LOCAL

Do you know the stories behind some of Rockford's lesser-known spooky locations?

Jim Hagerty
Special to the Rockford Register Star

ROCKFORD — It’s almost Halloween. What better time to pick up your friends and drive by these reportedly haunted places for a little scare?

Each year, Rockford University, the Coronado, Bloods Point Road and Tinker Swiss Cottage seem to top the list of the area’s most popular haunted spots, and rightfully so.

There have been well-documented reports of odd occurrences at each location. But are there other frightening places in Rockford?

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According to local author and folklorist Kathi Kresol, there sure are, and they're all complete with hair-raising stories and what some say is bizarre, unexplained activity.

“These places, especially the more remote ones are, to me, spookier because they are less known,” said Kresol, author of “Haunted Rockford, Illinois.”

“The other places have been investigated and visited by folks, so you pretty much know what might happen there. When you visit the less-known places, it is way spookier because you don't know what might happen.”

Here are seven lesser-known spooky spots in the Rockford area:

The Barnes Mansion

The Barnes Mansion, seen here Oct. 14, 2021, is part of Burpee Natural Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, and reportedly home of strange occurrences.

Built in 1893 by industrialist W.F. Barnes, the mansion is part of Burpee Museum of Natural History and home to what are said to be ghostly occurrences. What is described as a woman in a 1900s dress is sometimes seen standing in a second-floor window. There's also been reports of unexplained music playing. The mansion is now used for office space and as an event venue.

Briggs Mansion

Visitors of Briggs Mansion, 1244 E. State St., Rockford, have reported seeing an apparition that resembles a little boy inside the now-vacant home that was recently used as a wedding venue.

Near the corner of East State and Ninth streets, the 1863 Italianate Briggs Mansion is one of Rockford's oldest homes and reportedly one of creepiest places in town. Visitors have reported hearing sounds of a child playing with toys and bouncing a ball down the staircase yet there are no toys on the property. Others say an apparition that resembles a little boy is sometimes seen inside the mansion. The property is now vacant after years as a popular wedding venue.

Haskell Park

In 1896, a man named James French stalked his estranged wife at Haskell Park before killing her inside a nearby house where she ran for help. French was later convicted of murder and became Rockford's third public hanging. People have since claimed to see unexplained shadows and a dark figure without a face standing on the Court Street side of the park.

Rock Cut State Park

There have been reports of strange flashing lights and shadows moving through the trees at Rock Cut State Park.

Legend has it that an Indian maiden who lived on land that’s now Rock Cut State Park fell in love with a young brave, but her father forced her to marry older man in their tribe. She was reportedly so distraught she killed herself by throwing herself off Lone Rock. The maiden is said to still be wandering the park, searching for the brave, and has been reportedly seen crying near the rock. There have also been reports of strange flashing lights and shadows moving through the trees.

River Bluff Nursing Home

River Bluff Nursing Home is the site of the former Winnebago County Poor Farm, a working farm for the indigent and insane that included a "potter's field" cemetery, where more than 600 people were buried between 1884 and 1953. According to a local tale, there are mysterious shadows and disembodied whispers on the walking paths near a memorial that marks where the former residents are buried.

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Stephen Mack Home

Unexplained things have been reportedly happening at Macktown Forest Preserve in Rockton for decades, mostly notably near the historic home of Rockton founder Stephen Mack Jr. Some say the ghosts of Mack, his wife, Hononegah, and one of their children have been seen there together.

Manny Mansion

Also part of Burpee, Manny Mansion was built in 1852 and is named for John Pels Manny, who bought the property in 1864. Strange happenings there reportedly include doors opening and closing on their own, lights turning on and off for no reason, and unidentified music. Staff has also reported seeing small shadows moving from room to room.

What are some other "haunted" places in the Rockford area? We’d love to hear about them.

Jim Hagerty is a freelance correspondent.