Folklore & Haunted Locations Guide:
Traverse City, Michigan
"Cherry Capital Of The World"
Settled: 1847
Population: 15,738 (2019)
County: Leelanau County & Traverse County
Haunted Locations Documented: 5
Settled: 1847
Population: 15,738 (2019)
County: Leelanau County & Traverse County
Haunted Locations Documented: 5
The following is a list of allegedly haunted locations in Traverse City, Michigan. To view my full list of ghost stories and haunted locations in Michigan, Click Here. Be sure to check out my new book, The Folklore & Haunted Locations Guide: Michigan, available on Amazon in eBook and Paperback!! Please also read this SAFETY AND LEGAL DISCLAIMER before visiting any allegedly haunted location.
Mission Table Restaurant & Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant
"The Bowers Harbor Inn"
Coordinates: 44.886171°, -85.528217°
Location Address: 13512 Peninsula Drive, Traverse City, Michigan
The building which now houses the Mission Table Restaurant and the Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant in Traverse City, Michigan was constructed in the 1860's as a farmhouse. In 1909 it was purchased by a wealthy lumber baron named Charles F. Stickney and his wife, Jennie, who resided there until their deaths in the late 1940's. In 1959 the old farmhouse was renovated for use as a restaurant called the Bowers Harbor Inn, at which point employees and patrons began to report encountering the spirit of a woman believed to be the deceased Jennie Stickney. In later years the Bowers Harbor Inn was divided into two separate restaurants called the Mission Table Restaurant and the Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant & Brewery. In addition to witnessing Mrs. Stickney's ghostly figure reflected in windows and mirrors, former guests at the old Bowers Harbor Inn have reported experiencing lights flickering, doors opening and closing by themselves, and faucets in the bathroom being turned on and off unexpectedly. Many current patrons also report witnessing objects such as dishes and silverware being moved by an unseen entity, or pictures being torn from the walls by a mysterious force. Employees working at the two restaurants at night additionally report hearing strange disembodied sounds, like metal chains rattling, and heavy objects being thrown to the floor or dropped from shelves. Motorists driving by the old building often report witnessing the silhouette of a woman standing in one of the windows late at night when the building is believed to be empty. One popular urban legend even claims that Mrs. Stickney committed suicide after finding out her husband, Charles, was having an affair, however this story has been debunked by local historians as being false, with many noting that Mrs. Stickney passed away in March of 1947 after years of struggling with diabetes and heart disease. Many who believe the old building to be haunted have also theorized that the spirits of several of the farmhouse's former occupants who passed away in the house may also remain at the location.
Location Address: 13512 Peninsula Drive, Traverse City, Michigan
The building which now houses the Mission Table Restaurant and the Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant in Traverse City, Michigan was constructed in the 1860's as a farmhouse. In 1909 it was purchased by a wealthy lumber baron named Charles F. Stickney and his wife, Jennie, who resided there until their deaths in the late 1940's. In 1959 the old farmhouse was renovated for use as a restaurant called the Bowers Harbor Inn, at which point employees and patrons began to report encountering the spirit of a woman believed to be the deceased Jennie Stickney. In later years the Bowers Harbor Inn was divided into two separate restaurants called the Mission Table Restaurant and the Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant & Brewery. In addition to witnessing Mrs. Stickney's ghostly figure reflected in windows and mirrors, former guests at the old Bowers Harbor Inn have reported experiencing lights flickering, doors opening and closing by themselves, and faucets in the bathroom being turned on and off unexpectedly. Many current patrons also report witnessing objects such as dishes and silverware being moved by an unseen entity, or pictures being torn from the walls by a mysterious force. Employees working at the two restaurants at night additionally report hearing strange disembodied sounds, like metal chains rattling, and heavy objects being thrown to the floor or dropped from shelves. Motorists driving by the old building often report witnessing the silhouette of a woman standing in one of the windows late at night when the building is believed to be empty. One popular urban legend even claims that Mrs. Stickney committed suicide after finding out her husband, Charles, was having an affair, however this story has been debunked by local historians as being false, with many noting that Mrs. Stickney passed away in March of 1947 after years of struggling with diabetes and heart disease. Many who believe the old building to be haunted have also theorized that the spirits of several of the farmhouse's former occupants who passed away in the house may also remain at the location.
User Comments & Submissions
Leave a comment or submit your own ghost stories, pictures, and videos below!! Please read this Disclaimer before posting, and be sure to also read this SAFETY DISCLAIMER before visiting any allegedly haunted location.
