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Sinister acres is southern illinois' premier haunted attraction, with two terrifying and unique haunts; sinister house & tomahawk trail..

COME SEE WHY WE ARE A HALLOWEEN TRADITION IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS. BRING SOME FRIENDS AND FIND OUT WHAT GRISLY DISCOVERIES AWAIT YOU AT SINISTER ACRES! LOCATED JUST OUTSIDE OF CARBONDALE OFF NORTH REED STATION ROAD.

LEGEND OF SINISTER HOUSE

Sinister House is a journey into the world of deranged serial killer Otis Hodge. During a time period spanning the 1920's to 1950's, Mr. Hodge turned his small farm into a haven for murderers, sadists, occultists and other deranged individuals. 

LEGEND OF TOMAHAWK TRAIL

Long before Sinister Acres was home to notorious serial killer Otis Hodge, it was home to a much older and ancient evil. Early pioneers in the region and native tribes would tell stories of a race of human-like creatures that lived in the forest and ate the flesh of those unlucky enough to wander into their lair. 

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Sinister Acres

5491 North Reed Station Road, De Soto, Illinois 62924, United States

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Scaring southern illinois every halloween season..

 Sinister Acres has two terrifying haunted attractions at one location. Featuring Sinister House, an  intense haunted house experience and Tomahawk Trail, a horrific haunted trail. We are just a short drive from Carbondale, Illinois. 

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Haunted Carbondale: Hundley House fascinates almost a century later

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Stories of the Hundley murders have haunted Carbondale residents for nearly a century. Geoff Ritter photo

Located at 601 W. Main St., Hundley House has attracted national attention for its reported hauntings and for the double murder that took place there the night of Dec. 12, 1928.

That night, someone shot banker and former Carbondale mayor J. C. Hundley and his wife, Luella. The murder remains unsolved.

Quite active socially, the Hundleys had returned from an evening out and were finalizing plans to close up the house for the Christmas holiday and decamp for Florida until the New Year. According to the Hundleys' butler, the last person to see the couple alive, Hundley had gone upstairs to prepare for bed while Mrs. Hundley went over last-minute details with him before the couple left by train the following day. He said later that both appeared in good spirits and were anticipating the trip.

Sometime after midnight, a neighbor across the street up nursing a sick baby heard a gunshot and saw the light go out in Hundley's bedroom. She called the police, but due to the late hour, the authorities from Murphysboro responded. (Carbondale was significantly smaller than Murphysboro at the time and the Hundley property was located at what at the time was the edge of Carbondale.) Due to the rain and muddy roads, the authorities took well over an hour to get there.

When they arrived, no one answered at the house, and the front door was locked. Entering through the kitchen door, which was shut but unlocked, they found Luella Hundley dead at the foot of the servant's staircase at the back of the house, while J. C. Hundley lay on his bed, barely alive, although he did not survive the trip to the hospital. Both had been shot with what the police later determined was a .45 caliber Colt army revolver.

Suspicion immediately fell on Hundley's son from his first marriage, Virgil, who, while well liked in the community, had a reputation as a bad businessman continually in need of money. Reportedly, the elder Hundley had just cut his son out of his will, but Virgil testified, during his later trial for the murder, that the two men had patched up their differences before the murder. No changed will was ever found, and Virgil's wife testified that he was at home at their house next door the night of the murder. Acquitted of the murders, Virgil and the other principals in the murder -- his wife and his sister, Dora -- left Carbondale. Reportedly working for the railroad for several years, Virgil divorced his wife and eventually returned to Carbondale, purchasing a house on the south side of town, where he died in the 1960s. He, his father and stepmother are all buried near each other in Carbondale's Oakland Cemetery. The case still remains open and a reward offered.

Since the 1990s, at least, Hundley House has been reportedly haunted by the spirits of J. C. and Luella. Passersby have reported hearing a gunshot and seeing the porch swing moving without a breeze. Past owners of the house have reported televisions and CD players turning on and off by themselves, doors slamming and groans as if someone in pain, especially around the back staircase.

"The Ghost Lab" paranormal investigators investigated Hundley House in 2010, with their investigation appearing on the Discovery Channel on Jan. 8, 2011.

Hundley House recently sold and is in private hands, so it's probably best to view Carbondale's best-known haunted house from the sidewalk.

• Author Scott Thorne runs Castle Perilous Games and Books in the heart of Carbondale. Haunted Carbondale walking tours leave the store at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays during October. Email [email protected] for more information.

