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A night time view under an elevated train tracks under a moonlit sky. Shutterstock

Chicago’s spookiest, certifiably haunted sites

You’re bound to get a chill down your spine

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Halloween is right around the corner and what better time to visit some haunted sites as it starts to get dark earlier and earlier each evening. Chicago has plenty to choose—ranging from horrifying murders to gang violence to spooky cemeteries.

Sure, some of the stories are just myths, and there are no confirmations that ghosts were actually seen at all the sites. But either way they are bound to bring a chill down your spine, especially as the fall breeze begins to whistle and the leaves rustle on the ground.

If being scared isn’t your style—check out places to go leaf-peeping or pumpkin-picking instead. But for those who like a good haunt, this list is for you.

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Rosehill Cemetery

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Set on over 350 acres of land, this is Chicago’s biggest cemetery — which may not be surprising that it has its haunts. Rosehill is notable for the tomb of Bobby Franks victim of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb in May 1924. Enter the case of the restless spirit, which has seemingly vanished since the death of Nathan Leopold in 1971.

Wrigley Field

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As the second oldest MLB ballpark in the country, Wrigley Field has had lots of time for the haunts to come. Wrigley’s paranormal problems are famous: there’s the ghost of Harry Caray, cold spots, lost balls in the Ivy, ghostly figures in the bleachers, and, of course, the Billy Goat curse.

Site of Valentine’s Day Massacre

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The St. Valentine’s Day massacre in 1929 was Capone’s big coming out party. Dressed as cops, his henchmen stormed a garage at Clark and Dickens, gunning down a rival gang associated with Irish gangster George “Bugs” Moran. Apparitions of men walking the now-empty lot and the barks of the dog that witnessed the slayings are the chief hauntings.

Chicago Water Tower

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A famous Chicago ghost story revolves around the Great Chicago Fire, when supposedly city worker who was manning the water pumps in the tower hung himself. Popular myth says his ghost is still there—although there is no proof the event occurred.

Bachelor's Grove Cemetery

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A haunted graveyard, this historic site in suburban Midlothian was once abandoned near the turn of the century and is a place people like to go to feel spooky vibes and look for ghosts. It is worth noting that the Forest Preserves cleaned up the area in 2014 and now maintains it.

Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

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When your moniker is “Attorney for the Damned,” it’s almost guaranteed some will claim to have seen your ghost. That’s the case with Clarance Darrow, defense attorney for Leopold and Loeb. Darrow’s ashes were spread around Jackson Park’s lagoon, and visitors to the nearby Museum of Science and Industry have reported seeing his ghost sitting on the back steps.

Jane Addams Hull-House Museum

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The tale of “The Devil-Baby at Hull House,” might be hard to believe—the story of a severely deformed orphan showing up at the house. Though it is little more than a folk tale, visitors today often still feel spooky vibes. It was also supposedly the inspiration for “Rosemary’s Baby”.

Site of the Eastland Disaster

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More than 800 Western Electric employees and their family members died in the Eastland steamship disaster in 1915 after the overloaded, top-heavy ship rolled on its side in the Chicago River. It killed more passengers than the Titanic and the Lusitania. The disaster site at the Clark Street Bridge as well as several nearby sites that we used as makeshift morgues are believed to be haunted by ghostly cries and moans.

Battle of Fort Dearborn

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During the Battle of Fort Dearborn in 1812, there was a bloody conflict between Potawatomi Indians and U.S. troops fled the fort, located near what is now the Michigan Avenue Bridge. The battle itself—also known as the Fort Dearborn Massacre—took place further south in the Prairie Avenue District, and is commemorated by a historic marker. Hauntings are par for the course.

The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center

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Travel & Leisure once named this downtown hotel the most haunted place in all of Illinois, citing Al Capone’s headquarters as the reason. Elevators at the Congress are said to make unexplained stops on the eighth floor and patrons have reported sightings of Capone’s ghost.

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Rosehill Cemetery

Set on over 350 acres of land, this is Chicago’s biggest cemetery — which may not be surprising that it has its haunts. Rosehill is notable for the tomb of Bobby Franks victim of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb in May 1924. Enter the case of the restless spirit, which has seemingly vanished since the death of Nathan Leopold in 1971.

Wrigley Field

As the second oldest MLB ballpark in the country, Wrigley Field has had lots of time for the haunts to come. Wrigley’s paranormal problems are famous: there’s the ghost of Harry Caray, cold spots, lost balls in the Ivy, ghostly figures in the bleachers, and, of course, the Billy Goat curse.

Site of Valentine’s Day Massacre

The St. Valentine’s Day massacre in 1929 was Capone’s big coming out party. Dressed as cops, his henchmen stormed a garage at Clark and Dickens, gunning down a rival gang associated with Irish gangster George “Bugs” Moran. Apparitions of men walking the now-empty lot and the barks of the dog that witnessed the slayings are the chief hauntings.

Chicago Water Tower

A famous Chicago ghost story revolves around the Great Chicago Fire, when supposedly city worker who was manning the water pumps in the tower hung himself. Popular myth says his ghost is still there—although there is no proof the event occurred.

Bachelor's Grove Cemetery

A haunted graveyard, this historic site in suburban Midlothian was once abandoned near the turn of the century and is a place people like to go to feel spooky vibes and look for ghosts. It is worth noting that the Forest Preserves cleaned up the area in 2014 and now maintains it.

Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

When your moniker is “Attorney for the Damned,” it’s almost guaranteed some will claim to have seen your ghost. That’s the case with Clarance Darrow, defense attorney for Leopold and Loeb. Darrow’s ashes were spread around Jackson Park’s lagoon, and visitors to the nearby Museum of Science and Industry have reported seeing his ghost sitting on the back steps.

Jane Addams Hull-House Museum

The tale of “The Devil-Baby at Hull House,” might be hard to believe—the story of a severely deformed orphan showing up at the house. Though it is little more than a folk tale, visitors today often still feel spooky vibes. It was also supposedly the inspiration for “Rosemary’s Baby”.

Site of the Eastland Disaster

More than 800 Western Electric employees and their family members died in the Eastland steamship disaster in 1915 after the overloaded, top-heavy ship rolled on its side in the Chicago River. It killed more passengers than the Titanic and the Lusitania. The disaster site at the Clark Street Bridge as well as several nearby sites that we used as makeshift morgues are believed to be haunted by ghostly cries and moans.

Battle of Fort Dearborn

During the Battle of Fort Dearborn in 1812, there was a bloody conflict between Potawatomi Indians and U.S. troops fled the fort, located near what is now the Michigan Avenue Bridge. The battle itself—also known as the Fort Dearborn Massacre—took place further south in the Prairie Avenue District, and is commemorated by a historic marker. Hauntings are par for the course.

The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center

Travel & Leisure once named this downtown hotel the most haunted place in all of Illinois, citing Al Capone’s headquarters as the reason. Elevators at the Congress are said to make unexplained stops on the eighth floor and patrons have reported sightings of Capone’s ghost.