Wisconsin’s 10 Most Haunted Locations

Shkryramo
10 min readJul 13, 2023

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Wisconsin is recognized for its beautiful scenery and welcoming people, but there is a darker side to the state. The state is home to a variety of eerie locations that are sure to send shivers down even the bravest of souls. Wisconsin is recognized for its beautiful scenery and welcoming people, but there is a darker side to the state. The state is home to a variety of eerie locations that are sure to send shivers down even the bravest of souls. Wisconsin has a long history of ghostly sightings and paranormal activity, from haunted hotels and cemeteries to abandoned asylums and theaters.This article will look at the top ten most haunted sites to visit in Wisconsin. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or just searching for a good scare, these spots will deliver a spine-tingling experience on your next trip.

1-Chances Restaurant

Chances, a restaurant on Main Street in Rochester, is a one-of-a-kind eating experience. Instead of being famous for its great meals, this restaurant is remembered for the ghostly encounters that occur within its walls. Chances is housed in a historic structure that dates back to 1843 and is claimed to be haunted by ghosts from the past. While the restaurant began in the 1980s, the structure has a long history. Chances is certain to be a remarkable experience, not only for the food but also for any paranormal encounters that may occur during your stay.

Chances, formerly known as The Union House, is an important part of Rochester’s history. It has a long and intriguing history being the village’s first brick construction. One part of its history is that it functioned as a stop on the Underground Railroad, assisting enslaved persons in escaping to freedom. Many people think that the structure is haunted by ghosts from the past, and that its position in the Underground Railroad is the source of its ghostly residents.

The Chances restaurant’s management is aware of the supernatural activity that occurs in the building. They’ve even mentioned the existence of a ghostly lady in a green ball gown who is claimed to be waiting for her Civil War soldier to return on the menu.

2-Nelsen’s Hall

Nelsen’s Hall, located on Wisconsin’s Washington Island, has a long history extending back to the Prohibition era, making it the state’s oldest legally running tavern. The building has performed many functions over the years, including a movie theater, dentist office, ice cream parlor, and pharmacy. Tom Nelsen, the tavern’s owner, was known to consume a pint of bitters every day and survived to the age of 90.

Some believe Nelsen’s soul still roams the hall, with doors closing on their own and footsteps heard on the stairs. Visitors to the tavern can sample a shot of bitters to join the “Bitter’s Club” and even obtain a certificate recognizing them as an official “Islander.” Some believe that consuming enough bitters will result in an encounter with Nelsen’s ghost.

3-Pfister Hotel

There have been several reports of professional baseball players having unusual and unexplained happenings while staying at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Strange noises, doors opening and closing on their own, and the feeling of being watched have been reported by some gamers. Some players even reported seeing phantom figures in their apartments. During home games, the Milwaukee Brewers, who play at Miller Park, are known to stay at the Pfister Hotel. Several gamers have experienced unusual and unexplainable encounters while staying at the hotel.

Pitcher Kyle Lohse claimed to have seen a spectral person in his room while staying at the Pfister. Ryan Braun, another athlete, claimed unusual events in his room and declined to stay at the hotel again.

In addition, Craig Counsell, former manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, stated that he had an unusual incident while staying at the hotel. He stated that he awoke in the middle of the night to discover his room’s curtains open, despite the fact that he was certain he had closed them before going to bed

4-High Cliff State Park

High Cliff State Park in Sherwood, Wisconsin, is a treasure trove of natural beauty, history, and a touch of the uncanny. The park, nestled among lush foliage and natural rock formations, allows visitors to reconnect with nature through scenic hiking routes and a well-maintained campground. But what distinguishes this park are its ancient effigy mounds, which are not only an important archaeological site but have also been linked to paranormal phenomena.

High Cliff State Park in Sherwood, Wisconsin, is a treasure trove of natural beauty, history, and a touch of the uncanny. The park, nestled among lush foliage and natural rock formations, allows visitors to reconnect with nature through scenic hiking routes and a well-maintained campground. But what distinguishes this park are its ancient effigy mounds, which are not only an important archaeological site but have also been linked to paranormal phenomena.

High Cliff State Park is not your average park; it is a site where tourists may immerse themselves in nature while potentially encountering the paranormal.[4]

5-The Brumder Mansion

The Brumder Mansion, a historic structure built in 1910, has a long and illustrious history. Many people have lived in the house over the years, and many of them have claimed weird and unexplainable incidents. Some people have reported having vivid, unusual dreams and experiencing the presence of unknown beings. The most alarming instance occurred when blood was discovered in a bathtub despite the fact that no one had used it. The source of the blood is unknown, and the incident has entered folklore.

After the Brumders sold the estate, it was purchased by a mobster named Sam Pick, who was associated with infamous crime lord Al Capone. It’s impossible to say what kinds of criminal acts, or even darker things, may have occurred within the walls of the estate during this time. Several separate ghosts are reported to inhabit the mansion, including an elderly woman, a masculine spirit, and a playful spirit. The mansion is a weird and intriguing location with many unknown questions.[5]

6-La Crosse

La Crosse, a river village from the past, is riddled with secrets and has a shady history. A cemetery attendant discovered Perry Brinstad’s vacant grave and a burlap bag containing body pieces in 1932. The town’s history also includes a story of a murderer who was sentenced to death by being thrown into a deep pit lined with jagged rocks because there was no jail at the time.

