Old Lighthouse Museum Investigation

This is a decommissioned lighthouse built in 1858 at a cost of $8,000 and it replaced an 1837 brick and stone light built at the end of Lake Michigan. Where the gift shop is today is a 1904 renovation of the building.

The most famous light keeper was Harriet Colfax who served here from 1861 to 1904 and retired then at the ripe old age of 80 years old. She has been nicknamed “Old Faithful” for always keeping the light ablaze. Colfax lived on the east side of the building while her partner, Ann Hartwell, lived on the western end.

There are several rooms on the main floor and four on each of the upper levels including one that was turned into a parlor. One such room is called “The Lincoln Room.” Lincoln’s funeral train stopped here. There is a recreation of the original lantern room however where the glass tower is today was an addition and not where the lighthouse light was. The attic is where the original lantern room was including a staircase where keepers would have to sometime relight the lantern three to four times a night for 43 years. Many say that it was the best lighthouse in Indiana but in reality, it is the only lighthouse in Indiana.

A $140,000 window renovation will be starting soon. The original 1858 lens is still housed here in the museum. This location was a lighthouse until 1940 when the Coast Guard took it over. Pierhead Light nearby was never manned and in 1904 the lens was removed to Pierhead Light.

There are many display rooms today for people to visit including the Excursion Room which has ship displays and information on the SS Eastland, Manufacturing Room, Military Room and Lincoln Room. On this property was a Smith’s Cough Drop factory. Jamie Smith bought the recipe for this product from a peddler, Sly Hawkins in 1852 and made their first batch here. William and Andrew Smith took over the business after their father died in 1866.

Another great draw for the group to this location was that along the boat dock just down the hill from the lighthouse was where the Eastland was supposed to arrive on July 24, 1915 but had capsized in the Chicago River killing 844 people. This was part of the annual Western Electric Picnic to Michigan City, Indiana for employees and family members. The large open field next to the lighthouse is where a lot of the activities would have been held that day however due to the tragedy the entire picnic was canceled.  The ship was commissioned in during 1902 by the Michigan Steamship Company and built by the Jenks Ship Building Company of Port Huron, Michigan. There were five other ships that arrived to cargo passengers across the lake including: The Theodore Roosevelt, the Petoskey, the Maywood, the Racine, and the Rochester; however everyone preferred the Eastland, “The Speed Queen of the Lakes.” It is still considered to be Chicago’s worst disaster of all time!

Address: 100 Heisman Harbor, Michigan City, Indiana 46360

Phone: 219-872-6133

Contact person: Jim Retseck

Website: https://www.oldlighthousemuseum.org/plan.html

Hauntings: People and visitors outside have seen images of people staring out of windows in the Excursion Room. The money drawer of the desk in the Gift Shop opens by itself and has been observed doing just that by numerous staff members. One night it opened up twenty-one times!

Often upon up on occasion, the building was very cold. Guides have seen a black wisp of smoke rise up the stairs and sometimes in one particular corner of the Lincoln Room.

On a very busy day with a lot of tourists, one of the guides went downstairs to use the restroom and saw that black shape again downstairs. After telling other guides what she had just witnessed, several of them caught a strange whiff of flowers.

Footsteps have been heard on the back steps on two separate occasions. Another docent was in the room with the cradle talking when she clearly heard footsteps and the laughter of children. Some have smelled the aroma of beef stew at where the old kitchen used to be. Others have smelled perfume up in the bedroom and sometimes cigar smoke.

One time someone visited this location with an Internet application to track ghosts and the name, “Ann” came through (Ann Hartwell?)  Pictures have been taken of the past by docents of what looks like faces.

The Ghost Research Society  investigated the Old Lighthouse Museum on April 20, 2019 and the team members included: . Kathie Para, Jim Piscopo, Charles Williams, Mike Rosario and Dale Kaczmarek

Equipment setup: Jim Piscopo set up a camera in the Excursion Room while Williams and Rosario carried theirs from room to room. A lot of hand-held equipment was deployed including the Tri-Field Natural EM Meter, Melmeter, REM Epod, Nightshot camcorders, X-Cam SLS device, digital recorders and cameras, supplemental infrared lights, Ovilus X with digital text display, Phasma Box, Ghost Box, full spectrum cameras and a GoPro camera.

Experiments performed: EVP, Ovilus X and Phasma Box sessions were performed in the Gift Shop, Early History Room, upstairs bedroom and another bedroom with the piano.

