Lake of the Red Cedar's Museum Investigation

The Lake of the Red Cedars Museum is a 60-room, "T" shaped building. The east/west base of the "T" was originally located on the west shore of Cedar Lake. It was built in 1895 by the Armour Bros. as a boarding house for "ice farming" employees who cut and harvested ice on the lake. In 1919, Jonathan and Philip Armour sold their ice business to John Shedd, who later helped finance construction of the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Chris Lassen, who owned a thriving dance pavilion, purchased the boarding house and wood from the ice barn. During the winter of 1919 he moved the entire building over the frozen lake to its present site on the east shore. He then remodeled it into a hotel and built the top section of the "T" with wood from the ice barns.

The Lassen Resort was well known in the region for its hotel, restaurant built out over the lake, and its dance pavilion featuring live band performances. The Lassen family used the unique building as a hotel until shortly after World War II. The historic building was later sold to the Lake Region Christian Assembly and used as a church camp. The 20-acre property, including the hotel, was purchased by the Town of Cedar Lake from the Assembly for use as the Town Complex. When it became evident town officials were considering tearing down the decaying hotel, the Cedar Lake Historical Association, Inc. was formed and rallied to save the structure. In 1981 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Association now operates the old Lassen Hotel as a Museum. Dr. William Scholl started his famous shoe making business as an apprentice of his grandfather here in Cedar Lake.

It became the current museum in the early 1980s.

(Thanks to the Cedar Lake Historical Association for the history included herein.)

Located at: 7408 Constitution Ave., Cedar Lake, Indiana 46303

Telephone: 219-390-9423

Website: www.cedarlakehistory.org/

Hauntings: The sounds of footsteps can be heard upon entering into the building. A lady in white, dressed in the style of the late 1930s or early 1940s has been reportedly seen with a kitten. In fact there are two ghost cats encountered in the museum including a grey one and a fuzzy white one. One is a little more solid while the other is more transparent and larger. Some have actually heard them purring at times. They used to hide in the kitchen but recently they now come out for smaller groups; otherwise they stay hidden. The owner has experienced a column of ice cold air while sitting in the foyer and the building has no air conditioning! A child’s voice perhaps between five to six years old has been heard and employees often refer to him as either Timmy or Jimmy.

A group of people on a tour visited the Kitchen in broad daylight and saw a young boy dancing around and playing with a cat.

Ice Worker’s Room has been the scene of a shadow figure which leans his head out of the room and later darts across the hall. The sounds of four or five male voices have been heard coming from the empty room. Another tour group, not long after, reported hearing all female voices. Some hear a chorus of voices but can’t locate where they’re coming from.

Upstairs in one of the rooms, in the north or east hallway, visitors have had the sensation of being pulled into that room. The owner used to hear a very feeble voice but could not determine the gender.

Another visit, this time by a nurse, entered into the Doctor’s Room who was explaining the advances of medicine when there were two other people heard talking back and forth amongst themselves.

At one time there were visual apparitions of shadow figures seen in the basement.

The GRS investigated the Lake of the Red Cedar's Museum August 27, 2016 and the team included: Stan Suho, Kathie Para, Marge Sucha, Chuck Williams, Barbara Meagher and Dale Kaczmarek

Equipment setup: Three static IR cameras were set up in various hallways and rooms however most of the investigation was performed with hand-held instruments, digital cameras and tape recorders.

Experiments performed: EVP, Ovilus X and SB-11 Ghost Box sessions were conducted in the Bar Room, Doctor’s Office, Ice Room, upstairs on the second floor landing and the main hallway near a small broom closet where some very old and antiquated vacuum cleaners were stored. We also conducted a role-playing experiment in the Doctor’s Room of some giving birth to a child.

Personal encounters:

Kathie Para: Members at the investigation of this building were: Dale Kaczmarek, Stan Suho, Marge Sucha, Barb Meagher, Chuck Williams and I. This was my second time investigating there and I was anxious to return.

We did several EVP sessions throughout the building and came up with some interesting evidence.

The first area we went to was the Bar Room on the first floor. During this EVP session we had luck with a variety of equipment. I was especially anxious to spend time in this room as I had a whispered EVP the last time I was in there, two years prior. Using the X-Cam a figure of what appeared to be a cat quickly ran out from under a cabinet, ran past my legs and disappeared under the table. There have been two different cat spirits reported in this building. We also heard a disembodied voice asking “who” after Dale called for Stan to come into the room. I captured this voice on my audio recorder. Also, very interesting was the word “sister” coming from the Ovilus. The two women in the room at the time are sisters (Marge and I.)

