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San Fernando Cathedral and the Ghosts Haunting it

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The oldest church in San Antonio, Texas is said to be haunted by the spirits of those entombed in it. The San Fernando Cathedral holds many legends and myths, and some of them might be of the paranormal sorts.

Inside of the San Fernando Cathedral, located in the heart of San Antonio, Texas a group of people is renovating the Gothic revival church. When working away, they come across bones entombed inside of the building. The work disturbs the bones’ peace and awakens their spirits. Today, they are still said to haunt the place. 

The church stands as a testament to the city’s rich history and cultural heritage, predating the United State as a nation even. Established in 1738 by a group of 15 families from the Canary Islands, it holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating religious community in Texas. The cathedral’s Gothic Revival architecture, with its imposing spires and intricate stained-glass windows, has long been a focal point for both worshippers and tourists. It even got a visit from Pope John Paul II in 1987. 

Read More: Check all ghost stories from the USA

In addition to worshippers, there is also a trail of ghost pilgrims that have started to seek out the ghosts that are said to haunt the church. 

The History of San Fernando Cathedral

The 56 Canary Islanders came to the New World in 1731 wanting a new life with land and the Spanish title of hidalgo. But they had been lied to, the King of Spain only wanted to send some countrymen to the territories before the French came and claimed it instead. 

They had to start from scratch as there was nothing there. That is when they started to build the Cathedral, also known as Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria and Guadalupe and named after Spain’s Ferdinand III of Castille. For this reason the interior is an image of the Virgin of Candelaria, the patroness of the Canary Islands.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Haunted Churches

Perhaps they thought it would keep them safe from the Lipan Apache, who declared war on the Spaniards that had arrived on their land, even before the Canary Island settlers arrived. 

Throughout its existence, San Fernando Cathedral has witnessed numerous historical events, including the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. 

Remember the Alamo!: The Battle of the Alamo, fought from February 23 to March 6, 1836, was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. A group of Texian defenders, including notable figures like James Bowie and Davy Crockett, fortified the Alamo Mission against Mexican forces led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Despite a fierce 13-day siege, the Mexican army ultimately overran the Alamo, resulting in the deaths of almost all Texian defenders. This battle became a symbol of resistance and sacrifice, galvanizing Texians to continue fighting for independence, which they ultimately achieved later that year.

Legend has it that Mexican General Santa Anna raised a flag of “no quarter” from the cathedral’s tower, signaling the commencement of the siege. A sign meaning that there would be no prisoners taken and all would die. Today it is considered a war crime. It is said that the Texans only answered by shooting their cannons. 

Over the centuries, the cathedral has undergone various renovations and expansions, each adding layers to its storied past.

Unearthed Secrets Within the Church Walls

Back to the story of unearthing the bones said to haunt the church. In 1936, during a significant renovation project, construction workers made a chilling discovery near the cathedral’s altar: bones, nails, and fragments of military uniforms. Many believe these remains belonged to soldiers from the Battle of the Alamo, interred hastily during the tumultuous period. Perhaps it was Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie?

If this burial by Colonel Juan Seguin really happened or not is uncertain. There were no survivors of the battle, and the defenders of Alamo were said to not have been given a proper burial by General Santa Ana and simply burned on pyres or tossed in the river. 

This is what has been said was the catalyst for the haunting that has been talked about ever since. But was it only the unearthed bones now haunting the church, or something else that was awakened?

Ghost Stories From the Cathedral

San Fernando Cathedral is reputed to be one of the most haunted locations in the United States. Dark silhouettes have been observed moving silently along the cathedral’s interior, often vanishing when approached. 

San Fernando Cathedral: Although a wonderful thing to look at without the light shows, the lights help chase the shadows away. Source: Wikimedia

Some individuals have reported sudden drops in temperature, the faint scent of incense when none is burning, or even the strong smell of rotten eggs. There are also those speaking of the distant echo of disembodied voices during quiet moments.

Orbs in Photographs

Photographs taken inside the cathedral sometimes reveal unexplained orbs of light, which some interpret as manifestations of spiritual energy. 

A history from 2007 is put forth to showcase this phenomenon, when a tour-goer went on Halloween and got a picture of a shadowy figure, some say, a face kissing a skull. The church was going through renovations at the time, and according to rumors, the workers inside felt a chill and saw three balls of light hover at the entrance.

Although one of the most retold stories, not many sources provide picture evidence though. 

Haunting Legends of the White Horse

Visitors and parishioners have reported a variety of unexplained phenomena, even a white stallion prancing about outside. 

When the Apache tribe tried for peace in the 1730s, they dug a hole in the ground and buried their hatchets, quite literally, as well as their arrows and clubs as a sign of a peace offering. They also buried a white horse, still alive. Horses were significant to their culture after the Europeans brought them over, and the white color symbolized peace. They danced around the hole in the ground and enjoyed their peace, even if it was only for a short time. 

The Ghost of the Monk Haunting the Church

Witnesses have described encounters with spectral figures clad in monk-like robes, silently traversing the aisles with his hood drawn over his face. This is the ghost most reported seeing and it is said to mostly appear in the back of the church and appears as quickly as he vanishes.

The tradition of burying priests and parishioners was common back in the day, and it’s not a stretch to speculate that a monk is one of the people buried within the foundations of the church. Perhaps he was worshipping in the church, or perhaps helped build it even. 

Read Also: The Murder Monk in Franziskaner-Klosterkirche, The Chanting Monks Haunting La Boquería Market, The Ghost Monks at Lyseklosteret and Ghost of the Cathedral — The Bloody Monk in Nidarosdomen for more ghost stories about monks.

One of the strange rumors from demonologists though, is that this is not a monk at all, but a dark spirit acting like one, and say that whatever you do, you should never follow the figure. 

Interior of the Church: San Fernando Cathedral is still a place of worship, even though it has been commercialized through tours, ghost tours being one of those. Perhaps you will see the ghostly monk said to roam there?

The Shadows of a Man

Additionally, the apparition of a man dressed in black has been reported near the back of the church. The story tells of a guest on one of the ghost tours listening to the guide in the church. She felt the stares and when she looked, she saw a man in dark clothes from another time, lurking just behind them, following the tour. In the end, he simply disappeared into thin air. 

A true story, or a good marketing strategy from the many ghost tours moving through the church? We will never really know. But according to the legend, this particular shadow of a man has been witnessed by more than one tour-goer, some sources claim six people saw the same..

A Living Monument

Despite its haunted reputation, San Fernando Cathedral remains a vibrant center of faith and community. It hosts regular masses, including the renowned Mariachi Mass on Sundays, blending traditional liturgy with lively musical accompaniment. 

Whether one is drawn to its architectural grandeur, its pivotal role in Texas history, or the haunting legends that envelop it, the cathedral offers a profound and captivating experience for all who cross its threshold.

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References:

I visited San Antonio’s San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest church in Texas, to meet a ghost

San Antonio Ghost Tours: Ghosts of the San Fernando Cathedral 

https://ghostcitytours.com/san-antonio/haunted-places/san-fernando-cathedral/?srsltid=AfmBOopBMMu5pnCRx1I7LpwM-mXSfH-D9goA5sfrvEyjEjTlFhSXjUZZ

San Fernando Cathedral: A History Of Shadows

Inside The Cathedral Said To Be One Of The Most Haunted Places In Texas – Grunge 

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Zigu (紫姑): The Lady of the Latrine – China’s Most Unsettling Restroom Ghost and Goddess

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Coming with many different names, Zigu or the Lady of the Privy is said to haunt only one place, the toilet! Although her story started and perhaps ended as a ghost story, there was a time she was worshiped like a God. 

