Haunted Cemeteries
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The burial ground’s third phantom is Pushmataha, the Choctaw chief. A shrewd mediator, he aligned his tribe with the Americans during the War of 1812 to secure his tribe’s territory. Pushmataha was in Washington in 1824 to negotiate yet another treaty when he developed the croup. He died on December 24 and was interred in the Congressional Cemetery with full military honors. With the chief out of the way, the federal government forced the Choctaw off their land, relocating them to Oklahoma. The chief’s angry spirit is often blamed for toppling or breaking tombstones and cenotaphs in the graveyard.
Oak Hill Cemetery
John Peter Van Ness was a prominent DC businessman in the early part of the nineteenth century. His beloved wife, Marcia, died in 1832. She was initially interred on the grounds of the Washington City Orphan Asylum, but her remains were relocated to a columned tomb Van Ness built for her in Oak Hill Cemetery. For a time, her ghost supposedly returned to haunt the Van Ness mansion. Her laughter, footsteps, and bonneted apparition were most often experienced on the upper floors. In time, her spectre was joined by the disem-bodied laughs and screams of her daughter, Ann, who had died in childbirth in 1822. Van Ness passed away in 1846, and his funeral cortege to Oak Hill Cemetery was led by six white horses. On moonlight nights the ghosts of the white steeds are seen circling the Van Ness mausoleum in Oak Hill Cemetery. Every so often they’re spotted on the block where the mansion once stood as well. Sometimes motorists on Rock Creek Parkway have to slam on the brakes as the unearthly stallions cross the road in front of them on their way to the cemetery.
Rock Creek Cemetery
After vivacious socialite Marian “Clover” Hooper married Henry Brooks Adams, the acclaimed novelist and historian, the couple moved into a sumptuous home on the north side of Washington’s Lafayette Square. In April 1885 Marian’s father died, and eight months later, having never overcome the loss, she committed suicide. Adams commissioned an astounding sculpture from Augustus Saint-Gaudens to mark her grave in Rock Creek Cemetery. The dark bronze, seated, and robed figure is entitled The Mystery of the Hereafter and The Peace of God that Passeth Understanding, but it’s commonly referred to as Grief. After Henry Adams’s death, he was laid to rest next to his wife. Visitors to the gravesite have seen Marian’s ghost hovering over the monument or standing next to the hooded statue. (She’s also said to haunt the Hay-Adams Hotel, which was built on the site of a new house Henry Adams was building at time of Marian’s death.)
Appendix A
Funeral Notices
How do I begin to pick out the most important books on ghost phenomena? Literally hundreds of works cover every facet of the field, and almost every volume contains at least one story about a haunted burial ground. As for the works I consulted while writing Haunted Cemeteries, I ultimately decided to name just a few of my favorites. The books on this list would make a great beginner’s library for anyone serious about the paranormal.
Books
Alexander, John. Ghosts! Washington Revisited: The Ghostlore of the Nation’s Capital (Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 1998). John Alexander’s definitive book about District of Columbia spectres, revised and expanded for the Schiffer Book Collectors series.
Bielski, Ursula. Chicago Haunts: Ghostlore of the Windy City (Chicago: Lake Claremont Press, 1998). All the major ghost legends of Chicagoland cemeteries appear in this large paperback, including the hauntings at Bachelor’s Grove, Resurrection, and Graceland Cemeteries. The tales of other Windy City wraiths include the Devil Baby at Hull House, John Dillinger’s phantom at the Biograph Theater, and apparitions at Fort Dearborn and along Clark Street.
Dwyer, Jeff. Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Los Angeles (Gretna, LA: Pelican Publishing Company, 2007). After giving suggestions on how to conduct a ghost hunt, Dwyer describes dozens of sites throughout Los Angeles and Southern California worth investigating.
Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits (New York: Facts on File, 1992). This one-volume encyclopedia is a classic. Its pages collect ghost stories, primarily from America and the United Kingdom, along with essays about important figures in ghost folklore, paranormal research, and Spiritualism.
Hauck, Dennis William. Haunted Places: The National Directory (New York: Penguin, 1996). Hauck’s national directory lists thousands of haunted locations, plus sites where UFOs and mysterious creatures have been sighted around the United States. The book is considered essential reading.
Rogak, Lisa. Stones and Bones of New England (Guilford, CT: Globe Pequot Press, 2004). An overview of almost a hundred fascinating and historic graveyards in the northeastern United States, along with the burial sites of notable authors, soldiers, and politicians.
Schoenberg, Dr. Philip Ernest. Ghosts of Manhattan (Charleston, SC: Haunted America, 2009). Schoenberg regales readers with lively stories about the legendary ghosts of the Big Apple, including the haunted cemeteries of Greenwich Village.
Sloan, David L. Ghosts of Key West (Key West, FL: Mirror Lake Press, 1998). A nifty book to carry along while seeking out the haunted graveyards, museums, hotels, and other sites in the southernmost town of the continental United States.