In the Doctors’ Office we tried to reenact a birth. A figure was seen on the X-Cam for a short time on the examination table. We also had some K-II activity and someone coughing on the ghost box.

The Ice Room was very active. The X-Cam showed a figure that appeared to be agitated up on the table. It appeared to jump off and then was hanging over the table with its head cocked to the side. Almost as if it was hanging by the neck. The legs appeared to jerk and then went limp. Was someone trying to show us what happened to him? We also heard soft thumps come from the second floor above us.

While investigating the second floor we kept hearing noises in other rooms.

During our time there that night, on two different instances, heavy breaths were audibly heard by three of our members in the first floor hallway right by a closet that had a couple vacuum cleaners in it. We decided to wrap it up by doing an EVP session in that area of the hallway. During our session, Marge got touched and upon review of my audio I got a very heavy breath which sounded like it was right next to my recorder. I also got an answer of “works fine” after someone asked how the old vacuum cleaner works.

I thoroughly enjoy this location and will return again.

Marge Sucha: Equipment I used: EDI Research Device, Rook EMF meter, Olympus Digital Recorder.

We arrived at the location around 7:30 PM. It was an extremely hot and muggy day. After settling in we were given a quick history of the museum. We were filled in on some of the paranormal activity the staff has encountered.

The museum was once a hotel. It has several fairly long hallways with rooms off to the side. Each room was set up from a time in the past. It was a very interesting place. We all heard disembodied voices in different rooms. There was one area where several of us had a personal experience at different times that night. We were walking down the hallway getting a feel for where several members might want to set up cameras Stan stopped in front of a closet that was open. In the front of the closet there was an old vacuum cleaner that you had to pump to start. Stan started pumping it a little. Dale stopped by Stan and they were both started playing with it a little. When we were done we started walking back down the hallway. As Stan and Dale walked by the closet they both heard clearly heard a huff sound. Later that night were getting ready to do an EVP session upstairs. Chuck went down the hallway to get his camera he had set up. As he walked by the closet he heard the same sound. It was unexpected and being alone in the hallway it shook him up a little. Later we did an EVP session by the same closet. During our session I felt someone walking a cold finger up my arm. This took me a few seconds for it to realize what I was feeling. I never felt anything like this before.

Red Cedar Pointe is a step back in time. We had several experiences throughout the night and I definitely would go back.

Stan Suho: This place was a nice old Hotel/Ballroom, located on Cedar Lake. All the big bands from the 40's and 50's appeared here. Now it’s a museum, and it's haunted. I don't know what it is about all that music from yesteryear which prompts me to ask “the musical question", why does it produce so many haunted places? We arrived at twilight and were given an orientation by a very nice lady. I set up two static cameras and Chuck set up one static camera, as well as a walking around IR camera. My first camera setup was on the first floor, focused down the main hallway, passed a broom closet where several of us heard a strange noise. The broom closet was also covered by an EVP session. My other camera was in another hallway in a room that was used for a kitchen area. This was a place of some reported paranormal activity. While both cameras ran unattended, I took my other Night Shot camera and made the rounds. I caught up with the rest of the group by the broom closet and we spent some time there. This place was used to store some very old vacuum cleaners right out of Downton Abby. Because of a camera malfunction, I never made it to the second floor, but the first floor was plenty busy with many rooms full of old what nots and antiques.
These are always good for producing things that go bump in the night. After about two hours we packed it in and headed west.

Conclusion: Long and interesting day. I never heard of these places until Chuck joined up. I think we made a good effort to cover them and no further effort required all though the Museum might be a good candidate for a follow up if we're in the area, because it is so big.

Chuck Williams: Equipment: GoPro- Panasonic 4K Cameras Zoom Recorder, IR Lighting, Full Spectrum Camera.

Personal experiences: Dale heard a huffing sound coming from one of the closets in the “Dark Man” hall. Later in the night, I went to check the camera I had at the end of the hall, and I heard it myself. I showed Kathie my arm which had goose bumps and the hair standing up.

First EVP/ Spirit Box/Ovilus session held in bar area, nothing to write home about. Then we went into the Darkman Hall, into the doctor’s office, and were getting responses there.

(Side note-Kathie, Marge, and I recorded a segment for my podcast on dowsing rods during a break that we had tried to record on 2 separate occasions, but ran into errors.)

A session was held on the second floor landing area, which seemed pretty quiet. And finally one by the closet we heard the huffs from.

Conclusion: This place holds a special place in my heart, this is the first place I went on a more professional hunt, and where I collected my first EVP. I would like to do a full night hunt here sometime, it never disappoints. The Facebook Live segments were more on cue with what we want them to look like.

