Helpful Organizations faqs
Shipping/Ordering Info Write your own ghost story
Ask the ghosthunter Share a Story Home
newinkl3.gif (884 bytes)

Invisible Ink Read an Excerpt
foldr95.gif (536 bytes)
newinkl3.gif (884 bytes)
Chicago Haunts: Ghostly Lore of the Windy City
By Ursula Bielski
Copyright © 1997 Ursula Bielski

Certainly, if one inexplicable phenomenon can be said to "belong" to Bachelors Grove, it is that of the "vanishing house." This "floating house," "dream house," or "magic house," as it has been variously called, has been described by more than a few visitors to Bachelors Grove. One researcher has collected about a dozen drawings of the phantom house. Reportedly, all are nearly identical, though drawn by various people, of varying ages, and spanning several decades. These depictions portray a two-story Victorian home with a swing on a colonnaded porch. Through elaborate draperies, a trace of dim light seeps into the surrounding woods. There is no house on the property, nor anywhere near the site. No property records exist to suggest that there ever was.

Those who have seen this "house," however, claim that it is, upon sight, as real as can be. Some have approached it, only to watch it shrink, becoming smaller and smaller and eventually vanishing altogether. So real is the vision of the dream house that many never realize it is not a "real" house until much later, perhaps on a return visit, from a local newspaper story, or to their horror (and the guide’s delight), on a "ghost tour." Some remain convinced of the reality of the house against all opponents, as did one woman who claimed to have seen the house herself, several years ago. In response to protestations that "there never was a house here," she adamantly maintained that "there used to be." Further, most anyone familiar with the area will offer to show you the foundations of a house that they claim did exist, and earnestly add that much of the grove’s satanic ritual goes on right there, upon the foundation of this mystery house.

Local youth typically speak with great animation of Bachelors Grove and particularly of their late weekend drives there to drink and look for this "disappearing house," as they call it. Although mischievous kids who have searched for the house have rarely caught even a glimpse of it, many of them have been privy to another anomalous occurrence for which Bachelors Grove is notorious.

newinkl3.gif (884 bytes)
foldr99.gif (310 bytes)

top of page

Featured Phantoms Ref. & Case Studies The United States
The United Kingdom Canada Europe & the World
Asia & the Pacific The Caribbean Chill-dren's Corner
Frightening Fiction Audio-Oddities Video Visions
Spectral Soldiers Limited Quantities Go to the Light