Check Out The 6 Spookiest Spots in Michigan…If You Dare
Julie Bitely
| 3 min read
Halloween is quickly approaching and that means it’s time to visit haunted houses, creepy abandoned buildings, and anywhere rumored to withhold a ghost. If you’re in the mood for a good scare, check out one or all of these locations throughout the mitten; we bet they’ll send a chill down your spine:
- Detroit: Masonic Temple- the Masonic theater, temple and concert venue is a complex, age-old space with many stories to tell. It encompasses secret staircases, concealed passageways, inexplicable shadows, frigid zones, slamming doors and hidden compartments in the floors, among other spooky features. “Mr. Mason,” the credited builder of the temple, eventually jumped to his death from the roof of the building when his wife reportedly left him. Security personnel claim to see his ghost ascending the stairs to the roof to this day.
- Holland: The Felt Estate- this historic home and garden is a piece of Holland’s history. It was recently restored and now puts on blackness tours through October. Tour guests have reported self-locking doors, shadow-being sightings and the icy chill of residents in unlit hallways. The site is also building up evidence of spirits and hauntings, so this is an opportunity to help discover the site’s true paranormal power.
- Willis: Bone Head’s BBQ- Bone Head’s BBQ is an oldie but a goodie, said to be established before 1865 when Willis wasn’t even established as a village yet. Ghosts, orbs, uncontrolled lights, whispering and footsteps have all been rumored and studied by ghost hunters. One little girl even reported seeing more than her own reflection in a bathroom mirror.
- Marquette: Old City Orphanage- once known as the Holy Family Orphanage, this dilapidated building was also once poised to be transformed into a mental institution. Funding and foundational issues made this dream an impossible reality. One legend recalls a young girl playing outside during a blizzard, subsequently catching pneumonia and dying several days later. As a reminder of her mistake and a warning to the other kids, the nuns put her body on display. It has been rumored that one can hear the crying of children when passing the building on a quiet night.
- Monroe: River Raisin National Battlefield Park- The Battles of River Raisin were the largest and bloodiest encounters fought on Michigan soil. They occurred during the War of 1812 and were a series of attacks between British, American and Native American forces. Ghosts and figures in doorways, windows, and on the field, have been photographed throughout the battle grounds. Sounds of war and cries of agony have also been recorded. Spirits of the River Raisin is an event that will occur over Halloween weekend re-enacting and re-kindling spirits of the dead as well.
- Houghton Lake: Anchor Inn- at over 100 years old, the U.P.’s Anchor Inn has said to be ridden with haunted spirits. It has served as a restaurant, hotel, meat market, grocery store, brothel and beauty salon, among other businesses throughout the years. Visitors have said to have experienced sensations including voices, laughter, foot steps, full body apparitions, poltergeist activity, door and lock manipulation, mists, orbs and other paranormal activity. Haunted housing and tours are available throughout the fall for visits. There are a lot of freaky places in Michigan…but this one might take the cake.
What other haunted locations do you like to visit in the mitten? Let us know in the comments below!
Photo credit: jess