Personal experiences:

Kathy Para: GRS members for this investigation were Dale, Chuck, Jim, Mike Rosario and me.

Equipment used by us included Ovilus X, Phasma Box, K-II meters, X-Cam SLS and REM Epod along with various video cameras and audio recorders.

The building has two stories and a basement. We weren’t able to cover all of it but did EVP sessions in a couple rooms on the first floor and three rooms on the second floor. We were accompanied by some of the caretakers of the museum and I found it interesting when they shared their paranormal experiences.

One of the things that is known to happen is one of the desk drawers mysteriously opens in the “gift shop room.”  While doing an EVP session in this room the drawer did open several inches twice. While there could be an explanation for this we couldn’t find one. That was very interesting!

Another interesting fact of the location is that this is where the Eastland was supposed to dock after bringing Western Electric employees from Chicago for a day’s outing and picnic in Michigan City, Indiana. The boat never made it out of Chicago as it capsized before it ever got under way. Hundreds people drowned that day in one of Chicago’s worst tragedies and the day’s festivities in Michigan City were cancelled. There is a section of the museum dedicated to this tragic event. While doing an EVP session and questioning about this, the word “Eastland” came though giving me goose bumps.

In the “Lincoln room” on the second floor, a stick figure kept appearing on the X-Cam SLS.

While I didn’t get any true EVPs upon reviewing my audio, there were a few interesting or relevant words that came through on other devices throughout the night. Those are included in my report.

This was a very interesting location and I wish we had more time there. I would like to return to spend more time there.

Jim Piscopo: We arrived around 8pm and did an extensive walk through of the museum. Around 10:00 we started setting up equipment. I set up my camcorder with night vision in the Native American artifacts room. We had a small group so we all stayed together doing many EVP sessions throughout the museum. During one session I was using the SLS camera. At one point just before breaking down for the night I heard tapping noises in the artifacts room. At no point did I feel uneasy in the museum. I still have to review my evidence from my camera.

Mike Rosario: Introduction:  I had a really wonderful as well as an emotional experience during our investigation at the famous Old Lighthouse Museum located in Michigan City, IN.  It hit home for me as a Titanic historian, because this is where the infamous S.S. Eastland, an American steamship bound for Michigan City, Indiana for workers on holiday, were supposed to dock in 1915, but never completed its journey due to its capsizing on the Chicago River, on the 24^th of July 1915.  A total of 844 passengers and 3 crew lost their lives that day, and was made famous by the number of souls deceased by outweighing the number of the Titanic’s passenger victims (829).  Many occurrences have been prevalent in and around the lighthouse, including shadow figures, apparitions of men, women, and children; voices (even whispers), all sorts of noises on the first and second floors of the building; and there is a prominent entity that likes to make its presence known: an older woman who took care of the old lighthouse for over 40 years, a Miss Harriet Colfax.  I’ve been told she likes to peek her head out of doorways and hallways every now and then when the museum’s staff are preparing for guests or tidying up the place during after-hours.

Equipment and Initial Investigation:  Our investigation took off at approximately 8:15pm on Saturday, April 20, 2019.  Weather was cold out, around 39°, but with partly-clear skies – reasonable visibility. Equipment used was my K-II meter, a Philips Digital Voice Recorder, a Sony Night Shot Handy-Cam DCR-TRV13 NTSC 560 Digital-8 20X Optical Zoom Video Camcorder, 198-IR Light Module, my iPhone 8-Plus for (HD) picture taking, and a Police Security Elite Blackout 615 Lumen Hands-free Heavy-Duty Head Strap Flashlight.  We were actually together as one whole group, so there wasn’t any pairing into separate groups that night. I first set up my night shot camera in Sophia Schwartz’s bedroom, located on the second floor.  We first began sweeping the entire Gift Shop area on the first floor using our K-II meters looking for any types of fluctuation of the electromagnetic frequency in the area.  This room received an approximate reading of 0.2-0.5mG. As a group, we conducted an official EVP session.  After that session, we moved next to the Native American and Maritime Artifacts display area (first floor).  I swept the entire room, including the room adjacent to it with my K-II meter, and received a reading around 2.0-4.2mG.  We then conducted an additional EVP session there afterwards as well.  We then moved to the Lincoln Room, located on the second floor.  I picked up approximately 5.9-7.2mG spikes on my K-II here.  We also did a follow-up EVP session here as well.  Also located upstairs was Sophia Schwartz’s bedroom.  Here, my night shot camera was still recording during our K-II and EVP sessions.  K-II spikes ranged from 4.2-5.3mG.  Finally, we moved to the Parlour Suite room adjacent to Sophia’s room.  Again, I set up my night shot camera in this area as well.  I also conducted a K-II sweep, and received spike reading of about 5.0-6.2mG.  After this investigation, Dale, Jim, and I went outside to do a Facebook Live session out on the Dockside area where the S.S. Eastland would have moored that fateful day.

