Bachelor's Grove Cemetery, Midlothian, Illinois

One of the World's Most Haunted

I have to admit that Bachelor's Grove Cemetery is what ghost stories and urban legends are all about.  Bachelor's Grove is an abandoned cemetery in the middle of the Cook County Forest Preserve along the Midlothian Turnpike.  Unfortunately the cemetery is in terrible disrepair and has been the victim of a multitude of vandals.  (Really sad for those of us who are historians as well as haunt enthusiast and would love to see the cemetery restored at least for historical purposes)

There are no signs for the cemetery and one has to look very carefully for the entrance off to the side of the turnpike.  You cannot reach the cemetery by vehicle (Unless of course you work for the Forest Preserve District) which adds to the general sense of uneasiness one feels when making the roughly half mile walk down a narrow pathway to a broken chain link fence that surrounds what is left of the cemetery.  Years ago when I had first tried to find the cemetery, I walked around for hours in the forest preserve until I eventually asked two local paramedics who were having lunch in their ambulance about the cemetery.  I was literally 300 feet from the entrance to the path when I asked.

I had first read about Bachelor's Grove the night before and remember reading someone's story about how they were in the cemetery and found a fresh rose on one of the abandoned stones.  The individual stated in their article that when they picked up the rose, they noticed a woman out of the corner of their eyes.  They only saw the woman briefly but they had a strong feeling of dread or anger when they picked up the rose.  They immediately put the rose down and did not see the woman or have the feeling again. 

So what do you think I saw on most of the stones in the cemetery on my first visit?  You guessed it, roses!  Now do you really think that I picked any up?  Being that this was my first trip there and I was by myself, I decided that it was a good idea to leave them alone.


                                    
                            Gravestone with single red rose                                     Disturbed earth near grave marker                                        Vandalized Gravesites

Strange Occurrences

There have been numerous reports of strange occurrences at Bachelor's Grove including floating orbs of light, a mysterious Victorian era farmhouse that appears and then disappears, a ghostly woman in white as reported and photographed by members of Dale Kaczmarek's Ghost Research Society, ghost cars, a two headed man, a man wearing a yellow suit and hat and a farmer and horse drawn plow.  

There is also a small pond on the north side of the cemetery that is rumored to have been used as a dumping ground for victims of Chicago Mobsters. 

In 2001, I had taken my son and a few of his friends to the cemetery at night a few days before Halloween.  I thought it would make for a spooky Halloween excursion since we were already out making the rounds of the local For-Profit haunted house attractions.  In hind sight not a great idea to venture into an abandoned cemetery at night!  

Granted, I had heard about Satanic Cults conducting rituals in the abandoned cemetery but did not take it too seriously even though I had photographed some trees on one of my earlier trips with "DEMON" spray painted on them.

We made the roughly half mile trek down the narrow pathway in near pitch black conditions.  I don't know if it was just me but the group of us seemed to move more slowly as the shape of the cemetery came into view.  We squeezed through the break in the chain link fence and stood roughly in the center of the cemetery for a couple minutes just trying to get our bearings and adjust our eyes to the light.   We all heard cracking noises as if a number of people were walking about.  Being former military and law enforcement, I used my off-center vision to try to see something and caught a glimpse of a person in what appeared to be a black hooded robe.  I suggested that we leave as soon as possible.  (Actually I said it in a way that I can't quote here but you get the picture)  I don't know if it was a ghost or a Satanic Cult but if I had a choice between the two I would definitely choose the ghost.  Needless to say we made it out alive and the kids thought it was VERY COOL!

                                             

                       Narrow pathway leading to Bachelor's Grove                "DEMON" on trees surrounding cemetery                Fence line as you approach entrance