Is Alton, Illinois America’s Most Haunted Small Town?
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , and all major podcast apps. Troy Taylor: There’s a story about a phantom riverboat that I always liked, about how if you heard the riverboat whistle blow on a foggy morning but you never saw the boat, that meant that someone who worked down on the docks was going to die within the next seven days. Amanda McGowan: A lot of old waterfront towns…
Alton, Illinois is often dubbed America's most haunted small town. The city's eerie reputation stems from its rich history, shaped by the unpredictable Mississippi River and a former penitentiary. Ghost stories abound, ranging from the phantom riverboat to the spirit of a troubled minister and a haunted hotel. The haunting tale of a parking lot near the riverfront adds to Alton's reputation.
Originally a penitentiary, the land was filled with dead bodies after a smallpox epidemic, creating an unsettling atmosphere even after the facility closed. Today, Alton continues to be a destination for those intrigued by the strange and mysterious.
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