Haunted Places in Charleston, Illinois
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Pemberton Hall - Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL
0.9 miles from Charleston, IL
The ghost of Mary Hawkins, a former dorm mother, is said to be the head haunt here.
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Ashmore Estates
Ashmore, IL
7.1 miles from Charleston, IL
Reportedly a former almshouse, this building was purchased for use as a haunted attraction. It was reportedly haunted by many ghosts, including Elva SKinner, a woman who died in a fire in the former almshouse. The house has been featured in several books and TV shows including Ghost Hunters and …
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Saint Omer Cemetery
Ashmore, IL
9.2 miles from Charleston, IL
At Saint Omer Cemetery, legend has it that there is a witch's grave. According to the story, Caroline Barnes was hanged by the townspeople for witchcraft. As she went, she cursed the town and vowed to come back for revenge on the anniversary of her death. To trick her, the …
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The Harrison Street Inn
Sullivan, IL
24.0 miles from Charleston, IL
Eyewitnesses report apparitions, footsteps, diesmbodied voices, showers and toilets that work by themselves, and many other strange phenomena at this historic inn.
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Ramsey Cemetery
Effingham, IL
29.3 miles from Charleston, IL
Ramsey Cemetery, established in 1851 with the burial of namesake Alexander Ramsey, is also known as Casbar Cemetery and is a nighttime teen hangout. Besides the graves, rock shelters and sandstone caves are nearby, covered with carvings from its many visitors. A young man committed suicide inside a chapel that …
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King Cemetery
Dieterich, IL
35.4 miles from Charleston, IL
There are vague reports online about orbs and shadow people being seen here. This cemetery is on private property, so be sure to secure the proper permissions before even thinking about visiting.
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Vigo County Historical Museum
Terre Haute, IN
41.0 miles from Charleston, IL
Formerly the Sage Mansion and once used as a halfway house, the Vigo County Historical Museum is home to some strange phenomena. The front staircase is a hot spot for orbs, and a small mist has been seen as well. Furthermore, a crib upstairs in an area that's closed to …
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Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
41.0 miles from Charleston, IL
At Indiana State University's Burford Hall, a ghost named Barb is the spirit of a student who died of alcohol poisoning. Witnesses have heard her vomiting or crying in the bathroom. And in Cromwell Hall is a white cross under a 12th-floor window where a man jumped to his death, …
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Ridge Cemetery
Tower Hill, IL
42.5 miles from Charleston, IL
Ridge Cemetery at Williamsburg Hill is said to be visited by apparitions, eerie lights and a disappearing old man. Phantom crowds and horses also have been seen and heard around the area. Rumors of sinister cult activity surround this place as well, and one report tells of a 3-year-old girl …
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Allerton Mansion
Monticello, IL
43.1 miles from Charleston, IL
The Robert Allerton Park, with its 1900 Georgian Revival mansion and incredible gardens, are both open to the public. Here visitors may see some ghostly goings-on in the form of a Lady in White, believed to be a guest at the mansion long ago. It is said that she is …
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Highland Lawn Cemetery
Terre Haute, IN
44.0 miles from Charleston, IL
Highland Lawn Cemetery has a couple ghostly legends. One is about Stiffy Green, a phantom bulldog. Stiffy Green belonged to John Heinl, a likable elderly man. The friendly dog was named for his stiff gait and bright-green eyes. When Heinl passed away in 1920, Stiffy Green refused to leave the …
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Markle Mill - Old Mill Dam
North Terre Haute, IN
44.3 miles from Charleston, IL
Markle Mill was the longest operating gristmill east of the Mississippi, and is rumored to have been part of the Underground Railroad, but all that remains of the original 1816 structure are the dam and parts of the foundation. The ghost girl who has been seen here is believed to …
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Fife Opera House
Palestine, IL
45.4 miles from Charleston, IL
David Fife built the opera house around 1900 and is rumored to be haunted. The building was also used for two other business of his: a hardware store downstairs and, as Fife was also a licensed embalmer, a funeral home on the second floor behind the auditorium. In 1935, Fife's …
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Greenwood Cemetery
Decatur, IL
47.7 miles from Charleston, IL
This large and very actively haunted cemetery is known for the ghostly weeping Greenwood Bride, and it's also home to many Confederate soldiers' spirits. The soldiers were prisoners in the Civil War, and died of yellow fever only to be cast into unmarked graves. The soldiers have been known to …
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Lincoln Square Theatre
Decatur, IL
48.0 miles from Charleston, IL
This historic 1916 theater building was built atop the fire-ravaged Priest Hotel that once stood here. It is said that the ghosts of the fire victims still linger in the theater. Red, a former theater worker, is a friendly ghost here. Witnesses have heard his whispers, seen his shadowy form, …
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Avon Theater
Decatur, IL
48.0 miles from Charleston, IL
Staff members at this theater report disembodied laughter, footsteps, missing objects, and voices and applause that come from the auditorium when it is empty. The apparition of a man in his 50s or 60s also has been seen.
