history
The dead have been brought to these hallowed grounds since the cemetery came into existence in 1889. The cemetery is quite large, encompassing 108 acres of burial plots. The cemetery is bordered by gardens and imbues visitors with a sense of serenity as they enter. Although the name suggests that the cemetery is composed of hills and cliffsides, it is not. The name of the cemetery actually refers to a nickname for the surrounding town of Elgin and the bluffs that overlook the Fox River.
Perhaps the most convincing reason that ghosts have taken up residence in this particular cemetery involves another burial spot called Channing Cemetery (see Channing Park and School chapter). When Bluff City Cemetery was built in the late 1800s, the plan was to move the bodies from the old Channing Cemetery over to Bluff City. The problem was that Channing Cemetery was already so old that many of the headstones had been lost and many burials from the local mental asylum were made without headstones at all. Many of these bodies were inadvertently left at Channing, and when they were discovered, they were moved to Bluff City Cemetery without ceremony and without proper respect or care.
ghost story
The most commonly reported ghostly activity at the cemetery is little more than a feeling that visitors often experience upon entering the cemetery grounds. Visitors are said to get a very strong and distinctive feeling that they are being watched. This feeling is rarely ominous or scary, but is more often calming and peaceful. It is almost as if the spirits of loved ones who have passed are watching the mourners and somehow letting them know that everything will be all right.
While this feeling is the most common experience within the cemetery, people have captured evidence of other strange phenomena within the cemetery gates. Paranormal researchers have captured orbs, strange lights, and shadowy figures on camera while in the cemetery. When these strange photographic artifacts are examined, no earthly reason is discovered why they should be there.
visiting
The cemetery is open 7 a.m.–7:30 p.m. April–October; November–March, it is open 7 a.m.–4 p.m. You cannot access the cemetery outside of these posted hours. Many of the orbs and figures are seen and photographed during daylight hours. Much of the cemetery is visible from the adjacent public road, though, so you can still look into the cemetery at night in an attempt to see the mysterious lights that supposedly inhabit the grounds.
BURR OAK CEMETERY
4400 West 127th Street, Aslip, Illinois 60803
directions
From the center of Chicago, take I-94 East for about 6.5 miles to Exit 63, I-57 toward Memphis. Follow I-57 for another 5 miles to Exit 353 toward 127th Street. Take your first right onto 127th Street and follow it for another 3.5 miles. The cemetery will be on your right.
history
The history of this cemetery has been rocky from the beginning. The cemetery was created for the quickly growing African American population in Chicago during the early 20th century. After securing the land, a body was found in the local morgue that could be used to dedicate the cemetery. As the body was carried to the cemetery grounds to officially dedicate the cemetery, however, it was met with significant backlash. The predominantly white village of Aslip did not want a black cemetery anywhere near town. With the help of armed policemen, they turned the burial party around. Those determined to create an African American cemetery were not deterred. They enlisted the help of the sheriff’s department and buried the body anyway.
The cemetery ran into additional issues a little further along in its history. It faced financial trouble and defaulted during The Great Depression, but it was ultimately saved. Like any cemetery, Burr Oak experienced some issues with vandalism during the middle part of the century, but it is the cemetery’s recent history that has kept it in the news and perhaps instigated paranormal activity on its grounds.
In 2009, the Cook County Sheriff accused the owners of the cemetery of criminally mistreating the bodies at the cemetery. According to many accusations, countless corpses were dug up and thrown into mass graves in order to make room for more bodies. In other instances, headstones were allegedly removed and new burials were made on top of old burials. At capacity, the cemetery is able to hold 130,000 bodies. Currently, cemetery records indicate that there could be as many as 147,568 people buried here.
ghost story
During an investigation of illegal activity, it was discovered that one section of the cemetery experienced the most foul play. Thus, it was designated by the sheriff’s office as “Crime Scene A.” Most of the paranormal activity occurs in the area known as “Crime Scene A.” People feel uncomfortable in this area. They feel like they are being watched or experience other indescribable sensations.
There are often reports of people walking through the cemetery at night. Whenever these figures are investigated, no one is ever found. Some suggest that the figures who aimlessly roam the cemetery at night are those whose bodies were moved during the grave desecration scandal and who are looking for their original graves.
visiting
The cemetery is open every day of the week except Sunday. It is open 8 a.m.–4 p.m. daily. During these hours, you may roam the cemetery in an attempt to experience some of the paranormal feelings that are often reported. Because the cemetery closes at 4 p.m., you will be unable to enter the cemetery at night to look for the roaming figures. However, there are public roads encircling the cemetery that remain open throughout the night. You can drive along these roads at night and peer into the cemetery in an attempt to see the lost figures roaming aimlessly around.
CALVARY CEMETERY
301 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60202
directions
From the center of Chicago, take North Lake Shore Drive for about 6 miles, then turn right onto Sheridan Road. Follow Sheridan Road for a little more than 2.5 miles. Sheridan continues through a narrow stretch between Lake Michigan and Calvary Cemetery.
history
There are many historical figures from the Chicagoland area buried in this cemetery. White Sox founder and ballpark namesake Charles Comiskey is buried here, as well as a mayor and prominent businessmen from the area. Those who are buried at the cemetery have little, if anything, to do with the ghost who haunts the place.
There are a couple of different historical accounts that may explain the strange ghost that is seen here. The first account describes an aviator at the nearby naval base who was doing maneuvers over Lake Michigan during World War II. While flying, the plane experienced a mechanical failure and crashed into Lake Michigan. Eventually, wreckage from the plane washed ashore near Calvary Cemetery, but the body of the aviator
