The
area around Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery was probably first settled in the 1830s
by mostly German and Irish immigrants and many of them were originally
bachelors. The initial deed was from around 1864 by a gentleman called Everdeen.
Parcels of land were purchased for $1.25 per acre and about an acre of this land
was eventually set aside for a cemetery. Today
it is owned by a Land Management Group. The original Bachelor’s Grove Road
went right past the cemetery and into the thick woods. When the Midlothian
Turnpike was constructed, this road was closed off to vehicular traffic. Much to
the surprise of many this cemetery is not located at Bachelor’s Grove Woods,
which is a nearby forest preserve.
Throughout
the years, much grave vandalism has occurred here and a number of stones were
moved, discarded in the nearby lagoon or simply stolen. Many are not in their
rightful place and some do not have names or dates inscribed on them.
In
the late 1960s and through the mid-1970s there was evidence of satanic worship
at this location. Occult symbols were scrolled on some tombstones and larger
trees near the current lagoon. Decapitated remains of animals have also been
recovered.
Some
unsubstantiated reports of alleged mob victim bodies were discarded in the
lagoon during the Capone era however, to date, no factual reports have surfaced.
The
fence around the cemetery was put up in 1976 to keep unwanted people out,
however the gates were breached and holes cut in the cemetery fence near the
lagoon. The original Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery sign was probably first
photographed by Dale Kaczmarek around 1980 or so. Many attempts were made to cut
down the sign and even burn it. Today the whereabouts of this classic sign is
unknown.
Unfortunately
throughout the years this location became a hangout for teenagers, party goers
and vandals in the dead of night. Today it is better maintained and a closer
watch for trespassers exists, in thanks to local law enforcement and forest
rangers.
Located
at: 143rd
Street just east of Ridgeland Avenue, Midlothian, Illinois across from Rubio
Woods Forest Preserve
Hauntings:
The
amount of reported sightings would fill a library of books and range from a
disappearing house that appears alongside the trail leading into the cemetery.
It has always been reported as a white framed house, with a porch swing, white
wooden pillars and even a light burning dimly in the windows. The unusual thing
about this house is as you walk towards it, it appears to get smaller and
smaller before finally disappearing into the woods. The house has been reported
on either side of the trail and even within the cemetery boundaries.
Many
different light formations have been reported starting back in 1970 by a Joliet
man named Jack Hermanski who reported seeing a ball of light about the size of a
soccer and blue in color bobbing around the graves in “an intelligent
manner.” As he would reach out to touch the light it would suddenly disappear
and then reappear behind him. About a year later a woman, Denise Travers,
claimed to have put her hand through the light! She felt no heat and no
sensation. It was light putting one’s hand through nothing at all. A red
light, much like a Roman candle, has been reported zooming up and down the main
trail at times.
A
woman in white sometimes referred to as “Mrs. Rodgers” or “The Madonna”
has been encountered on moonlit nights sometimes carrying an infant in her arms.
Her attire is that of a white bridal, wedding or dance gown. Perhaps this is the
same figure that was captured during a GRS investigation of this cemetery on
August 10, 1991. Members were given maps of the location and told to walk
through in teams of two documenting anything unusual. When the maps were
collected and later compared several locations were marked by investigators. The
group then revisited those locations for additional experiments and photography.
Jude Huff (nor Jude Huff-Felz) took pictures using a 35mm SLR camera loaded with
high-speed black and white infrared film. Later examination showed a woman in an
old-fashioned full-length gown that appeared in one picture taken at a tombstone
with a checkerboard pattern but had no name. Was this the famous “Lady in
White?”
Disappearing
cars and pick-up trucks have been reported along the Midlothian Turnpike.
Sometimes passing cars catch a glimpse of what appears to be the silhouette of a
car parked alongside the road. As they pass this image and look in their
rearview mirror, they discover that it has completely vanished. Other times
motorists report seeing a pick-up truck apparently backing into a forest
preserve entrance (most often Rubio Woods). When they arrive at the site a few
moments later, they are amazed to find no truck and the chain is still strung
between the entrance of the forest preserve.