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Millikin University
Decatur, IL
48.8 miles from Charleston, IL
Many ghosts are said to haunt the historic Millikin University, including Rail Girl, who haunts the Albert Taylor Theater. Her ghost appears, as her name suggests, along a rail in the upper part of the theater. Students have a tradition of leaving her three pieces of candy before a show …
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Bethel Cemetery - Nathan Hinkle Grave
Shelburn, IN
51.1 miles from Charleston, IL
Local legend has it that those who visit the monument and grave of Nathan Hinkle, local Revolutionary War soldier, walk around it and say his name three times, he'll speak to you.
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Fischer Theater
Danville, IL
52.5 miles from Charleston, IL
Fischer Theater was a 19th century opera house located in Danville, IL that has served many purposes over the years including housing, stores, and of course, a theater. While now a generally unknown location, the Theater has been known to be haunted when a volunteer of the Vermillion Heritage Foundation …
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Old Jail Inn
Rockville, IN
53.8 miles from Charleston, IL
This 1879 former courthouse is now a bed and breakfast inn with a twist; it still retains many of its original features dating back to when it served as the town jailhouse. Guests sleeping in 'cells' have reported disembodied footsteps, a foreboding male voice and sightings of a male inmate …
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Ghosts of Springfield and Southern Illinois & Other Haunted Tales from the Prairie State
Rachel Brooks Posadas
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Antioch Cemetery
Sullivan, IN
56.6 miles from Charleston, IL
At Antioch Cemetery, the apparition of a man in a dark suit holding flowers has been seen peering down at a grave on foggy nights at around 1:30 a.m. Visitors in cars also report shadow people flying over their cars and scratching or tapping on it.
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Anderson Cemetery - Cemetery X
Taylorville, IL
61.9 miles from Charleston, IL
According to tales told about this cemetery, there is a secret passage that opens up at night, when trees part and a path appears to an ancient graveyard. It's said to be protected by a phantom wolf who chases trespassers. (The cemetery is not to be confused with another Anderson …
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Zion United Church Of Christ Cemetery
Poland, IN
65.5 miles from Charleston, IL
The spooky sort love Zion Church Cemetery, say locals. The area is a hot spot for unexplained lights and sounds, ghostly whispers, eerie sensations, and the feeling of being watched. Some say a helpful ghost is known to leave the cemetery to stop cars and tell folks to turn back …
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Boone-Hutcheson Cemetery
Greencastle, IN
66.8 miles from Charleston, IL
An apparition of a 1950s policeman is said to sit inside the graveyard with a blue light. Other apparitions and phantom dogs with glowing red eyes also have been seen, and a cave said to be on the cemetery premises has many spooky stories attached to it.
