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Illinois College
Jacksonville, Illinois
15.2 miles from Virginia, IL
Illinois College, founded in 1829, is rumored to have several haunted buildings. Among them are Sturtevant Hall and Beecher Hall, where folks have reported apparitions, footsteps, and other noises. Beecher Hall, according to campus talk, was formerly a medical building and the top floor was a space for storing cadavers. ...
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East Otto Cemetery
Lewistown, Illinois
24.1 miles from Virginia, IL
Local legend has it that the specters of two headless women can be seen at this cemetery late at night, screaming as they're being chased by an axe-wielding maniac. No word on exactly how a headless woman is supposed to be able to scream, but you know, details, details...
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Lawford Theatre
Havana, Illinois
25.3 miles from Virginia, IL
Folks who have visited or worked at the Lawford Theatre have seen faces appear in photographs and have felt cold chills behind the curtains on opening nights.
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Inn At 835
Springfield, Illinois
31.6 miles from Virginia, IL
This inn was originally built in 1909 as a private home. As to the identity of the haunt who resides here, very little is known. Guests have witnessed apparitions and heard voices coming from rooms that are vacant, and the elevator runs by itself. Also, some people here have seen ...
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Dana-Thomas House
Springfield, Illinois
31.7 miles from Virginia, IL
Witnesses who visit or work at the historic house have reported humming voices, chairs being thrown down the stairs, curtains that move by themselves, and an apparition of a woman in black. The woman is believed to be the home’s original owner, Susan Lawrence Dana, who is rumored to have ...
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Western Illinois University
Macomb, Illinois
43.2 miles from Virginia, IL
Lingering spirits are many at this university! Bayliss Hall, room 1117, is haunted by a former occupant who delivered a baby in secret, threw it down the trash chute, then hung herself in the closet. Cries and moans can be heard in her room. In room 501, a severely depressed ...
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Super 8 Macomb
Macomb, Illinois
43.5 miles from Virginia, IL
This Super 8 has been the site of numerous strange happenings. Witnesses say the lights and air conditioning will turn on and off by themselves, doors will open on their own, and mysterious whistling can be heard. Clerks have experienced electrical malfunctions with the phone, such as all the lines ...
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Lee-Baker-Hodges House
Carrollton, Illinois
46 miles from Virginia, IL
Built in the early 1830s, the historic mansion fell into disrepair in the 1970s and was saved by preservationists. It is sometimes open to the public for pre-scheduled nighttime paranormal investigation and history tours. A ghost child is said to reside in one of the bedrooms, and another child's ghost ...
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Lincoln College
Lincoln, Illinois
47.2 miles from Virginia, IL
Lincoln College is rumored to have ghosts in the 1866 University Hall, where a face appears in the bell tower and white misty forms appear in the windows. The ghosts, whose footsteps also are heard from time to time, are believed to be a boy and girl who passed away ...
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Eldred House
Virginia, Illinois
47.9 miles from Virginia, IL
The 23-room James J. Eldred House was completed in 1861, and was the setting for some sad events. All three Eldred daughters died of tuberculosis here: Alma, 4, in 1861; Alice, 17, in 1870; and Eva, 17, in 1876. A traveling salesman is said to have passed away here as ...
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Ghosts of Springfield and Southern Illinois & Other Haunted Tales from the Prairie State
Rachel Brooks Posadas
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Vishnu Springs
Colchester, Illinois
49 miles from Virginia, IL
Back in the 1880s, the strange-tasting water at Vishnu Springs, named after a Hindu god, was thought to have healing properties. Holiness Camp Meetings of folks who wanted to partake of the magical waters drew 3,000 people to the area, and a town was formed. Witnesses say the area is ...
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Peoria State Hospital
Bartonville, Illinois
56 miles from Virginia, IL
This abandoned mental hospital, now in the planning stages for restoration, is said to be haunted by Manuel A. Bookbinder, or Old Book. Old Book was a patient who worked with the burial crew at the hospital until his own death.
