Runyon Cemetery 2022 Investigation

Armstead Runyon was a pioneer settler who came to the Lockport area in 1830. Aware of the plans for the I&M Canal, Mr. Runyon bought and platted the property on this site and called in Runyontown. He tried to convince the Canal Commissioners to locate their offices her in 1836. Instead, the Commissioners chose to develop property several blocks south, which became downtown Lockport and the Canal Headquarters.

Others who speculated on land during the canal development stayed and prospered, but Armstead Runyon left the area, as well as his wife and family for the lure of the 1849 California gold rush.

Runyon Preserve is one of the 23 forested recreational areas located in Will County. There are more than 30 natural areas in pre-settlement condition located throughout the I&M Canal Corridor.

Address: 202 Morgan St., Lockport, IL 60441

GPS: 41.60119, -88.06413

Directions: it is not easily accessible by its main entrance at Morgan and Table Streets. Take Table Street north to Bluff Street. Make a right on Bluff Street and then take a right at the end of Bluff onto West Street. Once on West, drive past a mailbox on your right that says 410 and just past that on the right side is an opening in the trees with a wooden barricade and a grass path. Park along the street and be careful not to black the road or any driveways. Once on the path, head west a short distance and then make a right. This trail will lead you to the cemetery.

Phone: 815-727-8700

Owner: Forest Preserve District of Will County

Website: www.lockporthistory.org

Hauntings: You can hear people talking in the forest in broad daylight, and it is not voices you would hear in every day tone. If you climb a hill, you will see where the old flag pole was plus the old well. Some of the trails are treacherous so wear hiking shoes. It has since been renovated and the old buildings are gone.

It is very creepy at night to the point that you can still hear the “witch” calling for her followers. Sometimes you hear a language you cannot even describe. It is believed to be an area where witchcraft was once performed.

The GRS investigated Runyon Family Cemetery on May 18, 2022 and the team included: Paul Adams, Charles Williams, Diane Oksanen and Dale Kaczmarek

Equipment setup: Mostly hand-held equipment was and portable gear as it was a bit rainy outside. The equipment used was digital and zoom recorders, digital cameras and camcorders, GoPro and Full Spectrum camera, Tri-Field Natural EM Meter, Phasma Box, Melmeter with telescopic probe, K-II Meter and Samsung Galaxy S-20 Slim Ultra cellphone for pictures and Live Facebook session.

Experiments performed: A single Phasma Box session was conducted within the cemetery proper.

Personal experiences:

Charles Williams/Diane Oksanen: Equipment: Chuck- Zoom Recorder, Go Pro Camera, Full Spectrum Camera, Melmeter and Tri- Field Meter - Diane: Zoom Recorder, K-II Meter

Personal Experiences- Chuck None, Diane- None

Phasma box session was held and nothing sticks out about this area.

Dale Kaczmarek: It was very quiet with no actual intelligent responses to any questions asked. It was wet due to rain falling so we had to be weary so that our equipment didn’t get rained on. In fact, little at all came through the Phasma Box for the entire session.

Evidence collected: Nothing!

Words or phrases spoken by the Phasma Box: medical room, investigation, fuck you, tele-radio & I’m human.

Conclusions: In my opinion, this area isn’t haunted at all anymore if it was in the first place. Some of the reports sound more like urban legends and folklore than actual ghost stories or past paranormal activity.

I wasn’t able to research any other paranormal groups who had investigated here or picked up any evidence. This is just a lovely old forgotten family cemetery in the middle of the woods. It’s nice to visit but as far as investigating, I wouldn’t waste your time. You might get lucky and come across some evidence but the chances are against you.