Many
visitors to this location have come away with strange photographs on everything
from 110 Instamatic, SX-70, 35mm and even today’s modern digital cameras. This
includes strange fogs and mists, shadow figures, semi-transparent people,
strange lights etc. Numerous EVPs and disembodied voices and sounds have been
both heard and recorded. Electronic devices often have their batteries drained
very quickly and sometimes don’t work properly.
An
apparition of a farmer and his horse was reported by two Cook County Forest
Rangers in the late 1970s. Traveling west on the Midlothian Turnpike, they both
saw this visage exit the lagoon and cross the road before disappearing into
Rubio Woods. No official documentation of a death of a farmer and horse can be
documented but it does seem to be a real possibility as a lot of the land was
farmed.
A
phantom dog has been reported near the beginning of the trail leading into the
woods. Jim Graczyk and a friend were visiting the location when they came across
a menacing Rottweiler. The animal never made a sound nor even paid much
attention to the late night visitors. As they left the location, the animal just
vanished.
There
are also many local urban legends often associated with this location including
the “Hooked Spirit” and the “Escaped Mental Patient”. A more recent
story involves seeing what has been described as a two-headed monster that
crawls out of the lagoon before disappearing.
Some
visitors often become ill when visiting while others simply get a deep feeling
of dread and never enter the cemetery proper. Back in the day when one was able
to drive up to the cemetery’s gates, their car would often stall and would not
start up again until it was pushed more than halfway down the trail.
The GRS's first nighttime investigation of Bachelor's Grove Cemetery
was on July 2, 2016 and the team included: Stan Suho, Marge
Sucha, Michael Wright, Katherine Meagher, Jim Piscopo, Sandy Weber, Chuck
Williams, Greg Kos, Damaris Miles and Dale Kaczmarek
Equipment
setup: No formal Command Center was
deployed and mostly hand-held equipment was used such as EMF meters, digital
recorders, dowsing rods, IR and visible light cameras, full spectrum camcorders
and REM Epods.
Experiments
performed: An exact duplication
of the experiment conducted back in 1991 was performed which included giving
participants a map of the location. They were to mark on the map anything
unusual that they experienced. Later EVP, Ovilus X and Ghost Box sessions were
conducted near the checkerboard tombstone, the lagoon, Fulton and Rippet
tombstones.
Personal
experiences:
Greg
Kos: Did the walk through and then the investigation.
We were a group of two; Jim Kat and I. Kat had the dowsing rods Jim used a
digital pyrometer and I had the K-II. Jim picked up a two degree swing at one
tomb and I marked it on map. Kat had two separate instances with the rods and
they were recorded on the map.
After that nothing for us
except for the guy that contaminated our EVP session. Kat and Mike left early
and I continued to observe and help until time to pack up and go. I had nothing
on the K-II all night.
Katherine Meagher: Bachelor’s Grove is one of the most popular haunted areas near
Chicago. We were privileged to be there at night. I have to say it is a shame
that people go in and vandalize a cemetery. I think cemeteries are the most
peaceful and though provoking places for contemplation. On
the walk through I was using dowsing rods to find activity that could possibly
be spirits. I did get some movement but nothing substantiating. I am hoping that
others in the group get evidence.
Jim Piscopo: We
arrived about 6:00 pm and checked in with Chuck. After the filming crew was set
up and interviews completed we went into the cemetery. We started with a prayer
and then pared off in groups of three. I was with Kat and Greg. I was using my
instant read pyrometer to monitor temperatures. We walked through the cemetery
and at a few points recorded some cold spots. We recorded these spots on a map
of the cemetery. After this was done we compared notes. We then did EVP sessions
at these spots. I set up my Sony night shot camera just to the right of the path
coming into the cemetery. We got a few things during the EVPs but the cemetery
didn't seem to be too active this night. Throughout the night there were a lot
of fireworks going off all around the cemetery. I don't know if this had any
effect on the lack of activity. Hopefully we will have more when we review the
evidence.
