Location: Midlothian, IL
If you live in Illinois then there is a good chance that you have heard about the famous Bachelor's Grove Cemetery. I myself have visited this desolate area and just walking past the gates gave me and uncomfortable feeling. The few tombstones not removed, or vandalized, stand as a testament to the amount of history this spot holds and to the restless spirits within its fences. History Although it is hard for historian to pinpoint the exact time Bachelor's Grove was established, most agree that it was resurrected in the early 1800's. Bachelor's Grove got its name German settlers in the area with the last name of 'Batchelder'. The name stayed "Batchelder's Grove" until about the 1850 when it was changed to "Bremen", and then was again changed in 1855 to "Bachelor's". Despite all the name changes, the cemetery closed three years after it was changed for the third time. The last known burials to occur in the cemetery were that of Laura McGhee in 1965 and Robert E. Shields, who was cremated and buried in the family plot in 1989. Vandals first began paying attention to Bachelor's Grove in the 1960's. Overnight teens would come to spray paint, destroy and even steal headstones. People would even go so far as to open caskets and remove bones of the deceased. Present Possibly because of the vandalism in the 60's Bachelor's Grove, and even the area surrounding it, has been known as a hot spot for paranormal activity. Officers paroling the area have found animal carcasses mutilated in ritualistic manners, and patrols have found evidence of black magic and occult rituals in the graveyard. The Midlothian Turnpike is also said to be the scene of many strange occurrences. An old legend connected to the pond near the road says that one night two officers patrolling the area and claimed to see the apparition of a horse emerge from the waters. The animal appeared to be pulling a plow behind it that was steered by the ghost of an old man. The vision crossed the road in front of the ranger's vehicle, was framed for a moment in the glare of their headlights, and then vanished into the forest. The road is also said to be the scene of vanishing "ghost cars" and phantom automobile accidents. An odd occurrence from the trail is the sighting of the "phantom farm house". It has been seen appearing and disappearing along the trail for several decades now. The most credible thing about many of the accounts is that they come from people who originally had no idea that the house shouldn't be there at all and of course, people have come in to contact with ghosts inside the cemetery as well. The most frequently reported spirit is known by a variety of names from the "Madonna of Bachelor's Grove" to the "White Lady" to the affectionate name of "Mrs. Rogers". Legend has it that she is the ghost of a woman who was buried in the cemetery next to the grave of her young child. She is reported to wander the cemetery on nights of the full moon with an infant wrapped in her arms. She appears to walk aimlessly, with no apparent direction and completely unaware of the people who claim to encounter her. Having visited this cemetery myself, I can attest to it creepy atmosphere and ominous vibe. Even though I visited in the middle of the afternoon on a sunny day, the overall sadness and anxiousness I felt when I entered the gates was overwhelming. |