Haunted Places in Salem, Illinois



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    Violin Annie - Elmwood Cemetery

    Centralia, Illinois

    11.3 miles from Salem, IL

    Local legend says that Harriet Anne Marshall (Annie) was an accomplished violinist, and the daughter of a wealthy doctor. She became ill and died of diptheria, and at her grave her parents placed a statue of her playing the violin. It is said that cemetery visitors can hear the violin ...


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    Original Springs Mineral Spa and Hotel

    Okawville, Illinois

    35.2 miles from Salem, IL

    This historic hotel is said to have a great many haunts in residence. Included are a man named Meier, who died in an explosion in the 1880s, and J.W. Schreiner, an owner during the 1890s. At least 7 other spirits of folks who have perished during this hotel's long history ...


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    King Cemetery

    Dieterich, Illinois

    38.9 miles from Salem, IL

    There are vague reports online about orbs and shadow people being seen here. This cemetery is on private property, so be sure to secure the proper permissions before even thinking about visiting.


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    Ramsey Cemetery

    Effingham, Illinois

    44.6 miles from Salem, IL

    Ramsey Cemetery, established in 1851 with the burial of namesake Alexander Ramsey, is also known as Casbar Cemetery and is a nighttime teen hangout. Besides the graves, rock shelters and sandstone caves are nearby, covered with carvings from its many visitors. A young man committed suicide inside a chapel that ...


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    Ridge Cemetery

    Tower Hill, Illinois

    46.5 miles from Salem, IL

    Ridge Cemetery at Williamsburg Hill is said to be visited by apparitions, eerie lights and a disappearing old man. Phantom crowds and horses also have been seen and heard around the area. Rumors of sinister cult activity surround this place as well, and one report tells of a 3-year-old girl ...


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    Tapestry Room Restaurant

    Lebanon, Illinois

    46.6 miles from Salem, IL

    Housed in a row of 1850's buildings, this restaurant may have ties to the underground railroad. Ever since the establishment opened, staff and diners have been reporting strange phenomena. A former cook would often hear furniture moving around when there was nothing out of place, and an electrician conducting ...


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    McKendree University

    Lebanon, Illinois

    47 miles from Salem, IL

    This college has seen its share of tragedy, and the spiritual activity reported here can attest to that. On the main campus, it is said that a distraught student once hung himself in the bell tower, and his ghost has been seen on the upper floors. In the Alumni House, ...


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    Lebanon Road - Seven Gates to Hell

    Collinsville, Illinois

    53.1 miles from Salem, IL

    Lebanon Road is the stuff of legends to locals, who have nicknamed the place the Seven Gates to Hell. According to locals, those who drive through all seven bridges, going through the last one at midnight on the dot, will pass through to Hell. The area is said to be ...


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    Miner's Theatre

    Collinsville, Illinois

    56.3 miles from Salem, IL

    Experts on the Miner's Theatre say it has three ghosts: Two are brothers, one of whom one killed the other to become the sole owner of the theater. The third ghost, a young woman, is friendly but likes to play pranks like hiding the actors' makeup or costumes.


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    Papa Vito's Restaurant

    Belleville, Illinois

    56.4 miles from Salem, IL

    The current restaurant is housed in a historic residence dating back to the mid nineteenth-century. The building is rumoured to be haunted by four entities, including a ghostly stagecoach driver known as 'Charlie', a mother and her young child, and a ghostly headmistress who used to teach at a ...


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    Lincoln Theatre

    Belleville, Illinois

    56.6 miles from Salem, IL

    Lincoln Theatre is believed to be haunted by a prankster ghost. An apparition of a ghostly child has run up and down the stairs, a woman has appeared in the balcony, and tricks are played in the projection booth. Reports say there are seven ghosts who call this theater home.


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    Krome Family Cemetery

    Collinsville, Illinois

    56.7 miles from Salem, IL

    A small family cemetery is now hidden amongst the trees just off Old Keebler Road. It is all that remains of the Krome family mansion, which burned down long ago and was for decades considered to be haunted by the locals. Some enterprising explorers found leg shackles in ...