These true stories, discovered by the library’s director and archivists, are now the foundation of popular “Dark La Crosse” tours and radio podcasts. The mystery of the bag of body parts remains unresolved, and ghost hunters who visited the cemetery years later reported hearing someone exclaim, “They cut me up,” through their monitoring equipment.[6]

7-The Sheboygan Asylum

From 1888 through 1979, the Sheboygan Asylum, also known as the Sheboygan County Insane Asylum, was a mental health hospital. The asylum was notorious for its brutal treatment of patients during its tenure, and numerous stories of abuse and neglect have surfaced over the years.

It was sealed and deserted for 20 years before it was reopened for ghost tours.The facility is now reported to be haunted by the spirits of former patients who were abused and neglected while alive. Strange noises, ghostly figures, and an unnerving feeling of being watched have been described by visitors to the location. Some claim to have seen ghostly apparitions of patients strolling the grounds, still imprisoned within the walls of the facility.Given its history, it is not surprise that the Sheboygan Asylum is considered one of the most haunted places in Wisconsin.[7]

8-Glenbeulah School

The Glenbeulah School was founded in 1849 as a primary school for both younger and older students.However, in the early 1900s, many rural schools in Wisconsin transitioned from single-room schoolhouses to huge educational facilities that catered to students of various ages and grades. Glenbeulah was one of these schools, which joined with another to form a new structure. The old school was shuttered and abandoned in 1995, where it stayed for the next 27 years.

Melissa Clevenger and Craig Nehring eventually bought the property and want to renovate it into an event facility. They rapidly discovered, however, that they were not alone in the building. Strange phenomena such as slamming doors, mysterious footsteps, and dark figures have also been reported by visitors to the place. Motion detectors frequently detected movement and persons who were not physically there. The most prevalent claims were of voices, including laughter, shouts, and whole discussions in vacant rooms. Melissa and Craig even got a reaction when they called out “hello” in a vacant stairwell on one occasion.[8]

9-The University of Whitewater’s Andersen Library

According to local mythology, the Andersen Library on the University of Whitewater campus is haunted by an evil book that has drove four individuals insane and prompted countless others to commit suicide. This scary book is linked to the Whitewater Witches and is so dangerous that the library had to hide it away in the basement.After a neighborhood church closed, a big antique hymnal written in Latin was presented to the library. It is viewable, but only upon request and with considerable caution.[9]

10-The Union Hotel

The spirit of a former employee named Hannah is reported to haunt the Union Hotel in DePere, Wisconsin. Hannah was a young woman who worked at the hotel in the late 1800s and was tragically killed in a fire that broke out in the kitchen, according to local tradition.

The spirit of a former employee named Hannah is reported to haunt the Union Hotel in DePere, Wisconsin. Hannah was a young woman who worked at the hotel in the late 1800s and was tragically killed in a fire that broke out in the kitchen, according to local tradition.

One of the most terrifying incidents associated with the Union Hotel involves a guest staying in a room on the top floor. They described waking up in the middle of the night to discover Hannah standing at the foot of their bed, staring at them with a mournful expression on her face.[10]

To summarize, Wisconsin provides a unique blend of natural beauty and spine-chilling encounters for thrill seekers. From historic eateries like Chances, where ghostly encounters are part of the dining experience, to Wisconsin’s oldest pub, Nelsen’s Hall, where the spirit of its original owner may still roam, Wisconsin’s haunted locales are likely to captivate even the most skeptic.

The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee has been the site of unexplained incidents, with professional baseball players claiming weird experiences while staying there. High Cliff State Park blends natural beauty with ancient effigy mounds associated to paranormal activity, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about both history and the supernatural.

The Brumder Mansion has a shady history, with countless stories of strange occurrences and the presence of unknown beings. With its dark secrets and unsolved riddles, La Crosse offers intriguing tours that delve into its shadowy past. The Sheboygan Asylum, notorious for its harsh treatment of patients, now stands as a haunted reminder of its tumultuous past.

Glenbeulah School, which has been abandoned for many years, has strange occurrences such as slamming doors and unexplained footsteps. The Andersen Library at the University of Whitewater has a terrible book with a sinister reputation, while the Union Hotel in DePere is supposed to be haunted by the soul of a tragic former employee.

Whether you believe in the supernatural or just like a good scare, Wisconsin’s most haunted locales provide a chance to encounter the unknown. If you’re looking for a thrilling adventure, Wisconsin’s dark side is waiting for you. Just keep an open mind and be prepared for situations that defy explanation.

Finally, with its numerous haunted locales, Wisconsin has a dark and mysterious allure. From the unsettling encounters at Chances Restaurant to the ghostly presence at Nelsen’s Hall, these locations provide a memorable experience for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers alike. The strange incidents at the Pfister Hotel and the ghostly activities at High Cliff State Park add a dimension of mystery to their natural beauty. Strange occurrences at the Brumder Mansion

Finally, with its numerous haunted locales, Wisconsin has a dark and mysterious allure. From the unsettling encounters at Chances Restaurant to the ghostly presence at Nelsen’s Hall, these locations provide a memorable experience for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers alike. The strange incidents at the Pfister Hotel and the ghostly activities at High Cliff State Park add a dimension of mystery to their natural beauty. Strange occurrences at the Brumder Mansion

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