If you thought horror stories were confined to haunted houses and cursed forests, think again—because in Chinese folklore, even the bathroom isn’t safe. Meet Zigu (紫姑), also known as Maogu (茅姑), the Lady of the Latrine or the Third Daughter of the Latrine or the Purple Maiden. She’s China’s resident toilet ghost, a tragic spirit lingering in the most unglamorous of places. Calling her a simple ghost is not correct either, as she has been worshiped as a goddess in Chinese folk religion. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from China

While some ghosts haunt grand temples and eerie mansions, Zigu took up residence in the latrine—because apparently, even the afterlife has a dark sense of humor.

And before you write this off as some obscure legend, let’s be clear: toilet ghosts are a whole thing across many Asian cultures. From Japan’s Hanako-san to Korea’s Cheuksin, restrooms seem to be prime real estate for supernatural squatters. But Zigu? She’s one of the oldest, most sorrowful, and eerily venerated toilet ghosts in the game. Perhaps even being the spirit all other toilet ghosts are based on?

The Toilet Goddess of China: Zi gu shen (紫姑神, Chinese Goddess of the toilet) from the “三教源流搜神大全” (Chinese book)

Toilet Gods Across the World

The concept of a toilet god is not as rare as it seems today perhaps. This was a common household deity in both modern and ancient cultures. In Japan it was called Kawaya Kami, often said to be an old man holding a spear. In Korea the toilet god was Cheukshin, known as the young lady of the toilet with a perverse sense of humor. 

In New Zealand you had the atua spirits, focusing on the village latrine as the excrement was seen as the food of the dead. In ancient Rome there was Cloacina, the goddess of Rome’s sewage system, invoking her if the sewers became blocked. 

They are often associated with health, well-being and fertility. This is because of the history and association of human waste and agriculture. The toilets also used to be a dark and unpleasant place to be and there was a high risk of falling in and drowning, therefore a deity that would protect you was nice to have. 

The Legend of Zigu: A Tragic Spirit in the Most Unlikely Place

But unlike many of the other toilet Gods, the Chinese goddess could read like a classic ghost story. Zigu’s story, like many ghostly tales, is steeped in betrayal, suffering, and injustice. Some believe that her cult started in the Shanxi region in North China before spreading during the Tang dynasty (618-907). According to legend, she was a concubine in ancient China, caught in a tragic love triangle that ended in murder.

The Concubine’s Curse

Once upon a time, Zigu was a beautiful and kind-hearted young woman who became a concubine to a high-ranking official or, in some versions, a wealthy nobleman. But as you might expect, his first wife was not amused. The two women lived under the same roof, with Zigu as the younger, more favored companion. Naturally, the wife, seething with jealousy, decided to remove the competition—permanently.

One fateful day, the wife accused Zigu of misconduct, disobedience, or witchcraft, depending on the version of the story. The punishment? She was brutally murdered—but not in a grand hall or a hidden chamber. No, the first wife chose the latrine as the site of her demise, a final act of humiliation meant to degrade Zigu even in death. Her body was either drowned, strangled, or left to rot there, ensuring her restless soul would forever be bound to the filthiest corner of the household. Some versions say that she died of anger. 

And bound she was.

From Tragedy to Worship: The Rise of the Latrine Goddess

But here’s where the story takes a turn. Unlike most vengeful spirits, Zigu didn’t stay confined to whispered ghost stories—she became a deity. Toilet gods have been worshipped since the Six Dynasty Period, from early 3rd century AD to late 6th century AD in China. The toilet gods were very popular during the Tang and Song dynasty but have today almost disappeared. 

She was not the only toilet goddess, but she was certainly the most popular one. Over time, people began to worship her as a toilet goddess, seeking her blessings for cleanliness, good health, and even fortune-telling.

Yes, you read that right—people used to summon Zigu for divination. This was often done through Fu Ji, often called the Chinese Ouija Board. 

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, women, especially servants and concubines, would perform rituals to contact her spirit, hoping she would answer their questions about the future. She was a relatable goddess for commoners, and women under the patriarchal society. Some believed she had the power to predict misfortune or reveal hidden secrets. 

These rituals often involved lighting incense in the toilet, offering food, and chanting her name. They would make homemade dolls for her and pray to the doll. The motions of the doll were often manifested as automatic writing and used ad fortune telling. 

As far as the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), women were putting faces and skirts on figurines and cleaning the outhouse to welcome here in Beijing. Her rituals died slowly, mostly in the 1930’s in the big cities, then in the 50 and 60s in the more rural areas. 

The Lantern Festival: Also known as Shangyuan Festival and Cap Go Meh, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar Chinese calendar, during the full moon. It usually falls in February or early March on the Gregorian calendar and marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. As early as the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 25), it was already a significant festival.

In Search of the Lady of the Privy’s True Story

Some believe that the true identity of Zigu was Consort Qi of the Han dynasty (221-206BC). She was born in Dingtao, Shandong and gave Emperor Gaozu a son, Liu Ruyi, who would become Prince of Zhao. The emperor tried many times to replace Liu Ruyi with the crown prince, Liu Ying unsuccessfully. This made the empress Lü Zhi, her mother, furious. 

Qi was said to be beautiful, a great songwriter and weiqi player, a game she played with the emperor in the bamboo forest on the north side of the palace every year. She would win each time and wish for good fortune for the Han dynasty. 

After the emperor died, Empress Lü Zhi became the dowager and her son took the throne, she had Qi arrested and imprisoned her, dressing her in prison garb, shaving her head and restraining her in stocks. 

She ended up killing both her son and Qi, cutting her limbs off, gouging her eyes, cutting off her tongue, nose, ears and forcing her to drink a poison making her mute and dumb. Then she locked her up in a pigsty and called her a human swine (人彘). 

China’s First Empress: She dominated the political scene for 15 years until her death in August 180 BC, and is often depicted as the first woman to have ruled China. Emperor Hui was shocked by his mother’s cruelty and fell sick for a year, and thereafter no longer became involved in state affairs, and gave more power to his mother. As a result, Empress Dowager Lü held the court, listened to the government, spoke on behalf of the emperor, and did everything .

It’s worth noting that most of the information about her comes from not so historically accurate sources. The tale of Empress Empress Lü Zhi, has often been used as an allegory for the supposed danger when women get power, and therefore Lady Qi could be nothing more than a part of that story. The earliest records of Zigu however is in the 5th volume of Yiyuan, A Garden of Marvels (《异苑》), a book of supernatural tales” by Liu Jingshu or Liu Song of the Southern dynasties (420–479).

Some say that her name was He Mingmei from Laiyang, Shandong.This was said to happen during Empress Wu Setian rule. The governor of Shouyang, Li Jing killed He Mei’s husband and looked at her as his concubine. This made her jealous of his chief wife. On the night of the 15th day of the first lunar month during the lantern Festival, Li Jing’s legitimate wife killed her in the toilet. 

Because He Mei died with resentment in her heart, she became a ghost. Li Jing often heard her crying when he went to the toilet. The Heavenly Court learned about this and established her as the god of toilets, elevating her from a mere ghost to a goddess. 

Who knows what the origin was. Some say that she was not only one person, but a collective of all concubines that had suffered and been maltreated.

Why Bathrooms? The Ghost in the Toilet Trope Across Asia

Zigu isn’t the only supernatural resident lurking around the lavatory—Asian folklore is practically overflowing with bathroom ghosts. There’s something about enclosed spaces, mirrors, and the vulnerability of, well, doing your business, that makes bathrooms the perfect setting for eerie encounters.