Marge Sucha: This investigation was the first night time investigation performed
at this location. I arrived at the
location around 6:00PM. There was a
camera crew there to document this investigation.
We had to wait a little ways down the road from the location for the crew
to finish interviewing some of the investigators that were previously from the
1991 investigation.
Once
we were in the cemetery Reverend Kristina Rake performed a protection prayer.
We were partnered up and handed a map of the locations of the graves /
gravestones. Each pair
had to walk around the cemetery and if anything seemed to call out to us or
seemed unusual we mark that location. We also wrote notes on how we felt &
if anything unusual happened.
I
was partnered with Mike Wright. Mike
used his dowsing rods & K-II meter. I
had a Mel Meter, K-II, & my FLIR and digital cameras.
At our second stop we noticed the temperature on the Mel meter started to
gradually go up and stopped at 89 degrees. The
sun was starting to go down and the outside temperature at that time was low to
mid 70's.
Earlier
an investigator had mentioned an area in the cemetery where satanic worshipping
had been done. I didn't really feel
anything in that area but because I had heard this we decided to stop at this
location. I put the Melmeter down on
the ground the temperature immediately jumped to 66.6.
We
stopped again by the Infant headstone. I
put the Melmeter down and the temperature started to rise.
This time it went up to 102 degrees.
Mike using the dowsing rods asked if anyone wanted to communicate. The
rods moved to a No position. We
moved behind the grave marker on the other side and the temperature went from 75
degrees to 120 then 240 degrees.
I also got a 2.3 on the meter.
I tried to tap the thermometer down but it would not move.
As we and started walking again the thermometer went down to 70.
I turned around and walked back to the same location and the thermometer
jumped up to 240 again and the meter jumped to 2.2.
Once
we were done we handed our maps and notes in to Chuck.
They were compared to the other groups and the three top locations were
mapped out. This was done to
determine where our group EVP sessions would be done.
Our top three locations were by Fullerton Tombstone, Corner in the
cemetery where satanic worshipping has been performed in the past and the area
by the Infant tombstone. We
also did a fourth EVP session in the area by the Rippet tombstone.
There was a lot of traffic noise.
Reverend
Kristina Rake closed the night by performing a blessing of the cemetery.
Stan Suho: This was a private event set up by our Indiana member
Chuck. He brought in some professionals from the west coast to video the
investigation, and our group as well as several of Chuck’s friends joined in.
It began with an interview of Judy, the girl that took the most famous ghost
picture of all time. At twilight we began our investigation/setup. I set up
two IR video cameras and let them record. The first one was focused on “the
tombstone “that was the stone that the girl was seated on in the famous photo.
The second was focused on the Fulton stone. Not sure why, maybe because it was
one of the biggest.
As the
cameras were rolling, and the interviews were being conducted, I made the rounds
taking pictures. It was a pleasant evening, not many mosquitos, and the weather
couldn’t be better. Chucks pros were busy recording everything with their top
of the line video cameras. Several extensive EVP sessions were conducted near
“the tomb stone” and on the far side of the cemetery down by the pond. The
background noise was quite high due to the proximity of the Midlothian Turnpike
nearby, but we could work around these distractions. The evening proceeded
smoothly and by midnight we were packed up and moving down that long lost
highway.
Conclusions: We
will have to wait until the results are tabulated and videos are in but I think
Chuck has a winner here. Good job Chuck.
Sandy Weber: Equipment: Sony
Nightshot video camera, Infrared camera (FLIR), dowsing rods, Melmeter
Phenomena witnessed by investigator
At the beginning of the investigation we walked around the cemetery
in groups of 2, using electromagnetic equipment to look for “hot” spots.
At one location my team got a reading that jumped from near 0 to 1.7.
Later when the group returned together to this location, I was unable to
see or hear anything on my night shot camcorder, nor was I able to see or hear
anything unusual at any of the other spots where the group stopped to do
sessions looking for EVP’s or use the Ovilus and ghost box.
I tried using dousing rods at various locations throughout the cemetery
with no results. Another team member
thought there was some unusual energy at the Newman graves but did not believe
it was either Mr. or Mrs. Newman. .
