There are many, many other great haunted places in Wisconsin that I haven’t the time to write about here. If anyone is interested in a particular region or town in Wisconsin, I can send you a list. “The Wisconsin Road Guide to Haunted Locations” by Chad Lewis and Terry Fisk is a good book to have for finding and researching various haunted spots in Wisconsin. I don't own this book as I've given up ghost hunting, but I have read through it and it is great to have (good directions, honest and thorough research, etc.).
Happy Hunting
Viv
Wisconsin's Hauntings:
- Amery Lutheran Church (Amery, Wis.) – Many encounters here. These encounters include: disembodied voices, a phantom congregation and the bell of the church ringing on its own.
- Aztalan State Park/Rock Lake (Lake Mills, Wis.) – One of Wisconsin’s great archeological sites with a long and interesting history. Aztalan is the site of an ancient Indian camp. Several Indian burial mounds exist here (supposedly in the hundreds) as well as vast, flat-topped mounds. Various and strong psychic feelings felt here. There is a museum at the park which is worth a look. I went here a long time ago and remembered feeling strangely in certain areas. Restoration was in progress when I was here in an attempt to re-create this once thriving Indian community which was abandoned suddenly and mysteriously by its Indian inhabitants. Definitely a hot-spot for paranormal activity. On the bottom of nearby Rock Lake (supposedly linked to Aztalan), conical shaped mounds have been discovered and sensitive people have reported very strange feelings while boating there.
- Callan Road, aka: Witch Road (Rosendale, Wis.) – Supposedly, many years ago, a witch lived on Callan Road. The house she lived in can still be seen, but it is in ruins. Unexplained lights, cold spots and the spirit of a young girl in the woods are all reported here. The remains of the house are most likely on private property, so be respectful and don’t trespass. Just traveling along the road itself may lead to sightings of all kinds.
- Church Road Cemetery (Portage, Wis.) – Several people have experienced odd occurrences here. Shadows are seen, odd smells and the apparition of a young girl are all reported. I highly recommend that you do not go to this cemetery alone.
- Elk Lake Dam (Elk Creek, Wis.) – In 1974, the body of a young woman named Mary was found near the Elk Lake Dam. She had been murdered. Since then, several people have witnessed the ghost of the young woman around the dam.
- Ed Gein homestead/Plainfield Cemetery (Plainfield, Wis.) – I have to add these two. Ed Gein was notorious, both as a murderer and a grave robber. His story is too gruesome to post here, but, if interested, a Google search on him will return many websites about him. As for the hauntings, I haven’t found a whole lot on any ghosts lurking about his old homestead or the Plainfield Cemetery where he is buried (you most likely won’t find his headstone as it has been stolen numerous times) and carried out some of his bizarre rituals. However, the old homestead (which no longer stands) and cemetery are worth a look and have evoked strange feelings in people who have gone there. I am assuming that Ed's old homestead is on private property, so one must look into it and getting permission if planning a visit there. From the reports I have heard, you can see the old homestead from the road, which is a respectable distance.
- JFK Preparatory School/St. Nazianz Cemetery (Manitowoc, Wis.) – Very haunted with a strange history. Supposedly, several spirits lurking about along with a curse from the Seminary of the Divine Savior in St. Nazianz. EVPs, video and photographs have shown what may possibly be paranormal activity in the JFK Prep. buildings. There is no trespassing and the buildings and grounds are under constant surveillance both with cameras and the police. Many have gotten permission to go onto the property, though. It seems the cops are still very stringent with people even if they have permission. So, be careful. Lots of bad energy reported here. There have been tours done here in the past as well as ghost hunting classes. I believe the tours are still going on from time to time.
- The Historic Karsten Inn (Kewaunee, Wis.) – Home to several ghosts. Paranormal activity recorded here, including: cold spots and various noises. Room 310 is haunted by the mischievous spirit of “Agatha,” a former maid and, now resident spirit. I’ve never been there, but this place is definitely haunted.
Wisconsin's Hauntings Cont.:
- Lake View Tuberculosis Sanitarium (Madison, Wis.) - I have studied this spot quite extensively. The sanitarium itself is a lovely building and, if one is sensitive, there is a very powerful psychic sense about it. I have heard of no hauntings in the sanitarium or the buildings surrounding it. The cemetery and woods on the property of the sanitarium, however, are purportedly haunted. Here is what I discovered: The cemetery showed definite signs of psychic activity (which others have also felt), especially on the eastern end that borders the woods behind the sanitarium. Photos taken by other researchers in the cemetery reveal possible paranormal activity (mists). The woods behind the sanitarium are haunted by, what I strongly believe to be, a very angry or evil presence. Ghost sightings have occurred in the woods, as well. There are numerous artifacts in the woods of the foundations of at least two outbuildings and the smoke stacks that once stood there. It appears there is satanic activity going on in these woods. Bizarre bits of cow bone were discovered laying on tops of dead leaves (this could possibly have been a joke, but, I’m not sure), strange formations of logs, bizarre spray-painting, etc. all give me the impression that bizarre characters are hanging out there and may be involved in satanic rituals. It also appears to be a place for college kids to hang out while up to no good. Be careful in this area and emotionally ready yourself before an investigation. The land may very well have been the site of an old Indian camp due to the location on a hill overlooking water and the tremendous history of Indians in and around the Madison area. This could explain the “stalking” sensation I experienced while researching in the woods. Whatever was “stalking” me and my fiancé here, also followed us home. So, prepare yourself and take a few friends along if you go there. It’s a nice place to visit during the day, however I would highly recommend not going there at night. There are too many odd characters hanging about.