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    Three Mile House

    Edwardsville, Illinois

    57.1 miles from Salem, IL

    At this site once stood an inn that was haunted by ghosts of various children and adults, including slaves. The old inn may once have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. It is said that during 1970s renovations, underground tunnels and a skeleton were found. Phenomena that then began ...


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    Lindenwood Auditorium

    Belleville, Illinois

    58 miles from Salem, IL

    Lindenwood Auditorium at Lindenwood University, built in 1924, is said to be haunted by a teacher who passed away before the play she was producing made it to the stage. According to witnesses, the friendly ghost likes to move the props around.


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    Cahokia Mounds

    East St. Louis, Illinois

    60.6 miles from Salem, IL

    The Cahokia Mounds, located in the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, were part of an ancient Native American city (circa 600 to 1400). These landmarks are said to be haunted by the spirits of the ancient Native Americans who used to live here. Visitors have reported seeing unexplained shadows and ...


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    Hartford Castle

    Hartford, Illinois

    62.6 miles from Salem, IL

    Hartford Castle was a speakeasy during the Prohibition, but was originally a home called Lakeview, built by French immigrant Benjamin Biszant in 1897. The castlelike home was the scene of a tragedy when Biszant's English wife passed away in the early 1900s. It is her ghost that was suspected to ...


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    Anderson Cemetery - Cemetery X

    Taylorville, Illinois

    63 miles from Salem, IL

    According to tales told about this cemetery, there is a secret passage that opens up at night, when trees part and a path appears to an ancient graveyard. It's said to be protected by a phantom wolf who chases trespassers. (The cemetery is not to be confused with another Anderson ...


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    Hundley House Bed and Breakfast

    Carbondale, Illinois

    64 miles from Salem, IL

    Although Hundley House has not operated as a B & B since 2011, former guests claim that double homicide that took place there in the 1928's has left its mark, both literally and spiritually. A bullet hole from the murders can still be seen in the back staircase and people ...


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    Southern Illinois University

    Carbondale, Illinois

    64.7 miles from Salem, IL

    Southern Illinois University is reputed to have many haunted buildings; among them are Wheeler Hall, Faner Hall, Anthony Hall, Shryock Auditorium, and Mae Smith Residence Hall. One of the most famous ghosts here is Henry, who haunts the 1918 Shryock Auditorium. Henry, aka former university President Henry William Shryock, died ...


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    Milton Schoolhouse

    Alton, Illinois

    66.8 miles from Salem, IL

    The historic Milton School, built in 1904, operated until 1986 and then stood abandoned until the early 1990s when it re-opened as a decorative glass factory. It's believed to be haunted by a schoolgirl nicknamed Mary who was raped and murdered at the school when she stayed late to work ...


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    Bissell Mansion Restaurant and Dinner Theatre

    St. Louis, Missouri

    67.9 miles from Salem, IL

    Bissell Mansion Restaurant & Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, inside the historic Bissell Mansion, is rumored to be haunted by more than the characters in their mystery shows. The mansion, built by Captain Lewis Bissell in 1823, is believed to be haunted by the captain himself. His apparition has been seen ...


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    Alton Cemetery

    Alton, Illinois

    68.2 miles from Salem, IL

    Alton Cemetery is said to be haunted by several ghosts. One is a 9-year-old named Lucy Haskell, seen in the vicinity of the Hayner/Haskell monument. Another is a spectral woman in black near the Grandview mausoleum, and a third is minister and publisher Elijah P. Lovejoy. An abolitionist, Lovejoy was ...


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    The Lehmann House

    St. Louis, Missouri

    68.5 miles from Salem, IL

    This 1960s building, now a bed-and-breakfast, is said to be haunted by original owner Mr. Edward Rowse, who passed away in the dining room. Folks have reported shadowy figures, unexplained voices, and banging sounds.


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    Lemp Mansion

    St. Louis, Missouri

    68.6 miles from Salem, IL

    Reports say that at this bed-and-breakfast you may experience cold spots, electrical oddities, vibrations from the floors, feelings of sorrow, tapping on your shoulders, a pervasive feeling of being watched, a piano that plays a single note during the night... and if that weren't enough, you may find strange things ...


