MI, also known as the Great Lakes State, has a dark and mysterious side that has intrigued ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts for years. From abandoned asylums to historic hotels, Michigan is home to some of the most haunted places in the country.
In this article, we will delve into the chilling tales and spine-tingling encounters that have taken place at the top seven most haunted locations in MI.
Get ready to embark on a journey of the unknown, as we uncover the secrets and ghostly apparitions that haunt these infamous sites.
1. River Raisin National Battlefield Park, Monroe
In 1812, hundreds of Americans died at the River Raisin Battlefield. Like so many battlefields this has given rise to a grim and unsettling reputation for paranormal activity. In fact, River Raisin National Battlefield Park is considered to be one of the most haunted places in Michigan.
River Raisin was the site of one of the biggest battles of 1812. The 850 American troops who were settled there were attacked by 500 British soldiers and 500 Native Americans. Around 300 American soldiers were killed and hundreds more were wounded.
These wounded men were left defenseless and ended up being slaughtered by the Native Americans in what is now known as the River Raisin Massacre. It is estimated that in all, only 33 of the Americans escaped alive! No figures are known for the death toll on the other side.
As you might expect given the gruesome history, ghostly apparitions are the norm here. Several visitors have seen spectral American soldiers in a uniform appropriate to 1812.
Some visitors have captured shadowy figures in doorways when taking photographs and there have been multiple EVPs recorded in the area which contain moans and cries of agony and the sounds of a battle taking place!
2. Mackinac Island, Lake Huron
Mackinac Island is a very popular tourist destination, but visitors say that even in the height of summer, certain areas just feel cold and somehow ‘off’ compared to others.
With more than 100 individual ghosts reported on the island, this is one of the most haunted places in Michigan! Let’s take a look at some of the paranormal hotspots!
The Moral Re-armament Building has long been one of the most well-known haunts on the island. IT is said to be haunted by a former student of Mackinac College who is a bit of a practical joker with mail guests and who is said to flirt with the ladies.
The story goes that the young man had a girlfriend at the college and he asked her to marry him. When she refused he was broken-hearted and went into the woods to commit suicide.
Although he went missing in February his corpse was not found until July! The death was ruled a suicide, but there have been persistent rumors that perhaps there was foul play involved.
Is this why he still wanders the building in search of justice? There have been reports of disembodied voices, whispering in visitor’s ears and a general uneasy feeling like someone is watching from the shadows!
The Grand Hotel is also said to be haunted with both guests and staff reporting phantom footsteps and doors that open and close on their own. It is thought that the hauntings here could stem from the fact that the cemetery was moved to accommodate the expansion of the hotel!
Another hotspot on the island is Mission Point which has been featured on a couple of paranormal television shows.
The ghost of a little girl called Lucy is seen on the balcony, often calling for her mom and dad. It is thought that Lucy died of a sudden illness while her parents were away on business in Detroit and she passed before their return to the island.
Meanwhile, Perry Hotel is haunted by the spirit of a woman who committed suicide there in 1902. She is often seen looking out towards the nearby lake.
Learn more about the haunted Mackinac Island, Michigan
3. Felt Mansion, Holland
Dorr E. Felt started construction of the Felt Mansion in 1925 with the vision of building a beautiful home for his family. It was originally intended to be the family’s summer home and it took 3 years to complete.
It was one of the largest mansions of the time with 25 rooms across the 17000 square feet that the house occupied. It even had its own ballroom.
However, just 6 weeks after it was completed Dorr’s wife Agnes passed away suddenly and he was left devastated. He died about 18 months later, some say of a broken heart. In the years that followed, the Felt family fell on hard times.
Gradually the land and then the house was sold off. The mansion was converted into a prep school for Catholic boys, then in the seventies, it was converted first into a prison and then into a home for cloistered nuns.
It might not come as much of a shock to learn that the main hauntings at Felt Mansion are said to be the spirits of previous owners Dorr and Agnes Felt.
They apparently wander throughout the house and people have said that they are simply taking time to enjoy the dream home that they were unable to enjoy in life. They seem to be friendly and are happy to share their home with guests and visitors.
There are also reports of less defined ‘shadow’ figures seen in the third-floor ballroom. They sometimes dance while others are said to appear as though they are sweeping the floor.
There are also reports of the double French doors in Agnes’ room opening and closing on their own.
Learn more on the haunted Felt Mansion, Holland, Michigan
4. Detroit Masonic Temple, Detroit
One of the most haunted places in Detroit is the Detroit Masonic Temple. One of the most well-known ghosts that are said to inhabit the building is George D Mason. His apparition has been spotted with several guests and the night watchman!
There are also many cold spots in the building and doors are said to open and close on their own. In particular, the roof doors have been said to swing open just moments after being locked by the night watchman!
Learn more on the haunted Detroit Masonic Temple, Detroit
5. Traverse City State Hospital, Traverse City
Traverse City State Hospital was in operation for more than 100 years, so you can imagine the vast number of patients who have passed through its doors and the large volume of deaths that must have occurred here.
As you might imagine, over the years there have been a growing number of tales about restless spirits and patients who have never checked out of the hospital! IT now stands abandoned and decaying, but it is known to be one of the most haunted places in Michigan.
One of the most disturbing stories linked to Traverse City State Hospital is that there is supposed to be a portal to Hell located under the so-called ‘Hippy Tree’ which is located on the trails just behind the main building.
There are also frequent reports of disembodied screams and voices echoing through the empty halls and lights are said to turn on at off at random despite the fact that the electricity has been disconnected for several years!
Some of the spirits to have actually manifested as full apparitions around the hospital include several patients including children and the spirit of a priest who took his own life inside the hospital.
However, perhaps the most terrifying of all Is the disfigured, shadowy figure who is said to creep around the tunnels and basements.
Read more about the haunted Traverse City State Hospital, Michigan
6. The Landmark Inn, Marquette
The Landmark Inn has a rich history and has played host to a variety of celebrity guests over the years, but it is also famed for being one of the most haunted places in Michigan. Of the many ghost stories that are linked to The Landmark Inn, one of the most well-known is ‘The Librarian’.
It is said that in the 1930s, a spinster librarian and a crewman fell in love. The plan was for the couple to marry after his final cruise, but unfortunately, the ship was swept away and the entire crew went down with the ship.
The librarian never recovered from her grief and it is said that she died soon after- possibly of a broken heart.
Many people have reported seeing the librarian gazing out of the window of the Lilac Room up on the 6th floor, bound for eternity to wait on her missing lover to return from sea.
The Lilac Room has been the most active room since the renovation work in the nineties. The very first guest to stay in the room after the grand re-opening complained of finding screws in the bed.
See also: Michigan’s Most Haunted Hotels
He had the housekeeper change the sheets, but on returning to the room after dinner there were more screws in the bed!
Staff members have also said that the front desk frequently receives calls from the Lilac Room even when it is unoccupied!
7. Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids
Mary Monko, a young girl who was decapitated in an elevator accident in 1914, is one of the most famous ghosts associated with the hotel. Her spirit is said to still haunt the hotel, and guests have reported hearing her crying or giggling in the elevator shaft.
Other ghostly encounters reported at the hotel include the apparitions of former guests, strange noises, and unexplained movements of objects. The hotel staff has also reported ghostly encounters over the years.
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