Chet's Melody Lounge Investigation

The bar got its name from Chet Prusinski in 1963. One story concerns quite a while ago of a gentleman who was camping on the property what today is Chet’s and he died when his campfire got out of control and he suffocated to death. Dowsing rod and EVP sessions in the past have identified this person as Ben. There is some charred wood in the ceiling that is used from the fire that claimed the man’s life.

This tavern was once one of three across the street from Resurrection Cemetery. The main gates were originally right across the street but were later moved to their current location.

There have been about a half-dozen songs written about Mary including: The Ballad of Resurrection Mary, Resurrection Mary and even a rap version, Rez Mary. Her story has appeared on numerous documentaries including: That’s Incredible, Arthur C. Clarke’s Mysterious World, Unsolved Mysteries, The Other Side, Oprah, Mysteries, Magic & Miracles, Real People and numerous others. There are a number of books written about her, T-shirts and DVDs and a stage play entitled Resurrection Mary.

Dickey Lee also may have been inspired to write the song Laurie about meeting a girl, dancing with her, giving her his coat before dropping her at her parents’ house. He later forgot his jacket and went back to retrieve it, only to be told by the couple living there that their daughter had been dead for years. He goes to graveyard and finds his jacket neatly folded on her grave!

Address: 7400 S. Archer Ave., Justice, IL 60458

Phone: 708-496-9202

Owners: Richard and Barbara Prusinski

Hauntings: Reports of little children laughing and rustling down in the basement, in the bar area and even outside the establishment. Some bartenders have reported the feeling of someone touching their shoulders. Shadows have been seen out of the corner of one’s eyes on the right side of the bar.

The ghost of a person named Ben haunts a basement corner near the sump pump. He is alleged to have died from asphyxiation while camping on the property in the past.

There may be a female ghost named Lizzy who enjoys locking woman in the women’s restroom according to psychics who have visited this location in the past. Female bartenders sometimes feel uncomfortable when using the facility.

Besides these stories, this tavern is associated with Chicago’s most famous ghost, Resurrection Mary who has been seen along Archer Avenue since the latter 1930s. There are stories of cab drivers who have picked up a very solid-looking beautiful young woman in a long white dress and long blonde hair somewhere between the old Willowbrook Ballroom, now gone, and the main gates of Resurrection Cemetery. In one particular encounter, she asks to be let out in Chet’s parking lot so that she can use the powder room. The driver waits for a period of time before entering and attempting to locate their fare. She is nowhere to be seen and the people and bartenders on duty at the time report that no such woman came in!

On January 11, 1979 a cab driver picked up a girl near the intersection of Willow Springs Road and Archer Avenue, near the Old Willow Shopping Center. He had just dropped off a fare in the Palos area and was trying to get back to the toll way. He was a little lost and asked this very solid-looking girl if she wanted a lift in exchange for directions. She was no help in directions according to Ralph, a 52-year-old cab driver at the time. She said very little except, “My the snow came early this year.”

As they neared the main gates of Resurrection Cemetery she shouted out, “Here here!” and pointed across the street towards a small shack that once existed there. It was then that the girl, seated next to him in the front seat, vanished into thin air while the cab was still in motion and no doors had been opened.

He proceeded to the only place open at that time, Chet’s Melody Lounge, and had several stiff drinks. He was eventually approached by bar owner Chet and told what had just happened. Chet then suggested that perhaps he had just had an encounter with the ghost of Resurrection Mary!

It was a custom especially back in the late 1970s and early 1980s to play The Ballad of Resurrection Mary on the old jukebox. Chet and even his son Rich carry on the traditional of leaving a corner barstool open in case she decides to make an appearance with a Bloody Mary sitting on the bar.

The Ghost Research Society investigated Chet's Melody Lounge December 18, 2018 and the team members included: Dale Kaczmarek, with help from Edward Shanahan and Richard Prusinski

Equipment setup: No equipment was used except a digital recorder and a tablet with the Phasma Box application.

Experiments performed: A Phasma Box session was conducted in the Basement with Rich Prusinski and Edward Shanahan.

Personal experiences: I did not feel anything unusual while in the Basement or while conducting the Phasma Box session; however I was not probably there long enough as the session only lasted for approximately twelve minutes.

Evidence collected:

A fascinating case Chets.MPG – while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Basement, the device said, “A fascinating case.”

Basement Chets.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Basement, a question was asked, “Can you tell us what room we’re in right now?” The device responded, “Basement.”

Be constantly pleasing Chets.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Basement, the device said what sounds like, “Be constantly pleasing.”

Children Chets.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Basement, Shanahan had commented about the last time he investigated here that he had invited some children ghosts to help out. The device clearly said, “Children” in a very deep male voice.

Fuck you Chets.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Basement, a question was asked, “How many spirits are down here?” The device responded with, “Fuck you!”

I’m protected Chets.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Basement, the device said, “I’m protected” in a child’s voice.

Look over your shoulder Chets.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Basement, a word came through that sounded like Bridgeview which is a town very close to Chet’s. A question was asked, “What about Bridgeview?” The device responded with, “Look over your shoulder.”

Really great talking Chets.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Basement, we were about ready to conclude our EVP session when the device said, “Really great talking.”

That’s important pray to help the wounded Chets.MPG – while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Basement, Shanahan was commenting at the very beginning of our EVP session that he had been here in the past when the device said, “That’s important” followed by, “Pray to help the wounded.”

Conclusions: This was the first time that I was ever allowed to investigate Chet’s Melody Lounge and I wish to thank Richard Prusinski for allowing us access to this location and Edward Shanahan for setting up the upstairs interview and later session in the Basement.

Like all basements it was a little creepy and the Phasma Box session was conducted in full light with no other detection equipment. It was just to be a short session. I would very much like to come back here one evening after the place closes to investigate not only the Basement but the upstairs as well.