago, Illinois

December 30, 1903—the deadliest theatre fire in U.S. history.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Eastland site

Chicago, Illinois

July 24, 1915—the ship that rolled at the dock, 844 dead.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Herrin massacre site

Herrin, Illinois

June 21-22, 1922—the strikebreakers killed in the woods.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Haymarket Square

Chicago, Illinois

May 4, 1886—the bomb that made May Day.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Pullman

Chicago, Illinois

The company town that sparked the 1894 strike.

2 claims · 1 legend→

St. Valentine’s Day Massacre site

Chicago, Illinois

February 14, 1929—the garage where seven men died.

2 claims · 1 legend→

H.H. Holmes Murder Castle site

Chicago, Illinois

The site where the "Murder Castle" stood—the post office on the corner.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Sag Bridge / Monk’s Castle

Lemont, Illinois

The bridge where the monks reportedly walk—the canal’s ghost.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Dunning / Read Mental Health

Chicago, Illinois

The poorhouse cemetery—where the unmarked graves were found.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Lincoln Tomb

Springfield, Illinois

The 1874 tomb—where the president rests with his family.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Fort Dearborn

Chicago, Illinois

The 1803 fort—where the 1812 massacre happened.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Chicago Water Tower

Chicago, Illinois

The 1869 tower—one of the few to survive the fire.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Chicago Theatre

Chicago, Illinois

The 1921 palace—the marquee that became the city’s symbol.

2 claims · 1 legend→

The Drake

Chicago, Illinois

The 1920 hotel—where the Lake Shore Drive dead stay.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Knickerbocker Hotel

Chicago, Illinois

The 1929 hotel—where the Playboy era left its ghosts.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Palmer House

Chicago, Illinois

The 1875 hotel—where Bertha Palmer’s lobby still shines.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Blackstone Hotel

Chicago, Illinois

The 1910 hotel—where the gangsters met.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Auditorium Building

Chicago, Illinois

The 1889 Sullivan masterpiece—hotel, offices, and theatre in one.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Alton

Alton, Illinois

The river city—where the abolitionist died and the birds fly.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Bartonville State Hospital

Peoria, Illinois

The 1902 asylum—where the Kirkbride’s dead remain.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Equality salt works

Equality, Illinois

The salt springs—where the enslaved workers boiled the kettles.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Tunnel Hill

Tunnel Hill, Illinois

The 1872 tunnel—where the train killed the workers.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Choate Mental Health

The 1869 asylum—where the "State Hospital" dead rest.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Thebes courthouse

Thebes, Illinois

The 1845 courthouse—where the jail kept the condemned.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Grand Tower / Devil’s Bake Oven

Grand Tower, Illinois

The rock tower in the Mississippi—where the Devil baked.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Menard Correctional

Chester, Illinois

The 1878 prison—the state’s oldest maximum.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Nauvoo

Nauvoo, Illinois

The Mormon city—where the exodus began, 1846.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Vandalia Statehouse

Vandalia, Illinois

The 1836 capitol—where Lincoln served his first term.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Cahokia

Collinsville, Illinois

The mound city—where the Mississippians built their capital.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Rock Cut State Park

Caledonia, Illinois

Park associated with documented cultural history.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Green Lantern Road

Olney, Illinois

Road associated with documented cultural history.

Boy Scout Bridge

Claremont, Illinois

Bridge associated with documented cultural history.

Ruebel Hotel

Grafton, Illinois

Hotel associated with documented cultural history.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Stickney House

Bull Valley, Illinois

Historic house associated with documented cultural history.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Petroglyph Site

Piasa Bird Bluffs

Alton, Illinois

Mississippi bluff painting of the monster that ate warriors.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Lawndale Thunderbird site

Lawndale, Illinois

The 1977 day a giant bird tried to carry off a ten-year-old.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Bell Smith Springs

Eddyville, Illinois

Shawnee’s stone-stair canyon—natural bridges and a drowned lovers’ pool.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Fort de Chartres

Prairie du Rocher, Illinois

France’s Mississippi fortress—phantom drummer and colonial massacres.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Bald Knob Cross of Peace

Alto Pass, Illinois

The 111-foot cross on the Shawnee ridge—built 1963, rebuilt 2008.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Enfield Horror site

Enfield, Illinois

The 1973 three-legged creature report that triggered a manhunt.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Biograph Theater

Chicago, Illinois

The alley where Dillinger died—"the woman in red" walked him out.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Elgin Mental Health Center

Elgin, Illinois

The 1872 "Illinois Northern"—where the 1960s death list made headlines.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Historic District

Nauvoo Historic District

Nauvoo, Illinois

The 1840s Mormon city on the Mississippi—rebuilt as a historic site.

1 claim · 1 legend→

SS Eastland disaster site

Chicago, Illinois

The 1915 capsize that killed 844—the city’s deadliest day.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Ashmore Estates

Ashmore, Illinois

Hospital associated with documented cultural history.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Chesterville Witch's Grave

Arcola, Illinois

Cemetery associated with documented cultural history.

1 claim · 1 legend→

DeSoto House Hotel

Galena, Illinois

Hotel associated with documented cultural history.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Galena Cellars Winery

Galena, Illinois

Winery associated with documented cultural history.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Bellair Cemetery

Bellair, Illinois

Cemetery associated with documented cultural history.

Munger Road

Bartlett, Illinois

Railroad crossing where legend says a stalled school bus was pushed to safety.

O’Hare UFO sighting site

Chicago, Illinois

November 2006—a disc over Gate C17, witnessed by airline staff.

Manteno State Hospital

Manteno, Illinois

The 1930 Illinois asylum whose town absorbed its patients—and whose tunnels still run.

Pumping Station

Chicago, Illinois

The 1869 pumping station—across from the tower, both survived.

Cairo

Cairo, Illinois

The confluence city—where the rivers meet and the town died.

Camp Warren Levis

Godfrey, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Dr. Richard Eells House

Quincy, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Owen Lovejoy House

Princeton, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Kimzey Crossing/Locust Hill

Hawthorn Woods, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Lucius Read House

Alton, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Congregational Church, United Church of Christ

Sycamore, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Rocky Fork

Godfrey, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Illinois College--Beecher Hall (Chapel) and the site of the College Building (1832-1852)

Jacksonville, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Pettengill House

Cambridge, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Hiram Rutherford, Dr., House

Oakland, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Jameson Jenkins Lot (NPS, Lincoln Home National Historic Site)

Springfield, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Sheldon Peck House

Lombard, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Blanchard Hall, Wheaton College (formerly known as College Building or Main Hall c. 1853-1926)

Wheaton, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Gillette House

Bishop Hill, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

New Philadelphia Town Site

Barry, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Quinn Chapel AME Church

Chicago, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Newsome Park

Elgin, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Crete Cemetery and Crete Congregational Church

Crete, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Illinois & Michigan Canal Headquarters

Lockport, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Ton Farm Site

Downers Grove, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Knox County Courthouse

Galesburg, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Graceland Cemetery

Chicago, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Old State Capitol

Vandalia, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Israel and Avis Blodgett House

Downers Grove, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Bristol Congregational Church

Bristol, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Contraband Camp at Cairo, Illinois

Cairo, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.

Site of the Illinois Central Railroad Passenger Depot in Cairo, Illinois

Cairo, Illinois

NPS-listed historic site associated with the Underground Railroad.