Spooky season may be coming to an end, but some spirits linger year-round! Every town has its fair share of ghost stories. It seems as if they resurface as soon as the leaves turn orange and the air becomes crisper. Northwest Indiana is no exception when it comes to scary tales! Whether you believe in ghosts or love urban legends, this special Halloween edition blog post covers all of the spookiest stories in Northwest Indiana.
Diana of the Dunes
Originally a resident of Chicago, Alice Mabel Gray, better known as “Diana of the Dunes”, spent a significant amount of her time in Chesterton, Indiana. She was known for her passion for the environment and preserving nature. Gray was an intelligent and cultured young woman, enrolling in the University of Chicago at age sixteen. She studied in Germany upon graduation, and eventually worked for the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. At some point, she had a change of heart and decided to live freely and alone in the Indiana Dunes. She passed away from kidney failure in 1925 after refusing treatment for uremic poisoning and was buried in Gary, Indiana.
After her death, it was said that she could still be seen in the dunes, running around naked and bathing in the lake, which she was known for doing in life. The nickname ‘Diana’ was given to her after the Roman goddess of wildlife, due to her public support of conservation. Recently, her efforts to support the Dunes led the Indiana Dunes National Park to name a hiking challenge after her. The “Diana of the Dunes Dare” was made to support conservation of the park.
Old Sheriff’s House Lake County Jail
Located in Crown Point, Indiana, the Old Sheriff’s House Lake County Jail used to house disgruntled and dangerous inmates. Today, the establishment offers tours of paranormal happenings. Said to be haunted by the spirits of previous inmates and even a security guard, many people have experienced some kind of paranormal activity while visiting.
There are reports of full-body apparitions (also sometimes called “shadow people”) appearing in photos and videos taken by visitors. Incidents involving mysterious flickering lights, echoes of footsteps, cell doors opening and closing on their own, and even disembodied voices being caught on recording are all common occurrences in this historic space. Tour groups are almost guaranteed to have some kind of paranormal experience. One ghost said to be responsible for the hauntings is John Dillinger, a convict who managed to break out of the prison and was later killed in Chicago by the FBI, although ghosts of other former convicts and even a security guard are also sometimes blamed.
Reder Road
Griffith, Indiana, is home to Reder Road, a location said to be haunted by Elizabeth Wilson, a woman who died in the 1950s. It is said that travellers passing through the area sometimes see her on the side of the road. Wilson passed away in 1955 after a tragic car accident. Since then, there have been multiple occurrences of Wilson hitchhiking in the cars of young men. It is said that she typically disappears from the vehicle before reaching Ross Cemetery, where she resided before her passing.
There have also been many reports of strange lights, disembodied voices, and even apparitions in the area. However, many believe that the strange occurrences are caused by other ghosts, not necessarily Elizabeth Wilson. In the 1930s, there were rumors of the Mafia dumping bodies in the Chicago suburbs, including this road. Although no evidence of this claim has ever been found, many believe the spirits of these victims are what haunt the road. The road’s isolated nature and lack of traffic, as well as the mob-like lingo caught on spirit boxes of ghost trackers and hunters, lead many to believe that it is the latter. Despite locals and ghosthunters alike being split on which legend is true, both sides seem to agree that Reder Road is a location that has paranormal activity.
Boo!
Whether you’re looking to visit these haunted locations or want an explanation for an experience you’ve already had, there’s a spooky story for everyone to enjoy! What’s your favorite ghost story to tell?