- Maribel Caves County Park/Maribel Caves Hotel, aka: Motel/Hotel Hell (Maribel, Wis.) – Long and sordid history that includes stories of mass murder, death by fire, bootleggers and mobsters and a portal to hell (which, I have heard, is located in the ruins of what once was a fountain in front of the hotel). These stories have either been discredited or are yet to be documented. But, many people who have been there report several unexplainable phenomenon. This used to be a health spa in the late 1800’s. At some point, it was turned into a hotel. It is reported by many people to be very haunted and the reports go back many, many years. The reports include: several spirits (some very angry ones), apparitions and ghostly children (mainly seen on the roof and in windows of the hotel), footsteps, moving objects, black magick practices, various odd noises and voices, and feelings of being touched by cold hands, followed and/or threatened. The reports occur at both the hotel and the park. There was a fire in 1985 which destroyed the interior of the hotel, though the structure still stands. The fire supposedly caused an influx in spirit activity. This is a very dangerous place, structurally. People who have gone inside the hotel have been injured due to the disintegration of the structure through age and fire. There are security cameras everywhere and the cops watch it like hawks. The owners of the property are very protective of it and, supposedly, prosecute trespassers to the fullest extent. And, almost everyone who has gotten onto the grounds of the Hotel get caught by the police and fined. It’s a dangerous place, both structurally and spiritually. I’ve heard that you can still view the hotel from a safe and legal distance (the road) where it is still a sight to behold and people have witnessed strange phenomenon.
- Orton Park (Madison, Wis.) – This was the site of Madison’s first cemetery. The bodies were exhumed in the late 1800’s and moved to another larger cemetery in Madison. There is a lot of activity here including over-whelming psychic feelings. I and another person with me heard a voice while approaching this park (not sure if the voice was connected to the park or not, but the voice was in reference to the park), there is the spirit of a little boy, psychic images reported and other various paranormal activity. The video we took while there recorded nothing paranormal.
- The Paine Art Center and Gardens (Oshkosh, Wis.) – I have been here (it is open for tours) and this place is definitely haunted. I had strange feelings in certain areas of the house (especially the upper floors). Supposedly, there is the spirit of a man here who is assumed to be the father or grandfather of Nathan Paine, the man who built the mansion. It is reported that a female spirit haunts the abundant gardens outside the house. There are reports of strange footsteps, moving furniture and disembodied voices here. This house is a beautiful Tudor style mansion with stunning gardens and is worth the look even if not searching for spirits.
- Picnic Point (Madison, Wis.) – Several people (myself included) have had various experiences here, including detailed psychic images. It is, supposedly, one of the most active places in Madison.
- The Rave/Eagles Ballroom (Milwaukee, Wis.) – This is the place Buddy Holly played his last gig before dying tragically (alongside Richie Valens and the Big Bopper) in a plane crash en route to Clear Lake, Iowa. Many people here have witnessed paranormal activity. A ghost is felt, disembodied sounds of children playing or crying are heard, cold spots as well as negative energy in many parts of the building. Supposedly, the pool room (which is kept locked at all times) and the Eagles Ballroom are the most haunted areas here, but I have heard reports of people feeling strangely and hearing disembodied noises in several areas of the building.
- Summerwind Mansion (Northeast Wis. on West Bay Lake) – Deemed “Wisconsin’s Most Famous Haunted House.” All that remain are the ruins of a once beautiful mansion. There is a long and bizarre history on this place, including: Indian legend, possible murder/corpse found, apparitions, demons, nervous breakdowns, disembodied voices and bizarre shrinking/expanding rooms. This house was so active, that, supposedly, the original owner once began shooting at the resident spirits before fleeing in terror. Credibility on some of these stories varies, but certainly, strange things have occurred here. EVPs and unexplainable photographs have been taken here. I believe this is on private property and it is extremely difficult to find, so you will need to research and get permission before entering the premises.
- Walnut Grove Cemetery, a.k.a.: Glenbeulah Graveyard/Cemetery (Glenbeulah, Wis.) – This cemetery is very active. There is a lost and very curious female spirit who likes to follow visitors around the cemetery (I and several other researchers have experienced her). Talking to her, if you feel her presence, seems to help her feel more at ease. Strange noises occur and apparitions are reportedly seen and felt. I’ve heard that an EVP of a disembodied voice has been captured here. There is also a rumor (though, no evidence of it exists) that a man hung himself in the cemetery. It is a truly beautiful cemetery and very old for Wisconsin (dating back to the early 1800’s). It is heavily patrolled by police because of vandalism. It is very secluded on a hill in Glenbeulah. The road leading up the hill to the cemetery is blocked off, but people can still walk up there during the hours the cemetery is open. I highly recommend not going to this cemetery alone.
