Greene County Almshouse, January 2011
Investigators: Trish and Dave
Weather-
clear and cold, highs in the 20's with wind-chill near zero
After
being bottled up throughout December, Trish and I decided we needed to take a
quick paranormal road-trip. We elected
to visit a few (purported) haunted sights located in Greene County along the
scenic Illinois River. We were somewhat
familiar with this area because of our previous visit to the Eldred House.
Our
first stop was the Greene County Almshouse, approximately 4 miles northwest of
the city of Carrollton. Almshouses (or
Alms Houses) were also known as poor houses or county farms. Back in the 1800's there weren't a lot of
places in Illinois where people could go when they were very sick or down on
their luck, or abandoned. These working
farms represented a last refuge for these people and an opportunity for them
to perhaps turn their lives around again.
As such, these places hold a rich history of personal stories, emotional
extremes, and death. Established in
1860, the Greene County Almshouse is one of the few still standing today. For additional information:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ilgreene/Almshouse/AlmshouseIndexPage.htm
After
miraculously finding it, we came across this imposing three-story structure
located in rural Carrollton. On the
property, there is a lone monument dedicated to the many anonymous young and
old who had died and were buried there.
Regrettably, we were unable to locate this monument and pay our
respects, due to the significant amount of snow cover that day.
We
entered through the basement and walked each floor, eventually ending up on the
roof of the tower area. We used digital recorders, digital cameras, and EMF
meters. Unfortunately, we could only
tolerate investigating for about a half an hour because we were not suitably prepared
for the temperatures and wind-chill. As
you might guess, these subarctic situations make it very difficult to discern cold spots or the sensation of being touched.
Although we can report no personal experience, did not get any EMF hits,
or capture any video evidence, we may have captured some potential soft EVPs
which I am including at the bottom of this page. As we were leaving the area I noticed a small
snow covered sign indicating we may have inadvertently been trespassing, which
I certainly do not recommend.
Several
months later we were told some very interesting stories by members of the
American Ghost Society who also had the opportunity to investigate this
location. Their accounts included shadow
figures, investigators being touched, and hearing footsteps.
After
leaving the Almshouse we made a stop at the Lee-Baker-Hodges House. This building is now the Greene County
Historical Society Offices and is located on the Carrollton Town Square. They also host overnight investigations by
the American Ghost Society group. http://www.bumpinthenight.net/mansion.html
After
enjoying Historic Carrollton, we made a quick stop by the James J. Eldred
House, and then drove over to the Eldred-Bushnell Cemetery located on Hillview
Road. http://abandonedplaces.livejournal.com/2354152.html
Our
next destination was the Old Stone House, also known as the Sweetin
Mansion. I first spotted this relic by
accident when I got lost trying to find the Eldred House. I had accidentally driven several miles out
of our way and recall looking over to my right and seeing this impressive old
stone mansion. At the time I commented
about what an intriguing place it appeared.
I hadn't thought much about it until, a few weeks later; I was looking
through Troy Taylor's book, Weird Illinois, and stumbled across a picture and
the history of this jewel. My curiosity
was peaked and knew I had to go back!
Unfortunately,
there is not much left of this building but what stands is a monument to the
history of the area. While there, I
believe we captured what may have been an EVP which I have added below. I should note, however, that not all CAPS
members agree it is a true EVP, perhaps just a rubbing sound from our winter
clothing.
We
made one last stop along Hillview Road on our way back to Springfield, stopping
at the Great River Road Opry House, near Winchester IL, (officially in Scott
County). This is another sight that has
been investigated by our friends at AGS, and will likely not remain much longer
because of neglect. I have placed additional
photos from our Green County Ghost jaunt in the Greene County Photo Gallery.
Greene County Almshouse , May 2014
CAPS stopped by for a quick look at the Almshouse. I am happy to say that we left without any spirit attachments, though the demonic ticks tried their best!
2014 EVPs
Trish feels goose bumps and says goosies twice. You will hear me laugh and then right after that a young child is heard saying something like "Where's Dixie"around 3 seconds
Trish and David are talking and another male voice says around 2 seconds "Don't scare them off".
2011 EVPs
Second floor of Almshouse
Second floor of Almshouse, listen right before I say, "That's Wierd"
The Sweetin House, (Old Stone House) listen after I say "...creek"