Bachelors Grove Woods

USA / Illinois / Palos Heights /
 park, grove, nature conservation park / area, haunted place
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Part of the Cook County Forest Preserve system named after a cemetery in the area. This "most haunted cemetery in the world" was once a beautiful area where families would picnic, swim and pay respects to lost loved ones. It was established in the late-mid 19th century and was active for many decades, making it one of the oldest cemeteries in Cook County.

During prohibition, its ponds were used by the mob as a dumping ground for the corpses of their victims.

Bachelor's Grove is world famous for its supposed paranormal activity, some of which is claimed by ghost hunters to be the most convincing material in the world; nonetheless, almost all evidence is anecdotal, and scientific evidence is entirely lacking. A 1991 photograph of a ghostly figure perched on a tombstone gained worldwide attention when it was printed in the Chicago-Sun Times and the National Examiner, attracting the interest of ghost hunters and skeptics alike. Like most of the other 'paranormal' phenomena reported, it is now generally considered debunked. Paranormal claims peaked in the 1970s and 1980s and have been decreasing since then.

Today, Bachelor's Grove remains a major hot spot for thrill-seekers, paranormal investigators and vandals. Partying teens are often removed from the premises after sunset, and the cemetery has suffered over the years from vandalism and neglect. Personally however, I think it still makes a fantastic walk on a sunny afternoon.
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Coordinates:   41°38'11"N   87°46'53"W

Comments

  • This is not the location of Bachelor's Grove Cemetary. This is, however, Bachelor's Grove Woods. This name was given to the forest to trick cemetary enthusiasts. The cemetary is on the south side of the Midlothian Turnpike and just a couple blocks east of Ridgeland. Nice place, just don't dig up any bodies.
This article was last modified 9 years ago