Spooky Stories from Elgin, IL. was an October feature of stories from Elgin residents about unusual happenings, spooky events or an other-worldly resident that might still be hanging around. In most of these stories names and locations have been omitted or changed to protect the privacy of still living residents and their homes.
These stories are meant to provide a safe and fun scare.
Please enjoy and feel free to share!
R wouldn’t describe her 1800s home as spooky, just occasionally things happen.
Nothing bad, of course, just not… usual.
She understood her home had seen a lot. Births, deaths - both prolonged & sudden, people in terrible pain, suffering, extreme sadness & also overwhelming joy were all likely occurrences within the walls of her three story Victorian abode. R’s house had been a hospital.
Now, though, it was just a house. The place where R lived with her family & dog. It was quirky & charming & a bit old fashioned. Weird stuff happened, sure, but this was Elgin - a nearly 170 year old town. Weird stuff was bound to happen with all that history, she’d tell herself with a shrug.
In her home, that meant shadowy movements just out the corner of your eye. Or sometimes a presence in the kitchen while you’re doing dishes that you think is your son, but actually, he’s not home right now. Once it was a random shout in the night. “Mother!” But then nothing.
Happenings weren’t reserved for just the family. A friend helping her husband run new electrical throughout the house had his own experience with their home. The friend’s portion of work had him up in the garret - the cramped space just under the roof - for about an hour or so. After the lines were run, R welcomed the friend back down into the kitchen to cool off with glass of water. The friend took a long drink, wiped his brow, looked over at R & said, “So, have you seen the guy in the hat too?” She knew he was referencing a figure her husband had encountered in those tight quarters before.
R would mostly shrug her shoulders & take these occurrences in stride. They just happened to live in a house that was already occupied.
She only really took issue when those occupants seemed to take interest in her children.
R had a little boy, M, and a young girl, H.
When M was about 6 years old he’d often talk about his imaginary friend W. They would go on adventures around the house & out in the yard. M would tell stories about W & set a plate for him at the table. W was officially a part of the family.
One rainy Saturday afternoon M & his older sister H were looking for something to do to stave off a bout of looming boredom. They wandered into the family room where R was cleaning. “We’re boooored” the two kids whined as they lay themselves across the sofa & carpet like wilting daisies.
R put down the stack of books she had been arranging & looked at her kids. “How about a game of hide & seek?” The game was a favorite, especially in a home like theirs with so many random rooms & secret spaces to hide. Both kids jumped up & cheered, already plotting out the best spots.
Then, abruptly, M said, “I don’t think W can play with us.”
H tilted her head, “Why not? Why can’t W play hide & seek?”
M looked at his sister & mom “Because he’ll be too easy to find.”
R & H looked at each other almost giggling aloud at the idea of an invisible, imaginary friend being “easy” to find.
“Why would he be so easy to find?” R asked her son, playing along.
M, looking at both of them & in a matter of fact way, replied, “Because of his red hands.”
Time stopped.
The three looked at each other as if all suddenly knowing something none had considered before.
H was the first to speak.
“Why are his hands red…?”
It was the first time in a long time that R felt frightened. Quickly she changed the subject, deciding that, actually, they would go to the mall for ice cream instead.
Within the hour they were in the car, excitedly chattering about what flavor each was going to get, leaving W & the skin crawling image of his red hands at home.
Time moved on. M eventually stopped talking about W. The house still has occupants that randomly make themselves known - intentionally or not. R wonders about them sometimes; are they doctors still doing rounds? Maybe patients who’ve passed away, but could never find their exit? If she’s honest, she kind of likes the thrill & the mystery of her old house in her old city. “I choose to live in Elgin after all.” she says with a shrug & a smile.