Other Famous Toilet Ghosts in Asia:

Japan’s Hanako-san (花子さん) – A little girl ghost who haunts school bathrooms. Knock on the third stall and call her name—if she answers, you might regret it.

South Korea’s Cheuksin (厠神, “Bathroom Goddess”) – A spirit with long hair who lives in the toilet and hates it when you look at her. She’s known to attack people who disturb her.

Japan’s Aka Manto (赤マント) – a malevolent spirit lurking in school bathroom asking if you need red or blue paper. Either choices will leave you dead.

Zigu’s Legacy: The Haunting Echoes of the Past

Zigu’s story is more than just a spooky legend—it reflects the historical oppression of women, particularly concubines and servants, who were often treated as disposable. Her transformation from a murdered woman to a revered deity highlights a shift in how people perceived her suffering. By worshiping her, women acknowledged the injustices she endured and sought her spiritual guidance in a world that rarely gave them power.

Ancient Traditions Dying: Zigu as portrayed in Researches into Chinese Superstitions, a book written by French missionary Henri Doré in 1914 (Fotoe)

Even today, remnants of Zigu’s legacy remain in Chinese culture. While her direct worship has faded, older generations still tell her tale, and echoes of her presence linger in the ghost stories passed down through families.

And who knows? Maybe, late at night, when the wind rattles through an old house and the pipes groan unexpectedly, Zigu is still watching from the shadows of the restroom, waiting for someone to remember her name.

And if you hear a whisper in the stillness, well…

You might not be as alone as you think.

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References:

Consort Qi (Han dynasty) – Wikipedia

Zigu – Wikipedia 

Toilet god – Wikipedia 

On Her Porcelain Throne: How a Little-Known “Toilet Goddess” Became an Icon for Powerless Women 

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Ghosts Serving Time in Ohio State Reformatory

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Rattling of chains, Gothic facade and a history of tortured prisoners, riots and murders. The beautifully frightening Ohio State Reformatory is said to be one of USA’s most haunted places. 

Standing tall since 1896, the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, is a hauntingly beautiful relic of the past, infamous for its Gothic architecture and towering six-story cell block. While it gained cinematic fame as the primary filming location for The Shawshank Redemption, its sinister reputation was well-established long before Hollywood arrived.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

At first sight, the building looks more like a mansion than a prison with its beautiful archers and bright bricks, not one of USA’s most haunted places. But the inside is said to hold old torture chambers where the ghosts of the inmates are said to never have been freed. Even when the tours have ended, it is said that the sounds of rattling chains, the desperate cries of tormented voices and the clunking of church bells are said to echo through the halls. 

Ohio State Reformatory: The original architect for the design was Levi T. Scofield from Cleveland, who used three architectural styles; Victorian Gothic, Richardsonian Romanesque and Queen Anne. He was inspired by German castles and wanted to create and awe in the inmates, wanting to reform and raise their spirits.

The History of the Haunted Prison

The prison, also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, started out as a place to send prisoners too old for juvenile corrections, but hadn’t committed crimes severe enough for the Ohio State Penitentiary and the goal was to reform the prisoners so they would get into society easier after serving their sentence and was known for having a high success rate with their program. So what happened to the prison, and how come it is today known as one of America’s most haunted?

The Shawshank Redemption: The reason why the place might look familiar and is so famous is because of the movie from 1993, only a couple of years after the prison shut down. It’s about a man wrongfully convicted of killing his wife and his life inside of the brutal prison system.

One of the things happening was when a fire broke out in the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus and killed 330 people. Many of the surviving hard criminals were sent to the reformatory building, not really equipped to handle so many prisoners and so many terrible criminals. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from haunted prisons in the world.

Although the intention was aspirational, the programs and ideas behind the prison began to falter and it turned into a high security prison in the early 60s and 70s, with riots between the prisoners in the overcrowded building, even some fights ending in deaths. 

One of the worst punishments that the prisoners had to endure was when they were sent in “The Hole”, a small cell they were put in for days in isolation. One horrible story is when the guards sent inmates to The Hole, and only one came back.  

The Haunted Cells: Many died during their stay in the prison. According to those visiting the building, it is haunted and is perhaps even one of the most haunted places in the country. // Source: Wikimedia

The inmates were also put under water torture as well as giving electrical shock, so it’s safe to say that the holistic and reformative idea behind the prison died in the end. The prison operated until 1990, plagued by overcrowding and horrific conditions that claimed the lives of over 200 individuals, including two guards. 

The Haunted Legends of Ohio State Reformatory

It’s no surprise that the spirits of former inmates and staff are said to still linger. Paranormal enthusiasts frequently report encounters with ghostly apparitions, sudden cold spots, and disembodied whispers echoing through the dilapidated halls. The smell of something burning is something people blame on the ghosts of those who were moved from Ohio Penitentiary after the fire. Or perhaps it is from the ghost of James Lockhart  who killed himself by setting himself on fire and the other inmates could only watch as he slowly burned to death. 

Here are some, but far from all ghosts said to haunt Ohio State Reformatory:

The Ghosts in the Basement

One of the ghosts is said to be a 14 year old boy who died there when the place was for minors. He is said to haunt the basement and his shadow is said to glide along the walls. Although the ghost of him is said to be well documented, his life is not, and who is is uncertain. The legend claims that he was murdered by being beaten to death. 

Another ghost in the basement there is an entity much darker than the spirit of the young boy. Lurking in the shadows it is also said that the murderer of the boy lingers. 

The Hole and the Ghosts still there

Another hotspot for ghosts in the prison is the feared cells, The Hole, where prisoners weren’t allowed to leave for 72 hours, sometimes longer. The around 20 cells had no natural light and the place used to bring the inmates mad. 

How many were sent there? Some say over 100, and that most never left it, perhaps even in death? 

Solitary Confinement: Living on some bread and water, the prisoners sent to the Hole are said to have gone mad. Some also say that those who died there are still haunting the small cells. // Source: Wikimedia

A horrible history that would make anyone’s blood run cold, but there are also those claiming that the cold feeling you get is also because of the ghosts haunting the place. People claim to feel nauseous as well as something breathing down their neck when visiting the torture chamber. 

The Chair Room and the Challenge

There are plenty of rooms that look strange with a harrowing backstory. The Chair Room is a room without windows and just a single chair facing the door like if someone is watching you. What was the room used for? No one really knows. Who sits there?

Some claim that it’s a dark entity haunting the room. They have a thing they do at tours when visitors are allowed to go into the room when it’s dark and sit in the chair. It is said voices whisper in the pitch black or even the chair is said to be vibrating by some kind of force. Some of the visitors claim they have left the room with their body covered in scratches by the entity after provoking it.

The Haunted Cellblocks in Ohio State Reformatory

There are too many ghosts to mention throughout the cell blocks of the prison. Especially the East cell block built in 1910, is said to be haunted because of the many suicide that took place there. At most, it housed over 1200 inmates. 

On the 3rd floor of the administration wings are also known for having the sound of footsteps and strange shadows passing by. 

One particularly chilling legend tells of a phantom guard who still patrols the corridors, prodding visitors with his spectral nightstick. It is said the guard, Frank Hanger, also known as Mr. Salt was a guard who was killed when he worked down in Solitary Confinement in 1932. He was beaten to death by a three-foot iron rod by prisoners when they tried to escape. Could he still be guarding the inmates?

