Chicago Haunts: Ghostly Lore of the Windy City
By Ursula Bielski
Copyright © 1997 Ursula BielskiCertainly, 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 guides
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 groves 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. |