Ghosts of Historic Springfield, Illinois
“It is portentous, and a thing of state;
that here at midnight in our little town;
a mourning figure walks and will not rest;
near the old courthouse pacing up and down.”
— Vachel Lindsay – Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight
Springfield, Illinois, a city steeped in history and forever linked to the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, is whispered to be a haven for more than just the echoes of the past. Like many locales with a rich and storied existence, Springfield is said to be home to a number of restless spirits, their presence felt in the grand architecture, historic landmarks, and even the very air itself. This article delves into the spectral legends that cling to this Illinois city, exploring the most famous ghostly inhabitants and the places they are said to frequent. Many tales are told about Ghosts of Historic Springfield, Illinois.
The Lingering Shadow of Lincoln
Unquestionably, the most renowned of Springfield’s spectral residents is none other than Abraham Lincoln himself. For over a century, stories have circulated of the former president’s continued presence, particularly around his tomb within Oak Ridge Cemetery, now a state historic site.
The accounts began almost immediately after Lincoln’s body arrived in Springfield on May 3, 1865. Following a period of lying in state at the capitol, his remains were placed in a receiving vault at Oak Ridge Cemetery. In December, they were moved to a temporary vault near the proposed site of a new memorial. In 1871, three years after construction began on the permanent tomb, the bodies of Lincoln and his three youngest sons were placed in crypts within the unfinished structure.
It was during this lengthy construction period that the first reports surfaced of a spectral Lincoln wandering near the crypt. Witnesses described a tall, gaunt figure, its features obscured by shadow, pacing restlessly among the tombstones. Others reported hearing disembodied sounds of crying and the soft shuffle of footsteps echoing near the construction site, further fueling the belief that Lincoln’s spirit remained tethered to his final resting place.
The memorial was completed in 1874, and Lincoln’s remains were interred within a marble sarcophagus in the center of a chamber known as the "catacombs," or burial room. However, the peace was short-lived. In 1876, a group of Chicago criminals attempted to steal Lincoln’s corpse and hold it for ransom. Fortunately, their plot was foiled by a Secret Service agent embedded within the gang.
Despite the relocation of Lincoln’s body to a more secure location within the tomb after the attempted theft, the legends of his restless spirit persisted. Tourists and staff members alike have reported a range of unsettling experiences, from feelings of unease and being watched to the distinct sound of phantom footsteps, whispered voices, and muffled weeping emanating from the depths of the tomb. The stories surrounding the Ghosts of Historic Springfield, Illinois continue to fascinate visitors.
Adding to the eerie atmosphere of Oak Ridge Cemetery are reports of other apparitions. A small boy, often seen near the children’s section of the cemetery, and a mysterious woman draped in a flowing red cape have also been sighted, their origins and stories lost to time.
Beyond Oak Ridge Cemetery, Lincoln’s spectral presence is said to extend to other locations within Springfield. Some claim to have seen him walking the streets surrounding the original courthouse and within the halls of his former home. Others report encountering the ghost of Mary Todd Lincoln at their old residence, located at 413 South Eighth Street. This house has a long-standing reputation for being haunted, with reports ranging from apparitions of a woman to toys moving independently. While many believe Mary haunts the house, the National Park Service, which maintains the site, officially denies any paranormal activity. Today, the Lincoln Home is the centerpiece of the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, restored to its 1860s appearance and surrounded by a four-block historic neighborhood also restored by the National Park Service.
Perhaps the most captivating Lincoln-related haunting is the legend of the phantom funeral train. This spectral train is said to appear during the month of April, on the anniversary of Lincoln’s death, retracing the very tracks that carried his body to Springfield in 1865. According to accounts, the ghostly funeral procession consists of two trains. The first, a steam engine pulling several cars draped in black and adorned with black streamers, plays mournful music as it passes. The second train is said to pull a flatcar bearing Lincoln’s coffin. Sadly, the train is said never to reach its final destination, vanishing before it arrives in Springfield, a poignant reminder of the tragedy that befell the nation. The lore of Ghosts of Historic Springfield, Illinois includes the mournful tale of this spectral train.
The Enduring Presence of Susan Lawrence Dana
Another significant landmark in Springfield, the Dana House, designed and constructed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1902, is rumored to still host its original owner, Susan Lawrence Dana. A prominent Springfield socialite, Dana was known for throwing lavish parties in her home and for her significant contributions and volunteer work in the city.
