7 haunted cemeteries in Michigan that are delightfully creepy
Gear up for ghostly adventures when you visit the most haunted cemeteries in Michigan.
For true Halloween fanatics, the season kicks off promptly on the first day of September (or when a single leaf falls to the ground, whichever comes first). That means it’s time to dive in with full force by arranging pumpkins on the front porch, whipping up some hearty soup, sharing the occasional ghost story, and—if you’re extra brave—exploring long-standing Michigan cemeteries in all their eerie glory.
Whether or not you believe in paranormal activity, this time of year offers a perfect opportunity to engage with local lore and indulge in a healthy dose of curiosity about the oft-referenced “spirit world.” One way to get in touch with your witchier side is by visiting cemeteries in Michigan where ghosts and spirits are said to linger—or, at the very least, where infamous figures are buried.
To help welcome the most mysterious season of them all, we’ve compiled a list of seven (supposedly) haunted cemeteries in Michigan. Of course, when you check out these unique resting places, you should always show respect for the people buried and their families.
Without further a-boo, here are seven Michigan cemeteries where you might just find yourself face-to-face with a ghost.
1. Pere Cheney Cemetery
Location: Off Center Plains Trail, Roscommon
At first glance, Pere Cheney Cemetery might not strike you as particularly scary. In fact, the cemetery grounds are largely green space with the occasional shade tree nestled among tombstones. However, when combined with local legends and historical information, the vibe at Pere Cheney Cemetery grows a bit darker. Pere Cheney itself is a bona fide Michigan ghost town, mostly abandoned by 1912 after its once-bustling lumber industry slowed and diphtheria killed many residents.
Local lore holds that the diphtheria outbreak was caused by a wronged witch who was banished to the woods (or hanged from a tree, according to other accounts). Today, visitors to the cemetery report seeing the witch herself—or simply feeling her ghostly presence. Are you brave enough to check it out for yourself?
2. Findlay Cemetery
Location: 2 Mile Rd NE, Ada
While we’re on the topic of witches, here’s one many Michiganders might not have heard of: The Ada Witch, who’s said to haunt the small community of Ada. Legend has it that a local woman, Sarah McMillan, was caught by her husband engaging in an affair. In a rage, Sarah’s husband killed her (and, some say, her lover). Today, Findlay Cemetery in Ada is said to be Sarah’s haunting grounds, where she wanders and laments her untimely death.
Of course, local historians point to a much more benign story: A real woman named Sarah McMillan did die in Ada around 1870, but her cause of death was the far less sensational typhoid fever—and there was no secret lover to speak of. Still, we think the supernatural angle is a lot more thrilling.
3. Eloise Cemetery
Location: 3758 Henry Ruff Rd, Westland
If you’ve ever visited Westland, perhaps you’ve driven by the once-bustling Eloise hospital complex, which operated from 1839 until 1982. It’s most well-known for its sanatorium and asylum, where hundreds of mentally ill patients spent time receiving inpatient therapy and other services. Throughout the decades, Eloise also housed a stagecoach stop, an infirmary for poor families, and an operational farm.
Today, most of the property has been redeveloped, but one original Eloise building still stands—along with a field of graves marking the final resting places of Eloise patients. It’s owned by Wayne Township with no public access allowed (seriously, don’t try to break in), but a drive by the cemetery on South Henry Ruff Road might just send chills down your spine as you ponder the darkness many Eloise patients likely faced during their lives.
4. Elmwood Cemetery
Location: 1200 Elmwood St, Detroit
First and foremost, Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit is a historical landmark, boasting the title of Michigan’s oldest continuously operating cemetery. The non-denominational resting place is decidedly beautiful, dotted with statues, intricately carved tombstones, Gothic Revival-inspired mausoleums, and tree-lined paths. But even the most beautiful cemetery brings with it a few urban legends.
Because of its age and the sheer number of graves—some 75,000—Elmwood is a hotbed for ghostly activity. Visitors have reported all sorts of supernatural encounters throughout the generations, from unexplained lights and sounds to glowing orbs. In fact, the cemetery is a fixture on “Haunted Detroit” tours, with passersby hoping they might catch a glimpse of something otherworldly.
5. Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery
Location: Garrison Rd, Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is known for car-free streets, mouthwatering fudge, and beautiful views of the Straits of Mackinac. But did you know it’s also home to a purportedly haunted cemetery? That’s right: Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery is rich with history, containing 108 graves from both American and British soldiers who died from the War of 1812 onward.
The cemetery ceased operations in 1900 with the abandonment of nearby Fort Mackinac, but visitors to the island can still take a look for themselves. Just be forewarned that you might run into the ghost of a disgruntled soldier hoping to reconnect with the living realm.
6. Nunica Cemetery
Location: 12189 Cleveland St, Nunica
Nunica Cemetery might be hidden away along a dirt road in a tiny community, but its impact has been huge for Michigan ghost-hunters. Established in 1883, the cemetery has been the site of many reported supernatural encounters, including sightings of a woman dressed in all white, unexplained cold spots, disembodied voices, light orbs, and more. Its surrounding trees add an extra layer of eeriness to the graveyard.
If you visit Nunica Cemetery, be advised that local officials take its upkeep seriously. Don’t show up after dark, and certainly don’t leave behind litter or other signs of disrespect. After all, any misbehavior might not only disturb living folks—but the dead, too.
7. Mt. Olivet Cemetery
Location: 17100 Van Dyke Ave, Detroit
If you’re looking for a genuinely beautiful place to experience a dose of peace, it’s hard to go wrong with Mt. Olivet Cemetery. At more than 300 acres, it’s the largest of its kind in Detroit, and families have chosen it as a serene final resting place since 1888. Gardens, mausoleums, rows of headstones, a welcome center, and more make this spot stand out.
While the aesthetic of the cemetery might not be creepy, there’s plenty of dark lore to explore. In the cemetery’s 100-plus years of operation, folks from all walks of life have been laid to rest here—and not all of them boast spotless records. For example, Mt. Olivet is the final resting place of several notorious Detroit mafia leaders, some of whom undoubtedly have unfinished business. So don’t be surprised if you find yourself in the middle of a ghostly dispute!
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics.