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    Jacoby Arts Center

    Alton, Illinois

    68.7 miles from Salem, IL

    Formerly a funeral home and a furniture store, the basement of this 1883 building is particularly haunted. Visitors to the cellar have felt cold spots and an eerie presence, while the sound of the intercom that was disconnected many years ago has been heard on occasions. (Submitted by Callum Swift)


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    Mineral Springs Hotel

    Alton, Illinois

    69 miles from Salem, IL

    Several spirits are said to live at this historic hotel, now open for haunted tours. Among the ghosts are The Jasmine Lady, identified by the whiff of her floral perfume; George, who may have been drowned in the hotel swimming pool around the 1920s; The Drunken Ghost, the artist responsible ...


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    First Unitarian Church

    Alton, Illinois

    69.1 miles from Salem, IL

    Founded in 1836, the First Unitarian Church's original structure here was built on the site of the St. Matthew's Catholic Church, which had burned down. Both churches were stations on the Underground Railroad. But that church also burned down in 1905, a the church that now stands here is said ...


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    My Just Desserts - Ryder Building

    Alton, Illinois

    69.2 miles from Salem, IL

    Employees at this old-fashioned restaurant have reported a series of spooky occurrences over the past few years. A cook working on the ground level has reported hearing furniture moving around the hardwood floors upstairs on several occasions, but upon investigation, nothing is out of place. (Submitted by Callum Swift)


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    McPike Mansion

    Alton, Illinois

    69.4 miles from Salem, IL

    This 1869 mansion is the site of many strange happenings. It has been seen on the TV show Scariest Places on Earth. Apparitions have been seen in the hallways, and children's laughter has been heard.


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    208 State Street - The Lincoln Lofts

    Alton, Illinois

    69.4 miles from Salem, IL

    Abraham Lincoln once stayed at a hotel located in this 1836 apartment building, which is rumoured to be haunted. The ghost a young girl in a white dress has been seen playing with a ball on the main staircase, and visitors claim to have heard faint laughter and the ...


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  • Haunted Decatur
    Troy Taylor
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    The Harrison Street Inn

    Sullivan, Illinois

    69.6 miles from Salem, IL

    Eyewitnesses report apparitions, footsteps, diesmbodied voices, showers and toilets that work by themselves, and many other strange phenomena at this historic inn.


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    Fort Belle Fontaine

    St. Louis, Missouri

    69.8 miles from Salem, IL

    The historic Fort Belle Fontaine, famously visited by explorers Lewis and Clark, is said to be home to a presence that appears as dark-red smoke or a red light on the stairs.


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    Lewis and Clark Community College

    Godfrey, Illinois

    70.9 miles from Salem, IL

    This school's library is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a person who committed suicide by hanging. It's also reported that teachers who have passed away linger here in spirit form, especially walking the hallways in the main building.


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    The Old Slave House - Crenshaw Mansion

    Junction, Illinois

    71.4 miles from Salem, IL

    Note: This house is no longer a tourist attraction; tours are not operated here now as they have been in the past. Trespassers have been known to be arrested. This residence was once a place where slaves were bred illegally. The attic was made over with stalls to house the ...


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    Crenshaw House

    Junction, Illinois

    71.4 miles from Salem, IL

    This place is closed to the public. It is owned by the state of Illinois and there are numerous No Trespassing signs. You are cautioned not to attempt to visit this place. Crenshaw house was a major player in kidnapping freed and escaped slaves and returning them to ...


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    Pemberton Hall - Eastern Illinois University

    Charleston, Illinois

    72.2 miles from Salem, IL

    The ghost of Mary Hawkins, a former dorm mother, is said to be the head haunt here.


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    Jefferson Barracks

    St. Louis, Missouri

    72.3 miles from Salem, IL

    Jefferson Barracks includes 41 historic military buildings and is rumored to be haunted by many ghosts. Building 1, built in 1900, is haunted by an older Confederate Civil War general, seen at the post commander's office, as well as a shadowy ghost of a man who sits at a desk ...


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    Rocky Fork Church

    Godfrey, Illinois

    72.7 miles from Salem, IL

    The church was moved due to vandalism that kept recurring. Google Maps shows the church at the bend of Rocky Fork Road, but the last time I was there, it was at the end of Boy Scout Lane. When I was a young girl, my sister and cousin took me to ...


