Every town has its share of ghost stories and horrific tales. Here is some of the chilling history and haunted places of Champaign-Urbana:
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Ghost Stories
| Publication: Daily Illini (University of Illinois); | Date: Oct 26, 1922; | Section: None; | Page: 10 | |||
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Woodlawn Cemetery (now Clements Cemetery)
People report seeing a man walking down the road across from the cemetery at twilight. He carries a lantern that he swings from side to side. He is referred to as the "Blue Man" because of the translucent glow surrounding him. The story goes that this man was found hung from a tree along this road in 1841 but no one is sure if it was a lynching or a suicide.
Women's Building (now English building)
The current English Building was once a women's dormitory, called 'The Women's Building' (1905). The story goes that a young woman drowned in the basement pool. Some versions of the story frame it as an accident, other versions as suicide. Professors and students report hearing strange noises and seeing odd things late at night, but the ghost is not necessarily malicious. There is a brief documentary on Haunted Places in CU that mentions the English Building, available on youtube.
Halloweens of Days Past
Campbell's Office Supply store front, 1949
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Ad from Halloween 1928, Daily Illini |
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Ad from Urbana Daily Courier 1916 |
Halloween Stores
Halloween Celebrations & Events
Browse Chambana Moms' family-friendly Halloween guide
See the Champaign Park district's Halloween programs and events