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The Hundley House, Carbondale

• 601 W Main St, Carbondale, Illinois, United States, 62901

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The Hundley House, located in Carbondale, holds a dark history as the site of an unsolved murder from 1928. Former Mayor J. Chas Hundley and his wife Luella were tragically shot within the confines of their own home. Although Hundley’s son was the sole suspect, no charges were ever brought against him.

Over the years, both guests and residents have reported unsettling occurrences, suggesting a presence of paranormal activity within the house. One eerie phenomenon frequently recounted is the inexplicable swinging of the porch swing, even in the absence of any wind to account for the movement.

Further reports detail pots and pans clattering in the kitchen of their own accord, lights flickering on and off without human intervention, and doors mysteriously opening and closing as if guided by unseen hands. These unexplained happenings have added to the house’s reputation as a site imbued with otherworldly energies.

The Hundley House stands as a place where the echoes of a tragic past intertwine with present-day accounts of the supernatural, leaving visitors and observers captivated by the lingering mysteries that shroud this enigmatic location.

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• 601 W Main St, Carbondale, Illinois, 62901, United States

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The Castle's Ramparts

The blog for news, events, releases and commentary from Castle Perilous Games & Books. located in downtown Carbondale IL. New posts every Monday and Wednesday.

Monday, October 12, 2020

Haunted carbondale hundley house.

Located at 601 West Main Street, Hundley House has attracted national attention for its reported hauntings and for the double murder that took place there the night of   Dec. 12 th 1928. That night, someone shot banker and former Carbondale mayor J. C. Hundley and his wife Luella. The murder remains unsolved and the ghosts still active.

Quite active socially, the Hundleys had returned from an evening out and were finalizing plans to close up the house for the Christmas holidays and decamp for Florida until the New Year.   According to the Hundley’s butler, the last person to see the couple alive, Hundley had gone upstairs to prepare for bed while Mrs. Hundley went over last minute details with him before the couple left by train the following day.   He said later that both appeared in good spirits and were anticipating the trip.

Sometime after midnight, a neighbor across the street up nursing a sick baby heard a gunshot and saw the light go out in Hundley’s bedroom. She called the police but, due to the late hour, the authorities from Murphysboro responded (Carbondale was significantly smaller than Murphysboro at the time and the Hundley property was located at what at the time was the edge of Carbondale) but, due to the rain and muddy roads, took well over an hour to arrive. When they arrived, no one answered at the house and the front door was locked. Entering through the kitchen door, which was shut but unlocked, they found Luella Hundley dead at the foot of the servant’s staircase at the back of the house, while J. C. Hundley lay on his bed, barely alive, but did not survive the trip to the hospital. Both had been shot with what the police later determined was a .45 caliber Colt army revolver.

Suspicion immediately fell on Hundley’s son from his first marriage, Virgil, who, while well liked in the community, had a reputation as a bad businessman continually in need of money. Reportedly, the elder Hundley had just cut his son out of his will but Virgil testified, during his later trial for the murder, that the two men had patched up their differences before the murder. No changed will was ever found and Virgil’s wife testified that he was at home at their house next door the night of the murder. Acquitted of the murders,   Virgil and the other principals in the murder, his wife and his sister Dora left Carbondale. Reportedly working for the railroad for several years, Virgil divorced his wife and eventually returned to Carbondale, purchasing a house on the south side of town where he died in the 1960s. He, his father   and stepmother are all buried near each other in Carbondale’s Oakland Cemetery . The case still remains open and a reward offered.

Since the 1990s, at least, Hundley House has been reportedly haunted by the spirits of J. C. and Luella. Passersby have reported hearing a gunshot and seeing the porch swing moving without a breeze.   Past owners of the house have reported televisions and CD players turning on and off by themselves, doors slamming and groans as if someone in pain, especially around the back staircase.   The   Ghost Lab paranormal investigators investigated Hundley House in 2010 with their investigation appearing on the Discovery Channel on   Jan 8 th 2011. Hundley House recently sold and is in private hands with no indication the new owner welcomes visitors, so best to view Carbondale’s best known haunted house from the sidewalk.

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Haunted Carbondale

For a comparatively small town, Carbondale has a number of haunted locations within a short distance of the Town Square. We offer walking tours of Haunted Carbondale Friday nights during October (Check the store calendar for dates). Tours cost $20 per person (no charge for children 6 and under when accompanied by a parent or guardian) are wheelchair and stroller accessible and take about an hour to an hour and a half to complete. Tours are outside so be sure to dress for the weather. Tours are available at other times of the year by reservation, minimum of 2 people, and cost $20 per person, refundable with 24 hours notice. You may pay with credit card by calling the store or via Paypal at [email protected] Email [email protected] for more information or to reserve a tour.