The Ghost of Helen Glattke

It is not only inmates and guards haunting the former prison if we are to believe the stories. One day in 1950, the Superintendent’s wife, Helen Glattke was in her bedroom on a Sunday morning. The Warden, the Superintendent as well as their families lived in the East Administrative wing. She was married to Arthur Glattke, who worked as the Assistant Superintendent from 1935 to 1959. 

She was reaching for a box in the closet where, unbeknownst to her, her husband’s revolver was. It fell down and discharged, shooting her in the lung. It was many days before she died at the hospital, but according to some, she is still here. People don’t really report on seeing her, but they claim they smell the rose water and her White Rain shampoo. 

Haunted Prison for those Seeking the Thrill

Today, the Ohio State Reformatory on 100 Reformatory Road is a popular destination for those eager to experience its haunted history firsthand. In the later years the prison has started to lean into its haunted rumors and turned it into a spectacle as a so-called bloody haunted house attraction. There are also guided tours and paranormal investigations offer visitors a chance to step into the shadows of this chilling site, where the echoes of the past still reverberate in the present.

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References:

Haunted Places Series: Ohio State Reformatory | The Inspector Blo 

https://darkartandcraft.com/blogs/news/a-look-in-the-dark-ohio-state-reformatory-is-haunted-as-fu?srsltid=AfmBOor8LhJEE-oK5X8qabhykXSodFN0vwdzZraE7o_Ck_eeZAgHSQ-K

Haunted America: Ohio State Reformatory 

Historic Ohio State Reformatory – Destination Mansfield 

https://www.valeriearchual.com/2018/10/19/the-ohio-state-reformatory-mansfield-ohio

The Ghosts of Ohio – Lore & Legends in Ohio – Ohio State Reformatory 

read more first hand accounts of paranormal happenings from visitors: Mansfield Reformatory Ghosts | A Collection of Stories | Articles 

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Mary’s Ghostly Lament in Dagshai Cemetery

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A grave in Dagshai Cemetery is said to be haunted by Mary, a woman haunting the place after people started to chip away at her tombstone for good luck. 

In the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Dagshai town stands as a testament to time, bearing witness to a history. The very name of the town means a royal stain, and comes from when the Mughal rulers sent criminals for capital punishment here. A jail was built to house the criminals and the jail was known as Himachal’s black water at that time. 

Read more: Check out all of the ghost stories from India

Situated just 11 kilometers from Solan and perched at over 5,600 meters above sea level, this old cantonment town, though devoid of the typical touristy allure, harbors a story of a ghost said to be haunting the Dagshai Cemetery.

The Mystery of Dagshai’s Haunting

Dagshai primarily comprises an army cantonment, various military structures, a handful of schools, local residences, and a cemetery. It is the cemetery, steeped in history and mystery, that has garnered the most attention, both positive and negative. 

The Original Grave: The statue and the grave of Mary Rebecca Weston and her unborn child as it used to be before people started coming for it inside of the Dagshai Cemetery in the pine forest.

Although Dagshai has a notoriously haunted cemetery with a lot of stories, most locals talk about the single ghost haunting the cemetery known as Mary or Mem Ki Qabr by the locals. 

A Tale of Love and Tragedy

Dagshai Cemetery is believed to date back to the British colonial era in India when the British made Dagshai into an army cantonment. 

Read more: Check out more ghost stories from cemeteries around the world

The story goes that a British man named Major George Weston, lived in Dagshai with his wife, Mary Rebecca Weston. While Major Weston practiced medicine, his wife served as a nursing assistant. After years of childlessness, the couple’s fortunes took a turn when they met a wandering Muslim saint who bestowed upon them a blessed amulet. Following this divine intervention, Mary, George’s wife, became pregnant with their first child.

However, fate dealt them a cruel hand, as Mary tragically passed away during the eighth month of her pregnancy on 10th of December in 1909. Grief-stricken and deeply in love, George Weston erected a splendid grave in memory of his beloved wife and their unborn child in Dagshai Cemetery. The exquisite marble used for this poignant structure was imported all the way from England.

Mary’s Misguided Legacy

As the years passed, tales of Mary’s grave possessing miraculous powers began circulating within the region. A misconception took root: if a pregnant woman took a piece of marble from Mary’s grave, she would be blessed with a male child. Consequently, countless visitors flocked to Mary’s resting place, foolishly attempting to disfigure her beautiful monument to avoid giving birth to a daughter. This relentless carving at the grave close to ruined the marble grave. A local woman even started selling marble pieces by mail order. 

Chipped Away: Over the years, the grave of Mary in Dagshai Cemetery with the statue started to disintegrate as people sought it out because of the legend. On the grave it was written: “To the sacred and in loving memory of my wife Mary Rebecca Weston, who died at Dagshai 10th December 1909, and our unborn Babe” // Source

Many visitors to the Dagshai Cemetery have claimed to witness the spectral apparition of Mary herself, meandering through the grounds close to her grave. Some suggest that Mary’s spirit may have intervened to protect her and her unborn child’s final resting place, preventing it from further desecration and warding off unwanted visitors.

Protecting Mary’s Legacy in Dagshai Cemetery

Since then, the locals took business into their own hands and started to restore the broken grave and desecrated statue. It got a protective cage over it and inside the grave was fixed back to how it first was made. Perhaps this will help to deter the haunting of Mary herself?

Source

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References:

Your Soul will Tremble after Reading the Horror Story of this Beautiful Place of Himachal 

Dagshai – Haunted Place in Himachal – BikingMystery 

Stories about Dagshai, the haunted town of Himachal | Times of India Travel 

The Haunting Of Dagshai: Himachal Pradesh’s Scariest Town

Why childless couples visit the grave or Mary, also known as ‘Mem Ki Qabr,’ in Dagshai? – my mountain – QuoraIn memory of the beloved : The Tribune India

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The Founding Father Ghost of Acadia National Park

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The Acadia National Park is said to be one of the more haunted places in Maine and one of the places said where people see ghost is by the Compass Harbor Nature Trail where the founding father, George Dorr is said to linger. 

Acadia National Park is a stunning natural reserve located primarily on Mount Desert Island, the largest offshore island outside of Maine, United States. Established in 1916, it encompasses over 49,000 acres of rugged coastline, lush forests, granite peaks, and pristine lakes. 

The park offers a diverse range of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, bird-watching, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives along the historic Park Loop Road. Acadia is renowned for its iconic landmarks such as Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak in the U.S. Atlantic coast, and Thunder Hole, a natural rock formation where waves crash against the shore with thunderous force. Additionally, the park is home to a rich array of flora and fauna, including moose, black bears, bald eagles, and peregrine falcons. 

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Acadia National Park is not only a haven for outdoor enthusiasts but also a place of profound natural beauty and ecological significance. What it also is known for is being one of the most haunted places and one of the ghost stories from the park starts with the man known as the Founding Father of the park.

Acadia National Park: This huge national park in Maine is thought to be haunted by the man that spent his life to make this place a park people could enjoy nature in.

Georg Dorr and His Life in Acadia National Park

One of the ghosts said to wander the trails in Acadia National Park is George Dorr, also known as the Father of Acadia. It is said that he can be seen hiking alongside of you if you take the Compass Harbor Nature Trail. 

Not only is George Dorr remembered as one of the ghosts haunting the Acadia National Park he spent his life building, but is also one of the characters known from Bar Harbor ghost stories.

