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Jewish Graceland Cemetery - Chicago, IL June 15th, 2008
In our preparation for our visit to Chicago’s paranormal sites, we had not heard of any reports of ghostly activity at the Jewish Graceland Cemetery. But considering its location just a couple of blocks north of Wrigley Field, we found this an intriguing place to explore. Many paranormal researchers ponder the juxtaposition of the hustle and bustle of the big city and to the quiet, stillness of its haunted locations. Would the living take a moment from their day to stop and listen to the world around them in order to hear voices from the past? Do our departed desire peace and quiet away from the revelry of the nightlife? Do those who loudly consume spirits annoy the spirits of the departed? It was hypothesized that, given the cemetery’s proximity to the home of the Chicago Cubs where Clark Street, besides being packed with fans during home stands, is a bar and entertainment district, the spirits may not be able to rest in peace. Not only did we hope to procure some evidence of paranormal, but possibly get their impression of the post game and late night revelry that defines this neighborhood. Further, we were hoping to find confirmation that the inhabitants of the cemetery thought the Chicago Cubs were as sorry and lame as Joe and Tim did. Go Brewers! Jewish Graceland is comprised of what was once four separate cemeteries. Plains Paranormal visited the Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery, which was established in 1851. This makes it the second oldest cemetery within the city limits of Chicago; Union Ridge and St. John’s are older. Interestingly, again some of its occupants were transferred out from the old city cemetery as the city expanded past its northern confines. The cemetery is overgrown with trees and grass and weeds grow freely over the uneven ground. Tombstones have fallen and often lay haphazardly.
Some fallen trees and low-level vandalism detract from this resting place. Despite being surrounded by the thriving neighborhood of Wrigleyville, the cemetery feels abandoned and isolate. A strong wind blows and the mood is tranquil and serene. (The Cubs were not in town, but there was a Father’s Day Concert being held in Wrigley Field the day of our visit.) While no personal experiences were had in the cemetery’s confines, astonishingly, many EVP’s were captured during our brief investigation. Rachael noticed that someone had placed a stone on a headstone, a common custom apparently, so she asked what would happen if she placed a stone on the grave. A clear EVP answering, “Don’t” is captured:
Later Rachael, while sitting on a bench that faced the same gravestone, also asked, “Does your family visit?” Sadly, a response of “No” appears clearly in the recording:
Joe at one point asks if “there is anyone else here with” him. A long and clear response of “Over here” is plainly heard answering his question. Having recently seen a coyote in the cemetery, Tim asked if the residents were, “mad that coyote runs around here?” Following that query, a simple response of “Yes” can be heard. Later at another location, Rachael asked if, “ a coyote knocked over your tombstone.” Tim immediately followed by asking if, “there is anyone here right now.” An EVP response can be heard immediately following the questions. It is multi-syllabic and appears to be annoyed by our presence. There were other EVPS produced during this session that
demonstrated a certain annoyance or even hostility to our presence. Maybe the
spirits desired peace instead of three people with recorders, EMF detectors, and
cameras stomping around in circles. Perhaps our incessant questions about the
best Chicago deli proved annoying or perhaps it was just our presence alone that
generated the hostility. At one point, Joe and Tim were doing some provoking and
collected an EVP where the spirit
said, “You f***er.”
**webmaster note...this EVP does contain
profanity. Please listen only if you are 18 or older** After reviewing the evidence, for better or worse, quite a few EVP’s were captured in a cemetery that does not have a reputation for being haunted. We never did find out how the spirits feel about their proximity to Wrigley Field and the Clark Street entertainment district. However given their general disposition, it would seem that departed nest to Wrigley Field would prefer to be left alone. I now recount the many instances that I have driven by the cemetery and seen alcohol-fueled, Cubs fans killing time before a game by exploring the grounds or the endless parade of the intoxicated staggering north on Clark after the game hurling profanities and acting boorishly. Maybe this is a difficult cemetery to find rest in.
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