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Attica Public Library
Attica, IN
73.9 miles from Charleston, IL
Built in 1905, the employees of this library have heard strange noises including knocking, whistling, whispering, dragging sounds, and even the sounds of the toys in the children's area moving by themselves after closing. The employees have also mentioned seeing figures watching them or shadows darting around. They have said …
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Cloverdale Cemetery
Cloverdale, IN
73.9 miles from Charleston, IL
The 1800s Cloverdale Cemetery is rumored to have the graves of seven beautiful witch sisters. Many urban legends center on the sisters, such as that those who walk around their graves seven times by the light of a full moon would awaken the sisters' ghosts, which would chase them away. …
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Hotel Attica
Attica, IN
74.1 miles from Charleston, IL
A glowing apparition has been seen in several hotel rooms late at night or in the early hours of morning. Guests have reported seeing their closet doors open and close by themselves, as well as hearing ghostly voices and ballroom music. (Submitted by Callum Swift)
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Locust Grove Cemetery
Ambia, IN
76.1 miles from Charleston, IL
Phantom sounds of an army cadence and marching are heard at Locust Grove Cemetery. Legend has it that Harrison's ghostly men are re-creating the Battle of Tippecanoe.
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Lincoln College
Lincoln, IL
78.0 miles from Charleston, IL
Lincoln College is rumored to have ghosts in the 1866 University Hall, where a face appears in the bell tower and white misty forms appear in the windows. The ghosts, whose footsteps also are heard from time to time, are believed to be a boy and girl who passed away …
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Dana-Thomas House
Springfield, IL
81.3 miles from Charleston, IL
Witnesses who visit or work at the historic house have reported humming voices, chairs being thrown down the stairs, curtains that move by themselves, and an apparition of a woman in black. The woman is believed to be the home’s original owner, Susan Lawrence Dana, who is rumored to have …
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Illinois Weslayan University - Kemp Hall - International House
Bloomington, IL
81.4 miles from Charleston, IL
Kemp Hall International House, or I-House, is said to be haunted by a ghostly Lady in Red. She is believed to be Mrs. A. E. DeMange, former owner of the mansion. She passed away after living here only a year, in 1908. Mr. DeMange sold it to the Illinois Weslayan …
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Inn At 835
Springfield, IL
81.4 miles from Charleston, IL
This inn was originally built in 1909 as a private home. As to the identity of the haunt who resides here, very little is known. Guests have witnessed apparitions and heard voices coming from rooms that are vacant, and the elevator runs by itself. Also, some people here have seen …
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Illinois State University - Atkin-Colby Hall
Normal, IL
82.3 miles from Charleston, IL
Atkin-Colby Hall at Illinois State University is rumored to be haunted on its 11th floor. One witness claims to have been pushed down the stairs by the ghost. Also described by witnesses are doors opening, whispers, strange noises, and an overwhelming feeling of discomfort and that you are not wanted …
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Illinois State University - Williams Hall
Normal, IL
82.3 miles from Charleston, IL
Illinois State University's Williams Hall was the site of the university's first library, and is thought to be haunted by the spirit of the first librarian, Angie Milner. Even though a new library was eventually built in her name, and the old one was turned into Williams Hall, the ghost …
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Violin Annie - Elmwood Cemetery
Centralia, IL
83.1 miles from Charleston, IL
Local legend says that Harriet Anne Marshall (Annie) was an accomplished violinist, and the daughter of a wealthy doctor. She became ill and died of diptheria, and at her grave her parents placed a statue of her playing the violin. It is said that cemetery visitors can hear the violin …
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Stanford Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Stanford, IL
85.3 miles from Charleston, IL
Built in 1901, the Stanford Cumberland Presbyterian Church had been loved and enjoyed by it's congregation until it was sold in 2004. Between 2004 to 2012 it has changed hands four times since. The first owner lived it for a very short time. It was then sold and became an …
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Stanford Pour House
Stanford, IL
85.4 miles from Charleston, IL
Originally built at the turn of the century as a mercantile grocery store, it was shortly after used by a local church for their temporary place of worship until their regular church building was completed. It was then used for many years as a funeral home. It is now a …
