Chicago’s 13 Most Haunted Places Share A Spooky History

CHICAGO — What do a restroom at the Lincoln Park Zoo, the sprawl of the LaBagh Woods and the second-oldest baseball stadium in the country all have in common?

They’re all the sites of spooky sightings, spine-tingling urban legends, the paranormal and weird — with stories dating back to the 1800s.

The tale of the Devil Baby at the Jane Addams Hull-House, the Lavender Woman who roams the second floor of the Red Lion Pub and more lurk in the spooky shadows of Chicago’s history.

In the spirit of the Halloween season, Block Club compiled a list of 13 of Chicago’s (allegedly) most haunted spots and their eerie histories.

Wrigley Field

1050 W. Addison St., Wrigleyville

Some of the Chicago Cubs’ icons have remained in the stadium, even in the afterlife.

There are many reports of strange entities taking a seat in the bleachers, while others believe that the spirit of seventh-inning stretch icon and sports announcer Harry Caray still lurks in the grounds of the ballpark, hanging out near the press box or bleachers.

Former first baseman and eventual Cubs manager Charlie Grimm also allegedly can’t seem to leave the stadium after his death. There have been reports from nighttime security guards about mysterious phone calls in the bullpen, with many believing that it’s Grimm still trying to call pitching changes.

Grimm may be hanging around because his ashes were spread across his home ballpark following his death in 1983, leaving his spirit in the stands, hoping to finally win himself a World Series title.

Steve Goodman, the musician behind the iconic Cubs anthem “Go Cubs Go,” also had his ashes scattered at Wrigley, leaving some to believe his spirit lingers behind home plate.

Cubs icons spending the afterlife in Wrigley Field have even recently earned the 112-year-old stadium the title of third most haunted sports venue, according to Sports Geek.

Lincoln Park Zoo

2400 N. Cannon Drive, Lincoln Park

The Lincoln Park Zoo, home to nearly 200 unique species, has plenty of ghostly guests that also call the grounds home and is considered one of Chicago’s most haunted spots, PR and Communications Manager Anna Cieslik told Block Club.

Founded in 1868, the zoo was built on the grounds of the Chicago City Cemetery, which was destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire — leaving behind plenty of Victorian-era visitors who reportedly still lurk the grounds.

The Lion House basement is particularly known for tales of paranormal activity. Staff members have reported hearing strange voices, while ghost believers often say that the spirits have become trapped in the restroom mirrors.

Like many Chicagoans, Cieslik has her own ghost story to share about a restroom at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

While in the restroom of the zoo’s administrative building, Cieslik caught a glimpse of a body swiftly moving past the mirrors through the crack in the stall. When she went to wash her hands, there was no one there, she told Block Club.

“There was a noticeable chill in the air,” Cieslik said.

But for the most part, Cieslik reports the zoo’s resident ghosts being primarily friendly.

“Lots of other employees have their own ghostly experiences, but luckily [I] have yet to heard of any evil encounters,” Cieslik said. “It seems that our ghostly guests are just trying to enjoy Chicago’s free zoo like any other local.”

You can learn more about the zoo’s ghosts with the Haunted History Tour that runs on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in October. Learn more here.

Jane Addams Hull-House

800 S. Halsted St., Near West Side

Jane Addams Hull-House, which opened in 1889 to house and serve recently arrived immigrants, has a rich history in Chicago, and also in the paranormal world.

There are two famous historical ghost stories associated with the Jane Addams Hull-House, Education Initiatives Manager Nadia Maragha told Block Club.

The urban legend of the Devil Baby of 1913 began when a neighborhood couple welcomed a child to the world that supposedly “had been born with the features of a devil, hooves, horns, all of that,” Maragha said.

The couple brought the baby to the Hull-House, which was seen as a place for “support and aid.” The Hull-House attempted to exorcise the baby of the devil, but to no avail, Maragha said.

“They decided that they’re just going to keep him at the settlement and lock him in the attic,” Maragha said.

This created hysteria throughout the neighborhood, with droves of residents demanding to see the baby for themselves, which they believed was born as a result of atheism and blasphemy.

The Lady in White is also said to haunt a few spaces that used to be bedrooms in the house, Maragha said. Many residents believed the attic was particularly haunted.

“She’s said to be seen on the staircases and dates all the way back from when Jane Addams first moved into the house,” Maragha said. “People that lived there would keep a pitcher of water on the staircase that led up to the attic … they believed that would keep the ghost from coming down to the second floor.”

People still report seeing the Lady in White, particularly on the second floor.

Staff have reported the “general hauntings” over the years, like strange voices, slamming doors, unexplained footsteps and more, Maragha said.

The Jane Addams Hull-House hosts Haunted Folklore tours, where guests can learn more about the resident ghosts of the historic spot. This month’s tours are sold out.

