State Hospital
Museum of Science and Industry
Sheraton Gateway Suites Hotel at O’Hare
APPENDIX 1: Chapters Organized Geographically
APPENDIX 2: Daytripping (Or in This Case … Nighttripping)
APPENDIX 3: Places That Did Not Quite Make the Book
APPENDIX 4: Local Paranormal Groups
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
WE WOULD LIKE TO START by thanking all of the behind-the-scenes people who made this book possible. During our countless hours of research into this vast array of haunted locations, we were helped by so many people who either wished to remain anonymous or whose names we never learned. It almost seems unfair that those who have helped us so tremendously not be individually mentioned in this section. For this reason, we feel that these particular folks should be acknowledged first. You have our most sincere apologies for not mentioning you by name, and you have our equally sincere gratitude for your insights.
Next, we would like to thank a few people and organizations who helped us with the daunting amount of research necessary to complete a book of this breadth. Without these dedicated individuals, this book would not have been possible. The Chicago Public Library and the Elgin Public Library provided not only assistance with our research, but also the necessary resources to complete it. Also, we thank David Scott from Ipra Illinois Para for making us aware of the fascinating stories behind the Manteno State Hospital when we ran into him at Scarefest.
Finally, we would like to extend individual thanks to our family, friends, and associates.
Vince: First and foremost, my old man and my grandfather, you helped with this book more than you could know. I can still hear Grandpa saying, “Walk softly, and carry a big stick.”
Steven Fuller, Frank Rosko, and Tiffany Sawczenko: You all helped lay the foundation for, and I could not have asked for better pals with which to conduct, our paranormal investigations. I would also like to thank my friends Dylan Raye and Darleen Schillaci.
Tim McCauley: Out of all of my friends, I’ve known you the longest. And that probably gives you the most reasons not to be my friend anymore. It’s this fact that makes me appreciate having you around even more.
Steve and Chris: You’re my two favorite brothers. Thanks for being around.
Kelsey Tate: I’ll never forget what you said to me one day. You said, “Vince, you’re an idiot.” But then, shortly after, you told me to not be afraid of being an individual.” I would like to think that I have taken your advice, so thanks.
Mom and Mike: Stay weird. I love you guys, and I never would have been involved with this book if it weren’t for your guidance.
Jeff: I can’t express my gratitude enough toward people like you who have encouraged and supported me throughout the creation of this book.
Amy, Koen, and Koda: As my family, you have allowed me the necessary time to both work on the book at home and travel to Chicago for research. It’s essential to also note that my parents have been very generous and supportive during the writing of this book, and they also deserve my most sincere thanks.
Garett Merk: The coauthor of two of my previous books, you drove me to Chicago to visit many of the places that would eventually end up in this book. Thank you. Ryan Vehr also tagged along and was gracious enough to take the floor while Garett and I slept on the couch and chair.
Archer Woods Cemetery (Mount Glenwood Memory Gardens West)
FOREWORD
IMAGINE.
IMAGINE YOU HAD THE ABILITY to go to any place in the world at any time in history. To walk the streets of Jerusalem in Biblical times. To sit in the stands at the Roman Coliseum while gladiators dueled below. To watch any great battle of history from the sidelines. To experience any great disaster or event and to see it as it really happened.
Where would you go? When would it be?
If I had the ability to transport myself to any place at any time in history, I would go to Chicago in 1893. This was the year of the World’s Fair—probably the greatest World’s Fair in history—which occurred in Chicago in what is today Jackson Park, on the shores of Lake Michigan.
They called it the White City. The buildings, temporary, were meant to survive for only the duration of the event, and all were painted white. At night, electricity lit the fairgrounds. At the time, onlookers described it as magical. Few of these folks had electricity themselves. Some had never seen electric lights illuminate a building. The fairgrounds appeared as bright as if it were daytime. The future had arrived in Chicago; the warm glow of the lights symbolized brighter times to come, as a new age arrived in one fantastic event.
Incredible sights that would become staples of the approaching decades were first exhibited at the fair. The first Ferris wheel towered over the Midway. The first functioning zipper was showcased at this fair. So was Juicy Fruit gum, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, and Cream of Wheat. During this extravaganza, a newspaper writer coined the term “Windy City” to describe Chicago, a name by which it is still known today. At the same time, pillars of the past were represented at the fair—most notably Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
Perhaps the most exciting battle taking place at the fair was that between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla. Edison championed his direct current technology, while Tesla promoted his safer, alternating-current technology, which, due to a win in a bidding war, ended up powering the lights at the fair. Still, Edison and Tesla maintained their own exhibits at the fair, where they demonstrated their individual electric technologies as the awed masses watched in wonder.
If I were transported to this place, I would feel as if I were standing at the threshold of the future. Its people didn’t know it yet, but the world was about to change. At last, our planet was coming of age. Technology would begin to increase exponentially.
People who lived in the world before the fair wouldn’t have been able to fathom the world we live in today. Sure, they could anticipate
