The most storied haunted places in Chicago trace back to real tragedies: the site of H.H. Holmes's murder castle, the alley behind the Iroquois Theatre, the Congress Hotel, and the stretch of the Chicago River where the Eastland rolled over in 1915. Add Graceland Cemetery, resting place of the city's famous dead, and you have a haunted map drawn directly from Chicago history. Here is what happened at each spot, and what people say still happens there.
Haunted Places in Chicago
H.H. Holmes Murder Castle: Chicago, 1893; The World’s Fair was in town and the city was filled with excitement and bustling with activity. Locals were hawking their wares while scores of out-of-towners were looking for lodgings. This was the moment for which Herman Mudgett, aka H.H. Holmes, had been preparing. Holmes has been dubbed America’s First Serial Killer, the Devil in the White City, and a few other choice aliases. His original murder hotel was lost in a fire but a post office was erected on that corner. Lights, sounds, and paranormal actions have been reported inside, especially in the tunnel running beneath. The Theatre District: Everyone knows that the dearly departed love a good show–or putting on one. Chicago’s Iroquois Theatre, however, might draw spirits for a more tragic reason. During its first performance in 1903, the repudedly “fire- proof” venue broke out in flames, trapping close to 600 people who died inside the infernal. There were so many dead that the alley behind the theatre was stacked with bodies. Today, both the new venue and the alley nearby are haunted by cries, whispers and ghostly apparitions. Congress Hotel: The Congress Plaza Hotel was built to accommodate the upperclass visitors to the 1893 World’s Fair. It remains an iconic presence in downtown Chicago, a luxurious nod to the town’s fabled past. Notorious mobsters (think Al Capone) were rumored to have stayed here, and some of the hauntings are directly linked to violence and crime. The ghost of Peg Leg Johnny is said to wander the South Tower, while room 441 is said to be the most active. In here, electrical appliances go haywire and the spirt of a woman has been seen pacing the floors.
The Chicago River–the Eastland Disaster: The Chicago River curves its way through downtown before meeting the lake and has been the site of some unfortunate drownings. However, it was the disaster on July 15, 1915 that left the waters haunted. The S. S. Eastland was one of the ships commissioned to take a company of happy picnicers to a day of carefree activities. However, the top-heavy ship rolled over while still in the river, trapping 844 passengers and crew beneath the waters. Make-shift morgues were quickly commissioned, including the now Harpo Studios. Apparitions of those who drowned and cries coming from the dark waters of the Chicago River have been reported through the decades. Graceland Cemetery: No, not Elvis’ digs–that’s in Memphis. The Graceland Cemetery opened in 1860 and is the final resting place for famous Chicagoans. The grounds are so nicely maintained, Graceland feels more like a city park. However, the graves here also tell some tragic tales, such as the story of 6 year-old Inez Clarke. The young girl was struck by lightning and its said that, on stormy days, she leaves her coffin and walks the grounds.
Questions people ask
What is the most haunted place in Chicago?
The Congress Plaza Hotel makes the strongest case. Built for visitors to the 1893 World's Fair and rumored to have hosted Al Capone, it draws reports of Peg Leg Johnny in the South Tower and steady activity in room 441, where appliances misbehave and a woman's spirit has been seen pacing.
What happened at the Iroquois Theatre?
During its first season in 1903, the supposedly fireproof theater caught fire and close to 600 people died, so many that bodies were stacked in the alley behind it. Cries, whispers, and apparitions are still reported in the newer venue and that alley.
Is the H.H. Holmes murder castle still standing?
No. The building burned, and a post office now stands on the corner. Even so, lights, sounds, and other unexplained activity are reported inside, especially in the tunnel that runs beneath the site.