Taylor, Troy. Beyond the Grave: The History of America’s Most Haunted Graveyards (Alton, IL: Whitechapel Productions Press, 2001). Dozens of legends are told about haunted cemeteries throughout the United States as well as tales of vampires, demons, and premature burials.
———. Field Guide to Haunted Graveyards (Alton, IL: Whitechapel Productions Press, 2003). The first hundred or so pages of this wide-ranging book detail American customs surrounding death and burial throughout history. The volume also offers theories about why cemeteries become haunted and instructs readers how to go on a graveyard ghost hunt themselves. The second half of the book lists and describes dozens of haunted burial sites throughout the United States, outlined state by state.
Thay, Edrick. Haunted Cemeteries (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Ghost House Publishing, 2004). The book explores eighteen of the most frequently investigated haunted graveyards in the United States and Canada.
Websites
In addition to the books I used to compile the ghost legends in this Haunted Cemeteries, I also checked and compared hundreds of websites, including the official pages of the cemeteries themselves.
The URLs for many of the graveyards in this book are noted under the individual chapter headings in appendix B: “A Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Graveyards.” The following sites are of more general interest. The first three contain lists and directories of haunted locations. The last site allows readers to find the location of a particular cemetery or gravesite.
haunted-places.com
This thorough site offers a large listing of haunted locations, both within the United States and internationally. Founded by Dave Juliano in 1994.
theshadowlands.net
The Shadowlands is an exhaustive site containing what is perhaps the largest list of haunted places on the Internet, at least thirteen thousand collected from contributors around the globe. The legends are delineated by the country, state, and city in which each haunting occurs. In addition, the website provides links about UFO sightings, mysterious creatures such as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster, and other unusual phenomena.
hubpages.com
Hubpages is a site filled with user-generated content, and it contains articles on an endless variety of topics. Among its offerings are lists of haunted cemeteries from every state of the Union. The format of the URL changes slightly from state to state, so it’s best to do a separate web search for each one. To find the URL for the state you want to investigate, type the words “hubpages,” “haunted cemeteries,” and the state’s name into the search window.
findagrave.com
If you’re trying to find the location of a specific person’s grave anywhere in the United States, this website is one of your best bets. It claims to have access to more than thirty-five million public records.
Appendix B
A Ghost Hunter
’s Guide
to Graveyards
There’s nothing like visiting a cemetery for yourself to try to catch a ghost. This appendix is where you’ll find all the addresses, telephone numbers, and other pertinent information that will allow you to go ghost hunting on your own. As always, details are subject to change, so check in advance if you’re making a special trip to see one of the sites, especially from out of town. Visiting hours vary, particularly as seasons change, and many burial grounds are closed one or two days a week for maintenance. Generally, cemeteries are only open during daylight hours—if they’re open to the public at all.
It’s very important to remember that almost all graveyards are private property, owned by churches, governments, cemetery associations, or (in the case of many ancient, rural or abandoned burial grounds) individuals. Guests must follow all rules for visitation. Regulations are usually posted; if they aren’t, common sense applies.
Whether or not the graveyard is attached to or administered by a church, cemeteries should be considered consecrated ground. Treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve. No loud voices, no horseplay, and no running about.
Needless to say, there should be absolutely no desecration of the graves or headstones or taking of souvenirs. Keep off tombs, mausoleums, and funereal sculpture. Although making rubbings of markers is often acceptable, it’s always best to check first with a caretaker or other authority.
Consider your safety at all times. Cemetery grounds tend to be uneven. The earth may be soft in places, and old graves have been known to sink. Markers may be flat or close to ground level, and they could easily cause you to trip. The danger of hurting oneself is more magnified after dark.
Cemetery officials don’t normally discourage paranormal aficionados, but they don’t exactly encourage them either. If you plan to do a formal ghost investigation (which commonly involves several participants, equipment, and nighttime visitation), permission must be granted by the property owner and, perhaps, local police.
Some cemeteries offer guided tours, and I’ve listed a few that I’ve been able to confirm. Generally these walks are historical in nature, but some do mention alleged hauntings, especially if the story is a well-known part of local folklore.
Most cities of any size have companies or individuals offering ghost tours, some of which visit (or at least pass by) haunted graveyards as part of their itineraries. Check online or contact the local tour office directly to see if it includes the places you want to see. Dates, times, and sites often vary.
Finally—and this cannot be stressed enough—the addresses, phone numbers, URLs, and other information given in this appendix should not be construed in any way as permission to visit or enter a site. Check for and abide by any local rules or restrictions.
Chapter 1: The Resurrection Apparition
Resurrection Cemetery
7200 Archer Rd.
Justice, IL 60458
(708) 458-4770
On the east side of the highway between Justice and Summit.
Bethania Cemetery
7701 Archer Rd.
Justice, IL 60458
(708) 458-2270
bethaniacemetery.com
Located on a triangular plot bordered by Resurrection Cemetery to the east, Seventy-ninth Street to the south, and Archer Avenue (State Route 171) from the southwest to the northeast. The southwest corner of the property is cut off by Oak Grove Avenue.