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    Rose Garden Apartments

    Richmond Heights, Missouri

    73.9 miles from Salem, IL

    Cannot claim the witnessing personally, but two tenants in a row have complained of strange noises and potential shapes in mirror reflections. Specifically the unit at 1264 Hawthorne Pl. Unit D. Both have moved out because of the perceived activities. Both have moved to other units in the same ...


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    Robin Hill

    Mount Vernon, Indiana

    74.1 miles from Salem, IL

    This historic house, reported to have been part of the Underground Railroad, stands empty and for sale. Since it has stood empty for a period, it is not surprising that it has developed a reputation for being haunted. Witnesses have reported seeing shadowy figures and hearing toilets flushing and other ...


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    Main Street Inn Bed and Breakfast

    Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

    74.3 miles from Salem, IL

    Open since 1882, this inn is said to be haunted by a man who died here back in the 1890s. Although he makes a lot of noise up on the top floor in the early morning hours, he is said to be completely harmless. The locals say all he wants ...


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    Jacques Guibourd Historic House - Guibourd Valle House

    Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

    74.6 miles from Salem, IL

    Jacques Guibourd Historic House, aka Guibourd Valle House, is a 1784 Creole house museum and is rumored to be haunted. Witnesses have seen apparitions, heard footsteps in the servant's quarters, and have been awakened by banging, breaking glass, furniture being thrown and other sounds. The harpsichord has played by itself, ...


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    Devil's Backbone and Bake Oven

    Grand Tower, Illinois

    74.7 miles from Salem, IL

    The Devil's Backbone, a rocky ridge about a half mile long, sits adjacent to the Devil's Bake Oven, a larger rock about 100 feet tall near the river's edge. The formations have been used as landmarks, lookout points and hiding places throughout history. River pirates used it as a hideout ...


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    Fife Opera House

    Palestine, Illinois

    76.3 miles from Salem, IL

    David Fife built the opera house around 1900 and is rumored to be haunted. The building was also used for two other business of his: a hardware store downstairs and, as Fife was also a licensed embalmer, a funeral home on the second floor behind the auditorium. In 1935, Fife's ...


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    Abandoned Public Pool

    St. Louis, Missouri

    76.7 miles from Salem, IL

    This old public pool was abandoned many years ago, left for the teens to graffiti inside. But the teens regularly report strange experiences there. They claim they hear water splashing and footsteps inside. Some accounts have said they have felt ghosts touching them. One account said ...


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    Ashmore Estates

    Ashmore, Illinois

    78.7 miles from Salem, IL

    Reportedly a former almshouse, this building was purchased for use as a haunted attraction. It was reportedly haunted by many ghosts, including Elva SKinner, a woman who died in a fire in the former almshouse. The house has been featured in several books and TV shows including Ghost Hunters and ...


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    Payne-Gentry Historical House

    Bridgeton, Missouri

    78.9 miles from Salem, IL

    At the Payne-Gentry Historical House, ghost investigations have turned up EVPs, shadowy figures, and orbs that showed up in photographs.


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    Saint Omer Cemetery

    Ashmore, Illinois

    81.5 miles from Salem, IL

    At Saint Omer Cemetery, legend has it that there is a witch's grave. According to the story, Caroline Barnes was hanged by the townspeople for witchcraft. As she went, she cursed the town and vowed to come back for revenge on the anniversary of her death. To trick her, the ...


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    Cheney Mansion

    Jerseyville, Illinois

    82 miles from Salem, IL

    Numerous reports of ghosts include the apparition of Miss Dorothy, a former nursemaid who roams the hallways and the bedroom bearing her name. Reports of people hearing talking upstairs, like women holding a conversation. Sounds of dining room chairs moving, like somebody's pulling out the chairs getting ready to sit ...


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    Greenwood Cemetery

    Decatur, Illinois

    83.5 miles from Salem, IL

    This large and very actively haunted cemetery is known for the ghostly weeping Greenwood Bride, and it's also home to many Confederate soldiers' spirits. The soldiers were prisoners in the Civil War, and died of yellow fever only to be cast into unmarked graves. The soldiers have been known to ...


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  • Haunted Aurora
    Diane A. Ladley


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