Folklore & Haunted Locations Guide:
Jackson, Michigan
"The Rose City"
Settled: 1829
Population: 32,605 (2018)
County: Jackson County
Haunted Locations Documented: 5
Settled: 1829
Population: 32,605 (2018)
County: Jackson County
Haunted Locations Documented: 5
The following is a list of allegedly haunted locations in Jackson, Michigan. To view my full list of ghost stories and haunted locations in Michigan, Click Here.
Be sure to also check out my new book, The Folklore & Haunted Locations Guide: Michigan, available on Amazon in eBook and Paperback!!
Be sure to also check out my new book, The Folklore & Haunted Locations Guide: Michigan, available on Amazon in eBook and Paperback!!
Helmer Castle
Coordinates: Private Residence
Location Address: Private Residence, Draper Road, Jackson, Michigan, 49201
Helmer Castle in Jackson, Michigan was constructed as a private residence between 1927 and 1929 by a famous concert violinist named Max Helmer. It was modeled after a 5th Century castle in Nuremberg, Germany that Mr. Helmer became infatuated with while touring Europe as a musician. Over the years rumors began to circulate that the location may be haunted by the spirit of Max Helmer, who resided in the old castle until his death in December of 1948. Although official records state that Mr. Helmer died of a heart attack, many at the time of his death suspected some type of foul play. Due to his reclusive nature while living and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death, many urban legends and folklore stories exist surrounding Helmer Castle. In addition to being allegedly haunted, one popular folklore tale claims that the castle is guarded by a pack of demonic hounds and surrounded by an impenetrable, ghostly mist that makes it impossible to reach at night. Despite stories being passed down by locals for generations, previous owners of Helmer Castle deny any claims of paranormal activity at the location. In 1977 Helmer Castle was used as the setting for a low budget Horror film called Demon House. Helmer Castle is a private residence and is not currently open to the public under any circumstances.
Location Address: Private Residence, Draper Road, Jackson, Michigan, 49201
Helmer Castle in Jackson, Michigan was constructed as a private residence between 1927 and 1929 by a famous concert violinist named Max Helmer. It was modeled after a 5th Century castle in Nuremberg, Germany that Mr. Helmer became infatuated with while touring Europe as a musician. Over the years rumors began to circulate that the location may be haunted by the spirit of Max Helmer, who resided in the old castle until his death in December of 1948. Although official records state that Mr. Helmer died of a heart attack, many at the time of his death suspected some type of foul play. Due to his reclusive nature while living and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death, many urban legends and folklore stories exist surrounding Helmer Castle. In addition to being allegedly haunted, one popular folklore tale claims that the castle is guarded by a pack of demonic hounds and surrounded by an impenetrable, ghostly mist that makes it impossible to reach at night. Despite stories being passed down by locals for generations, previous owners of Helmer Castle deny any claims of paranormal activity at the location. In 1977 Helmer Castle was used as the setting for a low budget Horror film called Demon House. Helmer Castle is a private residence and is not currently open to the public under any circumstances.
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Hillcrest Memorial Park
Coordinates: 42.271818°, -84.381146°
Location Address: 1425 N. Elm Avenue, Jackson, Michigan, 49202
Hillcrest Memorial Park in Jackson, Michigan was established in 1836 as Oaks Cemetery. It hosts over 10,000 burial plots and is the final resting place of some of Jackson's oldest pioneers and settlers. The historic cemetery is said to be haunted by the spirit of a young girl named Mary McNaughton, sometimes referred to simply as "Little Mary," who was allegedly buried alive on July 18, 1892 at the age of seven years old. According to legend, shortly after Little Mary's death her mother, Elizabeth, woke from a nightmare where she dreamt that the young girl had been mistakenly buried alive. The dream frightened Elizabeth so much that she requested her daughter's grave be exhumed, at which point scratches were discovered on the lid of the coffin, indicating that the young girl had not been dead at the time of her burial. Although no historical records are available detailing Little Mary's exhumation, those visiting Hillcrest Memorial Park have reported encountering the young girl's spirit hovering around the area of her grave at night. Others also claim to hear the sounds of a young girl crying, or the sounds of scratching on her grave. Due to repeated incidents of vandalism to Mary McNaughton's burial site over the years, the McNaughton family plot is now off-limits to visitors.