George Bucknam Dorr was born in 1853 in Massachusetts to his parents that had become rich on the textile business that he inherited. They moved to Mount Desert Island when they built the 58 acre house that became known as Old Farm in 1878. This is not to be confused with Storm Beach Cottage, originally a guest cottage from 1879, that was on the estate that he moved into in the later years.

Founding Father of Acadia National Park: George Dorr on the Beachcroft Path at Huguenot Head in Acadia National Park, Maine, United States.

When he was alive he used to work with John D. Rockefeller in the early 1900s Gilded Age and worked tirelessly to make the Acadia National Park into what it is today. He loved the idea of preservation and gave away money and land, and it is said that his trustees had to hide away money so there would be enough for a funeral when he died. For a time he only accepted a salary of a dollar a day as the park custodian.

Old Farm Estate Ruins on Compass Point Nature Trail

He lived on his family estate known as Old Farm on Compass Point outside Bar Harbor as a lifelong bachelor. You can reach this trail by taking Route 3, walk perhaps half a mile towards the water through the woods.

In his final years he started to go blind and worried about Old Farm and the future of Acadia National Park. He died on the Compass Harbor Nature Trail at the age of 91 in 1944. His ashes scattered over Bar Harbor.

His estate was destroyed soon after his death as it was no heir to take over it. He never married or had children as the park was his life and he donated his 30 room mansion to the park. But the world war still roared and the government expenses for parks were thin, leaving the old farm to ruin. 

Old Farm Trail: Long stone steps leading to the top of the hill at Compass Harbor, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, Maine. What remains of George Dorr’s Old Farm Estate lies at the top of the steps. // Source: Wikimedia

In 1951 the once grand home was demolished. It is said you can walk through the remains of the estate today, although there is nothing but ruins left that are now reclaimed by the park. 

The National Park Service decided to tear it down rather than conserve it. No one was speaking up for the park after George was gone. 

The Ghost on the Trail

But how is this man connected to the haunted rumors going on along this trail? The details are vague, and the debate about if it is is just his essence and spirit left in the park or if he actually is haunting it is up for debate. 

In life he was a strong believer in Transcendentalism and the connection between nature and humanity and a very spiritual man. To this day visitors claim to have seen the ghost of George Dorr going through the trail together with his caretaker. 

According to Marcus Libbizi, the author documenting most rumors about the ghost stories from the island as well as the rest of the Acadia National Park describes the sightings like this: 

A dark man wearing blue appears for a moment before vanishing. The ghost looks like it is stalking hikers on the trail.

But is it really George Dorr haunting the trail going as a loop through Compass Harbor? According to some, it is in fact the caretaker that walked with him on the day he died, watching from the woods. 

The Ghosts of Oldfarm

But who was this caregiver? According to the texts, it was John Rich who stayed by Dorr’s side when he died. But according to rumors, the duo is not the only one haunting the premise. 

It is also said that a female spirit is haunting them when she appears on the overgrown avenue and passes through the forest and the ruins of the old estate. She walks all the way to the shore to the tip of Dorr Point before disappearing into the sea. 

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References:

The Possible Haunting of Compass Harbor 

Hauntings and Mysteries in Acadia National Park 

George Dorr – Wikipedia

STORM BEACH COTTAGE – Acadia National Park

Watch Your Step! These Haunted Maine Hikes Make for Spooky Adventures

COMPASS HARBOR AND OLD FARM 

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Kinnitty Castle and the Christian and Druid Hauntings

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Built in a magical place both for the Christians as well as the druids that once owned the land, the Kinnitty Castle in Ireland houses ghosts that might be older than the castle itself. 

North of the Irish Slieve Bloom Mountains lies Kinnitty Castle, a place where centuries of history have intertwined with tales of ghostly apparitions and supernatural phenomena. This gothic revival castle from the 19th century is steeped in history and mystery that the locals deem as haunted.

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

Even the village of Kinnitty, or Cionn Eitigh as it is in Irish, is steeped in legend. The name is from an old story about the head of a princess buried underneath it. A nearby pyramid was built by the Bernard family who resided in the castle, also giving the place a curious feel.

A History Engraved in Time

Kinnitty Castle’s history dates back to ancient times when the O’Carroll clan first erected a castle at Glinsk around 350 AD. Simultaneously, on the same site, an abbey was founded by St. Finian, a disciple of St. Brendan of Clonfert. These early structures bore witness to centuries of tumultuous events.

In 1209, the original castle fell victim to destruction at the hands of Murtagh O’Brien, only to be rebuilt by the Normans in 1213. Ely O’Carroll later reclaimed it, holding the territory until the arrival of Cromwell and the turbulent times that followed.

Read More: Check out all of the Haunted Castles from around the world

The present Kinnitty Castle took shape in 1630 when William O’Carroll constructed it on the site of the former abbey. Subsequently, during the plantation of Offaly, English forces confiscated the castle in 1641. In 1663, Colonel Thomas Winter was granted these lands by King Charles II in recognition of his military service. The Winter family eventually sold the property to the Bernards of County Carlow in 1764.

Kinnitty Castle: The haunted castle that is standing today is built from the 1600s. But there have been stories about it being haunted for much longer than that.// Source: Larry Goodwin/Flickr

In 1811, Lady Catherine Hutchinson, wife of Colonel Thomas Bernard, enlisted the renowned Pan Brothers to transform the building into a castellated mansion. However, the castle faced a devastating setback in 1922 when it was burned by Republican forces. 

For nearly four decades, the castle served as a Forestry Training Centre until its purchase in 1994, after which it was transformed into a luxurious 37-bedroom hotel, welcoming guests from near and far.

The Hauntings of Kinnitty Castle

Kinnitty Castle is not only a repository of history but also a haven of ghostly legends. Situated in ‘The Haunted Triangle’ of Ireland, which also includes Leap Castle and Charleville Castle. Like the other Irish castles with its haunted legends, Kinnitty Castle has earned a reputation for its spectral residents.

Read More: Check out all of the Haunted Hotels around the world

Many staff and guests are claiming to have heard or seen something paranormal in the castle. Even their Tripadvisor is filled with guests commenting about the strange things that happened during their stay. Guests can hear breathing in their room, shadows are dancing in the corner of their eyes and the TV is changing channels by itself. There is not only one ghost said to haunt the castle, and here is an intro to some of the more talked about.

The Guest of Monk Hugh

One tale that lingers within its walls is that of Monk Hugh or sometimes only referred to as the monk of Kinnitty. During the Norman era, an Augustinian Abbey was established near the castle, and remnants of the abbey still grace the estate, including the famous High Cross and Abbey wall.

Legend has it that Monk Hugh’s spirit roams the castle and the ruins of the Abbey to ensure the preservation of this historical era and safeguard the abbey and castle to this day. Who this ghost was when he was alive is unknown and many different legends have been told. Some say that he took his own life, something unthinkable for a monk seeking salvation.

He has also been seen wandering in the banquet hall and in the Dungeon Bar. People claim his appearance is a tall man dressed in a black robe with a face without any features. He has even said to have been talking to the staff and guests. 

The Ghost of the Little Girl in the Geraldine Room

Also in the attic it is said that a ghost is haunting the castle and there is even a hotel room named after her ghost. Guests staying have talked about hearing little footsteps over the floor and have even seen something that looks like a little girl. She is also talked about looking like a red mist hovering above peoples beds at night.

Sometimes she is laughing, sometimes she is crying. She is often seen with the ghostly woman in white, and people speculate that she may have been a child out of wedlock when the staff and guests start to speculate. 

The Lady in White

No European castle is complete without a Lady in White. Guests and staff have seen her in the same room as the little girl as well as the rooms on the first and second floor. They believe she must be the ghost of Lady Catherine Hutchinson who was behind most of the castle renovations. 