Old Town Playhouse & Performing Arts Center
"Old Town Playhouse"
Coordinates: 44.759196°, -85.621275°
Location Address: 148 E. Eighth Street, Traverse City, Michigan
The Old Town Playhouse in Traverse City, Michigan was originally constructed during the late 1800's as a Christian Church before being purchased by the Traverse City Civic Players in 1975. It is said to be haunted by the spirit of a Jamaican immigrant named Aaron Chamberlain who worked as a caretaker and custodian at the old church during the 1920's. Aaron was described as being a kind and generous man, with many claiming that he remains at the location to continue his custodial duties in the afterlife. Another spirit rumored to haunt the Old Town Playhouse is that of a young man named Eric who was involved with the Traverse City Civic Players throughout the 1980's and 1990's. Although additional information about Eric is currently unavailable, it is widely believed that he committed suicide. Actors and actresses rehearsing at the Old Town Playhouse often report experiencing unexplained paranormal phenomena such as disembodied footsteps, lights turning on and off by themselves, or the phantom sounds of piano music playing. Pedestrians walking by the old building at night also report seeing a man's face in the windows late at night when the location is believed to be empty.
Location Address: 148 E. Eighth Street, Traverse City, Michigan
The Old Town Playhouse in Traverse City, Michigan was originally constructed during the late 1800's as a Christian Church before being purchased by the Traverse City Civic Players in 1975. It is said to be haunted by the spirit of a Jamaican immigrant named Aaron Chamberlain who worked as a caretaker and custodian at the old church during the 1920's. Aaron was described as being a kind and generous man, with many claiming that he remains at the location to continue his custodial duties in the afterlife. Another spirit rumored to haunt the Old Town Playhouse is that of a young man named Eric who was involved with the Traverse City Civic Players throughout the 1980's and 1990's. Although additional information about Eric is currently unavailable, it is widely believed that he committed suicide. Actors and actresses rehearsing at the Old Town Playhouse often report experiencing unexplained paranormal phenomena such as disembodied footsteps, lights turning on and off by themselves, or the phantom sounds of piano music playing. Pedestrians walking by the old building at night also report seeing a man's face in the windows late at night when the location is believed to be empty.
User Comments & Submissions
Leave a comment or submit your own ghost stories, pictures, and videos below!! Please read this Disclaimer before posting, and be sure to also read this SAFETY DISCLAIMER before visiting any allegedly haunted location.
Sawyer Road
"The Sawyer Road Woman In White"
Coordinates: 44.655907°, -85.676500°
Location Address: Sawyer Road, Traverse City, Michigan
Motorists driving on Sawyer Road in Traverse City, Michigan at night report encountering the spirit of a woman dressed in a long, white dress, carrying a lit candle. She is described as being pale and expressionless, and appearing to be in a trance as she walks down the road staring blankly ahead. Her apparition is said to disappear suddenly when approached by the living, and those who have witnessed the mysterious woman in white often describe being left with lingering feelings of fear and dread that defy explanation.
Location Address: Sawyer Road, Traverse City, Michigan
Motorists driving on Sawyer Road in Traverse City, Michigan at night report encountering the spirit of a woman dressed in a long, white dress, carrying a lit candle. She is described as being pale and expressionless, and appearing to be in a trance as she walks down the road staring blankly ahead. Her apparition is said to disappear suddenly when approached by the living, and those who have witnessed the mysterious woman in white often describe being left with lingering feelings of fear and dread that defy explanation.
User Comments & Submissions
Leave a comment or submit your own ghost stories, pictures, and videos below!! Please read this Disclaimer before posting, and be sure to also read this SAFETY DISCLAIMER before visiting any allegedly haunted location.
The Hippie Tree
"The Portal To Hell"
Coordinates: 44.752635°, -85.650385°
Location Address: Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area, Traverse City, Michigan
An old, decaying willow tree in Traverse City, Michigan known among locals as "The Hippie Tree" is the subject of several popular urban legends and folklore tales. The tree is located on the western edge of the old Traverse City State Hospital campus, which treated mentally ill patients until its closure in 1989 and had a long history of patient abuse and neglect. It is said by mediums that the old tree possesses some type of powerful, psychic energy which attracts the spirits of the nearby dead, with some even theorizing that the souls of the deceased then become trapped by the energy within the tree. One popular urban legend claims that during the 1950's a young boy was murdered at The Hippie Tree by a mental patient who escaped from the nearby Traverse City State Hospital. Paranormal investigators and others visiting The Hippie Tree at night report encountering apparitions and shadow figures, and hearing the sounds of disembodied voices, whispers, and screams. In more recent years the old decaying tree has become a retreat for local mediums and spiritualists, who come to meditate and communicate with the spirits at the location, and who sometimes pay tribute by painting the visions shared with them in neon paint on the tree's trunk and branches. Over the years the tree has become so heavily covered in neon paint that it has come to be known as "The Hippie Tree." Among superstitious locals, however, it has earned another nickname: "The Portal To Hell," with some urban legends going on to claim that anyone who walks around the old tree without walking over any of its roots or touching its branches will see the portal to Hell open before them.