Location Address: 1425 N. Elm Avenue, Jackson, Michigan, 49202
Hillcrest Memorial Park in Jackson, Michigan was established in 1836 as Oaks Cemetery. It hosts over 10,000 burial plots and is the final resting place of some of Jackson's oldest pioneers and settlers. The historic cemetery is said to be haunted by the spirit of a young girl named Mary McNaughton, sometimes referred to simply as "Little Mary," who was allegedly buried alive on July 18, 1892 at the age of seven years old. According to legend, shortly after Little Mary's death her mother, Elizabeth, woke from a nightmare where she dreamt that the young girl had been mistakenly buried alive. The dream frightened Elizabeth so much that she requested her daughter's grave be exhumed, at which point scratches were discovered on the lid of the coffin, indicating that the young girl had not been dead at the time of her burial. Although no historical records are available detailing Little Mary's exhumation, those visiting Hillcrest Memorial Park have reported encountering the young girl's spirit hovering around the area of her grave at night. Others also claim to hear the sounds of a young girl crying, or the sounds of scratching on her grave. Due to repeated incidents of vandalism to Mary McNaughton's burial site over the years, the McNaughton family plot is now off-limits to visitors.
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Michigan State Prison
Coordinates: 42.257174°, -84.406663°
Location Address: Armory Court & Cooper Street, Jackson, Michigan, 49202
Sometimes referred to as Jackson State Prison, Michigan State Prison was built between 1839 and 1842 and was renowned as being the largest walled prison in the world at the time of its construction, as well as the first prison ever constructed in the state of Michigan. It housed nearly 6,000 inmates at its peak before being permanently closed and divided into four separate prisons in 1988, and was notorious due to claims of inmate abuse, overcrowding, wrongful deaths, and violent riots. In August of 2006, a prisoner named Timothy Joe Souders died after being held for four days in a solitary confinement cell and chained to a concrete slab. He was found dead by prison guards after temperatures in the cell were reported to have reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with a federal judge later describing the methods used on Timothy Souders as nothing less than torture. The old prison was also used as a Michigan National Guard armory before sitting abandoned for many years. It was later remodeled into a luxury apartment complex called Armory Arts Village, which includes a small prison museum that offers public tours. Over the years residents at the Armory Arts Village Apartments have reported encountering a number of unidentified apparitions and shadow figures believed to be former prison inmates and guards who died violent and untimely deaths. Many also report feeling as if being touched by an unseen entity, of hearing the sounds of disembodied voices, whispers, and cries for help. Michigan State Prison was added to the National Register of Historic Places in August of 1979.
Location Address: Armory Court & Cooper Street, Jackson, Michigan, 49202
Sometimes referred to as Jackson State Prison, Michigan State Prison was built between 1839 and 1842 and was renowned as being the largest walled prison in the world at the time of its construction, as well as the first prison ever constructed in the state of Michigan. It housed nearly 6,000 inmates at its peak before being permanently closed and divided into four separate prisons in 1988, and was notorious due to claims of inmate abuse, overcrowding, wrongful deaths, and violent riots. In August of 2006, a prisoner named Timothy Joe Souders died after being held for four days in a solitary confinement cell and chained to a concrete slab. He was found dead by prison guards after temperatures in the cell were reported to have reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with a federal judge later describing the methods used on Timothy Souders as nothing less than torture. The old prison was also used as a Michigan National Guard armory before sitting abandoned for many years. It was later remodeled into a luxury apartment complex called Armory Arts Village, which includes a small prison museum that offers public tours. Over the years residents at the Armory Arts Village Apartments have reported encountering a number of unidentified apparitions and shadow figures believed to be former prison inmates and guards who died violent and untimely deaths. Many also report feeling as if being touched by an unseen entity, of hearing the sounds of disembodied voices, whispers, and cries for help. Michigan State Prison was added to the National Register of Historic Places in August of 1979.
