Gotta be a first no? A cemetery card ... well it turns out "Bachelor's Grove Cemetery" has some interesting history and paranormal happenings behind it.
It's a small, abandoned cemetery in the Chicago metropolitan area, located near Midlothian and Oak Forest (IL) in the Rubio Woods Forest Preserve on the Midlothian Turnpike. It is well-known for its haunted stories and ghost sightings. There are countless reports of glowing balls, apparitions, squeaks, moans, groans, and unexplained noises.
Hidden down a thin gravel path is the most haunted cemetery in the world. Bachelor's Grove is rumored to have the most ghostly disturbances among all cemeteries, boasting many different experiences never before heard of in a place of rest. A once respected site, the people of Chicago have buried their dead here since 1834 (official opening in 1864, however some graves date 30 years prior). The name of the cemetery is almost as much the anomaly as the stories behind it. Bachelor's Grove derives from the earliest settlers to that area, most of them being German immigrants who took part in constructing the Illinois-Michigan Canal. Many of the immigrants were single, therefore bachelors, when they died and were buried in the cemetery.
Surrounding the cemetery is a small lagoon made famous by the mobsters who found this an ideal dumping ground of men who crossed the mob during the Prohibition days. Many bodies were found here on a regular basis adding to the legendary spirits that now haunt the waters. Al Capone may not have stepped foot in the grove himself, but his men most surly dumped the bodies of his enemies into that pond. One of the many reasons why this cemetery is haunted by the ghosts below...
The White Lady (Mrs. Rogers or The Madonna of Bachelor's Grove):
The lady dressed in white is known to walk the grounds of the cemetery during a full moon. The deceased woman rumored to be the White Lady is buried in the cemetery beside her son and can sometimes be seen holding a baby in her arms.
The lady dressed in white is known to walk the grounds of the cemetery during a full moon. The deceased woman rumored to be the White Lady is buried in the cemetery beside her son and can sometimes be seen holding a baby in her arms.
The Phantom Farmhouse:
Not all ghosts are confined to the cemetery, and not all ghost are people. On the path leading to the cemetery, a picturesque white farmhouse appears and then quickly disappears. Most reports of this phenomenon happened around the 1950s.
Not all ghosts are confined to the cemetery, and not all ghost are people. On the path leading to the cemetery, a picturesque white farmhouse appears and then quickly disappears. Most reports of this phenomenon happened around the 1950s.
The Farmer and his Horse:
In the 1870's a farmer plowing the land near the cemetery got too close to the famous lagoon, proving to be a fatal mistake. The horse fell into the water first, pulling the plow and farmer in with him. Almost 100 years later, two forest rangers reported seeing the same farmer still plowing his land by the lagoon.
In the 1870's a farmer plowing the land near the cemetery got too close to the famous lagoon, proving to be a fatal mistake. The horse fell into the water first, pulling the plow and farmer in with him. Almost 100 years later, two forest rangers reported seeing the same farmer still plowing his land by the lagoon.
Lights and Orbs:
This site has common sightings of blue colored lights and orbs that fly about the cemetery. Some other accounts talk of reds comet-like lights flying over the graves.
This site has common sightings of blue colored lights and orbs that fly about the cemetery. Some other accounts talk of reds comet-like lights flying over the graves.
The Woman sitting on the Grave:One of the most famous sights is the woman sitting on a gravestone. What makes this account so famous is that it was caught on camera and featured in the Chicago Sun-Times. A very real picture shows the transparent image of a woman sitting comfortably and staring away from the camera out into the woods.
A description of the experience from the famous photographer (courtesy of ghost-hunter.com)
Sent in from Jude Felz: "My name is Jude A. Huff-Felz and currently I live in Dixon, Illinois. I took this picture in the late 80's or early 90's at Bachelor's Grove Cemetary in Midlothian, Illinois. It is taken in broad daylight on infrared black and white film during the summer."
Jude went on to explain this photo was taken using an ordinary, late 80's era 35 mm. camera. Upon developing the film, the image of a woman was discovered sitting on a gravestone, who was NOT present when the photo was taken. This picture was also published in the Chicago Sun-Times.
So as I sit here at one in the morning, and needing to get up in four hours for work, can't say I am really tired. Can't wait to see what other oddities lie in the Uninvited Guests insert set. Pretty interesting stuff if you ask me. So if you want to read more about Bachelor's Grove click here ... if you dare ....
Thanks for a very informative post. I'd seen that card on the other A&G preview posts and thought it odd, but then again there's a lot of odd stuff in A&G. Their insert sets look interesting once again this year, especially this one.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Stale Gum will be brave enough to do a 'on location' box break?
ReplyDelete