The Circle of Stones

There are also strange stones around 650 acres from the castle. People that have passed claim to have seen strange shadows and little lights they can’t pinpoint were coming from around them. 

A Druid Haunting: Circle of Stones Behind Kinnitty Castle

The stone is perhaps a druid altar from pagan time, and one can only start to speculate about the forces that made the druid build one there. 

This is also one of the things that make Kinnitty Castle a part of the Haunted Triangle of this place, the other two points being Leap Castle and Charleville. These grounds once belonged to the druids and perhaps some of them still linger. 

Whether these tales are rooted in fact or woven from the fabric of folklore, Kinnitty Castle’s haunted reputation adds an air of mystery to its already captivating history. Visitors are invited to explore its storied past and perhaps encounter the echoes of another time, lingering in the corridors of this enchanting Irish castle.

In the end, Kinnitty Castle stands as a testament to Ireland’s rich and complex history, where each stone has witnessed centuries of events, both earthly and otherworldly.

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References:

Kinnitty Castle’s History 

What it’s like to spend a night at one of Ireland’s most haunted castle hotels 

We Spent a Night In a Haunted Castle. Here’s What Happened. | Cool Material 

Kinnitty Castle Hotel: Ireland’s Druids, Demise And Hauntings | Spooky Isles 

Kinnitty Castle – Wikipedia

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The Lady in Red Haunting the Mizpah Hotel

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The Lady in Red is said to haunt the Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah, Nevada. Murdered in her room, she whispers sweet words and leaves pearls to guests staying the night. But what actually happened to her? 

In the former silver mining town of Tonopah in Nevada, the Mizpah Hotel stands as a striking relic of the early 1900s, when Nevada’s mining boom attracted prospectors and travelers from far and wide to the Silver State. 

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Between 1901 and 1921, Tonopah drew thousands of people working to get around $121 million worth of mostly silver ore from mines — especially in the hills directly behind the Mizpah Hotel. There were tons of rags to riches stories back then, although it also left a couple of ghost stories. 

The History of The Mizpah Hotel

The Mizpah opened in 1907, designed as a luxury escape for weary miners and well-heeled visitors in Queen of the Silver Camps as the town was called. Originally it had been a saloon there and it was the first permanent building in the town. The hotel was named after the biblical term “watchtower,” and was supposed to be a safe haven for travelers.

The Mizpah Hotel: The hotel in the old mining town is said to be haunted by a lady in red. According to the story, a woman was murdered there and has been lingering ever since. JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD/Wikimedia

There are many stories about the hotel and how it ties into the wild west. According to legend, Wyatt Earp kept the saloon, Jack Dempsey was a bouncer, and Howard Hughes married Jean Peters at the Mizpah. Although all of these stories are most likely tall tales, the hotel has adapted them and named rooms and the bar after them all. 

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Known for its solid granite walls, Victorian furnishings, and Nevada’s first electric elevator, this five-story hotel set the standard for Western opulence. After being restored to the original glory it is called the finest stone hotel in the desert. It is not only known as a historic hotel though, but a haunted one as well. 

The Lady In Red Haunting the Mizpah Hotel

However, amid the grandeur lies a darker, blood-stained tale. The most famous legend tied to the Mizpah Hotel is that of the Lady in Red, a ghostly resident who many believe perished on the fifth floor. 

According to local lore, she was a woman of beauty and charm, known for entertaining guests in her elegant suite. Because as many hotels used to be, this hotel also operated as a brothel. Or at least, working girls lived there, although the hotel was outside of the city’s red light districts around Main Street. The Mizpah was never a brothel officially, so could the Lady in Red have been a “kept lady” or even a mistress instead of a prostitute? In any case, there she lived and possibly worked. And if we are to believe the legends, this is also where she died. 

Tragically, she met a violent end when an ex-lover, or perhaps a jealous patron, strangled her in a moment of rage, shattering her necklace, spilling pearls across the floor—and sealing her spirit to the hotel forever.

The Lady in Red: The Mizpah Hotel has accepted the legend of the lady in red as part of their legacy and you will find portraits of her as well as a room named after her.

In some versions she was a wife who cheated on her husband in the hotel. He found out when he missed his train and went back to her. Finding her in the arms of another, he killed her in rage. 

Read More: For more ghost stories of The Lady in Red, check out The Lady in Red of Bang Pakong River, The La, dy in Red at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver The Mysterious Ghost Stories of The Haunted Dock Street Theater and The Ghost Crowds of Leap Castle

Her name is now lost, if she ever did exist. Some call her Rose and it was most likely her prostitute name. According to some her name was actually Evelyn May Johnston born in Baltimore in 1879 and died on January 2, 1914. 

There are no official documents supporting this however, and there isn’t even certain that a murder like hers ever happened at the hotel. Where this name and dates came from is uncertain. Some versions of the story claim she arrived in town in the 1920s so the story varies.

But the stories about her are thriving and growing, and those staying in the hotel, check out claiming that she is still lingering there. 

The Haunting of Mizpah Hotel

The Lady in Red is said to make her presence known in eerie yet strangely affectionate ways. Male guests often report hearing a soft whisper in their ear, especially when alone in the hotel’s old-fashioned elevator, as if the Lady in Red is still escorting her guests to her chambers. 

Some have even found small pearls under their pillows, believed to be remnants of her broken necklace. While unsettling, her spirit is described as warm, with a kind and welcoming presence that mirrors her rumored generosity in life.

The boudoir belonging to her was eventually split into three rooms. 504 is now called the Lady in Red room, but it is actually in room 502 that most strange things have been reported. 

Other Ghosts Haunting the Hotel

The Mizpah Hotel also has reports of other spectral sightings, including apparitions in the hallways and cold spots felt throughout the building. 

Some are saying that they can hear the sound of phantom children running around in the hotel hallways, especially on the third floor. When they look into the hall, there is no one there though, and when they call the front desk to complain about the children, the front desk tells them there are no children staying at the hotel for the night. 

Staff also passes around stories about two men who linger in the basement. People speculate that they must have died when one of the subterranean tunnels in the mines nearby collapsed. There are said that several miners are haunting the hotel, still looking for silver. 

A Haunted Night at Mizpah Hotel

Now fully restored to its former glory, the Mizpah Hotel attracts visitors from around the world who come for both its luxurious ambiance and the thrill of its hauntings. You can today stay at the Lady in Red Suite and there is a portrait of a Lady in Red on the wall as a homage to the in house legend.

And the guest book of the hotel tells it all. Perhaps after a stay here, you too will have something to make an entry on in the book of ghosts. 

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References:

Mizpah Hotel | Hotels in Tonopah, NV | Uncommon Overnighter 

Meet the Lady in Red: Nevada’s Most Famous Ghost 

Mizpah Hotel – Wikipedia

Lady in Red (ghost) – Wikipedia 

Ghost of a chance at experiencing the paranormal in Tonopah | Jane Ann Morrison | News

Haunted Tonopah

Who was the Lady in Red? – NEVADA GHOST TOWNS & BEYOND

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The Dark Secrets of Detroit Masonic Temple

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Dark legends surrounds The Detroit Masonic Temple, casting long shadows over the city of Detroit. Built by the mysterious Freemasons, the building has since spun its own legends and ghost stories within its walls. But how much of it is actually true?

The Detroit Masonic Temple, towering 16 floors and holding over 1,000 rooms, is one of the largest Masonic Temples in the world, its Gothic architecture looming over Detroit’s skyline in Michigan. 