Barbara Meagher: First investigation was done in the medical room on Aug 27^th, 2016 at 9:41:37 An EVP session was conducted by me lasting 15 min and 3 seconds. At 9 min and 7 second into the session there was a scratching noise that picked up on the recording as well as heard at the time by the investigator. No explanation for the sound could be found.

Another EVP session was conducted by this investigator at 10:04:09 pm lasting 9 min 52 sec in the Military room. There was quite a bit of background noise from other investigators in different rooms. At approximately 6 min 10 sec into the recording the investigator asked for any spirit to make any kind of noise and a clicking sound is picked up on the recording that was not heard by the investigator at the time.

Another EVP session was conducted in the ice room at 10:53:28 with the group that lasted 12 min and 58 seconds. The meter light up often and a figure was picked up standing on the table in the center of the room. Figure per camera recording jumped off table and then appeared to have no head, possibly a hanging of some sort? At 6 min 50 sec into recording some knocking type noises were heard by the group coming from the next room. No explanation for noises found. There were several interesting responses from the ghost box, including one requesting that we leave.

Last EVP session began at 11:49:59 at the top of the stairs and lasted 14 min 39 sec. In this group EVP session several unidentified noises were heard by the group though the session from other parts of the building. No definitive EVPs were picked up by my recorder.

Dale Kaczmarek: As I was traversing along the main hallway sometimes referred to as the “Dark Man” Hallway due to numerous reports of shadow figures, I passed by a small broom closet loaded with antique vacuum cleaners. I heard a “huffing” sound that, not only I, Suho heard as well. Later in the evening Williams also experienced a very similar sound.

While touring the upstairs hallways along with Sucha, I distinctly heard the sounds of footsteps following me. I mentioned this to Sucha and continued to walk but abruptly stopped hoping to catch the phantom footsteps while not making human walking sounds but to no avail. Earlier in the evening while conducting EVP sessions downstairs some heard sounds coming from the upstairs. I did feel a little creeped out while upstairs in those long hallways with open doors, almost expecting someone to walk out into the hallway at any time.

While using the X-Cam SLS system in the Bar Room, I saw a “stick figure” that appeared on all fours like a small cat scurry from underneath the bar area and whisk away between Para’s legs. I was not able to capture this phenomenon because it takes several seconds for this device to begin recording. Later during that session, I was able to capture a cat-like meow when asking the animal to come to me.

The most interesting piece of SLS evidence occurred in the Ice Room where a figure appeared standing on the table before jumping off, losing its head and seeming to hang with its neck cocked to the left and legs twitching as though someone had just hung themselves. After a few seconds, the legs stopped twitching and were unmoving as though the subject had just died.

Evidence collected:

Bar room sister red.MPG – while conducting an Ovilus session in the Bar Room, the device says “Sister.” Sucha and Para are indeed sisters.

Bar room voice red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the Bar Room, a question was asked, “Can I have an Olive with blue cheese in the center?” A voice, heard by many, says, “Yeah.”

Bar room who red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the Bar Room, Kaczmarek called to Suho to come into the room and immediately a voice was heard and recorded that says, “Who.”

Careful red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, the device spits out the word, “Careful.”

Chicken sandwich red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the Doctor’s Office a voice was recorded that says, “Chicken sandwich.”

Die red.MPG – William’s static GoPro camera positioned in the Living Room picked up the word, “Die.”

Doctor’s Office red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the Doctor’s Office, the X-Cam SLS system picks up a stick figure standing next to the examining table.

First floor hallway very close breath red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the hallway near the broom closet Para heard and recorded a “Breath” that was very close to her.

Get out go out out out get out out get out red.MPG – William’s state GoPro camera positioned in the Living Room picked up an anxious spirit saying, “Get out” over and over again.

Get real red.MPG – William’s Panasonic 4k camera in the Bar Room picked up “Get real.”

Get out red.MPG – while concluding an EVP session in the Bar Room, a whispery voice is heard saying, “Get out.”

Guilty red.MPG – William’s static GoPro camera positioned in the Living Room picked up the word, “Guilty.”

Halloween red.MPG – William’s static GoPro camera positioned in the Living Room picked up the word, “Halloween.”

Hello red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Ice Room, a greeting, “Hello” was said. It was followed by the device also saying, “Hello.”

Hello2 red.MPG – William’s static GoPro camera positioned in the Living Room picked up a “Hello.”

Help help me red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, a question was asked, “Is the baby still alive?” The Ghost Box responds with, “Help, help me.”

Help red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, the device says, “Help.”

Help2 red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, the device says, “Help me.”

Help3 red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session on the second floor landing, the device says a very clear, “Help.”

