Cemeteries are one of those places that people either love or hate. Some people find them peaceful and calming while others get the heebie-jeebies just thinking about them. I'll admit to being in the second group - I don't really believe in the paranormal, but I had goosebumps just writing this list. Cemeteries are often the source of tall tales and legends thanks to their inherent ties to death and the afterlife. None of us really know what happens, but plenty of folks seem to think the veil between alive and dead is a lot thinner at a cemetery. Here are 11 haunted cemeteries in Wisconsin that have some of the biggest reputations for paranormal activity. Visit them at your own risk.
1. Nola Cemetery - Park Falls
Stories say the first person ever buried here was named Nola and now her spirit haunts the haunted cemetery and all who enter it.
2. La Belle Cemetery - Oconomowoc
The spookiness here surrounds a single grave. According to the ghost story, a statue of a young girl is said to emit a spirit that floats away to drown in the nearby lake. Others claim that the statue starts emitting blood.
3. Riverside Cemetery - Appleton
One of the most famous paranormal spots in the state is the grave of Kate Blood at Riverside Cemetery. Legend says that on the full moon, the grave drips blood. Others say the stone of this grave is inexplicably warmer than those nearby. Blood is said to have murdered her family and now haunts the cemetery.
4. Pioneer's Rest Cemetery - Canton
There's a barn directly adjacent to this Wisconsin cemetery that seems to be the center of all the creepy stories. Legend has it that a man killed his family and hung himself in the barn and the spirits of the family haunt the area. That legend led others to claim that because of its haunted past, the barn has been used for secret rituals by various groups all looking to summon the dead.
5. Eagle Road Cemetery - Juneau
Much of the speculation at this cemetery has a religious base. Visitors have said they've seen visions of the Virgin Mary and felt inexplicable gusts of cold when they're praying. An eerie ghost story, no?
6. St. Killian's Catholic Cemetery - Lake Geneva
The nearby church burned down and it's said the priest haunts this area. According to legend, it's said you can hear the phantom ringing of the old church's bell and hear the footsteps of the priest as he wanders for eternity.
7. Oak Hill Cemetery - Janesville
Visitors to Oak Hill Cemetery say they've seen a ghostly woman figure and flashing lights here, while more pragmatic folks say it's just a statue and lights along the walkway. The fact that the ghostly figure has been seen in different locations definitely makes me want to stay away.
8. Forest Hill Cemetery - Wisconsin Rapids
Folks at Forest Hill Cemetery say they've heard babies crying and young voices calling out to them. The mausoleum has experienced a number of accidents with things being pushed over or falling.
9. Tabernacle Cemetery - Waukesha
This haunted cemetery in Wisconsin is so well-known for its hauntings that it is no longer open to the public. Visions of a ghost by the entrance as well as flashes of light seem to be examples of the spookiness happening here.
10. Forest Home Cemetery - Milwaukee
This large cemetery in Milwaukee is the final resting place of many prominent Wisconsin folks. Dating back to 1850, visitors say they've had all kinds of eerie experiences here.
11. Glenbeulah Cemetery - Glenbeulah
Dating back more than 200 years, the oldest graves at this spooky cemetery are the source of speculation. Folks say the stones are warm to the touch and sometimes have a ghostly pair of shoes nearby. Legend says a man hung himself here and that his apparition continues to live on.
Have you visited any of the above haunted graveyards in Wisconsin? If you are the type to endlessly search for "abandoned graveyard near me," did you sense any spirits or see anything a little strange? We'd love to hear about your ghost-hunting adventures in Wisconsin, so be sure and drop a comment below!
Looking for more spooky Wisconsin places? Here are some truly unsettling abandoned places in Wisconsin ...
For more ways to discover what Wisconsin has to offer, take a cruise through the always intriguing Airbnb Experiences. There's an activity for everyone listed on their pages.
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