Who Knew Illinois Had This Many Spooky Places?

When you think of Illinois, haunted houses and Halloween festivities often come to mind. These are the attractions that draw large crowds from all corners of the country. However, there are many hidden spooky spots in the Prairie State, each with its own unique and unsettling history.

One such place is the George Stickney House, situated in the outer suburbs of Chicago. Built in 1836, this English-style country home was designed to have no sharp corners, allowing spirits to move freely within. The home's previous owners, George and Sylvia Stickney, were deeply interested in spiritualism, which they believed stemmed from their personal tragedy of only three out of their ten children surviving to adulthood.

Following George's death, his ghost has reportedly been seen in the only 90-degree corner of the house.

A short drive away is Mount Carmel, a burial site popular among the Italian-American community. One of the most intriguing figures buried here is Julia Buccola Petta, who died at the age of 29 after giving birth to a stillborn son. Six years later, her mother claimed to have seen Julia in her wedding dress and begged her to be exhumed.

Upon retrieval, Julia's body was found to be intact, while her baby's body had fully decomposed. A statue of Julia in her wedding gown was erected, accompanied by two pictures – one of her on her wedding day and another of her exhumed body. Some believe Julia's mother fabricated the story, but others see her miraculous preservation as proof of her "incorruptible" saintliness.

Next, head into the heart of Chicago's west side to visit the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. Established in 1889 by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr, this settlement house served impoverished immigrant communities by providing educational and cultural programs. However, the house has also been the subject of eerie tales. Rumors spread of a "devil baby" haunting the attic, leading residents to place bowls of water at the top of the stairs as a protective measure. It is said that the baby continues to haunt the building to this day.

For those seeking a truly eerie experience, a visit to Bachelor's Grove Cemetery in the suburb of Midlothian is highly recommended. Founded in 1840, this once serene burial ground has a dark history, having been used as a dumping ground for gangland bodies in the 1920s and as a party spot for teenagers in the 1950s. Strange sightings of ghostly figures, including a black dog, a ghostly white woman, and floating orbs, have been reported in recent years.

While the cemetery is in disrepair, it remains a captivating place to explore, with pathways leading past fallen trees, a swampy pond, and partially preserved headstones. Visitors should approach the burial grounds with respect.