If you would rather go on your own, here are directions for a self-guided tour starting at the Carbondale Town Square

•   Old Train Depot —There have been reports of shadowy figures passing through the passenger area of the depot. Lights have turned on and off and paranormal investigators recorded instances of temperature variations and EVP.
• Take West Marion Street west to the Carbondale Public Library . The founder of Carbondale, Daniel Brush , owned this property prior to his death. People have reported seeing a male figure dressed in Victorian era garb on the grounds and paranormal activity has been reported in both the library and the old Brush School, now a storage facility for overflow books.
• Continue west on Marion to Poplar, then right on Poplar to Main. Turn left on Main and proceed to Hundley House . In  December of 1928, the most famous  murder in Carbondale took place there. The murder remains unsolved and the victims are said to still haunt the property. You can see a short documentary about the haunting here.
• Retrace your steps east on Main  Street to Memorial Hospital . A woman dressed in the garb of a hospital volunteer of the 1950s has been reported walking the halls of the first and 2 nd floors of the building, occasionally peering and entering patient rooms as if checking on them. 
• Continue east on Main to Biomat USA at the corner of Main and University. No one knows why the former post office building is reportedly haunted but, among other events,  there have been reports of doors opening and closing and a disconnected phone ringing, as well as sightings of a woman in a long dress. Return to the town square  and have dinner at one of Carbondale’s restaurants ( Cristaudo's and Buckwater Brewworks both have reports of paranormal activity) while discussing what you saw.

If you would like more information about these and other haunted sites in Southern Illinois, the Southern Illinoisan has a list here .  Happy Haunting!

WSIL 3 showed several of the spots in a story in October 2020

Here are links to a series of articles on Haunted Carbondale that originally appeared in the Carbondale Times:

Hundley House

Shryock Auditorium

Oakland Cemetery

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Haunted Hollow | Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center | SIU

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Join us Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 from 11:00 AM-4:00PM

Our free, fall family fun festival returns! The Haunted Hollow provides a perfect Halloween atmosphere for everyone with a balance of laughs and gasps in a safe and fun environment.

We'll also have frightening foods and beverages for purchase. 

Costumes are encouraged! 

Festivities

• A family hayride.
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• A portable climbing wall, bouncy house, face painting, and more!
• Family games for children of all ages.
• Tickets for purchase for some of the events. 

Participants will also learn about and have the chance to hold snakes and other “creepy crawlers.” Everything is family-friendly and suitable for all ages. Touch of Nature is wheelchair and stroller-accessible. A parent or guardian must accompany children to the event.

The Haunted Hollow will go on rain or shine, we encourage participants to dress accordingly for the day’s weather.

For questions, please call Touch of Nature at 618/453-1121 or email us at [email protected]

The Daily Egyptian

The haunting of Hundley House

(Dylan Nelson | Dylan_Nelson99)

A photo illustration of the Hundley House on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, outside the Hundley House in Carbondale. (Dylan Nelson | Dylan_Nelson99)

By Abbey La Tour October 26, 2017

Nearly 90 years ago, the end of two lives sparked the beginning of a local legend.

As a storm raged in Carbondale on Dec. 12, 1928, the sound of gunshots fused with thunder just before midnight.

Later that night, James Charles Hundley and his wife, Ella, were found murdered in their “pretentious” three story, 20-year-old, red brick Victorian home at 601 W. Main St.

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Many believe they have haunted the house ever since.

The Hundleys were prominent members of the Carbondale community. J.C. had served as mayor in 1909-10 while his wife Luella — as she was known — was a local philanthropist and the daughter of an early settler of Herrin, just five miles to the east.

Luella was the second wife of J.C. In his first marriage, he had a daughter named Lola, who was living in Memphis at the time, and a son, Victor, who lived next door with his wife and their 7-year-old daughter.

The killings

J.C. Hundley was retiring for the night in his room upstairs. After putting on a nightshirt, he relaxed at the foot of his bed.

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According to “The Big Book of Illinois Ghost Stories,” Luella was apparently downstairs writing a letter at her desk before heading to bed.

The police report from that night says the killer was hiding behind the bed frame in J.C.’s room.

J.C. was shot in the back of the head, causing him to fall back on his bed.

Luella was shot on the back staircase, twice in the head and once in the heart. At least one of the bullets passed through her and created a hole in the staircase that remains to this day.

Dan Jones, who has owned the house for nine years, said Mrs. Etherton, a neighbor of the Hundleys, heard the gunshots as she was up with a colicky baby. Etherton didn’t see the murder, but she did see the killer turn off the light in J.C.’s room before disappearing into the night, Jones said.