LaBagh Woods

5275 N. Cicero Ave., Forest Glen

The Far North Side nature preserve is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city while enjoying beautiful scenery and trails — but you may be joined by some visitors from the afterlife.

Paranormal activity and ghost sightings in the woods are often attributed to the abandoned cemetery nestled in the woods dubbed the “Lost Cemetery.” Old gravestones strewn about the hidden graveyard date back to the Victorian Era and are said to be historically tied to the nearby Montrose Cemetery.

LaBagh Woods is also said to be the spot of satanic activity, with many reporting finding animal heads off the preserve’s main trails. One Reddit user even claimed to find a “severed skinned goat’s head” while exploring the woods in high school.

Others have found circles of candles, unusual carvings and makeshift alters — only adding to the LaBagh Woods’ lineup of urban legends, according to ghost hunter and YouTuber Paranormal Teej.

While LaBagh Woods may have its urban legends and spooky past, don’t let that stop you from enjoying the various hiking and walking trails or the prime birding conditions — but keep your eyes out for random tombstones in the woods.

Marina Towers

300 N. State St., Downtown

The Marina Towers — the “corn cobs” or the “Wilco buildings” (they appeared on the cover of the band’s 2001 “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” album) Downtown — may be one of Chicago’s most iconic landmarks, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their fair share of urban legends and spooky tales.

The buildings that tower over the Chicago River have a history of tragedy and deaths. During the towers’ construction, three construction workers fell to their deaths when a scaffold fell 43 stories in 1961. The following year, worker William Jones reported a dizzy spell before plunging to his death from a scaffolding. Now, some report spotting phantom jumpers.

Tragic and mysterious deaths at the towers continued over the years, leaving many to believe that the buildings are the spot of plenty of paranormal activity and remain home to deceased residents.

Gloria Kirkpatrick, manager of the former Marina Cinemas and West Tower resident, was brutally stabbed and killed by an unknown assailant there in 1972. Some believe her spirit still resides in the West Tower, where she lurks the halls of the 39th floor.

Red Lion Pub

2446 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Park

The Red Lion Pub is widely agreed to be among the most haunted of Chicago’s various spooky taverns.

Legends say there are plenty of notable ghosts who lurk the pub’s two floors, messing with patrons and even picking their own songs to play on the jukebox.

The Lavender Woman is one of the pub’s most notorious resident ghosts, according to local ghost hunters and tour guides Windy City Ghosts. Often spotted on the second floor near the women’s restroom, she announces her entrance with an overwhelming scent of lavender perfume and an unexplained cold feeling.

Spirits are also supposedly left behind from the Prohibition era, including the pub’s very own cowboy who is usually spotted in the basement, sporting full Western attire.

There are other reports of spooky children giggling, a 1920s flapper and many other paranormal experiences tacked onto the long list of haunted activity at the Lincoln Park haunt.

Stop by to enjoy fish and chips, three fireplaces and cozy vibes this Halloween season — but keep a lookout for those who may lurk in the shadows.

The Drake

140 E. Walton Place, Gold Coast

This Downtown hotel — a fixture on Chicago’s skyline, nestled in front of the towering John Hancock Center — is also said to be one of the most haunted spots in the Windy City.

The Woman in Black has been spotted on the hotel’s eighth floor, as urban legends say the unidentified woman shot and killed a Chicago socialite in her suite in 1944, adorned all in black.

She shares the historic spotlight with the Woman in Red, who reportedly attended the hotel’s New Year’s Eve gala in 1920. After supposedly discovering her partner being unfaithful, she is said to have jumped to her death from the 10th floor.

Some still spot her wearing her red New Year’s dress, lurking in the 10th-floor hallway leading to the Palm Court or the ballroom. See if you can spy her at the Drake’s Palm Court afternoon tea hour.

The Alley Of Death

Couch Place, 24 W. Randolph St., behind the James M. Nederlander Theatre, Downtown

This Loop alley now home to colorful murals was the site of a tragedy on Dec. 30, 1903 when the former Iroquois Theatre burst into flames after a stage light ignited the backdrops halfway through a performance.

The fire took the lives of more than 600 people as it violently engulfed the theater for 30 minutes. Emergency responders brought the bodies from the theater into the alley, where they stacked the corpses into piles towering 6-feet-high — earning Couch Place the title “Alley of Death.”

The gruesome and tragic events of that day are said to have left hundreds of spirits who lurk the theater grounds.

Next time you’re Downtown this spooky season, talk a walk through the alley to see if you hear any mysterious whispers or an unexplained cold breeze.

The Pedway

Various underground Loop locations, Downtown

Chicago’s sprawling five-mile pedestrian walkway system Downtown frequently utilized by commuters is said to have some particularly creepy areas.

Social media users report that the underground tunnel system has “Backrooms” vibes, due to its maze-like construction that leaves some visitors with an unsettling, reality-altering feeling.