Evergreen Cemetery
3401 West Eighty-seventh St. (at South Kedzie Avenue)
Evergreen Park, IL 60805
(708) 422-9051
Waldheim Jewish Cemetery
1400 Desplaines Ave.
Forest Park, IL 60130
(708) 366-4541
waldheimcemetery.com
Chapter 2: The Ghosts of Bachelor’s Grove
Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery
Rubio Woods Forest Preserve
143rd Street just east of Ridgeland Avenue
Midlothian, IL 60445
(708) 758-4772
The graveyard is down a trail off a closed section of the Old Midlothian Turnpike, where the current Midlothian Turnpike turns into 143rd Street. The fenced one-acre cemetery plot is maintained by Cook County and lies within a section of the Rubio Woods Forest Preserve.
There are variant spellings of the cemetery’s name and the wooded area in which it’s located. It’s most often seen as Bachelor’s Grove.
Chapter 3: The Legend of Inez Clarke
Graceland Cemetery
4001 North Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 525-1105
gracelandcemetery.org
Lake View Cemetery
907 Lakeview Ave.
Jamestown, NY 14701
(716) 665-3206
The life-size statue of Grace Laverne Galloway, standing under a marble canopy and encased in glass, is in the center of the graveyard.
Chapter 4: The Helping Hand
Mount Carmel Cemetery
1400 South Wolf Rd.
Hillside, IL 60162
(708) 449-8300
To find Julia Buccola Petta’s grave, enter by the Harrison Street gates and turn left. You’ll soon see her statue on your right.
Chapter 5: The Greenwood Hauntings
Greenwood Cemetery
606 South Church St.
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 422-6563
At the intersection of South Church and West Spring Streets, just off South Main Street/Veteran’s Parkway (State Route 51).
Chapter 6: Six Feet Under Chicago
Rosehill Cemetery
5800 North Ravenswood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 561-5940
Bohemian National Cemetery
5225 North Pulaski Rd.
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 539-8442
Acacia Park Cemetery
7800 West Irving Park Rd.
Norridge, IL 60706
(773) 625-7800
Calvary Catholic Cemetery
301 Chicago Ave.
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 864-3050
Archer Woods Cemetery
8301 Kean Ave.
Willow Springs, IL 60480
Fairmount–Willow Hills Memorial Park
9100 South Archer Ave.
Willow Springs, IL 60480
(708) 839-8500
St. James at Sag Bridge
10600 Archer Ave.
Lemont, IL 60439
(630) 257-7000
www.historicstjames.org
Robinson Woods Indian Burial Grounds
Robinson Woods Forest Preserve
Near East River Road and West Lawrence Avenue
Norridge, IL 60656
To visit the Robinson Woods Indian Burial Grounds, take Interstate 90 to State Route 171, and exit south. Travel a little over a mile, and then turn right onto Lawrence Avenue. Continue to East River Road, where you will turn right. Park in the first lot on your left. A short walk down a footpath leads to the old cemetery.
Queen of Heaven Cemetery
1200 South Wolf Rd.
Hillside, IL 60162
(708) 449-8300
Arlington Cemetery
401 East Lake St. (at Frontage Road)
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 833-9696
arlington-cemetery.com
Clarendon Hills Cemetery
6900 S. Cass Ave.
Darien, IL 60561
(630) 968-6590
clarendonhills-cemetery.com
Mount Auburn Cemetery
4101 S. Oak Park Ave.
Stickney, IL 60402
(708) 749-0022
St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery
4401 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 239-4422
Mount Olivet Cemetery
2755 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 239-4422
&nbs
p; Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
6001 W. 111th St.
Alsip, IL 60803
(708) 422-3020
Calvary Cemetery
Steger Road near Western Avenue
Steger, IL 60475
(708) 758-4772
Woodlawn Cemetery
7750 Cermak Rd.
Forest Park, IL 60130
(708) 442-8500
woodlawnchicago.com
Hinsdale Animal Cemetery
6400 S. Bentley Ave.
Willowbrook, IL 60527
(630) 323-5120
petcemetery.org
Chapter 7: Old Town Terrors
El Campo Santo Cemetery
2410 San Diego Ave.
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 220-5422
Chapter 8: Pretty in Pink
Yorba Cemetery
Woodgate Park
6749 Parkwood Ct.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
(714) 973-3190
ocparks.com/historic/cemetery
The cemetery remains closed due to continuing vandalism problems. Entrance is only possible as part of a tour on the first Saturday of the month (except May) from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Special private tours can sometimes be arranged at other times. Opening hours subject to change.
The Pink Lady has not appeared for at least a decade. The graveyard is now completely contained within Woodgate Park, and it’s not visible from the sidewalks surrounding the park.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
(714) 983-9120
nixonlibrary.gov
Chapter 9: Kabar, the Cavorting Canine
Los Angeles Pet Memorial Park
5068 Old Scandia Lane
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 591-7037
lapetcemetery.com
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 469-1181
hollywoodforever.com
Rudolph Valentino’s crypt is found in the last aisle in the southeast corner of the Cathedral Mausoleum.