Luella died at the scene but J.C. was still alive when the police arrived, moaning and clinging to life, Jones said. J.C. died on his way to the hospital.

The back door to the house was shut but left unlocked, according to “The Big Book of Illinois Ghost Stories.”

The murder of the Hundleys is still  unsolved.

The suspects

There are a number of theories as to who killed the couple.

Scott Thorne, the owner of Castle Perilous and organizer of local ghost tours, said he leans toward the theory that Victor Hundley, the son, was the murderer.

“He and and his sister were the ones who gained most from the murders, although he was tried but was not convicted,” Thorne said.

Thorne said some people think that Luella and Victor planned the murder because they were having an affair but something went wrong, resulting in Luella’s death.

Bruce Cline, a radiological technician at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale and a founder of the Little Egypt Ghost Society, has a different theory — that Lola Droke, J.C.’s daughter from his first marriage, was responsible.

J.C. and Victor owned a coal mine together, but Cline said they had recently dissolved their business partnership. It was also rumored that Victor had been written out of J.C.’s will, he said.

“[Lola] had everything to gain and the son had everything to lose,” Cline said. “It wouldn’t make sense for him to kill them.”

But Lola was in Memphis at the time of the murders, Jones said.

Jones theorizes Luella killed J.C., and then Victor’s wife killed Luella.

“It is my belief that Mrs. Hundley — well, both Mrs. Hundleys, both older and younger Mrs. Hundley — were engaged in an affair, an affair of the heart,” Jones said.

He said there is no way J.C. would turn his back on someone at 11:40 p.m. unless it was someone he trusted.

“Who’s going to come into a house, commit murder and then go, ‘Oh, I better turn off the lights.’ It’s someone who’s used to turning off those lights,” Jones said. “Why would [Luella] do it? Promise of love and passion? Promise of escape? Resentment? You’re married to this old guy … and you’re just absolutely tired of him.”

Victor’s wife’s reaction to the murders leads Jones to believe she killed Luella.

“She has a nervous breakdown, she can’t go to the funeral or the visitation. She can’t see anyone,” Jones said. “She keeps to herself, even when her husband has been arrested by the sheriff.”

Jones said he has heard various other theories about who killed the couple, including one that someone from the Charlie Birger gang — a well known bootlegger in southern Illinois — or Al Capone’s gang killed them.

The coal mines J.C. and Victor owned could’ve been a front for bootlegging, Jones said, which could be the motive for either of these gangs — especially during Prohibition.

The hauntings

Another debate surrounds whether the house is haunted.

Thorne has toured the house but said he has never experienced any ghostly activity.

“There are too many people who have said stuff has happened to them for me to discount it,” Thorne said. “But I personally have never seen anything.”

Cline said that a front porch swing moves even when there’s no wind.

Brandy Morse, Jones’ fiancee said she has only experienced one incident.

She said she had gone down two or three steps on the back stairwell when she heard something.

“I heard the creepiest, weirdest moan I’ve ever heard. Like it was right in front of me … it came out of nowhere,” Morse said.

Jones said he has had quite a few encounters in the house.

His first paranormal experience occurred one evening nine years ago after he had finished moving furniture into the house. He said he had returned from dinner with a friend and made his way up to his study.

Jones walked by the room and noticed the DVD player was illuminated and stuck on the word “WELCOME” on the screen.

“The most important thing I noticed was that it was unplugged,” he said.

Jones said the next incident was at the top of the stairs that lead up to the room where J.C. was murdered. A door into the hallway from the main staircase slammed in Jones’ face, he said.  

“I had a little come-to-Jesus moment with whatever was in here, saying, ‘Your name may be on the house but mine’s on the deed and if someone’s gotta go, it ain’t gonna be me,’” he said.

Still, Jones said he is not afraid of the ghosts in the house.

“It’s just a matter of personal belief,” he said. “I don’t believe that whatever is in the house can harm anyone but that’s also religious belief.”

Over the years, Jones has allowed paranormal groups such as the TV series “Ghost Lab” into the house to investigate.

With the help of their technology, Jones said he has figured out that there are at least two separate hauntings going on in the house.

The first is the residual haunting of the murders.

“If you have the right recording equipment, at 11:40 p.m. you can hear someone walking up the stairs, you can hear someone racking back a .45, you hear someone saying some sort of prayer, then you hear someone saying ‘Father, papa,’ then you hear the gunshots and then the last thing you hear is the click from the light switch,” Jones said.

