Springfield is a city with a rich haunted history and high levels of paranormal activity. Before Springfield was founded in 1833, the area was populated by Native Americans – most of whom were forced out of the area. Others passed away on the land that they were born and raised on.
Springfield was also a particularly war-torn area during the Civil War years, which is another key factor that contributes to the city’s reputation for being particularly haunted.
Exploring these haunted locations and experiencing the unknown can be thrilling, meaningful, and truly memorable. If you are looking for haunted houses and sites to explore in Springfield, then stick around.
Image Source: University Plaza Hotel
The University Plaza Hotel is notorious for ghost activity and paranormal experiences. This is one of the easier locations to explore when it comes to haunted locations in Springfield, as all you need to do in order to get up close and personal with this haunted location is book a room at the hotel.
The ghost that is rumored to haunt this hotel has been given the nickname ‘The Colonel’ and is thought to have been a Civil War hero when he was alive. Many also suspect that he may have even owned the plantation that once stood where this hotel is now built.
‘The Colonel’ is said to often appear in the ballroom and back hallways of this hotel during the night, with most sightings happening between midnight and 4am. If you are an avid ghost hunter or a haunted location fanatic, this hotel is definitely worth checking out.
Image Source: Southwest Missouri State University
In the Freudenberger House at Southwest Missouri State University, there have been countless sightings of a female ghostly figure roaming the building. Far from being scared or uncomfortable, many of the students who have resided in this hall over the years have taken a liking to this paranormal figure.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘Dorm Mom’, this matronly ghost is known to patrol the fifth floor of Freudenberger House. Since this is a University dorm, it is not typically open to visitors. However, this ghost has plenty of company, with over 700 students residing in the hall.
Image Source: Pythian Castle
If you are looking for a truly haunting experience, the Pythian Castle in Springfield is well worth a visit. This castle was home to prisoners of war during the Second World War and due to this is said to be full of violent spirits – the souls of those who perished in the building.
Something to keep in mind is that this is not a light-hearted, spooky experience – these spirits are known to be particularly violent and full of negative energy. This castle is a haunted location that we would recommend to true ghost hunters and fans of the paranormal who are interested in a truly intense, memorable experience.
Image Source: Gillioz Theatre
The old Gillioz Theatre has a rich and complicated history – and a whole lot of paranormal activity. This theatre was built in the early 20th century and fell into disrepair during the 1980s after its closure. It was reopened in 2006 to the public.
One thing about this theatre that never seems to change is the ghost sightings. These sightings began in the 1960s and have continued to this day. There are some recurring ghostly figures that are known to appear in this building including a young boy, a woman in a yellow dress, a sleeping man in a hat, and the spirit of a projectionist who died on the job.
Image Source: Drury University
Another haunted University in Springfield has managed to make our list and this time it is Drury Univerity – specifically the Clara Thompson Hall. This hall has had many ghost sightings over the years – sightings that many people believe are of the ghost of Clara Thompson herself.
In September 1895, Clara Thompson passed away at age 21 due to consumption. While many of the ghost sightings at this hall have been dismissed by staff, the students who experience unusual sights and sensations are not so easily deterred.
Image Source: Park Board
The Bride Ghost of Phelps Grove Park Bridge – just the name could send chills down even the biggest skeptics' spine. When crossing the bridge at the entrance of this park, you will walk over one of the largest paranormal activity hotspots in the city.
Legend has it that a long time ago, a young couple were traversing this bridge on their wedding night when the carriage flipped, killing them both. Since then, there have been countless reports of a ghostly woman dressed in a flowing white wedding gown residing beneath the bridge.
Image Source: Springfield National Cemetery
As you may expect, the Springfield National Cemetery is a hotspot for ghost sightings and paranormal activity. This is the resting place of hundreds of Civil War soldiers and many visitors to the area have reported seeing uniformed ghostly figures patrolling the area.
If you snap a picture in the area, you are extremely likely to capture a mysterious light or orb in the photograph – this is a phenomenon of the area that countless visitors have reported seeing over the years.
If you are interested in ghostly sightings and the paranormal, then Springfield is definitely the place to be. The many haunted locations in the area make it a popular pick for those chasing the spooky allure of ghost sightings.
So, why not get out there and explore these haunted locations for yourself? Just be sure to be cautious and show respect to those around you – both living and dead.
