Haunted Places in Michigan: 5 Chilling Stories You Need to Hear

Before we dive into some of the most haunted places in Michigan, I’ve got a quick personal story for you.

A few weeks ago, I was at a wedding in Wisconsin. I booked a hotel near the venue, checked in with my family, got settled… and then realized I was staying at The Ambassador Hotel in Milwaukee – the same one where Jeffrey Dahmer murdered one (or more) of his victims. The exact room he used is no longer bookable, but the staff said they get several calls a day from people trying to reserve it. I had literally watched the Netflix series and still somehow didn’t connect the dots until I was already there.

That lovely realization is what led me to sit down and add Part 4 to my Haunted Places in Michigan series.

Let’s get into it.

1. Pere Cheney – Michigan’s Cursed Ghost Town Near Grayling

First up is Pere Cheney, a true Michigan ghost town located near Grayling, and home to one of the state’s most enduring legends.

Founded in 1874, Pere Cheney once had around 1,500 residents. According to the legend, the town turned on a young woman accused of witchcraft. She and her child were chased out into the surrounding wilderness. Her child eventually became ill and died, and she was later captured and sentenced to hang.

While waiting for her execution, she allegedly cursed the town, wishing ruin on everyone who had falsely accused her.

Shortly after, diphtheria swept through the town, killing a large portion of the population. Just five years later, another wave of the disease hit. Diphtheria causes severe breathing issues, heart problems, and often death. Today, it’s extremely rare in the U.S., but back then it was devastating. By 1901, only about 25 residents remained.

Now, all that’s left of Pere Cheney is a lonely cemetery across the railroad tracks from where the town once stood. Some headstones remain upright, others are broken or displaced, and nature has tried its best to reclaim the land.

People who visit the Pere Cheney Cemetery report:

• Shadowy figures moving between the trees
• Small handprints appearing on their cars
• The faint sound of children laughing when no one else is around
• The ghostly figure of a woman wandering near where she was said to have been executed

Even though the cemetery feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere, visitors frequently say they never feel truly alone. The story goes that the disease that destroyed Pere Cheney was the direct result of the witch’s curse – and the town never recovered.

This cemetery regularly pops up on lists of the top witch graves in the Midwest, so if you’re into paranormal road trips, this one probably belongs on your list.

2. Hell’s Bridge – The Ghost of Elias Friske Near Rockford, Michigan

Next on the list: Hell’s Bridge, northwest of Rockford, crossing the Rogue River.

Today, Hell’s Bridge is a narrow metal footbridge, but years ago, there was originally a stone bridge in the same spot. According to local legend, this quiet river crossing became the scene of something truly horrific.

The story centers around a man named Elias Friske, who lived nearby in the 1800s. Versions of the legend differ, but most agree on one key point: he ended up alone with a group of local children.

In one version, the town organized a search party after hearing of missing kids, leaving Elias to watch over the remaining children. In another, he simply lured them away. Either way, the story goes that he took them down to the river and murdered them one by one, either throwing their bodies in the water or burying them along the riverbank.

When the townspeople noticed more and more children missing, they followed the trail back to the bridge. They supposedly found Elias covered in blood, the children tied together with rope as he killed them.

The parents then used that same rope to hang him from the bridge.

Today, people say the evil that influenced Elias still hangs around this stretch of the Rogue River. Visitors have reported:

• Seeing faint childlike figures under the water
• Hearing a deep, unsettling male laugh echoing through the woods at night
• Spotting glowing red eyes in the tree line while standing on the bridge
• Hearing children screaming in the distance
• Feeling hands grabbing at their ankles, as if something is trying to pull them toward the river

For some, Hell’s Bridge is just a spooky local legend. For others, it’s one of the most disturbing spots in West Michigan.

3. The Bath School Massacre – Bath Township, Michigan

Credit: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/05/06/bath-township-school-disaster-children/101364436/

Number three isn’t just haunted—it’s tied to one of the deadliest school attacks in American history.

Bath Township, northwest of Lansing, used to be a small farm community: one drugstore, a post office, a grain elevator, and the kind of small-town atmosphere where everybody knew everybody.

In the early 1900s, there was a debate about whether to keep the old one-room schoolhouses or consolidate into a new, centralized school. In 1912, voters approved a new school for grades 1 through 12, funded by higher property taxes for the roughly 300 local residents. When the school opened, about 236 students were enrolled.

Fast forward to May 18, 1927.

Students started school at 8:30 a.m., like any other day. At 8:45 a.m., an alarm clock in the basement triggered a massive dynamite explosion. The bomb had been planted by Andrew Kehoe, the school board treasurer, who was angry about rising taxes and still bitter over losing an election for township clerk.

The explosion killed 45 people, including 38 children, 2 teachers, the school’s superintendent, and several bystanders. Another large cache of explosives on the south side of the school failed to detonate; if it had, the death toll would have been even higher.

Kehoe also burned down his farm, killed his wife, and blew himself up in his car—taking additional victims with him.

Today, the site is home to Bath School Memorial Park. You can still see the cupola that once sat on top of the school where the explosion occurred.