He said he thinks a “pissed off Mrs. Hundley” is trapped in the back staircase.

“They’ll leave recorders in the back stairwell and Mrs. Hundley will curse up a storm,” he said. “There are things that she said that would make sailors blush.”

The next chapter

Jones said he originally bought the house to turn it into a bed and breakfast, but he has grown tired of the attention it attracts.

“I can’t grow flowers without people noticing it, I can’t yell at the kids or curse at my dog without, ‘Oh, you should’ve seen! He was losing his mind,’” he said.

He said putting the house on the market caused an uproar in Carbondale. Each year, Jones said, about 150 people who want to tour the house.

“They’ll just come and knock on the door and go ‘Well, we read about you and we wanted to know if we could see inside your house,’” Jones said.  “And it’s like, well, it is my house. If I am in a good mood, I will give them a tour. If I’m not, I will tell them to go away.”

Jones said he has had offers on the house and is working on a deal right now but hopes the owner will let the legend live on.

As for the ghosts, Jones thinks they wouldn’t mind if he sold it.

“Now they’re laughing, going, ‘Kick him out! Kick him out!’” he said.

Managing editor Abbey La Tour can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @LaTourAbbey .

To stay up to date with all your southern Illinois news, follow the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter .

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Beth Libbey • Dec 8, 2019 at 1:09 pm

I would love to bring it to its former glory as a unique gift shop….a place for artists and their wares, lit up for the holidays in all it’s elegance.

Ruby Lynette Turner • Sep 29, 2018 at 3:12 pm

WILL YOU RENT THE HOUSE TO OWN? I LOVE YOUR HUNDLEY HOUSE AND I BELIEVE THAT MR. AND MRS.HUNDLEY WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ME AND MY BABIES LIVING IN THEIR HOME. THEY KNOW A PERSON’S SPIRIT AND THEY WILL FEEL THE TRUE LOVE THAT I HAVE FOR THEM THEY WILL FEEL MY SADNESS AND GRIEF THAT THEY WERE MURDERED AND THEY MAY REVILL TO ME WHO DID IT AND WHY.

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Hundley House Bed and Breakfast - Carbondale IL Real Haunt

• 601 W Main St
• Carbondale, IL

• Southern Illinois University 0.9 miles away
• Devil's Backbone and Bake Oven 16.8 miles away
• The Old Slave House - Crenshaw Mansion 50.9 miles away
• Original Springs Mineral Spa & Hotel 52.0 miles away
• The Grand Rose Hotel 53.9 miles away
• Violin Annie - Elmwood Cemetery 55.6 miles away

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Hundley House Bed and Breakfast

Although Hundley House has not operated as a B & B since 2011, former guests claim that double homicide that took place there in the 1928’s has left its mark, both literally and spiritually. A bullet hole from the murders can still be seen in the back staircase and people claim that the ghosts of the two victims remain and that screaming is often heard coming from the house.

If you've had a paranormal experience here, or have any additional information about this location, please let us know!

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Comments (3).

Online it says that this can be used for wedding reception is this true? It looks amazing I’m just confused on where everyone would sit. I’m serious about this,

I don’t know if it is going to open or not. I stayed there on the anniversary of the murders in 2010. IT IS HAUNTED. My ex won a night’s stay in the room where JC was killed. We set up a video camera, and had an audio recorder. When we were unpacking I set a small mag-light on the dresser. It rolled off and landed in the floor. About 2 hours later it came on. I nudged my boyfriend who turned on the video camera. I kid you not it went on and off for questions for over an hour. Here’s the odd thing, it seemed to be young in nature. When playing back the video and audio, we had EVPs of children. “Go wake up momma” was repeated a couple of times. Later in the night, the feeling in the room changed. We recorded, asked questions. The ex asked ‘why are you so mad?” and we caught a CLEAR EVP of a woman saying F*CK YOU. The blinds down stairs in pictures taken less than 5 mins apart we caught open and closed. Here is the kicker. There was another house previously on the Hundley House site. JC and Luella paid to have it moved down the street. The owners of that house lost a couple of children to illnesses. We were also told Luella had quite the potty mouth. Also, our daughter was only a few months old at the time. We went back to the house with her to go over EVPs with the owner. As my ex spoke to the owner, I walked through the house with my daughter. As soon as I hit the hallway where Luella died, she started crying. I walked the opposite direction, she stopped. Back to the hallway, she started again. I couldn’t walk down the back staircase without feeling sick. No doubt in my mind the Hundley House is haunted…and the Hundley’s are NOT the only ones there.