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Anderson Cemetery - Cemetery X
Taylorville, Illinois
56.5 miles from Virginia, 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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Cheney Mansion
Jerseyville, Illinois
57.5 miles from Virginia, 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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Friendly Cafe
Abingdon, Illinois
59.6 miles from Virginia, IL
The café is rumoured to be haunted. Employees have been touched by unseen hands, and a woman in a long dress appeared to a former owner in the main kitchen. (Submitted by Callum Swift)
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Safari Bowl
Morton, Illinois
60.3 miles from Virginia, IL
You will hear footsteps on the lanes when it is jaut you in there. You can hear pins be thrown across the back of bowling ally when no one is back there. There are dog barking. There is also a little girl that is 8 yrs old that haunts ...
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Emack and Bolio's
Peoria, Illinois
60.7 miles from Virginia, IL
This ice cream parlour is haunted by former owner Jim Schwab, who died after falling headfirst down a flight of stairs. Staff have reported disembodied footsteps descending the staircase, while others have encountered a male apparition on the upper floor. (Submitted by Callum Swift)
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Peoria Public Library
Peoria, Illinois
60.9 miles from Virginia, IL
Peoria Public Library, according to local lore, was built upon cursed ground. So the story goes, Mrs. Andrew Gray lived in a house here around 1830. Family and financial hardships led to a foreclosure on her home, and Mrs. Gray cursed the property and all of its future owners. Her ...
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Stanford Pour House
Stanford, Illinois
62.1 miles from Virginia, IL
Originally built at the turn of the century as a mercantile grocery store, it was shortly after used by a local church for their temporary place of worship until their regular church building was completed. It was then used for many years as a funeral home. It ...
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Stanford Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Stanford, Illinois
62.1 miles from Virginia, IL
Built in 1901, the Stanford Cumberland Presbyterian Church had been loved and enjoyed by it's congregation until it was sold in 2004. Between 2004 to 2012 it has changed hands four times since. The first owner lived it for a very short time. It was then ...
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Lula Belle's
Hannibal, Missouri
62.9 miles from Virginia, IL
This one-time bordello opened in 1917, and is now a bed-and-breakfast and restaurant. The haunts here are known to move or throw things in the kitchen, or twist utensils into pretzels. They show themselves as orbs, shadows or mirror reflections, and can be heard as footsteps or disembodied voices. A ...
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Peoria Players Theatre
Peoria, Illinois
63 miles from Virginia, IL
Peoria Players Theatre is said to be haunted by a playful ghost named Norman, a former theater director who died in 1960 at age 34, and a more sinister entity whose identity is unknown.
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Garden House Bed & Breakfast
Hannibal, Missouri
63.2 miles from Virginia, IL
Garden House Bed & Breakfast is a stop on the Haunted Hannibal Ghost Tour, and folks who have stayed here have reported some very odd things. According to reports from the hotel staff, most incidents occur between 2 and 3 a.m.
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Millikin University
Decatur, Illinois
66 miles from Virginia, IL
Many ghosts are said to haunt the historic Millikin University, including Rail Girl, who haunts the Albert Taylor Theater. Her ghost appears, as her name suggests, along a rail in the upper part of the theater. Students have a tradition of leaving her three pieces of candy before a show ...
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Garth Woodside Mansion
Hannibal, Missouri
66.4 miles from Virginia, IL
This inn, built originally in 1871, is known for its connection with renowned author Mark Twain. Personal friends of the owners, the author would send them his books and stay there when he was in town. Folks believe his ghost still visits the place, especially the room that was named ...
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Lincoln Square Theatre
Decatur, Illinois
67 miles from Virginia, IL
This historic 1916 theater building was built atop the fire-ravaged Priest Hotel that once stood here. It is said that the ghosts of the fire victims still linger in the theater. Red, a former theater worker, is a friendly ghost here. Witnesses have heard his whispers, seen his shadowy form, ...
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Greenwood Cemetery
Decatur, Illinois
67.1 miles from Virginia, 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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Avon Theater
Decatur, Illinois
67.1 miles from Virginia, IL
Staff members at this theater report disembodied laughter, footsteps, missing objects, and voices and applause that come from the auditorium when it is empty. The apparition of a man in his 50s or 60s also has been seen.
