Formerly a speakeasy, this 1915 building was a popular hangout for gang members, including Al Capone. The place has a very violent history, and is haunted by several spirits. These include a bartender who was allegedly pushed down a flight of stairs by a gangster who took a dislike to him, and a prostitute whom he had fallen in love with. Both were allegedly buried in the cellar, where a ghostly man in an overcoat has been seen ascending the basement staircase before vanishing. The prostitute, whose association with the building is unclear, has been seen in the downstairs bathroom, and once appeared to a former owner to commend him on the renovations.
On an interesting note, the ballroom across the road was owned by the builders who constructed the speakeasy, and is also haunted. A tunnel linking the two once crossed beneath the road, as an illegal casino was located in the basement.
(Submitted by Callum Swift)
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Geographic Information
- Address:
- 8933 South Archer Avenue
Willow Springs, IL
United States
Get Directions » - GPS:
- 41.7276893, -87.88135840000001
- County:
- Cook County, Illinois
- Nearest Towns:
- Willow Springs, IL (1.4 mi.)
Burr Ridge, IL (2.4 mi.)
Justice, IL (2.5 mi.)
Hickory Hills, IL (2.9 mi.)
Hodgkins, IL (3.1 mi.)
Indian Head Park, IL (3.1 mi.)
Countryside, IL (3.8 mi.)
Palos Hills, IL (3.9 mi.)
Willowbrook, IL (4.0 mi.)
Bridgeview, IL (4.3 mi.)
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Disclaimer: The stories posted here are user-submitted and are, in the nature of "ghost stories," largely unverifiable. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. The vast majority of information provided on this web site is anecdotal, and as such, should be viewed in the same light as local folklore and urban legends.
Unfortunately, the ballroom across the street burned down back in October.
A few years ago (2014-2015) i was standing outside by the picnic table. It was a beautiful fall night, moonlit and tranquil next to the woods. Suddenly, i felt my maxi skirt lift from beneath, but there was no earthly reason for it. No breeze and certainly no one under the ground beneath my feet . . . or was there? My skirt lifted by only a few inches, but it was clearly visible to my friend.
Another occurrence that happened frequently was the lights in the bar/dining room constantly would flicker, dim and brighten. Spooky place for sure. The restaurant has great food, and the spookiness of the place only adds to its allure. Don’t miss ST. Patrick’s Day if you’re in the area. Authentic Irish!
Everyone talks of Resurrection Mary at Willowbrook Ballroom. Am I the only one who has heard stories of a male ghost there as well?
I have also witnessed the flickering lights inside!!!
Willowbrook Ballroom had a basement entrance that was a tunnel one can clearly imagine it was used as an exit into the parking lot if the place was raided, it is soo obvious.
When it was called Manion’s we had a tour of the second floor and attic. We were being watched and as we went down the back stairs all of us felt a cold chill, it was in the 80’s that afternoon. On several occasions we were there and the toilet in the ladies room would flush randomly even when no one was in the area. After Manion’s was sold, new owners remodeled. Items in the basement would disappear and reappear, contractors quit or refused to go down there alone.