Monroe is the most haunted city in Michigan, & these 5 facts prove it
Bring your inner ghost hunter to life with a visit to Monroe, the most haunted city in Michigan.
Horror movies, silly costumes, and ghost stories are fun, but why not take your Halloween adventures to the next level this year by visiting a bona fide haunted city? Okay, okay—we can’t actually verify that a place is haunted, but it’s fun to dive into the eerie vibes, especially when October rolls around.
Thankfully, the most haunted city in Michigan is loaded with things to do and see, even if you’re a newcomer to the paranormal world. Here are five reasons why Monroe is the perfect place for Michigan ghost hunters, true believers, or otherwise.
1. The Michigan Museum of Horror is a city centerpiece
If you want to kick off your Monroe adventure with a slightly more dramatic experience, the Michigan Museum of Horror fits the bill. This year-round attraction in the heart of downtown Monroe is a paradise for all things macabre, from creepy movie props to true crime photos to Ouija boards.
When you step inside, you’ll find a fun combination of educational content, historical information, and—of course—a few frights. We can’t think of a better way to set the mood for a day in Michigan’s most haunted town.
2. “Bloody Telegraph” Road winds through town
While driving in and around Monroe, you’ll almost certainly spend some time on Telegraph Road. This main thoroughfare, also known as US-24, has captured imaginations throughout the decades with numerous tales of ghost sightings and creepy paranormal encounters.
While the so-called “Phantom Bridge” along Telegraph is one focal point, the entire stretch of highway earned the moniker “Bloody Telegraph” in local newspapers during the early 20th century. The reason? Telegraph was the site of numerous devastating traffic accidents during this period, which surely influenced the reported presence of lost spirits wandering the highway. Are you brave enough to take a drive down Telegraph after dark?
3. Local history includes a bloody massacre
The Battle of Frenchtown, more commonly known as the River Raisin Massacre, saw extensive violence between American troops and a coalition of British and Indigenous soldiers during the War of 1812. It happened smack dab in modern-day Monroe and ultimately left more than 400 fighters dead in the field.
Following the conflict, surviving American troops were intercepted by members of the native Potawatomi tribe, ultimately leading to dozens of additional deaths. Today, curious visitors can explore River Raisin National Battlefield Park, where it’s not uncommon to sense the presence of restless, ghostly soldiers who died on site.
4. Visitors can take haunted walking tours
It’s safe to say that if a city regularly hosts a haunted walking tour, there’s plenty of creepy lore to go around. Monroe is no exception, offering weekly on-foot tours of the city’s most storied buildings and spaces.
Tours begin at 10 p.m., so you’ll be appropriately creeped out while strolling alongside ghosts and ghouls in the dark of night. Just don’t be surprised if you have a strange encounter during this trip through the most “active” paranormal sites in Monroe.
5. A ranking of Michigan ghost sightings put Monroe first
If you don’t want to take our word for it, here’s something: Monroe is regularly cited as one of Michigan’s most haunted hangouts, even earning the designation of the Michigan city with more ghost sightings than any other—at least according to reports from Bet Michigan and Ghosts of America.
Don’t let the city’s charming attractions and natural attractions fool you (though these are certainly worth checking out, too). Monroe hides eerie excitement around every bend, so long as you’re brave enough to look for it.
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