Investigation Wrap-Up:  The investigation ended approximately around 12:30am on Sunday, April 21, 2019.

Evidence:  Upon reviewing all of my evidence, it’s sad to note that nothing appeared out of the ordinary, image-wise, on my night-shot camcorder or my iPhone.  However, I did receive plenty of EVP evidence through my digital voice recorder.  The evidence is as follows:

Gift Shop Room:

~ “I have a quick question.”
~ “Get out!”
~ “He loves us.”
~ “Where is Lincoln?”
~ “Eastland1.”
~ *Some knocking/tapping noises (three or so times).
~ “Telephone,” and/or “Eastland,” and “In the basement.”
~ “Eastland2.”
~ Either “I love you,” or “There’s lots of you.”
~ “Scandal,” and “Eastland.”

Native American/Maritime Room:

~ “We agreed to it; it’s in his hands.”

The Lincoln Room:

~ “To determine.”
~ “I’m scared.”  And “I miss you, Michael.”
~ “Yes.”  When a question was asked if Lincoln was here with us in the [Lincoln] room.

Sophia Schwartz’s Bedroom:

~ A disembodied voice saying, “Smell him.”
~ “In Morse Code.”

Adjacent Parlour Suite Room:

~ “Gonna be ok in traffic.”
~ “Boy, I’ll miss you.”

Conclusion/Overall:  As always, I thought it was a very good investigation, and ‘twas very well conducted.  A lot of EVPs were collected here, and really would love to come again and investigate and do some more EVP work in many other rooms inside the museum as well.  Truly a wonder to enjoy and experience.  There is just so much fascinating history in this one location alone.  Definitely would love to come back soon!  A very big thank you to all of the Museum’s Staff!!

Charles Williams: Hauntings:  Knocking sounds, a black mist, footsteps, shadow people, cash drawer in office opens.

Equipment:  GoPro camera, Zoom recorder, IR light, Melmeter, REM Epod. 

Experiments:  EVP, Ovilus X, Ghost Box sessions.  Gift Shop, museum floor, 2^nd floor 2 rooms set up as if used in lighthouse days, and museum floor-2^nd floor. 

Personal Experiences:  On 2^nd floor, I sat in hall while the team was sitting in a room set up like it was when lighthouse keepers were there.  I heard a single tap from the room we had just investigated, but when I looked, nothing was amiss.

While investigating the Military Room, one of the hosts reported seeing or feeling a black mist above me, or something around me.  I could sense nothing, if there was something.

Initial Conclusion:  Nothing stands out initially, other than experiences noted above. 

Dale Kaczmarek: There was a great place to investigate with very friendly people and loads of history. The Eastland connection was a big factor in deciding to investigate here. While a lot of the words caught via the Ovilus X and Phasma Box were not in direct responses to questions asked, some were indeed relevant to the area that we were in. Other words were simply random and not included in this report.

During our EVP session in the Gift Shop, it did appear that the Money Drawer did open ever so slightly and we even captured a Phasma Box response that said, “It’s open.” Rosario picked up a running stick figure in the Lincoln Room and another that seemed to be perched on William’s left shoulder while he was standing in the doorway.

We only picked up two names during our EVP sessions that seemed not to be relevant to the lighthouse’s past history. I did not have any personal experiences myself and the place was quite peaceful in my opinion that evening.

We later ventured out to the dock where the Eastland was supposed to arrival in July of 1915. It was very cold outside so no EVP sessions were conducted however Kaczmarek hosted a live Facebook Live session.

Evidence collected:

2 thuds lighthouse.MPG – Piscopo’s static IR camcorder placed in the Early History Room recorded two thuds which Piscopo also heard at the time.

2^nd floor parlor Diana lighthouse.MPG – while conducting a Phasma Box session in the 2^nd floor parlor, a question was asked, “Do any of you guys know Diana of the Dunes?” The device responded with what sounds like, “Diana.”