Following a series of family deaths shortly after the house’s completion, Dana turned to metaphysical and mystical religious groups for solace. She became a prominent figure in the Spiritualist movement that swept across America around the turn of the century. Her parties transformed, becoming Spiritualist gatherings where séances were common, and large groups of occultists convened.
Eventually, after the death of a cousin who had lived with her for many years, Dana was left alone in her Wright-designed house. In 1928, she moved to more modest, less costly accommodations. Declared incompetent by the courts in 1942, she was admitted to a local hospital and died in 1946. Her personal effects were inventoried in 1942 and auctioned in 1943, and her Frank Lloyd Wright House was sold the following year.
Today, the Dana House is maintained by the State of Illinois. While management denies any paranormal activity, numerous staff members and visitors have reported experiencing unexplained phenomena. These include objects moving on their own, disembodied voices speaking in different parts of the house, and the distinct feeling of being watched. The stories about the Ghosts of Historic Springfield, Illinois wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Dana House. The Dana House is located at 301 East Lawrence in Springfield, Illinois.
The Illinois Executive Mansion: A Governor’s Wife’s Lingering Touch
The Illinois Executive Mansion, a historic landmark that has hosted seven U.S. Presidents, including Lincoln, is also said to be home to a ghostly resident. The mansion, open to the public on three levels, features four formal parlors, a state dining room, a ballroom, four bedrooms (including the Lincoln bedroom), and a library handcrafted from Native American Black Walnut.
Built in 1855, it is the third oldest continuously occupied Governor’s Mansion in the country, serving as the official residence of Illinois Governors and their families since Governor Joel Matteson first took residence. Over the years, the mansion has witnessed many significant events in the state’s history, perhaps none so trying as the Civil War.
During the Civil War, the mansion was home to Governor Richard Yates and his family. Today, it is said that Yates’ wife, Catherine, continues to make her presence known within the mansion’s walls. Mrs. Yates allegedly manifests her presence through various means, including tampering with electronics and smoke alarms. The upstairs bedroom, where her portrait hangs, is considered the most active room in the house. One anecdote even credits Mrs. Yates with trapping an Illinois State Trooper in an elevator for four hours. The mystery surrounding Ghosts of Historic Springfield, Illinois and its historic landmarks is truly fascinating.
The Illinois Executive Mansion is located at 5th and Jackson and is open to the public during certain hours and days of the week.
The Springfield Theatre Center: A Tragedy’s Echo
The Springfield Theatre Center, which hosted performances at 101 East Lawrence from its construction in 1951 until its relocation to the Hoogland Center for the Arts in downtown Springfield in 2004, is another site with a long history of reported hauntings.
On May 13, 1955, an actor named Joe Neville left the theater after a dress rehearsal and committed suicide at his home. The tragic event stemmed from an audit at his workplace, where substantial funds had been misappropriated, and a fellow employee implicated Joe.
Described as an eccentric and unfriendly individual, Joe was deeply passionate about the theater. At the time of his death, he was scheduled to play his first lead role. After his death, the theater group replaced him, and the show went on.
However, Joe’s story did not end with his death. He is said to have returned to the theater as a ghost, retaining his unpleasant disposition. Almost immediately after his passing, strange and inexplicable events began to occur. While some of these incidents were relatively harmless, such as lights turning on and off independently and doors opening seemingly on their own, others were more disturbing. Some have claimed to see Joe’s ghostly apparition, a filmy figure lurking in the shadows.
Some of Joe’s alleged actions are downright dangerous. On one occasion, while two men were building a set, one of them voiced skepticism about the ghost. Suddenly, the saw started by itself, several sheets of plywood fell to the floor, and unseen hands seemingly pushed over a standing ladder.
Tampering with stage sets is the most frequently reported occurrence. Other minor incidents include items moving on their own, missing costumes, and the pervasive smell of Noxzema wafting through the air, even though the cream had long been banned in the theater. One young woman even reported having her hand held by an invisible presence while crossing a room. The Springfield Theatre Center continues to hold performances at its new home in the Hoogland Center for the Arts after leaving the building on East Lawrence. The tales of the Ghosts of Historic Springfield, Illinois are diverse and chilling.
Springfield, Illinois, a city forever intertwined with the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, is more than just a historical landmark. It is a place where the past is palpable, where whispers of history mingle with tales of the supernatural. Whether one believes in ghosts or not, the stories surrounding these locations add another layer of intrigue to this already fascinating city. The Ghosts of Historic Springfield, Illinois continue to captivate and intrigue those who visit, ensuring that the city’s history remains alive in more ways than one.