The 1926 hit that took down Al Capone rival Hymie Weiss outside Holy Name Cathedral left the church with bullet holes alleged to possess supernatural qualities. Believers say the holes have always resisted patching, claiming the mortar used would pop out or fail to harden. Bielski says she was skeptical about the site’s paranormal associations until a few years back, when a tour participant captured photos of unexplained orbs of light surrounding the cornerstone (unfortunately now partially blocked by stairs).
Strange things happen in Chicago every day, and according to paranormal researchers, we may have some restless spirits to blame. "Chicago is one of the most haunted cities in the world," says Ursula Bielski, parapsychologist, founder of the popular ghost tour outfit Chicago Hauntings and prolific recorder of the region’s haunted history. She's investigated Chicago parks that were formerly graveyards, hotels in Chicago that purportedly have some incorporeal guests and slew of other spooky locales.
If you're craving a supernatural encounter or entertaining the idea of another plane of existence, we've consulted with experts to assemble a list of the most haunted spots in Chicago—just don't expect to immediately encounter an apparition. "Ghosts are supernatural creatures and won’t perform on command, no matter how much we’d like them to," paranormal researcher and Weird Chicago Tours mastermind Troy Taylor told us. Be patient, keep your eyes peeled and try not to get too scared while exploring these chilling destinations.
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