2^nd floor parlor good night lighthouse.MPG – while conducting a Phasma Box session in the 2^nd floor parlor and upon completing the session, the device said, “Good night.”

3 knocks lighthouse.MPG – Piscopo’s static IR camcorder positioned in the Early History Room recorded three audible knocks.

12 noon Gift Shop lighthouse.MPG – while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop, the device said in a very low voice, “12 noon.”

A few lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop with William’s full spectrum, a question was asked, “Are there any Native American Indians here with us?” The device responded with, “A few.”

Albert lighthouse.MPG – during our initial walk-through of the building a faint female voice said what sounds like, “Albert.”

Big bosom Harriet clean up lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop with William’s full spectrum camera, the device blurted out what sounds like, “Big bosom” followed by a clearer, “Harriet clean up.”

Bingo lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Lincoln Room with William’s full spectrum camera, a question was asked, “Are you one of the gentlemen…five of you?” The device responded with, “Bingo!”

Bitch lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop with William’s full spectrum camera, the device said, “Something next to you” followed by “Bitch.”

Boy I’ll miss you lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the 2^nd floor parlor suite, the device said what sounds like, “Boy I’ll miss you.”

Can you read with me lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop with William’s full spectrum camera, the device said, “In turn can you read with me?”

Chicago lighthouse.MPG – Piscopo’s static IR camcorder positioned in the Early History Room after a question was asked, “Where was that ship coming from? What city?” The device responds with what sounds like, “Chicago.”

Eastland1 lighthouse.MPG – Piscopo’s static IR camcorder positioned in the Early History Room, when a question was asked, “What was the name of the ship that didn’t make it here in 1915?” The device responded with, “Eastland.”

Eastland2 ligthhouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop with William’s full spectrum camera, the device blurted out, “Eastland.”

Eastland3 lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop, the device said what sounded like, “Eastland.”

Fire lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop when William’s static full spectrum camera picked up, “Fire.”

Fuck your head lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop when William’s full spectrum camera picked up, “Fuck your head.”

Get away lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop when the device spoke in a very low voice and said, “Get away.”

Get down lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop when William’s full spectrum camera picked up, “Get down.”

Get out lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop, the device said very loudly, “Get out!”

Ghost lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in Harriet’s Bedroom when William’s full spectrum camera picked up, “Ghost.”

Go back lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop, the device blurted out, “Go back.”

Gonna be okay lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the 2^nd floor parlor suite, the device said what sounds like, “Gonna be okay.”

Grab lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop with William’s static full spectrum camera, a comment was made, “Knock it out of his hand if you don’t like it.” The device said, “Grab.”

He loves him lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop, a question was asked, “Do you like the ladies…?” The device interrupted and said, “He loves him.”

Her building lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop with William’s full spectrum camera when the device said clearly, “Her building.”

I have a quick question lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop when the device blurted out, “I have a quick question.”

I’m scared I miss you Michael lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Lincoln Room, the device said, “I’m scared, I miss you Michael.”

In Morse code lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Sophia’s Room, the device said, “….in Morse code.”

Its open lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop, a question was asked, “Open that drawer. Open that bottom drawer.” The device responded with what is either, “Its open” or “it’s all so different.”

Jim lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the 2^nd floor Military Room, the device said what sounds like, “Jim.”

Kid’s voices lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the 2^nd floor Military Room, the device responded in children’s voices but no actual words could be discerned.

Knocking noises lighthouse.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the Gift Shop, a question was asked, “Where was the Eastland coming from? What city?” A couple of knocks are heard directly after the question was asked.

Look at me sorry lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in Harriet’s Bedroom, the device said, “Look at me” followed by “Sorry.”

More footsteps lighthouse.MPG – Piscopo’s static IR camera positioned in the Early History Room picked up the sounds of footsteps when nobody was in the room.

No lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in Harriet’s Bedroom with William’s full spectrum camera, a question was asked, “Do you recognize your outfits?” The device replied with, “No.”

No tell you lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop, a question was asked, “What are you looking for?” The device replies with, “No tell you.”

Oh man lighthouse.MPG – during our initial walk-through, a low male voice was heard saying, “Oh man.”

Oh shit lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop, the device blurted out, “Oh shit. It’s actually. It’s for you.”

One lighthouse.MPG – while deploying the X-Cam SLS device in the Lincoln Room, a stick figure was seen to the far right and near the door jam.