There has been local newspaper coverage about this mansion. At one time it was a gift shop and I knew the owner who lived on the second floor. She had never had any incidents. Hurry the house is for sale. You could have your very own experiences.

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1. Boo Rochman Memorial Park

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7. Katy-Lynn Winery

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10. Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center

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12. University Mall

13. Carbondale Church of Christ

14. PK's

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Searching for the best place to find Halloween Haunted Houses and Halloween events in Carbondale, IL? Look no further as we have pulled together the best list of Halloween happenings for Illinois. Use this list below to find the best Halloween events and happenings in your area or browse through our spooky list of Halloween Trick or Treating events, Halloween Parades and more in IL.

Hunting for scares and screams in a Illinois Halloween Haunted House near Carbondale? We've got you covered.

In need of a jack-o'-lantern? Check out our collection of pumpkin patches, farms, and stands near Carbondale, IL.

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Local haunts: spooky sites in illinois you can visit, from haunted mansions to prisons, upscale hotels and more, here are some of the spookiest — and allegedly most haunted — places in illinois..

Shannon Antinori , Patch Staff

ILLINOIS — It's that time of year again — time for hayrack rides, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and, of course, haunted houses . With Halloween just around the corner, there are plenty of local haunts to be had in Illinois — with some real-life ghost stories attached to them.

In fact, Chicagoland and the rest of Illinois are home to some of the most notorious sites for hauntings across the country. Here are 11 spots across the state that are reputed to be haunted — including some places ranked among the most haunted in America.

• Chicago Ghost Tours To Get Your Fright Fix
• Chicago Area Haunted House Guide For Halloween 2023

Also: Send Patch your yard haunts and check out this year's roundup of best Halloween houses.

Find out what's happening in Across Illinois with free, real-time updates from Patch.

Old Joliet Prison , Joliet : The fictional home of Jake and Elwood Blues also housed notorious killers like John Wayne Gacy , who spent time there before being sent to Stateville, mass murderer Richard Speck and infamous "crime of the century" murderers Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb . A tragedy also happened at the prison way back in 1915 when the warden's wife — beloved by prisoners and known as the "Angel of Joliet" was murdered there, prompting inmates to riot and demand her suspected killer be turned over to them. The prison closed in 2002, but "with numerous executions having taken place at the prison, rumor has it that many of the inmates may be serving time as ghosts," according to the Illinois Office of Tourism. After some restoration, the prison on Collins Street opened in 2018 for tours . There are still tickets available for flashlight tours in October 2023. A " Haunted Rooms America" ghost hunt at the prison for November is sold out.

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago: Lions and tigers and ghosts, oh my! Did you know that the zoo and surrounding area once served as the city's cemetery? From 1843 to 1859, the area was home to the Chicago City Cemetery. A decade ago, Northwestern University lecturer Pamela Bannos, puzzled after finding a cemetery tomb in the park, began digging — no pun intended — for information. What did she learn? That more than 35,000 people were once buried there, and as many as 12,000 bodies remained — sparking rumors of hauntings.

Resurrection Cemetery in Justice: Late Chicago ghost hunter Richard Crowe documented dozens of sightings of hitchhiking ghost Resurrection Mary , most often seen by men driving along Archer Avenue near the Willowbrook Ballroom (which, sadly, burned down in 2016 ), where legend has it Mary danced her last dance before her tragic death. According to the story, Mary would hitch a ride, then ask to be let out of the car near the cemetery — where she would simply vanish. A bar across the street from the cemetery, Chet's Melody Lounge , has purportedly seen its fair share of shaken-up drivers who claimed to encounter the legendary ghost, and it's a favorite spot for those hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

The Drake Hotel in Chicago : While the Congress Hotel is known as one of the most haunted hotels in America, the Drake is allegedly haunted by the "Woman in Red," who fell to her death from the hotel roof on New Year's Eve shortly after it opened in 1920. Guests of the hotel have reported seeing her apparition wandering the Gold Coast Room, the Palm Court and the tenth floor ever since. The hotel is also a " poltergeist magnet ," according to Chicago magazine, and is rumored to be the site of hauntings by the "Woman in Black" (we're sensing a theme here), tied to one of Chicago's most bizarre unsolved mysteries after a wealthy guest was shot to death in 1944 when a stranger stepped out of that bathroom in her room and began firing. The grieving parents of Leopold and Loeb victim Bobby Franks both died at the Drake, as well. The Palm Court offers a "spooky" afternoon tea service during October.

