From inexplicable figures in windows to unidentified screams in the woods, Milwaukee is home to more paranormal occurrences than you know (or ever hope to encounter).
With Halloween less than two weeks away, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the ghostly underbelly of our city. From disturbed serial killers to spooky spirits, we’re giving you the *condensed* backstories on some of Milwaukee’s most notoriously haunted places.
We hope this doesn’t keep you up at night.
Guests (including MLB players) have reported strange things: electronics turning on/off, phantom footsteps, and sightings of a “portly gentleman” believed to be Charles Pfister himself roaming the lobby, grand staircase, ballroom, or even up on higher floors.
Like Romeo and Juliet, but Milwaukee’s version: the Miller Caves are known to be haunted by a pair of young lovers’ ghosts. Years and years ago, a brewery worker would meet his lover every day after work in the caves to escape the summer heat.
One day, she was waiting for him, but he never showed up. The story goes that he had fallen on a staircase in the cave, hit his head, and died. The young woman became sick from grief and, within months, had passed away from what people believe was a broken heart.
Now, employees report seeing a pair of apparitions and hearing snippets of conversation and laughter from the cave’s chambers.
Considering there is a sign that says “Enter this wild wood and view the haunts of nature,” we would expect there to be some ghost tales.
Visitors have claimed to see misty apparitions on the covered bridge and a young woman’s silhouette in all white, looking for children who have drowned in Lake Michigan. People have heard terrified screaming, footsteps approaching them, and heavy breathing despite no one being near them.
Frederick Pabst and his wife died two years apart, and after only ten years of living in their newly constructed mansion. For more than 130 years since then, guests and staff have reported inexplicable paranormal occurrences, which some claim to be Mr. and Mrs. Pabst themselves.
Reports of chandeliers shaking and objects falling to the floor, as well as doors opening and closing, are common. But two stories will give you goosebumps. One is from a woman who felt a cool breeze pass by her legs, making them immobile for the time being.
The other experience happens from time to time with repairmen who complain someone is bothering them while they work. When they go talk to the staff about it, the staff shows them a photo of a man and asks them to confirm that’s who they saw. When they say, ‘yes, that’s him’, the staff then reveals the man in the picture is Frederick Pabst.
Humphrey Hall previously served as the Children’s Hospital from 1923 until 1988, with the basement of the building occupied by the morgue. Marquette acquired the building and transformed it into a dorm, and despite major renovations in 2015, groups of ghost children in their hospital gowns have been seen and heard throughout the building. Many of Marquette’s other buildings have reports of paranormal activity, but none more than Humphrey Hall.
Cursed from the start, Shakers is full of spooky history. It is said that it was built on an Indigenous cemetery, and at one point, a young girl named Elizabeth died after falling out of an apple tree and breaking her neck. Shaker’s was operated as a speakeasy by Frank and Al Capone, with the top two floors serving as a brothel. And many people, including gamblers, bartenders, jealous lovers, and more, have died here. Oh, and not to mention, serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was an occasional patron.
Guests have heard voices in the women’s bathroom. Apparitions of a young girl are commonly seen (Elizabeth, is that you?). There are cold spots throughout the building, and, the basement? BEWARE! Staff report feeling like they’re being watched and are afraid to go down there alone. The doors move on their own, and some women have felt someone ‘pull’ on their hair.
NO THANK YOU!!