The Creepy Small Town in Wisconsin With Insane Paranormal Activity

Up in the middle of the state of Wisconsin, near Wausau and Stevens Point, you'll find the historic town of Marshfield. This small town used to be home to a large asylum, and folks say it's one of the most haunted areas in the whole state. This little Wisconsin town with paranormal activity that'll blow your mind is one of the area's scariest little secrets.

Historic Marshfield straddles two counties and, in 1909, it was selected as the site for the Wood County Insane Asylum. Rumors abound of patient deaths, as well as a worker who committed suicide on the property. Another worker was said to have seen the face of the devil in the boiler room, and when he went in to confront it, he never came out. Based on records and what equipment was found in the asylum, it's not hard to understand that there might be unresolved issues from those who may have died here. The now-razed asylum and its surrounding buildings attracted much interest from ghost hunters. Prior to its demolition, multiple groups recorded what certainly sounded like voices, and one group captured a picture that appears to show a spirit looking directly into the camera.

The asylum no longer exists, but the Marshfield Scrap Company now stands where most of the structure once was, and they chronicle the various spirit and paranormal sightings that have occurred on the property. According to the company's website, "Although the current property owner spent three years dismantling, demolishing and razing the old rotting condemned structure, many landmarks still exist and as with many mysterious old (and some haunted) building the history of the site still exists in its legends and lore."

One of the remaining pieces is a tunnel that connected the asylum to a farm plot across South Galvin Avenue from the property. The farm's brick barn still stands on the property of Quality Tank Solutions, and you can make out the words "Wood County Hospital Farm" on its side. The barn and surrounding farm were worked by patients at the asylum. They weren't paid for their work, but the farm provided food for everyone.

The tunnel floods easily, but it was through this passageway that patients trudged to work on the farm. The tunnel is said to be haunted not only because it's one of the last remaining structures on the site, but because it represents the forced labor and suffering the residents endured. One of the most frequently encountered spirits was that of a young girl with long, dark hair who would usually appear in windows and within the tunnels.

The asylum isn't the only place in town that has ghost hunters interested. St. Joseph's Hospital, now part of the Marshfield Medical Center, is more than 100 years old, and one of its wings is said to be haunted. Multiple patients and employees report seeing a man in black robes entering and exiting rooms.

If you have time to take your mind off of Marshfield's haunted aspects, pay a visit to charming Thimbleberry Books or stop to see the world's largest round barn—both right in town. Do you know of any other places in Wisconsin with histories of paranormal activity? We'd love to hear all about your picks over on our Nomination page. Looking for more places to go ghost hunting? Check out these 12 places to spot a ghost in Wisconsin.

When you're ready for more Badger State adventures, head over to Only In Your State’s itinerary planner to get started.