McPike Mansion in Alton : Located in " America's Most Haunted Small Town ," dubbed one of the 25 most-haunted places in America and called the "creepiest place in Illinois" by HGTV, the mansion attracts thousands of visitors and paranormal investigators each year. "Some claim the haunts date back to the property before the mansion was even built, with Native American ghosts and a residue from a possible Underground Railroad stop," according to the Illinois Office of Tourism. "Other mysterious stories include servants of the building, a cook in the kitchen, and a strange death of a woman in the bathtub." Mansion hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and October ghostly tours run through Oct. 28. There are also monthly tours that include the history of the mansion and paranormal happenings, as well as tours of the surrounding grounds and crypt plus "a trip to the cellar and a Dark session in the Cellar with our Medium, Sandy Little Lizard," according to the mansion website. Private group tours are also available.

DeSoto House Hotel in Galena: Another haunted hotel, this one boasted famous guests including Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas and William Jennings Bryan. Today, guests of the hotel can enjoy the lavish Victorian-style rooms while enjoying stories of the spirits who seemingly never checked out. Walking tours of Galena starting from the DeSoto House led by "General Grant" are offered from August through October, and there's a "Murder and Mayhem in a Mining Town" event Friday, Oct. 27. The 44th annual Halloween parade and festival is Saturday, Oct. 28.

Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago : Chicago has no shortage of ghost stories. Legend has it that victims of the Eastland disaster, which claimed 844 lives in 1915, took up residence at Oprah Winfrey's now-demolished Harpo Studios , and the alley behind the present-day Oriental Theater (originally the site of the Iroquois Theater, destroyed in a 1903 fire that killed more than 600) is also said to be haunted. But Travel + Leisure named the Congress as Chicago's most haunted place , noting that gangster Al Capone headquartered his shady dealings there, and it's also said to be haunted by victims of infamous "Devil in the White City" serial killer H.H. Holmes . The hotel also hosts a large Halloween ball every year. This year's ball is Saturday, Oct. 28.

Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet: Built as a vaudeville theater in 1926, the Rialto is rumored to be the site of multiple ghostly hauntings, including a long-dead actress, a young boy and a couple who allegedly jumped to their deaths from the theater's balcony. It's long been an attraction for local paranormal investigators, and the cast of the original "Ghost Hunters" visited the site more than once and called it a "holy grail" for paranormal investigating. But the Rialto is far from the only haunt in Joliet, home to the Scutt mansion — which as seen several deaths over the years — as well as the Frank Shaver Allen House , Patrick C. Haley Mansion and more.

Bachelor's Grove Cemetery in Midlothian: This suburban Cook County graveyard has a legendary reputation as the most haunted cemetery in the United States. The site has been a cemetery since 1840, but is home to just 82 plots — many of which were left unused. It's famous as the rumored site of the "White Lady" or "Madonna of Bachelor's Grove," who, according to legend, was buried next to her child and whose apparition can sometimes be seen holding a baby in her arms. While it's OK to visit the cemetery during the day, police are always on the lookout for nighttime trespassers unless you're part of an authorized ghost tour.

Manteno State Mental Hospital in Manteno: The hospital, which opened in 1930, was said to be one of the most cutting-edge mental health facilities of its time — until a typhoid outbreak in 1939 killed 47 patients. In the years that followed, the hospital, designed for 3,600 patients, became overcrowded and understaffed. By 1954, there were more than 8,000 patients. Rumors of deaths due to malpractice continue to plague the hospital, even after it closed in 1985 and was converted into a veterans home. While some original buildings have been demolished or are not open to the public, the veterans home still operates on a portion of the grounds, which are also home to a golf course and a residential treatment center for youths.

Graceland Cemetery: The famed Uptown graveyard continues to fascinate residents with ghostly stories that have become legendary since it opened in 1860. From legends surrounding the mysterious statue at the burial site of Dexter Graves to the tomb of Ludwig Wolff, whose dog is rumored to be seen pacing in front of the grave on nights with a full moon, spooky tales are plentiful. Another famous Graceland ghost is "the girl in glass," or 7-year-old Inez Clarke, who is rumored to be seen by children in the cemetery (but not during rainstorms, as little Inez is believed to be afraid of lightning).

• Illinois' Best Haunted Place To Visit
• Tormented Spirits Are Haunting Old Joliet Prison: Ferak Column
• Haunted Joliet: Website Profile's the City's Spookiest Sites
• 4 Famous Ghost Stories From The Most Haunted Hotel In Illinois
• Check out Patch's roundup of spooky urban legends

Originally published in 2019

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The 'Creepiest Haunted House' In Illinois

Posted: October 17, 2023 | Last updated: October 17, 2023

Spooky season separates the paranormal thrill-seekers from the skeptics, and one activity is sure to show who is who: visiting a haunted house. Some are extremely intrigued by the possibility of paranormal activity and actively seek out haunted seasonal attractions. In contrast, some simply do not believe in the paranormal and do their very best to steer clear of locations where ghosts and spirits are allegedly most prevalent. Whether you identify most with the paranormal thrill seeker or the skeptic; there is one house in each state known far and wide for being the "creepiest" and most "haunted" around.