Summary
I did not record or witness any clear evidence that Bachelor’s Grove is
haunted. However, there was
considerable contamination of the investigation by frogs, fireworks, cars, and
talking, including someone wandering in the woods outside the cemetery in the
dark without a flashlight! Although
I reserve judgment on whether or not paranormal phenomena occur in the cemetery,
visiting the sight leaves me with the impression that a photograph taken by a
team member in the early 1990’s is more likely to be evidence of paranormal
activity. That photo is of a woman
sitting on a gravestone. It is
unlikely that a woman who was not a member of the team could have entered this
tiny cemetery in daylight and paused to sit on the gravestone without someone
from the team becoming aware of her presence.
Chuck Williams: GRS
Members: Dale Kaczmarek, Stan Suho,
Marge Sucha, Jim Piscopo, Kat Meagher, Mike Wright, Sandy Weber, Damaris Miles
(Not a member), Greg Kos and I.
Crew:
Myself, Jim Hartman, Ken Heinemann, Rob Shultz, JC Rositas, Michelle
Reynolds, Raylene Swinock, Tony Morales, Ashley Brown, Reverend Mother Kristina
Rake
History:
This investigation was for a documentary commemorating the 25th
Anniversary of Judy Huff’s “Lady In White” photo.
Who else would you have but the group who was there at the time?
We started the day with a protection prayer from Reverend Mother Kristina
Rake. The investigation was held
like it was in 1991; we followed a map noting experiences and after they were
compared, 3 hot spots were chosen for further investigation.
Equipment:
FLIR Camera for iPhone, Zoom recorder, Melmeter.
I kept it simple because of my dual role as investigator/ Crew.
Also the whole thing was filmed by multiple cameras for the production.
Personal
Experiences: 2 female voices were
heard outside the gate, on the trail leading to the settlement area.
I went out to investigate, saw nothing, turned to come back, and the
voices started again. Nothing.
Voices heard outside the gate, near lagoon, turned out to be trespassers.
Investigation:
Area 1 was by the checkerboard tombstone and Fullerton stone.
EVP, Ovilus were performed. This
is when a break occurred while we had to kick out the trespassers, and me
chasing the female voices.
Area
2 was near the new section of gate and lagoon.
Ovilus was performed. Dale
asked who was here in 91’ and it responded, “You”.
Area
3 was near the large Fulton Stone. Ovilus and Spirit Box performed.
One or two responses came through the spirit box.
I
had hoped we would have more time for individual investigation.
Some investigators/crew left at this time.
We were left with 10-20 minutes for this, near the Rippet stone.
Nothing remarkable here.
Reverend
Mother Kristina Rake came back and blessed the cemetery, as a way of giving
back, and hoping the souls could finally find rest, and heal the desecration
over the decades.
Dale Kaczmarek: This
was a rare opportunity of conducting a nighttime investigation of this
infamously haunted cemetery. I had first visited this location back in 1975 and
many times since then. I have had the opportunity of visiting this location at
night for several productions including: Eye
On Chicago 10-5-84; botched segment of Cringe
in 2008; Ten Most Terrifying Places in
America 10-27-10. My very first television segment filmed here was for WBBM-TV
with Barry Bernson in 1981.
I have also investigated
this location many times; 5-1-82, 8-10-91, 8-6-94, 9-25-99, 9-12-04, 6-21-11,
8-27-11, 9-21-13, 3-20-15 and most recently at night on 7-2-16.
This was a perfect night
for an investigation. There was unfortunately major contamination from vehicles
passing by on the turnpike and an unexpected interruption due to two trespassers
who had to be chased out by our security police on duty.
We could have had more time
to investigate however it did seem like a very quiet and peaceful evening even
for a cemetery. My X-Cam SLS system did pick up a stick figure crawling up
Michele’s leg!
I applaud Chuck Williams
for setting this up! Great job there buddy!
Evidence collected:
3 degree temperature drop
bachelors.MPG – Piscopo’s digital pyrometer suddenly records a three degree
temperature drop.
