{
  "id": 9987995,
  "title": "Is Alton, Illinois America’s Most Haunted Small Town?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/is-alton-illinois-americas-most-haunted-small-town",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T13:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Atlas Obscura",
    "slug": "atlas-obscura",
    "url": "https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/podcast-alton-illinois-haunted-town"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "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…",
  "key_points": [
    "Alton, Illinois is called America's most haunted small town.",
    "Ghost stories include phantom riverboat, troubled minister, and haunted hotel.",
    "Penitentiary's filled-with-dead-bodies history contributes to haunting reputation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}