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Vennum House - The Watseka Wonder
Watseka, IL
91.1 miles from Charleston, IL
The Vennum House was the home of Lurancy Vennum, a teenaged epilectic girl who was said to have been possessed in the incident known as the Watseka Wonder. The story of the late-19th-century possession was related in the 2009 film "The Possessed." The house may be open for ghost tours …
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Oakland City College - Cockrum Hall
Oakland City, IN
91.2 miles from Charleston, IL
Cockrum Hall at Oakland City College was built 1876 and is haunted by namesake Colonel William Cockrum's wife. Legend has it that she hanged herself in the tower. Those who peek into the windows in the night may see doors opening and closing by themselves and a bright orange glow …
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Roff House - The Watseka Wonder
Watseka, IL
92.0 miles from Charleston, IL
The Roff House was one of the two houses in which the Watseka Wonder took place. The Watseka Wonder was a spiritual possession said to have happened in the late 19th century to an epileptic girl named Lurancy Vennum, who was 14 at the time. One of the spirits who …
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Blackfoot Cemetery
Oakland City, IN
96.3 miles from Charleston, IL
Blackfoot Cemetery has graves that date as far back as the 1800s and is a hot spot for the ghostly folk, some say. Witnesses have described eerie lights, unexplained sounds, and one grave that appears to be separate from all the others. According to local legend, the grave belongs to …
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Harrison Cemetery
West Lafayette, IN
96.7 miles from Charleston, IL
At Harrison Cemetery, visitors have heard crying and moaning and had an eerie feeling that something is watching them. A few have been touched by something unseen or have had things thrown at them by invisible hands. Gravestones are said to move around here as well.
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Safari Bowl
Morton, IL
103.6 miles from Charleston, IL
You will hear footsteps on the lanes when it is jaut you in there. You can hear pins be thrown across the back of bowling ally when no one is back there. There are dog barking. There is also a little girl that is 8 yrs old that haunts the …
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Original Springs Mineral Spa and Hotel
Okawville, IL
103.6 miles from Charleston, IL
This historic hotel is said to have a great many haunts in residence. Included are a man named Meier, who died in an explosion in the 1880s, and J.W. Schreiner, an owner during the 1890s. At least 7 other spirits of folks who have perished during this hotel's long history …
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Emack and Bolio's
Peoria, IL
111.6 miles from Charleston, IL
This ice cream parlour is haunted by former owner Jim Schwab, who died after falling headfirst down a flight of stairs. Staff have reported disembodied footsteps descending the staircase, while others have encountered a male apparition on the upper floor. (Submitted by Callum Swift)
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Peoria Public Library
Peoria, IL
112.1 miles from Charleston, IL
Peoria Public Library, according to local lore, was built upon cursed ground. So the story goes, Mrs. Andrew Gray lived in a house here around 1830. Family and financial hardships led to a foreclosure on her home, and Mrs. Gray cursed the property and all of its future owners. Her …
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Memory Gardens
Rensselaer, IN
112.3 miles from Charleston, IL
Memory Gardens is a cemetery with a haunted statue, locals claim. The saint statue at the back of the graveyard is rumored to move at night, keeping watch on visitors. Some say its head and arms will change position. However, the cemetery is closed after dark and trespassers will be …
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Saint Joseph's College
Collegeville, IN
112.4 miles from Charleston, IL
Some of the many oddities at St. Joseph's College include a spirit in the chapel, a rumored exorcism at Aquinas Hall and reports of witnesses hearing voices in their heads inside Drexel Hall. Also, Dwenger Hall is rumored to be possessed, and the ghost of a baby is said to …
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Peoria State Hospital
Bartonville, IL
112.4 miles from Charleston, IL
This abandoned mental hospital, now in the planning stages for restoration, is said to be haunted by Manuel A. Bookbinder, or Old Book. Old Book was a patient who worked with the burial crew at the hospital until his own death.
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Peoria Players Theatre
Peoria, IL
115.1 miles from Charleston, IL
Peoria Players Theatre is said to be haunted by a playful ghost named Norman, a former theater director who died in 1960 at age 34, and a more sinister entity whose identity is unknown.
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