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Wisconsin has its share of rumored locations known for what some believe to be "spiritual" or "haunted" locations throughout the state. We have compiled our list of locations who have embraced it, and made it a part of their overall experience.
Disclaimer:
This list provided below is for informational purposes only and Discover Wisconsin asks that you will respect the privacy of the location, if it is private property. If you do decide to visit locations listed, please be sure that you have gained permission, and follow state laws. Discover Wisconsin is not responsible for anyone or their actions if individuals decide to visit any of the below listed locations.
Wisconsin's Haunted Locations
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Oak Park Inn - Whitehall, WI
While visiting the Oak Park Inn, this past spring we found out the intriguing story of a young slave who befriended Wisconsin soldiers in the Civil War, and traveled home with them and became a part of the Hopkins family. After her death, she was laid to rest on the family property. To this day, motorist have spotted her image on the property as they past, people who never knew the story of Ida May.
Visitors are always intrigued by her gravesite, located in the rear formal gardens of the Oak Park Inn. Steven and Linda, the current Innkeepers, will gladly share folklore of her life within the family. While the current owners have never been visited by Ida's spirit, they believe she is responsible for the tranquility felt by all visitors who stay with them.
Click here to find out more about this location.
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Hillcrest Lodge - Townsend, WI
Rumor has it, an elderly doctor known as Dr. Fred, who was based in northern Oconto County, lived on the third floor of the Hillcrest Lodge main building a time that dates over 50 years ago.
One night, Dr. Fred was walking on Oconto County Road T, which at the time went past Hillcrest Lodge. He was hit by a passing vehicle, and died as a result of his injuries. From that time forward, he has reportedly haunted the main building of Hillcrest Lodge.
The current owners, the Schuessler family has experience many unusual happenings since taking the reins, such as finding the beer taps wide open after the lodge has been closed, several times they have awakened to the attic door slamming in the middle of the night, windows that were locked after closing only found to be wide open in the morning! Main floor doors have slammed without anyone near them.
Karla Schuessler has also told stories of how after clearing out her cash register and cleaning up for the night, many times she walks by the cash register, and finds a quarter laying on the floor where is hadn't been a few minutes earlier. I personally experience a strange encounter, as my son had been bugging me to play a song on the CD jukebox. After repeatedly telling him no, the CD Jukebox went into random play and played the song he wanted to play. Coincidence? Or Doc? You be the judge! (Great food by the way!)
Click here to find out more about this location.
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Summerwind - Land O' Lakes, WI
When asking people in Wisconsin's Northwood’s of known "Haunted" location in the area, the most common response from those who had one was the old folklore of a place called Summerwind. Located in Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin, on the shores of West Bay Lake, are what is left of what some feel is the most documented haunted house in Wisconsin. Although abandoned and destroyed by fire this grand mansion is still being told in stories by locals who believe something evil resided there. Built in the early 1900's its original owner sold it after to many encounters, one, which ended in him firing a gun at what he thought, was an intruder, but believed after to be a ghost. One Family who later lived in Summerwind, reported so much strange activity and ghostly sightings, they were driven from the Mansion after just 6 months of occupancy.
To read the whole story about Summerwind, use the link below to a very informative website describing all of the history and folklore surrounding this spooky location. I am not sure the exact location, but as brave as I am, I am not sure if I would muster the courage to pay a visit!
Click here to learn more about Summerwind
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The Grand Opera House - Oshkosh, WI
The Grand Opera House first opened its doors in 1883, and once you have entered it, you can just sense the history and charm of this old and beautiful theatre. Having spent many of hours in my college years in the building, I could easily see why one may think it may have a spiritual side to it. In its hay days, numerous big time performances by thousands of actors and performers took to the stage including names of the likes of Harry Houdini, the Marx Brothers, Mark Twain, Charlie Chaplin and even Susan B. Anthony. It declined over the years to just a shadow of what it was until in the late 1970’s a effort was made to restore it to its glory of yesteryear. Numerous ghostly sightings and bizarre happenings reportedly took place during the time when the restoration work was taking place, leading many to believe that the past was not left behind as they expected. Many believe a former stage manager still oversees it till this day, out of respect for the family, we will not mention him by name, but many have reported visions of a male fitting his description appearing to them one moment, and the next moment he was gone. Many other strange occurrences over the years have created a pretty good case for its being listed as a haunted location, and although it is not a part of its history the Grand Opera House promotes, it is something that makes this great location one of the more intriguing places to visit in the state, haunted or not.