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Built in 1926 in the Cass Corridor neighborhood of the city as a meeting place for Freemasons, its intricate layout of concealed passageways, hidden staircases, and secretive meeting halls reflect the mystique of its origins. It was also designed a large cathedral, several chapels, two stylish ballrooms, hotel facilities, a library, a massive drill hall, and a 4,000-seat auditorium.

The Detroit Masonic Temple: Built in 1922 in Detroit, Michigan, United States, is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It was designed by architect George Mason. // Source: Einar Einarsson Kvaran aka Carptrash/Wikimedia

The Freemasons and the Legends of Detroit Masonic Temple

There are a lot of details about the Detroit Masonic Temple that has spun legends. The trowel placing the cornerstone was the same George Washington used for the cornerstone of the Capitol Building in DC.  And cornerstones is a genre of conspiracy theories in itself, hiding different secrets. 

Freemasons: The Masonic Square and Compasses.

Even today it serves as the meeting place to masonic organizations like the York Rite Sovereign College of North America, the Scottish Rite and the Order of the Eastern Star as well as sports teams. The fact that it belongs to a masonic organization in a gothic looking building makes the site even more haunting and conspiracy theories overflow around these clubs. 

The Masons are a spiritual fraternity with lodges across the world dating back to the 13th century. The organizations are known for dabbling in the ancient mysteries of Eleusis, esoteric knowledge, initiation rituals, and shared secrets. Could it be that it is more than a secretive gentleman’s club?

It was saved from closing down by Jack White of the White Stripes who wanted to help pay back the help they gave to his mother when they gave her a job working as an usher in the theater. It captivates and unsettles, with the cold stonework and long, echoing hallways shrouded in an air of enigma and secrecy.

George D. Mason and his Urban Legend

George DeWitt Mason: (July 4, 1856 – June 3, 1948) was an American architect in Detroit. An urban legend claim he is haunting Detroit Masonic Temple.

One of the most enduring legends surrounding the Detroit Masonic Temple involves its architect, George D. Mason, who, according to urban lore, poured his heart and fortune into the building. 

Originally from Syracuse in New York, he moved in his youth to Detroit where he worked as an architect for the rest of his life. A number of Mason’s works, either by himself or as part of Mason & Rice, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

But what about the urban legend that lingers within the walls of the building he designed? According to the stories, financial troubles and his wife leaving him allegedly drove him to despair, leading to the claim that Mason leapt from the Temple’s rooftop, haunted by the ruin his dream had caused him. 

Read Also: A similar legend is also told about the Taj Mahal Palace — India’s Grandest Hotel.

But did this really happen though? Many news outlets have retold the legend, so it must be true, right? Seems like it only is a legend though. According to official records, Mason died in his home in the Wilshire Apartments building on June 3, 1948. He was then 91 years old and buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit, and his wife never left him.

Even how many times the legend about George D. Mason is debunked, the haunted legends from the Detroit Masonic Temple persist.

The Haunting of the Detroit Masonic Temple

Source: Carptrash/wikimedia

While records do not confirm this tale, the ghost of a man ascending the stairs to the rooftop has reportedly been spotted by guests and staff alike, his ghostly footsteps punctuating the silence of the Temple’s upper floors. It is also said that the door to the roof is somehow always unlocked, even though the staff makes sure to lock it every night. 

The building’s long hallways and shadowed rooms have only added to its ghostly reputation, attracting paranormal enthusiasts and ghost hunters from around the world. Many visitors have reported unnerving encounters throughout the Detroit Masonic Temple—shadowy figures drifting down dimly lit corridors, faint whispers from vacant rooms, and an unsettling feeling of being watched. 

Some say they’ve seen mysterious lights flickering in windows or heard soft footsteps echoing in the vast halls late at night. The eerie vibes are only intensified by stories of ritualistic activity within its walls, remnants of the Masonic gatherings that took place over the decades, adding a layer of mystique that blurs the line between history and the supernatural. It begs the question: Just like with the Freemasons, how much more about the Detroit Masonic Temple is still a dark secret?

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References:

Featured Image: Carptrash / Wikimedia

Detroit Masonic Temple – Wikipedia 

George D. Mason – Wikipedia

Haunted History: The Masonic Temple | Detroit Historical Society

Detroit’s Masonic Temple celebrates 100 years since its first cornerstone was laid — and we still don’t understand what exactly the Freemasons do 

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The Haunting of Lincoln Park Zoo from Six Feet Under

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Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago offers one of the more haunted places in the city as this is the place where thousands of people were buried in the old cemetery. The park and the zoo were built on top of it and it is said ghosts from the remaining bodies are haunting at night. 

Lincoln Park Zoo, one of Chicago’s most beloved attractions, has a darker side that many visitors may not know about. According to legend, the place is haunted because of the many thousands of people who are buried underneath the ground. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

The Lincoln Park Zoo was founded in 1868 inside of Lincoln Park and is one of the small zoos that have free admission where you can see penguins, gorillas, lions and tigers. And if we are to believe the rumors, ghosts as well. 

The Old Chicago Cemetery

Lincoln Park is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Chicago, watching it rise through the settling times, gang violence to the big city of today. From 1843 to 1859, the land where the zoo now stands was once the city’s main cemetery on the southern end of the Lincoln Park, home to around 35,000 bodies. This number is what is mostly put out, but some historians claim that it is more likely between ten and twelve thousand. 

Most of the remains were eventually moved due to concerns about water contamination of cholera. Caskets were buried close to the water and marsh land and would wash to shore every time the water rose. It was also contaminating the drinking water. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Haunted Cemeteries

The cemetery itself was also almost completely burnt the ground during The Great Chicago Fire on the night of October 8 in 1871. After this, they decided to build a lakefront park above it and didn’t move the remaining people from the underground. 

Chicago Old Cemetery: Rush of fugitives through the Potter’s Field toward Lincoln Park; Based on a Sketch by Theo R. Davis, from Harper’s Weekly, November 4, 1871.

Bones from the graves did reemerge from the ground though and workers would collect the bones to a shaman who would rebury them to keep the spirits from haunting the place. But did this even help at all?

Haunting at the Lincoln Park Zoo

Disturbing burial grounds has long been a trope in horror stories, and Lincoln Park is no exception. Since the cemetery’s relocation, countless reports of paranormal activity have arisen from the Lincoln Park Zoo grounds. Famed parapsychologist Ursula Bielski, who has conducted investigations at the site, called it “without a doubt the most active site” she’s ever explored. 

This reputation is reinforced by numerous sightings of apparitions, shadowy figures, and inexplicable events over the zoo’s 150-year history. From 2013 there have also been a ghost tour in the zoo that have reinforced the belief that this place is indeed haunted. 

People have experienced cold spots, feelings of being watched, and strange disembodied whispers. Some claim to see ghostly figures wandering the grounds, especially at night. Phantom shapes, believed to be the restless souls of those whose bodies were never moved, are said to occasionally be spotted near the zoo’s edge, gazing forlornly into the distance.

The Haunting in the Lion House

One of the more prominent stories that comes from the Lincoln Park Zoo is the ghost that is apparently lingering by the women’s restroom in the Lion House. The lion house was built in 1912 at the heart of the zoo close to the entrance. 

Women using the bathroom keep reporting about seeing the ghosts of people in Victorian clothing when looking in the mirrors. When they turn back, there is no one there. There are also stories coming from the staff members hearing voices, someone even hearing the words: “Get out”.

