obert
Gard, a noted Wisconsin folklorist, once said "Wisconsin has more ghosts per
square mile than any other state." According to our research, Milwaukee could
be the most haunted city in the ghostliest of all states. Here is just a partial
list of the haunted sites in Milwaukee and surrounding areas, which are open
to the public.
We will be adding sites to this list frequently as well as including full stories
for each of the sites listed. If you would like to suggest a site for this
list, please
email us. You may also view an
interactive
map of these sites in the
Milwaukee Map section.
AIRPORT AREA
Landmark 1850 Inn
5905 S. Howell Ave.
414-769-1850
foodspot.com/landmark1850
A female apparition dressed in Victorian era style was seen walking down the
backstairs by an employee of this historic establishment, Milwaukee's oldest
tavern.
DOWNTOWN
Ardor Pub & Grill
607 N. Broadway
414-224-1476
ardorpub.com
The Ardor is on the site of a fatal fire. The Newhall House, a famous
hotel at the time once located there, burned in 1883, claiming over 70 victims.
Waitresses have reported strange noises and streaks of light in their peripheral
vision.
Brumder
Mansion
3046 W. Wisconsin Avenue
(414) 342-9767
brumdermansion.com
Built in 1910 by George Brumder, Sr., a Milwakee businessman who made his fortune
in German language publishing, the stately mansion was once the Brumder family
home. The mansion is now an upscale bed and breakfast. The
owner has experienced the presence of a spirit, poltergeist activity, and electronic
interference. Most activity takes place in the Gold Room. Read full story.
Guse's
City Hall Pub & Grill
1009
N. Old World Third Street
(out of business)
On several occasions, different patrons reported seeing an apparition of a man
and a woman in 19th century grab floating through the walls and reflected
in mirrors.
Milwaukee Public Museum
800 W. Wells Street
(414) 278-2728
mpm.edu
Both curators and security staff have had mysterious encounters with what they believe to be the ghost of their former director. Activity only occurs on the third floor where the former director's picture and collections are displayed. Ghostly phenomena have persisted for the nearly 40 years since his death in a tragic car crash. Witnesses report seeing the elevator frequently arrive at the third floor without occupants. Many have felt a cold breeze pass through them when walking or standing still on the third floor. Others have seen the fleeting flash of a cape in their peripheral vision, a favorite fashion choice of their flamboyant former director.
Pabst
Mansion
2000 W.
Wisconsin Avenue
(414) 931-0808
pabstmansion.com
Built in 1892 for the world famous beer baron Frederick Pabst, this beautiful
mansion is usually quiet except for strange footsteps that docents regularly
hear coming from the third floor when no one is up there.
Pfister
Hotel
424
E. Wisconsin Avenue
(414) 273-8222
pfisterhotel.com
Opened in 1893 as a luxury hotel, the Pfister is a Milwaukee landmark.
Presidents, musicians, and movie stars have all enjoyed its accommodations.
Many guests including a professional baseball player have experienced ghostly
visitations. Reported activity includes strange knocking sounds in the
walls and electrical problems such as the TV and air conditioning switching
off unexpectedly. Guests have even reported seeing the ghost of Charles
Pfister, the hotel's founder, walking the halls.
The
Rave/Eagles Ballroom
2401
W. Wisconsin Avenue
(414) 342-7283
therave.com
Built in 1926 as a social club, it is now a venue for rock concerts performed
by local and national artists. Employees, musicians, and patrons have
reported hearing voices, cold spots, and the smell of chlorine from a basement
pool that no longer exists.
RIVERWEST
House
of Frank N Stein
726 E.
Center Street
(414) 264-4440
In this former funeral parlor turned wiener bar patrons have reported being
overcome by weird feelings in the dish room, which was once used for embalming.
Milwaukee
School of Massage
830
E. Chambers Street
(414) 263-1179
milwaukeeschoolofmassage.com
Students have experienced mysterious footsteps, a sense of unease, and seen
apparitions in their peripheral vision. The owner has also seen the
ghost and describes her as an elderly woman named Julia.
SOUTHSIDE
Modjeska
Theatre
1134
W. Mitchell St.
414-384-4531
Built in 1924, on the site of an earlier theatre built in 1920, this former
vaudeville venue is now the home to the Modjeska Theatre Company. In
addition to plays, it also hosts both rock concerts and magic shows.
Employees and patrons have had numerous experiences. Strange sounds,
the mysterious levitation of objects, and a smoky apparition that stares down
at the audience from the balcony have all been witnessed there.
WALKER'S POINT
Barclay
Gallery & Cafe
158 S. Barclay Street
(out of business)
Two employees, who were opening early one morning, simultaneously heard a
loud, nearby voice greet them with a "Good Morning" as they entered
the kitchen. Employees have also experienced several instances of poltergeist
activity including the following: All the jars placed on a shelf with
the labels turned out have been turned around only moments later. A
jar in a box on a lower shelf of the refrigerator leapt out at an employee
as she stood in front of the open refrigerator door.
Shaker's
Cigar Bar
422
S. 2nd Street
(414) 272-4222
This wooden barrel factory turned cigar bar, built in 1894, is home to multiple
spirits, according to the owner, employees, and patrons. Many apparitions
have been seen. The most persistent is a little girl in 19th century
dress who haunts the ladies room. One frightened patron heard knocking
on the bathroom stall. Looking underneath, she saw the feet of a little
girl wearing antique shoes. Cold spots and poltergeist activity have
also been experienced.
WAUWATOSA
Technology
Innovation Center
10437
Innovation Drive
Wauwatosa, WI
(414) 778-1400
mcrpc.org
Now an high-technology business incubator in the Milwaukee County Research Park,
it was once the Muirdale Sanitorium. A former tuberculosis hospital, it
later used as a nursing home for the mentally ill.
This place has a terrible trifecta that rivals any low-budget horror movie locale.
In addition, to being a former hospital for the terminal patients and the mentally
ill, it is built on an Indian burial ground, and during years of abandonment,
according to legend, satanists broke in and performed rituals there.
Voices have been heard crying for help and the apparitions of a man and a woman
have been seen. According to employees, the fifth floor seems to be a
hot spot for activity.
We are also tracking down additional details about several other sites including:
- Marquette University
- Miramar Theatre
- NorthPoint Lighthouse
- St. James Church
- Wisconsin Club
- White House Bar
