It may look like a harmless mitten with a goofy looking shark attached to it, but according to Shadlowlands Haunted places Index, which is a website known for its extensive data pertaining to the most haunted locations, placed Michigan number four most haunted in the country with over 510 haunted locations. So stick around to hear about 5 incredibly haunted places you may have never known about
To start this list off with number one, we have a 20 acre property that was constructed in Jackson in 1842, and in 1926 after relocation was once known to be the largest walled prison in the world that housed over 6,000 inmates, Michigan’s first prison located in Jackson. Now redeveloped as the Armory arts Complex, which consists of an art center and apartments, is said to have some ghostly visitors from time to time, as a 1952 riot that broke out due to poor medical care and brutality, resulted in guards being held hostage and demands for reform.
Jumping to number two, this incredibly haunted place located in Westland has actually become a new haunted attraction as of late, which based on its eerie past, is a little freaky. Eloise psychiatric hospital dating back to the 1800’s has worn quite a few masks over the years (pun intended), once being a poor house, general hospital, sanitarium for tuberculosis patients and a mental hospital, this 902 acre compound had more than 70 buildings that consisted of a school, fire and police department, post office, farm, cemetery, bakery, and much more.
Eloise was known to have advanced treatments from lobotomies, and shock therapy to music and tv therapy, which eventually halted in 1979 and eventually closed in 1984. Many of the buildings were then demolished and made into the strip mall on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Merriman road. As of recently, the old bakery was burned to a crisp by arsonists and eventually demolished in 2016. If you want to get even more into the Eloise story, watch the movie titled Eloise that came out in 2017.
Heading over to number three, constructed in 1911, the Terrace Inn and 1911 restaurant are known to have some haunting history. It is said that two workers died during the construction when a beam fell. Many paranormal investigators have visited the Terrace Inn and have said there are a lot of spirits roaming throughout. Still open to this day, after 25+ years of service, many guests have had very similar stories about a shadow of a man, hearing footsteps and the sounds of a party when the hotel has been vacant. The wonders recommended you rent out room 211 as it has been said to have a surprising amount of paranormal activity.
Number four, lining the shores of lovely lake Michigan in Gulliver, the Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse, which has been in operation since 1895 has a very rich History. Marilyn Fischer, the president of the historical society for over 30 years had some opportunities to say the least when it came to diving deeper into the spirits that haunt the lighthouse to this day.
The main spirit that tends to hang around is Captain Joseph Willie Townshend, a light-keeper in the early 1900’s who died at the age of 63 in 1910 with a cause that is assumed to be cancer based on how often he smoked cigars, is still said to be seen in the mirrors in the upstairs bedrooms on numerous occasions. You may take a tour there to see the paranormal activity that occurs with your own eyes!
Last but not least, number five, built in the 1900’s as a place with one intended purpose that was actually known to have the wrong intentions and rough reputation, the Holy Family Orphanage in Marquette was meant to help white children who abandoned their families or lost their parents turned into an overflow for some of the nearby orphanages where 8 nuns came into control of 60 Native American children that were taken from their families in an effort to assimilate native culture in society.
If you happen to cross paths with a local, there’s a likelihood that they are aware of their parents being taken from their family and adopted by white families. After allegations of continued abuse from the nuns, former children of the orphanage refused to give any insight into their stay there which is most certainly understandable. It is said that a little girl got lost outside during a snowstorm which quickly developed pneumonia and killed the child. The nuns took this situation as an opportunity to make an example out of the child by displaying the little girl to further remind them what would happen if they disobeyed.
The remaining orphans left in 1967, but a group of Cuban refugee children that fled from Fidel Castro in the 1980’s even though the builder was abandoned. As of 2017, the whole place was remodeled into 56 apartments with a view of Lake superior, which is known today as the Grandview apartments. Some current residents have reported hearing disembodied voices and the sounds of children crying and items being moved without explanation.
The pressing question is, have you been to anywhere haunted in Michigan? If so, drop your experience in the comments below.
Cheers,
Andrew
Andrew McManamon is a Michigan REALTOR® with Signature Sotheby’s International Realty and provides real estate services to Buyers, Sellers and Investors throughout SE Michigan including Livingston County, Oakland County, Washtenaw County, Genesee County & beyond. Andrew has become one of the rising stars of Michigan real estate agents. Prior to his real estate career Andrew was responsible for managing a senior living facility in Brighton, Michigan as a dining supervisor and an activities assistant. Andrew’s passion to help people is unlike any other, and he continues to strive to be best resource he can be. Andrew graduated from Cleary University in Howell, Michigan with a double major and currently resides in White Lake, Michigan.