Asshole bachelors.MPG –
while conducting an EVP session by the checkerboard tombstone, a faint whisper
was recorded in the background saying, “Asshole.”
Body bachelors.MPG –
while conducting an Ovilus session by the lagoon, a question was asked, “What
happened in this lagoon over here?” The Ovilus responds with, “Body.”
BG road bachelors.MPG – a
unique dash-cam video of our departure down the original Bachelor’s Grove
Road.
Cat meow bachelors.MPG –
while conducting the initial investigation with Weber and Miles near the Hageman
tombstone, a question was asked, “What is my no?” A weird sounding and quite
loud voice is heard in the background that says, “Cat meow.” I cannot be
100% sure that this wasn’t a real person that said this but there was no
reason for such an outburst.
Dipshit bachelors.MPG –
while conducting the initial investigation near the Deck tombstone along with
Kos, Meagher and Piscopo a fireworks goes off, followed by a whisper that says,
“Dipshit.”
FLIR hit bachelors.MPG –
while using the FLIR near western fence area, Weber picks up a hotspot which
later was found to be a trespasser hiding in the woods.
Help me walking and fucking
bachelors.MPG – B role of the entrance during daylight hours reveals a whisper
that says, “Help me, walking and fucking.”
I want a bachelors.MPG –
while conducting an EVP session near the checkerboard tombstone a whisper was
recorded that says, “I want a…”
Koo koo kajoo bachelors.MPG
– while conducting an EVP session near the lagoon, a voice is recorded that
says, “Koo koo kajoo.” I cannot be 100% sure that this wasn’t created by a
real person but there was no reason for anyone to utter such a phrase.
No bachelors.MPG – while
conducting the initial investigation near the Fulton tombstone with Meagher,
Piscopo and Kos, a comment was made, “No EMFs.” A whispered response says,
“No.”
Noises from lagoon
bachelors.MPG – while shooting for William’s documentary, suddenly noises
were heard by many coming from the area near the lagoon.
Now bachelors.MPG – while
conducting an EVP session near the checkerboard tombstone, a question was asked,
“Is there a male who wishes to talk with us?” A whispered response was
recorded that says either, “Now” or “No.”
Question picture fell
bachelors.MPG – while conducting an Ovilus X session in dictionary mode near
the checkerboard tombstone, the Ovilus says, “Question.” A question was
asked, “Can you tell me what happened in the woods behind me about thirty
years ago?” After a long pause, the Ovilus says, “Picture.” (Perhaps
referring to the famous white lady picture taken in 1991.) Another follow-up
question was asked, “Do you know the first name of the person who took that
picture?” The Ovilus responds with, “Fell.” (This is very close to the
last name of Judy Huff Felz who took that picture.)
Take her bachelors.MPG –
after the initial prayer by Rev. Rake, she began to pass out religious medals. A
whisper was recorded that says, “Take her.”
Uh huh bachelors.MPG –
while conducting a Ghost Box session near the Fulton tombstone, a question was
asked, “What’s the name of this large tombstone?” A response of some kind
was recorded and it sounds like, “Uh huh.”
Woo bachelors.MPG – while
conducting an EVP session near the checkerboard tombstone a sound is recorded in
the background that says, “Woo.”
You bachelors.MPG – while
conducting an Ovilus X session near the lagoon, a question was asked, “Can you
tell me the kind of people that were involved?” (Regarding the famous white
lady picture) The Ovilus responds with, “You.”
Conclusions:
What a great time and unique experience! I’ve only been allowed to be in the
cemetery legally a few times, this being one of them. I’ve always said however
that if a location is said to be haunted, you don’t have to come out after
dark to investigate. However this does always add to the excitement factor,
especially at Bachelor’s Grove.
I know some people would literally kill for the opportunity to investigate here after dark. It isn’t easy to acquire the necessary forms and permission to be here after dark and it can be quite expensive as well. I do think that everyone would enjoy the chance to investigate here after the sun has set and perhaps we can do this again sometime in the future.
Ghost Research Society (www.ghostresearch.org)
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