One Reddit user specifically highlights the Pedway section under Macy’s, 111 N. State St.

“Fluorescent lights and lots of corners. Odd place with a bar too, it all feels like limbo/backrooms,” 999millionIQ wrote on Reddit. Another user calls it a “creepy subterranean world.”

Although there might not be a specific ghost linked to the underground maze, the spooky vibes and unexplainable “Twilight Zone”-esque experiences have led many to believe the Pedway is one of Chicago’s most haunted spots.

The Beverly Castle

10244 S. Longwood Drive, Beverly

The South Side neighborhood of Beverly is also said to have its own haunted spot, as the Robert C. Givins House, or the Beverly Castle, has had its fair share of urban legends told over the years.

Stories say the haunting of the picturesque castle dates back to 1886. An “Irish lass,” — reportedly Givins’ fiancé who died before the castle was complete — was rumored to haunt the halls, with reports of her apparition seen climbing the hill up to the castle.

But the Beverly Review partially debunked this urban legend, as Givins’ wife, Emma Steen Givin, was very much alive when the castle was built.

Nevertheless, after the castle became the property of the Beverly Unitarian Church in 1942, many staff reported strange happenings.

From creaky floors, mysterious figures showing up at the door, shadowy apparitions of a woman in a white nightgown and more, some remain certain the castle is haunted.

Rosehill Cemetery 

5800 N. Ravenswood Ave., Lincoln Square

Rosehill Cemetery, one of Chicago’s oldest cemeteries founded in 1859, has inspired an impressive amount of spooky stories through the years. 

Some tales are tied to two statues encased in glass. 

One belongs to Lulu Fellows, a young victim of typhoid fever, who is often photographed with flowers, coins and toys to pay respect to a childhood cut short.

The second belongs to Inez Clarke, whose memorial plaque reads “1873-1880.” Online forums recite stories alleging that Clarke was struck by lightning and died after being locked outside. It’s said that she roams the cemetery at night playing and that her statue goes missing whenever it storms.

Rosehill also has a connection to the more recent killer clown trend. 

In 2015, Julia Graham and her husband encountered a mysterious clown outside the main entrance. According to CBS, the couple drove to the east entrance of the cemetery on Ravenswood Avenue where they saw a clown perform the athletic feat of scaling its nearly seven-foot fence. 

When the couple drove closer to the main entrance, the clown remained calm, simply waving at them before running off into the dark horizon, CBS reported.

Rosehill is the resting grounds for over 193,000 deceased, according to Rosehill Cemetery Director of Family Services Michael Weidman — each as diverse as the city of Chicago, he told Block Club. It is still an active cemetery and carefully curated to be comforting and nurturing to grieving families. 

“We have to nourish the soul, lift the spirits and ease the burden,” Weidman said, stressing that it is an honor to work with the families who choose Rosehill to lay their loved ones to rest. 

He added that in his time working at Rosehill, neither he nor any of his coworkers have ever seen anything out of the ordinary: “There’s really nothing to share.” 

The Congress Plaza And Hotel 

520 S. Michigan Ave., Downtown

The doors of the Congress Plaza and Hotel opened in 1893. In the numerous decades since, there have been several infamous incidents and paranormal experiences reported there. 

Equally as impressive as these spooky stories are the people who have checked into it as guests. Nicknamed the “Home of Presidents” the hotel has had visits from Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and six others. Al Capone famously frequented the hotel as well. 

Ghost City Tours alleges that entire rooms have been closed off or completely sealed due to “high levels of paranormal activity.”

The Shadow Man is one of the entities said to lurk through the halls of the Congress Hotel. 

CBS reports that Captain Louis Ostheim, veteran of the Spanish American War, died by suicide at the Congress on April 8, 1900. 

A New York Times article published two days later reported that Ostheim had taken his own life just ahead of his wedding to Eva Bruce Wood. The belongings left behind in his room included two gold wedding bands inscribed with “Eva to Louis, April 9, 1900.” 

For years, people claimed sightings of the mysterious Shadow Man roaming through the hotel, believed to be the ghost of Ostheim. 

Now, the Congress hosts an annual “Haunted Halloween Ball” to celebrate the holiday and pay homage to the history of the hotel. 

Graceland Cemetery

4001 N. Clark St., Lakeview

The cemetery is famous for its connection to Chicago’s history. Victims of the Iroquois Theater fire are buried here, as is George Pullman, the founder of the Pullman Palace Car Company, several mayors and influential politicians, and Bruce Graham, the architect behind the John Hancock Building and Willis Tower.

But the most frightening feature at Graceland is the “Eternal Silence,” or “Statue of Death.” It’s said that if you look into the eyes of that famous monument, you’ll see a vision of your own death. What could be scarier than that?

Kelly Bauer and Linze Rice contributed to this story.

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