According to a list compiled by 24/7 Wall St. , the creepiest haunted house in all of Illinois is Ashmore Estates located in Ashmore.

Here's what 24/7 Wall St. had to say about the creepiest haunted house in all of Illinois :

"Once known as the Coles County Poor Farm, the Ashmore Estates laterserved for decades as a psychiatric hospital. Some who have toured the building reported hearing voices speak to them, having doors locked behind them, and even more violent incidents. The Ashmore Estates is now opened to visitors interested in exploring paranormal phenomena."

For a continued list of the creepiest haunted houses in each state visit 247wallst.com .

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Ready to scream? 10 haunted houses to visit this season

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Colorado has a ton of haunted houses to visit each year. So gather up some friends and seek some scares…if you dare. Below is a roundup of some of the most chilling haunted houses (and more) that Colorful Colorado has to offer. Some are close to campus, while others may require some travel time. Regardless, you’re guaranteed to have a boo-tiful time.

3400 E. 52nd Ave., Denver $24.99–$99.99 The 13th Floor haunted house is named after the unlucky number 13. This year’s attractions are called, The Deadlands, Repossessed and Fairytale Nightmare. In the Deadlands, participants will find themselves in a post-apocalyptic world trying to uncover the truth of how a virus was released. During Repossessed, you will face Mara the Nun. Finally, in Fairytale Nightmare visitors face villains of the fairytale world. Additional activities include a bar, tarot reading, No Name's Curtain Chaos and more.

Horror Theatre Haunted House

4504 S Independence St., Denver Free admission If you’re tight on money this time of year, Horror Theatre Haunted House has you covered. You are allowed to enter free of charge (save for your soul). The theme of the attraction is a long forgotten movie theater, but you may just enter a horror film by mistake.

The Empty Grave

218 Kimbark St., Longmont $20–$50 Take an immersive walk through a haunted house. Lighting, animatronics, actors, special effects and more will be featured. The haunt is held at the abandoned Longmont Foods Co. processing plant. Here, it is rumored that the plant was processing something other than poultry.

Halloween events

Movie screenings, haunted halls, themed activities at the Rec and more—there are tons of options for celebrating Halloween and scoring free candy this month. Check out upcoming Halloween events for students .

Haunted Field of Screams

10451 McKat Road, Thornton $29.99–$39.99 The Haunted Field of Screams backs Riverdale Road, a famously haunted pathway in Thornton. This 40-acre corn field has plenty of uncharted territory to weave through. Watch out for what lurks in the shadows.

The Frightmare Compound

10798 Yukon St., Westminster $29.99–$59.99 per person The Frightmare Compound is Colorado’s oldest haunted house, and this year, they’re celebrating their 40th year of fright. When visiting the compound, you’ll find yourself wandering with no light guiding the way. With so much experience under their belt, The Frightmare Compound ensures a horrific experience.

World’s Scariest Haunted House

10500 W Bowles Ave., Littleton $23–$40 The World’s Scariest Haunted House is said to live up to its name. You may want to skip this one if you’re afraid of chainsaws. Don’t forget to snag this $3 off coupon .

301 Englewood Parkway, Englewood $25–$40 The Ritual, just south of Denver, will make you question reality. The experience begins in a rickety shack that leads to a gloomy swamp. It is said that previous victims lurk in the water, waiting to claim your soul.

Terror in the Corn

6728 County Road 3 1/4, Erie (Anderson Farms) $39–$130 While its not your average haunted house experience, Terror in the Corn may be even more frightening. In 2022, The Scare Factor rated it the best haunted house in Colorado and the third best in the nation.

Dark Side of The Abbey

3011 US-50, Cañon City $25–$40 The Dark Side of The Abbey is located in an abandoned monastery inside the grounds of the Holy Cross Abbey. Although it is a few hours away from Boulder, once you get there you will experience a thrilling, heart-racing time in a real-life monastery.

3021 N Hancock Ave., Colorado Springs $24–$64 If you’re up for a bit of a drive, HellScream provides a horrific, circus-themed experience. The house has been around for 15-plus years and has a story centered around a circus train crash, which took many lives.

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