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Michigan Theatre of Jackson
Coordinates: 42.248015°, -84.406145°
Location Address: 124 N. Mechanic Street, Jackson, Michigan, 49201
The Michigan Theatre of Jackson in Jackson, Michigan was constructed in 1930 to accommodate vaudeville performances and film screenings. It is believed to be haunted by the spirits of several unidentified men and women, such as one woman whose apparition is allegedly seen seated in the theater's balcony, and a young girl who is said to appear in the upstairs hallways. Employees also report hearing the sounds of disembodied voices at night after guests have exited the building, as if an unseen conversation is taking place. Others have reported feeling the sensation of being touched by an invisible hand, and experiencing feelings of sadness, anxiety, and paranoia when working in the basement. The Michigan Theatre of Jackson was added to the National Register of Historic Places in May of 1980.
Location Address: 124 N. Mechanic Street, Jackson, Michigan, 49201
The Michigan Theatre of Jackson in Jackson, Michigan was constructed in 1930 to accommodate vaudeville performances and film screenings. It is believed to be haunted by the spirits of several unidentified men and women, such as one woman whose apparition is allegedly seen seated in the theater's balcony, and a young girl who is said to appear in the upstairs hallways. Employees also report hearing the sounds of disembodied voices at night after guests have exited the building, as if an unseen conversation is taking place. Others have reported feeling the sensation of being touched by an invisible hand, and experiencing feelings of sadness, anxiety, and paranoia when working in the basement. The Michigan Theatre of Jackson was added to the National Register of Historic Places in May of 1980.
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Reynolds Cemetery
Coordinates: 42.181529°, -84.501024°
Location Address: Reynolds Road, Jackson, Michigan, 49201
Reynolds Cemetery in Jackson, Michigan is said to be haunted by the spirits of several members of the Crouch family, who were savagely murdered in their home by an unknown assailant on the evening of November 21, 1883. According to police records Jacob Crouch, his daughter Eunice, and her husband Henry were all found dead the following morning, in addition to a family friend named Moses Polley who was staying there at the time. All four victims were found to have a single gunshot wound to the back of their heads, and no killer was ever convicted of the crime. The slain members of the Crouch family were buried nearby at Reynolds Cemetery, where many claim to encounter their apparitions wandering amongst the headstones at night. Others claim to hear the sounds of disembodied voices and cries, while also witnessing a thick, white mist that hovers near the graves of the Crouch family before vanishing into the ground. One popular folklore tale claims that on the anniversary of the murders the spirits of the Crouch family appear at Reynolds Cemetery to visit their burial sites. For many years locals gathered at the site of their graves to witness the phenomenon, but in recent years this tradition has stopped due to efforts by local law enforcement to keep out trespassers.
Location Address: Reynolds Road, Jackson, Michigan, 49201
Reynolds Cemetery in Jackson, Michigan is said to be haunted by the spirits of several members of the Crouch family, who were savagely murdered in their home by an unknown assailant on the evening of November 21, 1883. According to police records Jacob Crouch, his daughter Eunice, and her husband Henry were all found dead the following morning, in addition to a family friend named Moses Polley who was staying there at the time. All four victims were found to have a single gunshot wound to the back of their heads, and no killer was ever convicted of the crime. The slain members of the Crouch family were buried nearby at Reynolds Cemetery, where many claim to encounter their apparitions wandering amongst the headstones at night. Others claim to hear the sounds of disembodied voices and cries, while also witnessing a thick, white mist that hovers near the graves of the Crouch family before vanishing into the ground. One popular folklore tale claims that on the anniversary of the murders the spirits of the Crouch family appear at Reynolds Cemetery to visit their burial sites. For many years locals gathered at the site of their graves to witness the phenomenon, but in recent years this tradition has stopped due to efforts by local law enforcement to keep out trespassers.
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