Click here to learn more about the Grand Opera House
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Old Baraboo Inn - Baraboo, WI
Baraboo, WI was once a railroad hub between Minneapolis and Chicago. The Baraboo Inn is a former tavern and brothel, which was frequently visited in those days, since it was located across from the site of the old Baraboo train depot. The building itself has been the site of several deaths over the years. Legend has it a prostitute named Mary bled to death in the building around the early 1900’s and several other people, including past owners have reportedly died in the building. Since renovated in 2002 and opened as a restaurant and bar, the current owner reportedly along with more then a dozen other people have witnessed such occurrences as dishes flying off a rack, floating brooms and doors opening and closing on their own. Tenants from the apartments above reported hearing loud music and partying in the floors below, even before the bottom half of the building was renovated and reopened by the current owner. When I visited Baraboo, I figured I would find a haunted location with all of the historical “Circus” side to the town, but I quickly came to realize after asking several people in Baraboo about haunted locations, that the Baraboo Inn is the place to visit and take in the stories.
Click here for more information on Baraboo, WI
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Hilbert Road - Hilbert, WI
This is a little different then a haunted building or structure; rather, this one involves a soul out searching a road for a child. Local stories tell of reports of a ghost/man scene with a lantern in his hand who walks this road at night between 12:00am -5:00am. People who have reported encountering this ghost state he only has one side of his face, and attempts to stop vehicles, asking you if you have scene his daughter. Legend has it, the man’s daughter was killed on Hilbert Road back in like the 1900's. Some report that when driving down the road on the right side of the road where there is a single tree, people have reported seeing a person standing under the tree and when you shine a light toward the tree, the vision of a person disappears. Other reports and accounts have said they have scene a fog like or smoky impression of a young girl in a white gown appear in front of cars driving along the road. Many locals believe this is more then a legend, to me, this one you have to see to believe.
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Kewaunee Inn - Kewaunee, WI
Three known spirits make the Historic Karsten Inn their home. They became active after the first facelift of the Hotel Karsten in 1966. The entities of Agatha the housekeeper, William Karsten Sr and young Billy Karsten 111 have made their presences known to the living. Two of the entities, William Karsten Sr and young Billy Karsten 111 are friendly and gentle, while the third entity, Agatha shows a variety of emotions and behaviors, ranging from being helpful to being mischievous, to showing disapproval to being a little nasty, but never evil.
Click here for stories on the spirits of Kewaunee Inn
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Shipwrecked Brew Pub, Restaurant & Inn – Egg Harbor
In talking to previous owners, employees and life long residents of the area, it is rumored that Shipwrecked may be haunted. Believe it or not, some strange things have occurred at Door County's only brewery. Shipwrecked definitely has an exciting history, associated intimately with Al Capone and the 1920's American Mafia. Who knows, you just might have an unexpected encounter or your own!
Click here for details on the sightings of Shipwrecked Brew Pub
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Click here to learn about additional rumored Wisconsin Haunted locations
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July, 2009
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The Velvet Lips Lounge - Fort Atkinson
I love Fort Atkinson - the Fireside Dinner Theatre, the Hoard Historical Museum, and the quaint downtown shops. Well now there is one more reason to discover this charming city on the Rock River – Velvet Lips Lounge Bar & Grill. I don’t know that, visually speaking, there is another restaurant like it in the whole state. First of all, it’s on the basement floor of one of the renovated buildings in downtown Fort. Second, where else will you find this: Bright pink carpeting with brown leopard spot, an enormous fireplace, a snakeskin couch, two classic antique leather pocket pool tables, some purple walls, some old stone walls, and these incredibly gorgeous crystal chandeliers you’d find in a Trump Tower Building. Somehow, the owners pull it all off. And did I mention, on the two floors above the restaurant you can host private parties and functions with a view of downtown Fort Atkinson that’s hard to beat. And in good weather, they have outdoor dining along the Rock River. The Discover Wisconsin crew and I dined their three times, and at each visit were treated with a friendly staff, and great food. Velvet Lips is open for lunch and dinner, and serves classic American fare with a twist. I tried the Steak Diane, a peppercorn crusted Sirloin Steak topped with a brandy mustard cream sauce, and the Wild Mushroom Ravioli, served in a basil pesto alfredo cream sauce, topped with pine nuts and parmesan cheese. So, if you want to discover a Restaurant that is definitely one of a kind, put Velvet Lips in Fort Atkinson on your list.
The Velvet Lips
10 South Water Street
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
(920) 562-lips
www.velvetlipslounge.com
Open for lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day
Dinners Monday-Saturday
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Wisconsin's Haunted Locations
