With a history reaching back to 1836, when it was first settled, it is not surprising that the City of Crystal Lake, Illinois, claims its fair share of ghost stories and reports of paranormal activity. Crystal Lake is approximately 50 miles north of Chicago and home to more than 38,000 people. Visitors wishing to visit the haunted spots that generated those ghost stories, or who need a fix of seasonal thrills and chills, can choose from several options in the Crystal Lake area.
The Palmer House
According to local stories, the Palmer House (www.crystallakeparks.org) is the center of ghostly activities such as the sounds of children stomping on the floor, scratching at the door and crying. Locals report seeing apparitions of children's faces appearing periodically in the windows in the basement. According to hauntedhovel.com, the faces of the children have appeared on a select number of photographs. The stories of the hauntings stem from the history of the house, which was built in 1858. Through the years, the house was passed down through the Palmer family and eventually sold. Reportedly, one of the house's owners ran an orphanage there where he beat and allegedly killed some of the children. In 1979 the house was donated to the City of Crystal Lake and is open for public tours.
The Fountains at Crystal Lake
According to Shadowlands.net, the Fountains at Crystal Lake (watermarkcommunities.com), a retirement community, is the site of several paranormal activities. Local legends tell of a disappearing woman wandering the upstairs hallway and reveal accounts of game pieces on a checkerboard spontaneously moving in the recreation room. People have also told of hearing unexplained footsteps and having feelings of being watched while walking in the basement.
Barnes & Noble Bookstore
According to local legends, the property housing the Crystal Lake Barnes & Noble bookstore (barnesandnoble.com) was once owned by a woman who died on the land. Her will bequeathed the land to a local church to be used as a school. Locals report seeing an apparition of an old woman in parts of the store, and some employees have reported seeing items moving and book carts wheeling on their own.
Mt. Thabor Cemetery
No list of haunted places would be complete without mention of at least one cemetery. According to the Shadowlands site, visitors to Mount Thabor Cemetery (cl-mtthabor.org) have reported seeing strange balls of colored light in photographs taken throughout the cemetery. Other reports include sinister-seeming shadows accompanied by green mist surrounding the graveyard.
Seasonal Haunted Houses
Nearby seasonal haunted houses include the McHenry Area Jaycees Haunted House (mchenryjaycees.org) held in the Barn at Knox Park in McHenry, eight miles north of Crystal Lake. A tour of the haunted house takes about 10 minutes, depending on how quickly your group moves, and it features a number of spine-tingling sights in each of its rooms and hallways. The event takes place annually in late October.
The Illinois Railway Museum's Terror on the Railroad (terrorontherailroad.com) offers a fresh twist on the classic haunted house. Located 13 miles west in nearby Union, the attraction includes tours of two haunted trains, one that moves slowly along the tracks and the other a stationary train. The haunted railroad is open on Friday and Saturday nights throughout October.
The Illinois Railway Museum's Terror on the Railroad (terrorontherailroad.com) offers a fresh twist on the classic haunted house. Located 13 miles west in nearby Union, the attraction includes tours of two haunted trains, one that moves slowly along the tracks and the other a stationary train. The haunted railroad is open on Friday and Saturday nights throughout October.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Caryn Anderson has been writing professionally since 2007. She specializes in a variety of subjects, including food and healthy recipes, pets and health. She is an avid gardener and travel enthusiast. Anderson holds her Bachelor of Science in communication studies from New York University.
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