Location Address: Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area, Traverse City, Michigan
An old, decaying willow tree in Traverse City, Michigan known among locals as "The Hippie Tree" is the subject of several popular urban legends and folklore tales. The tree is located on the western edge of the old Traverse City State Hospital campus, which treated mentally ill patients until its closure in 1989 and had a long history of patient abuse and neglect. It is said by mediums that the old tree possesses some type of powerful, psychic energy which attracts the spirits of the nearby dead, with some even theorizing that the souls of the deceased then become trapped by the energy within the tree. One popular urban legend claims that during the 1950's a young boy was murdered at The Hippie Tree by a mental patient who escaped from the nearby Traverse City State Hospital. Paranormal investigators and others visiting The Hippie Tree at night report encountering apparitions and shadow figures, and hearing the sounds of disembodied voices, whispers, and screams. In more recent years the old decaying tree has become a retreat for local mediums and spiritualists, who come to meditate and communicate with the spirits at the location, and who sometimes pay tribute by painting the visions shared with them in neon paint on the tree's trunk and branches. Over the years the tree has become so heavily covered in neon paint that it has come to be known as "The Hippie Tree." Among superstitious locals, however, it has earned another nickname: "The Portal To Hell," with some urban legends going on to claim that anyone who walks around the old tree without walking over any of its roots or touching its branches will see the portal to Hell open before them.
User Comments & Submissions
Leave a comment or submit your own ghost stories, pictures, and videos below!! Please read this Disclaimer before posting, and be sure to also read this SAFETY DISCLAIMER before visiting any allegedly haunted location.
Traverse City State Hospital
"Northern Michigan Asylum"
Coordinates: 44.756361°, -85.643214°
Location Address: 830 Cottageview Drive, Traverse City, Michigan
The Traverse City State Hospital in Traverse City, Michigan was established in 1885 as the Northern Michigan Asylum. Over its lifetime the facility expanded to include dozens of buildings such as dormitories, colleges, and infirmaries, and in several instances of severe disease outbreaks was also used to treat patients afflicted with tuberculosis, typhoid fever, diphtheria, and polio. In October of 1978 the Traverse City State Hospital was added to the National Register of Historic Places, however many of the old buildings were soon abandoned or demolished due to reduced state funding and changes in mental health laws. The facility was finally closed in 1989, and over the years has earned a reputation among locals as being haunted. During the early 2000's the Traverse City State Hospital was sold to a private development company and converted into a series of luxury condominiums called The Village At Grand Traverse Commons, which also includes amenities such as bars, restaurants, and office space. Many of the hospital's old buildings are now occupied, including its main building known as "Building 50" which runs nearly a quarter-mile from end to end. Residents living at the newly renovated Village At Grand Traverse Commons often report encountering apparitions and shadow figures, as well as experiencing other unexplained paranormal phenomena such as hearing disembodied voices and whispers, feeling sudden cold spots, and feeling a strange presence. Those exploring the 135 acres of open fields and woodlands surrounding the former mental institution also claim to witness strange glowing orbs and flashing lights that defy explanation. A series of underground tunnels and basements still exist at the site of the old Traverse City State Hospital which were once used to transport patients between different buildings, and urban explorers in these areas frequently report feeling a strong, negative presence, or feeling as if being watched by an unseen entity. In addition to being used as condominiums, the Village At Grand Traverse Commons also offers ghost tours throughout the year which attract thousands of tourists annually.
Location Address: 830 Cottageview Drive, Traverse City, Michigan
The Traverse City State Hospital in Traverse City, Michigan was established in 1885 as the Northern Michigan Asylum. Over its lifetime the facility expanded to include dozens of buildings such as dormitories, colleges, and infirmaries, and in several instances of severe disease outbreaks was also used to treat patients afflicted with tuberculosis, typhoid fever, diphtheria, and polio. In October of 1978 the Traverse City State Hospital was added to the National Register of Historic Places, however many of the old buildings were soon abandoned or demolished due to reduced state funding and changes in mental health laws. The facility was finally closed in 1989, and over the years has earned a reputation among locals as being haunted. During the early 2000's the Traverse City State Hospital was sold to a private development company and converted into a series of luxury condominiums called The Village At Grand Traverse Commons, which also includes amenities such as bars, restaurants, and office space. Many of the hospital's old buildings are now occupied, including its main building known as "Building 50" which runs nearly a quarter-mile from end to end. Residents living at the newly renovated Village At Grand Traverse Commons often report encountering apparitions and shadow figures, as well as experiencing other unexplained paranormal phenomena such as hearing disembodied voices and whispers, feeling sudden cold spots, and feeling a strange presence. Those exploring the 135 acres of open fields and woodlands surrounding the former mental institution also claim to witness strange glowing orbs and flashing lights that defy explanation. A series of underground tunnels and basements still exist at the site of the old Traverse City State Hospital which were once used to transport patients between different buildings, and urban explorers in these areas frequently report feeling a strong, negative presence, or feeling as if being watched by an unseen entity. In addition to being used as condominiums, the Village At Grand Traverse Commons also offers ghost tours throughout the year which attract thousands of tourists annually.
User Comments & Submissions
Leave a comment or submit your own ghost stories, pictures, and videos below!! Please read this Disclaimer before posting, and be sure to also read this SAFETY DISCLAIMER before visiting any allegedly haunted location.