Please don’t lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Lincoln Room with William’s full spectrum camera when the device said, “Please don’t.”

Possible lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in Harriet’s Room, a question was asked, “We’re going to leave soon. Are you glad to see us go?” The device responded with, “Possible.”

Satan lighthouse.MPG – while conducting an Ovilus X session in the upstairs bedroom, a question was asked, “Who’s my cigar smoker in here?” The device replied with, “Satan.”

Scandal Eastland lighthouse.MPG -   while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop the device said, “Scandal, Eastland.”

Small dune lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop the device loudly said, “Small dune.”

Smell him lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in Sophia’s Room an EVP was picked up that said, “Smell him.”

Strip yourself lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the 2^nd floor Military Room with William’s full spectrum camera when the device said, “Strip yourself.”

Tapping and footsteps lighthouse.MPG – Piscopo’s static IR camcorder positioned in the Early History Room picked up the sounds of tapping noises and footsteps when nobody was in the room.

Thanks for nothing lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the 2^nd floor Military Room, the device said, “Thanks for nothing.”

That is dumb lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop when William’s full spectrum camera picked up, “That is dumb.”

There’s a lot of you, we’re listening, you’re queer lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop with William’s full spectrum camera when the device said, “There’s a lot of you.” A comment was then made about early telephones when the device said, “We’re listening.” A follow-up question was, “Who used to make cough drops around here? What was the factory’s name?” A deep voice said what sounded like, “You’re queer.”

There’s somebody lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop when a high-pitched male voice said, “There’s somebody.”

Thought you were dead lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box and Facebook Live session in the Early History Room, a comment was made about Chris Wallbruch tuning in when the device said, “Thought you were dead.”

Three lighthouse.MPG – while deploying the X-Cam SLS device in the Lincoln Room, a small running stick figure quickly moved from left to right in front of Kaczmarek and a large display case.

To death lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop, the device blurts out, “To death.”

To determine lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Lincoln Room, the device said, “To determine.”

Try the telephone lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop with William’s full spectrum camera, the device said what sounded like, “Try the telephone” followed by “In the basement.”

Two lighthouse.MPG – while deploying the X-Cam SLS device in the Lincoln Room, a small stick figure was perched on William’s left shoulder.

We agreed to it lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Maritime Room, the device said, “We agreed to it.

We’re still fucking around lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop with William’s full spectrum camera, a comment was made, “We’re not going to stay long.” There was also a warning made by Kaczmarek of possible curse words when the device said, “We’re still fucking around.”

Where is Lincoln lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop, the device asked, “Where is Lincoln?”

Who is this lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop a deep male voice asked, “Who is this?”

Yeah lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the 2^nd floor Military Room, a question was asked, “Do any of these items belong to you?” The device responded with, “Yeah.”

Yes1 lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Lincoln Room with William’s full spectrum camera, a question was asked, “Are you here with us?” The device responded with, “Yes.”

Yes2 lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the 2^nd floor Military Room with William’s full spectrum camera, a question was asked, “Are you afraid of us?” The device replied with, “Yes.”

You a serviceman lighthouse.MPG -  while conducting a Phasma Box session in the 2^nd floor Military Room, the device stated, “You a serviceman.”

You cunt lighthouse.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Gift Shop with William’s full spectrum camera, a loud deep male voice said something that sounds very vulgar, “You cunt.”

Words spoken by the Ovilus X in dictionary mode: Gift Shop – blaze, average, numbers, Momma, kite, doubt, entered, stab, certain, Tina, later, out, burning, fifty and rhythm; Upstairs Bedroom – Satan, moan, beast, metaphysical, Zinc, both, bottom, direction, stab, square, follow, Greek, front, possibly, energy, fifty, focus, monachi, give, if, project, Jo, alter, race, solstice and muscle.

Conclusions: An absolutely fascinating place with so much history and plaques to read, it would take several visits to appreciate the true history and culture of this beautiful lighthouse. There were interesting phrases that came through the Phasma Box including references to Abraham Lincoln. There is a Lincoln Room in the building and Lincoln’s Funeral Train did stop here. There were two very clear and one no so clear “Eastland” blurted out by devices, also references to “fire” “blaze” “burning” and there was some small fire in the old building in the past.

Harriet’s name was called out and well as a phrase “her building” which I found to be fascinating. A lot of the other words and phrases had no cognitive meaning as it related to the building that was being investigated.

All in all it was fabulous location and only the second lighthouse that our team has ever been to!