Who Knew Illinois Had This Many Spooky Places?

Illinois is known for its haunted houses and Halloween extravaganzas: the kinds of places that draw lines out the door and attract visitors from all over the country. But beyond these creepy crowd favorites are a number of lesser-known spooky spots, all with backstories both historical and paranormal—like the “devil baby” that haunts a former Chicago settlement house or the witchy tomb that draws in fans of the occult from far and wide. The Prairie State is home to all manner of legendary urban myths and strange characters whose life stories sound too far-fetched to be true, until you realize they just might be … With spooky season underway, there’s no time like the present to explore Illinois’s many odd and eerie destinations.

In fact, many of the state’s most unsettling sites are only a short drive from each other. So this autumn, as the days grow shorter and the leaves change colors, gather the whole family for a one-of-a-kind roadtrip: a journey into untold histories, mysterious deaths, and centuries-old superstitions. From haunted headstones to witchcraft to cursed estates, this Illinois itinerary is jam packed with scary spots best experienced in the crisp fall air, just after sundown (if you dare).

Bull Valley Police Chief Norbert Sauers described hearing footsteps in what was once the second-floor ballroom. Ronincmc, CC BY-SA 3.0 Start your spooky journey in the outer suburbs of Chicago, where small-town charm gives way to unsettling family secrets. This English-style country home was built in 1836 by George Stickney and his wife, Sylvia, and designed to have no sharp corners, allowing spirits to travel freely through the space.

On the second floor of the house, in a grand ballroom, the couple hosted any and everyone who wished to commune with the dead. It’s believed that the Stickneys’ fascination with spiritualism was a result of great tragedy: only three of their 10 children survived to adulthood. A daily dose of hidden gems to visit, extraordinary places to eat and wondrous stories from around the world.

Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. An Explorer's Guide to the Hidden Wonders of the United States Introducing Our Newest Book: _America Obscura_. Available Nov 10, 2026 Subsequent owners have reported strange, unexplainable occurrences, including appearances by the ghost of George Stickney himself.

Legend has it that when old George died, he was found tucked into the sole 90-degree corner of the home, a look of pure dread on his face. Today, the building is home to the Bull Valley police force and is not open for public tours, but if you’re lucky, you’ll come across one of the many officers who has reported supernatural activity. Some suggest friction existed between Julia’s mother and her husband, Matthew, who remarried around the time of the disinterment. jessicahawk / Atlas Obscura User Drive closer to the city and you’ll find Mount Carmel, a popular burial site for Hillside’s Italian-American population.