Over the years, people visiting the memorial and surrounding areas have reported:

• Disembodied voices
• Loud cries for help when no one is around
• Eerie cold spots
• Strange touches from unseen hands

There are also stories connected to a former funeral home on Main Street, where victims’ bodies were prepared. That building has since been turned into apartments, and tenants have described:

• Footsteps coming from empty rooms
• Voices and movement in the basement
• Sounds of breaking glass
• The unsettling sound of sobbing children

Early on, the police were reportedly called, but even they refused to go down into the basement.

4. Michigan Bell Telephone Company – Grand Rapids, Michigan

Haunted spot number four brings us to downtown Grand Rapids and the building that now houses the Michigan Bell Telephone Company.

Before the modern building went up, this location was the site of a grand old mansion known as the Judd-White House. The story behind its owners is what fuels the paranormal claims today.

The house was owned by Warren and Virginia Randall. Warren worked as a railroad brakeman until he lost his leg in an accident and had it replaced with a wooden prosthetic. The injury left him deeply insecure. Over time, that insecurity turned into paranoia, and he reportedly became convinced that his wife was cheating on him with men who, as he put it, “had more legs than him.”

Their arguments became well known around town.

At one point, Warren was arrested after allegedly chasing Virginia down an alley with a razor blade. She left him for a time, but somehow he convinced her to come back to the mansion.

That decision cost them both their lives.

A group of railroad workers eventually noticed a strong, foul smell coming from the house. When authorities entered, they discovered both Warren and Virginia dead. The story goes that Warren beat Virginia with his wooden leg, then took his own life by slitting his throat.

In 1920, the house was purchased and torn down, and by 1924, the Michigan Bell building stood in its place.

Since then, people have reported all kinds of strange activity, including:

• Late-night prank calls traced back to the building with no clear origin
• Screams echoing through the hallways
• Orb-like lights and strange, flickering glows in empty rooms
• The sound of a wooden leg thumping down a hallway when no one is there

Some believe Warren and Virginia never really left—and that they still make their presence known to anyone working late or passing by after dark.

5. Rotary Park – The Little Girls of Livonia, Michigan

Rounding out the list is Rotary Park in Livonia, known for the legend of the Little Girls of Rotary Park.

This park includes a patch of dense woods that many locals believe is haunted. During the day it feels like a normal trail system; at night, it becomes a very different experience.

People brave enough to walk the trails after dark report:

• Unclear, disembodied voices
• Screams that sound like they’re coming from children
• Sudden, overwhelming feelings of being watched

The main story is that several little girls were allegedly killed in these woods, and their spirits continue to roam the trails. Witnesses have claimed to see:

• Girls in white dresses moving through the trees
• Small figures bending down to pick something up and then fading away
• Quick whiffs of perfume or floral scents right before an apparition appears

One person shared that she and a group of friends entered the woods and noticed the smell of a strong fragrance before seeing a young girl in a white dress. At first, they thought it was one of their friends—until she faded away. They didn’t even know the place was rumored to be haunted until they read about it later.

Others have said they:

• Captured strange figures in photos
• Heard what they describe as a demonic laugh near the parking lot
• Got so unnerved that they left without even making it to the trails

There are also stories from residents living in homes backing up to the woods, mentioning deaths by suicide in the forested areas and ongoing strange activity around their properties. All of this has given Rotary Park a reputation as one of the more unsettling suburban haunts in southeast Michigan.

Haunted Places in Michigan Series

If you enjoyed this, you might want to check out the other parts of my Haunted Places in Michigan series:

Haunted Places in Michigan (Part One)
Haunted Places in Michigan (Part Two)
Haunted Places in Michigan (Part Three)

FAQ: Haunted Places in Michigan

Q: Are these haunted locations in Michigan open to the public?
A: Most of them are, but access varies. Cemeteries, bridges, and parks are generally open, while some buildings are private or restricted. Always respect posted signs, hours, and private property.

Q: Is it legal to visit Pere Cheney Cemetery?
A: Pere Cheney Cemetery is still a burial ground, so it’s important to be respectful. Check local rules, avoid trespassing on private land, and don’t visit after hours if it’s posted.

Q: Can you investigate Hell’s Bridge at night?
A: Some people do visit at night, but you should be cautious. Bring a light, go with others, and be respectful of nearby property owners and the natural environment.

Q: Has any paranormal activity been officially documented at these places?
A: Most of what you hear is based on personal experiences, stories, and urban legends. Some paranormal groups have done investigations and claim to have captured EVPs, photos, or temperature changes, but there’s no “official” confirmation.

Q: Are these locations safe to visit?
A: From a physical standpoint, many are fairly normal public spaces—cemeteries, bridges, parks, and downtown buildings. Still, use common sense: watch your step, avoid trespassing, and don’t go into unsafe structures or areas.

Q: Do you recommend kids visit these haunted places?
A: That depends on the child and the location. Some spots, like public parks and memorials, are more family-friendly during the day. Others might be too intense or graphic given the history.

Q: Are there more haunted places in Michigan beyond this list?
A: Absolutely. Michigan is full of ghost stories: old lighthouses, historic hotels, theaters, battlefields, and entire towns have their own legends.

Q: Can haunted locations affect property value in Michigan?
A: Most of the time, “haunted” is more of a story than a legal designation. Some buyers are turned off, others actually find it cool. In most cases, the condition, location, and price of the property matter more.

The question I have for you is:

Have you had any haunted experiences in Michigan?
Drop your stories in the comments—I seriously can’t wait to read them.