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Ruebel Hotel
Grafton, Illinois
68.8 miles from Virginia, IL
When this 1884 hotel opened, rooms cost $1 a day. Although they cost a bit more now, they may come with a friendly haunt: A little girl named Abigail is said to reside here. Her apparition has been seen in the upstairs hallway, and reports say she has talked with ...
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220 North 4th - Keokuk
Keokuk, Iowa
68.9 miles from Virginia, IL
Built by businessman Enos H. Harrison in 1857, this house is reported to be the home of a friendly ghost, according to many witnesses who have seen and heard the spirit.
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Hotel Iowa
Keokuk, Iowa
69 miles from Virginia, IL
This historic hotel was built in the early twentieth century for workers constructing a nearby lock for the town dam. And according to some reports by guests, they may have never left. Ghostly music, disembodied footsteps, screams and a male apparition in workman clothes have all been reported by staff. ...
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Lewis and Clark Community College
Godfrey, Illinois
69 miles from Virginia, 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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Rocky Fork Church
Godfrey, Illinois
69.7 miles from Virginia, 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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McPike Mansion
Alton, Illinois
72.2 miles from Virginia, 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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Milton Schoolhouse
Alton, Illinois
72.9 miles from Virginia, 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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208 State Street - The Lincoln Lofts
Alton, Illinois
73.2 miles from Virginia, 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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First Unitarian Church
Alton, Illinois
73.3 miles from Virginia, 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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Alton Cemetery
Alton, Illinois
73.3 miles from Virginia, 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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My Just Desserts - Ryder Building
Alton, Illinois
73.3 miles from Virginia, 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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Mineral Springs Hotel
Alton, Illinois
73.4 miles from Virginia, 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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Jacoby Arts Center
Alton, Illinois
73.4 miles from Virginia, 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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Kemp Hall - International House
Bloomington, Illinois
74.3 miles from Virginia, IL
Kemp Hall International House, or I-House, is said to be haunted by a ghostly Lady in Red. She is believed to be Mrs. A. E. DeMange, former owner of the mansion. She passed away after living here only a year, in 1908. Mr. DeMange sold it to the Illinois Weslayan ...
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Burlington National Guard Armory
Burlington, Iowa
74.5 miles from Virginia, IL
Horses' hooves and footsteps can be heard late at night, doors open and close by themselves, and one witness reported seeing a reflection of a man with a handlebar mustache in a computer screen, but when he turned around, no one was there.
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Atkin-Colby Hall
Normal, Illinois
74.8 miles from Virginia, IL
Atkin-Colby Hall at Illinois State University is rumored to be haunted on its 11th floor. One witness claims to have been pushed down the stairs by the ghost. Also described by witnesses are doors opening, whispers, strange noises, and an overwhelming feeling of discomfort and that you are not wanted ...
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Williams Hall
Normal, Illinois
75.1 miles from Virginia, IL
Illinois State University's Williams Hall was the site of the university's first library, and is thought to be haunted by the spirit of the first librarian, Angie Milner. Even though a new library was eventually built in her name, and the old one was turned into Williams Hall, the ghost ...
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The Drake Bar and Restaurant
Burlington, Iowa
75.6 miles from Virginia, IL
This upscale restaurant is housed in a historic building, and staff and diners report that the women's restroom is haunted by a lady in an old-fashioned dress, who has been known to walk through the walls. (Submitted by Callum Swift)
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Highway 34 Ghost
Burlington, Iowa
75.9 miles from Virginia, IL
The ghost who walks along the highway at night is said to be an escaped slave who died in the 1860s of diptheria and was buried in the basement of a nearby home. He carries a leather bag and walks westward on the north side of the road between 1 ...
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Three Mile House
Edwardsville, Illinois
76.1 miles from Virginia, 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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Fort Belle Fontaine
St. Louis, Missouri
77.6 miles from Virginia, 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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Reeb House - Vintage Essentials Antiques
Saint Charles, Missouri
79.7 miles from Virginia, IL
This historic antiques store may have returned to it's original status as a private residence, but visitors and past owners reported that the building was haunted. Doors slamming shut, ghostly voices, cold spots and disembodied footsteps were just some of the phenomena reported when the business was in operation. (Submitted ...
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