The Lion House: This part of the zoo is said to have a lot of paranormal energy. Especially the women’s bathroom. //Source: Richie Diesterheft

Some ghost hunters claim this is because of the mirrors themselves, lined up on two lines facing each other. They claim that this traps the ghosts inside of the mirrors. 

The Haunting of the Barn

In 1962 the Lincoln Park Zoo was building a barn and was digging in the ground. They then found a body, most likely from the cemetery. They discussed at length what to do with it, and the zoo director, Dr. Lester Fisher decided to return the body. The building didn’t stop though and they simply built the barn on top of it. 

According to people visiting, there is supposedly paranormal activity going on there as well and paranormal hunters frequently investigate these parts. 

The Suicide Bridge

Lincoln Park covers more than just the zoo, and there are more places around it that are said to be haunted. In the late 1800s there were also rumors about the park being haunted, but not from the cemetery. Most reports told about the High Bridge that was nearby from 1894 to 1919 just passed the zoo’s parking lot today. It was initially built for sightseeing in the park, but got a much more ominous reputation. 

They called this the Suicide Bridge and it is said around 50 to 100 people ended their life from this bridge. 

The Suicide Bridge: Postcard from Chicago were they even called the bridge by its local name, the Suicide Bridge. This was said to be haunted right after it was built and people started to spot something more ominous than the beautiful scenery.

The sightings of the ghosts were so common that newspapers started to publish stories about it and cops that were working in the Park in the night kept asking for transfers because of all the scary paranormal experiences they had. 

The Couch Tomb

There was also the case of the Couch Mausoleum. A strange mausoleum left untouched by the fire near the Chicago History Museum. This is the tomb of businessman Ira Couch who died in 1857. But is he really inside? According to official records, the tomb has never been opened. There was once a man who claimed he went inside it when he did some work. He claimed that it was empty. Couch’s grandson saw the news articles about it and claimed that it should be around seven people inside of the grave. Who is right? We simply don’t know.

The Couch Tomb: Couch Mausoleum in Lincoln Park, Chicago October 2013. A lot of mystery of what and who actually is buried there remains. It is also the only mausoleum remaining. Why wasn’t it removed together with the rest of the tombs that used to stand next to it? //Source: Wikimedia

In the 1880s there would be reports in the newspaper about a local legend that people told about the tomb. It said that at the stroke of midnight you had to face the tomb as you looked up at the name Couch. Three times you had to say: “The graves belong to the dead, not the living,”

If you did this, the door would open and a big white ghost would come out of the tomb and greet you. 

The Haunting of The Lincoln Park and the Chicago Zoo

Whether you’re watching the playful antics of the animals or strolling through the park, be aware that you may not be alone. The spirits of those buried long ago still seem to have a presence in Lincoln Park Zoo, making it not just a center for animal life but also for paranormal activity. So, next time you visit, keep an eye out for more than just the zoo’s famous lions and tigers—there might be more eyes watching you than you think.

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References:

Wild Nights: Ghosthunting Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo 

Chicago Hauntings: The Mysteries Of The Couch Mausoleum In Lincoln Park And Who, If Anyone, Is Entombed There

Lincoln Park Zoo – Wikipedia

The Bridge of Sighs: Chicago’s Lost Suicide Bridge 

1894-1919—Lincoln Park—Bridge of Sighs 

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The Hopi Keeper of Death and Doorway to the Underworld Sipapu

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In a certain part of the Grand Canyon, a passage to the underworld known as Sipapu is said to be according to the Hopi natives. And from the depths of the underworld, the keeper of death, Maasaw is said to roam. 

Looking out at the vast landscape of the Grand Canyon there is no wonder that people have thought about it as a sacred place and that many legends, myths and stories are set in this rugged landscape, both new and ancient ones. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

The canyon is sacred to many Native tribes that believe that when they begin sailing through the Colorado River inside the canyon, they journey from human life toward the next phase of their afterlife and that the Canyon itself is a doorway to another dimension, the afterlife and the underworld. The canyon is believed to hold magical energy that these tribes believe in and that travelers should respect.

The Grand Canyon: The National park of the Canyon encompasses over 1.2 million acres of rugged landscape, with the Colorado River carving a mile-deep gorge that stretches 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide around 5 or 6 million years ago. The park’s striking geological formations, vibrant hues, and dramatic vistas attract millions of visitors each year, offering opportunities for hiking, rafting, and exploring the highs and lows of the Canyon. It is also said to have several haunted places.

Sipapu and the Gateway to the Underworld

There are many legends about how the Grand Canyon came to be, like the Havasupai tribe telling the story of two rival gods who battled for world domination and flooded the entire world that created the Canyon.

According to the Hopi people though, the Canyon holds the door to the afterlife as well. 

In the area around the Crash Canyon, where legends of the ghosts of the Midair Collision in 1956 are haunting, there are also those who believe that the sipapu, a gateway to the underworld, is found. 

This is traditionally where the Hopi’s ancestors are thought to have come from and where the dead can come back. 

The place is described as a big reddish lump with a hole and this can also be found recreated in the ground of the floors of their kiva, or pithouse for political or religious meetings. The area is mostly closed off for tourists and the surrounding trails are known as some of America’s scariest trails. 

Hopi Mythology: Kachinas are spirits or personifications of things in the real world and are believed to visit the Hopi villages during the first half of the year. The local pantheon of kachinas varies from pueblo community to community, representing anything from a revered ancestor to elements of the natural world. This includes the sun, stars, thunderstorms, wind, and various other concepts. Gods of the underworld are also often depicted with similar masks.

The Underworld

The Hopi have a strong mythological tradition, but there are many different variations of each story, even from village to village. 

Central to their mythology is the story of the creation, where Spider Woman called Sotuknang, a powerful deity, helped create the world and guided the Hopi to emerge from the underworld through a door called Sipapu to the present world through a series of trials. 

They came through this hole as the first people, changing into humans before breaking into the different tribes as they migrated through the land. 

The Hopi also revere kachinas, spirit beings that represent various aspects of life and nature, and perform elaborate ceremonies to honor them, seeking their blessings for rain, fertility, and prosperity.

Maasaw Haunting the Canyon

Maasaw, a Hopi god known as the keeper of death, is said to reside in a particular region of the Grand Canyon that the Hopi people thought was the opening from the Third World into the Fourth known as sipapu. He is also known as the Skeleton Man and door keeper to the Fifth World.

He is described as wearing a terrifying mask, but underneath he is often said to be beautiful and bejeweled, although this depends on who you ask as he is also said to be a bloody and fearsome creature. 

Legends warn that if you see strange lights approaching from deep within the canyon at night or hear a tapping sound like rocks knocking against each other, it could be Maasaw coming through the Sipapu for you. 

Superstition of the area

Both Natives as well as the rangers working there are very superstitious about the place they think the Sipapu is located and some believe that you can encounter spirits around these parts where the veil between the two worlds is so thin. The Hopi people warn people to “avert” their eyes from it out of respect as well as safety. There are even stories about helicopter pilots who refuse to look down when they are flying over it. 

Visitors to this area often report feelings of nausea and anxiety and seem to be more prone to accidents like falling, some are even said to have been struck by lightning. 

There are also said to be strange whispers heard in the dark and according to some, this is also the place to see the spirits and ghosts of the Hopi people still on their migrating journey through the worlds.

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References:

Sipapu – WikipediaAmerica’s Scariest Trails: Tragedy in the Grand Canyon
The Most Bizarre Unsolved Mysteries Of The Wild West
Hopi mythology – Wikipedia