Howl red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the Doctor’s Office, a question was asked, “You don’t want me to use the forceps, do you?” A long howl is heard after the question.

Ice Room red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the Ice Room, the X-Cam SLS system picks up a stick figure standing on the table, jumping off the table and then its head is cocked to the left, legs twitching before all movement is stopped.

Leave red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Ice Room, a question was asked, “Do you want us to leave?” The Ghost Box responds with, “Leave.”

Leave2 red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Ice Room, a question was asked, “Where would be good room to go next?” The Ghost Box responds with, “Leave.”

Leave3 red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Ice Room, the Ghost Box says, “Leave” again.

Left right red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session on the second floor landing, a question was asked, “Which hallway are you in; left, right or behind me?” The Ghost Box responds with, “Left” “Right.”

Male voice red.MPG – William’s static GoPro camera positioned in the Living Room picked up a “male voice.”

Meow red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the Bar Room, a question was asked, “Where’s that little kitty?” The X-Cam SLS system picks up a faint “Meow.”

No no red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Ice Room, a question was asked, “Can you tell us which room?” William’s Panasonic 4k camera picks up a series of “No” responses.

No red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Room, William’s Panasonic 4k camera picked up, “No” from the Ghost Box.

No way I’ll get it red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the Ice Room, William’s Panasonic 4k camera picks up a voice that says, “No way, I’ll get it.”

No2 red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, a question was asked, “Is the baby alright?” The Ghost Box responds with, “No.”

No3 red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Ice Room, a question was asked, “Did some sort of accident happen in this room?” The Ghost Box responds with, “No.”

No4 red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the Doctor’s Office, a question was asked, “Is Betty your sister?” A whispery voice in the background says, “No.”

No5 red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, a question was asked, “Should we baptize the baby?” The Ghost Box responds with, “No.”

Now red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, a question was asked, “Baby needs medical attention?” The Ghost Box responds with, “Now.”

Nurse red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, a question was asked, “I’m a nurse, can I help you?” The Ghost Box responds with, “Nurse.”

Pain red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, a question was asked, “Is there something I can help you with?” The Ghost Box responds with, “Pain.”

People in the chair get out red.MPG – while conducting an Ovilus session on the second floor landing, the device says something that sounds like, “People ______ in the chair _________ get out.”

Phillip red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, a question was asked, “Tell us what you want in a loud voice.” The Ghost Box responds with, “Phillip.”

Priest red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, the device says, “Priest.”

Shit red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the Doctor’s Office, a voice is heard to say, “Shit.”

Singing red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the Doctor’s Office, a mumbling sound or singing is recorded.

Stanley red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Ice Room, the Ghost Box says, “Stanley.” Suho’s first name is Stanley.

Stay red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session on the second floor landing, a question was asked, “Do you want us to stay.” The Ghost Box responds with, “Stay.”

Strange sound red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session on the second floor landing and right before Kaczmarek says, “86 degrees up here” a strange sound is recorded.

Strawberry red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Ice Room and right at the conclusion when the device is turned off, a strange sounding voice is heard saying what sounds like “Strawberry.”

Talk red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Ice Room, a question was asked, “Talk to us please.” The Ghost Box responds with, “Talk.”

What red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, the device says, “What?”

What’s your name red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, the device says, “What’s your name?”

Whimper red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session on the second floor landing some hear a “whimper” that is also recorded.

Whisper red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session on the second floor landing, a comment was made, “You don’t have to be afraid of us.” A whispery voice is heard that sounds like it says, “Afraid.”

Who went out red.MPG – while conducting an EVP session on the second floor landing, right in the beginning of the clip, a whispery voice can be heard saying what sounds like, “Who went out.”

Yeah Dale red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Ice Room, a question was asked, “Did that person who fell get hurt badly?” The Ghost Box responds with, “Yeah” and “Dale.”

Yes red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session, a question was asked, “Does someone need medical attention?” The Ghost Box responds with, “Yes.”

Yes sir red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Ice Room, a question was asked, “Yes or no?” The Ghost Box responds with, “Yes.”

Yes2 red.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Doctor’s Office, a question was asked, “Are you worried?” The Ghost Box responds with, “Yes.”

Conclusions: This was an interesting historical location but still a bit creepy in several parts of the building perhaps due to all the old historical and antique artifacts that fill this place. Objects like that can definitely hold onto place memories or sometimes even have real spirits still attached to them. Perhaps that’s why so many people in period costumes have been reported in the building by visitors throughout the years. There were a lot of very interesting responses and several disembodied voices and sounds that were heard by many in the group. A more thorough re-examination of this building might be in order with more cameras and equipment but during a cooler time of the year.