Decatur, Illinois

Decatur Skyline

Decatur is the largest city and the county seat of Macon County in the U.S. state of Illinois. Pictured is the Decatur skyline courtesy of Gil Lebois. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Lincoln Theatre

The "Art Nouveau and Beaux Arts style" Lincoln Theater was constructed in 1916 and opened on October 31st that year. Famous names to perform here include Houdini and Bob Hope. Sadly the building closed in 2017. However, it was what occupied the site prior to the Theatre, that is said to be responsible for the haunting here.

The Theatre was built on the site of the Priest Hotel, which met a fiery demise on 21st April 1915. There were two confirmed fatalities in the blaze.

Since that time, some claim that the two victims of the inferno haunt the theatre. Also reported is the apparition of a red-headed male believed to be a former stagehand and that of a woman wearing "a long flowing dress" believed to be an actress. Shadowy figures have allegedly been witnessed in various parts of the building.

Audible phenomena reported includes footsteps, whispers and screams, as well the sounds of a stage curtain being opened and closed. Cold spots and touches from an unseen presence have also been documented.

Pictured left is the Lincoln Theatre courtesy of Pinterest.

141 N Main St, Decatur, IL 62523, USA.

www.cinematreasures.org

For further information, please read A Ghost Hunter's Guide to the Most Haunted Places in America by Terrance Zepke.