The State of Illinois Most Haunted Places

People have felt wandering cold spots and others have reported being pushed or grabbed by unseen hands. Even sightings of full body apparitions have been seen here by a few witnesses.

Graceland Cemetery has its share of rich and famous buried here, but what really makes this place interesting is all the paranormal activity that has been reported here since the cemetery first opened in 1870.

Hickory Hills Old Slave House (Junction, Illinois)

This house was built in 1842 by a wealthy man named John Hart Crenshaw. He used this house to kidnap free blacks and then turn them into slaves. He kept the kidnapped victims up in the attic, where he tortured and abused them. Some even died because of the abuse they suffered at the hands of Crenshaw.

In the 1920’s, the house was opened to the public as a tourist attraction. People came from all over to visit this house of horrors. Soon after, tourists visiting the house began reporting strange occurances happening inside and around the building. Reports of moving cold-spots and strange sounds were heard, along with people hearing cries and loud moans coming from the attic area, even when the attic was suppose to be empty.

A local legend about the Hickory Hills Old Slave House started when a local ghost hunter named Hickman Whittington investigated the building, went home, and died a few hours later. After this incident, it was stated that no one could last a whole night in the attic. Dozens of people have tried, but failed at the task and were sent running by the houses spirits way before sun break. Finally in 1978, one man did manage to spend one entire night inside of the attic. He also experienced some strange occurances while in the attic and said he wouldn’t want to spend another night there.

The new owners of the house, and dozens of visitors as well, still report hearing unexplained phantom voices, noises, and sounds. And also say that they have felt cold spots that make the hair on your body stand on end.

Currently the Hickory Hills Old Slave house is CLOSED to the public. No tours or visits are allowed or given and the police will be called on anyone trespassing on the property.