The Leland Hotel/Leland City Club
400 Bagley St, Detroit, MI 48226
The Detroit-Leland Hotel, or simply the Leland, has been referred to as Michigan’s Cecil Hotel due to the astonishing number of deaths, murders, suicides, overdoses, and freak accidents that have plagued the hotel since it’s opening on April 20, 1927.
With the hotel being a popular hangout spot for Jimmy Hoffa and the Purple Gang, as well as one of the most frequented buildings in the city during the Great Depression, it’s no wonder its walls saw so much terror in the early days. But even when things seemingly got better in society, misery still found company within the halls of the Leland. What had potential as one of the finest hotels in the city once upon a time, now wilts in a state of rapid decay with a nefarious reputation. Many believe that the Leland itself is cursed and inflicts misfortune on those who are in the throes of a struggle. Phantom gangsters and their victims, along with victims of the Great Depression are still seen at the hotel to this day by individuals who dare to enter. Others who have visited the property report disturbing dreams, being stalked by an aggressive spirit who makes his presence known by sounds of choking, and odd-looking men and women who seem out of era, just to name a few.
Although the property now serves as low-income housing, you can still visit its last remaining nightclub called City Club, which has its own resident ghoul complete with long disheveled white hair and bulging eyes. This figure has been known to startle clubgoers by scampering up and down the club’s staircase on all four limbs.
City Club is usually open on weekends and caters to the alternative and goth communities. For more information on when to visit and City Club’s hours of operation, you can visit their website. Just make sure you’re in a good headspace when you go!
The Whitney
4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Prominent lumber baron, David Whitney Jr., built this twenty-two-thousand square foot dream mansion for his beloved wife Flora who tragically passed away prior to 1894, when the construction of the house was completed. Whitney then went on to marry Flora’s sister, Sara, so she could help parent her four nieces and nephews. Sara and David, along with the four Whitney children moved into the mansion together, but even in death, this didn’t sit right with Flora. Since Flora’s passing a sobbing woman has been spotted sitting on the couch in the third-floor lounge, just adjacent to the women’s bathroom. Her piercing, hysterical cries are enough to chill anyone’s blood. Perhaps she mourns the fact that she never got to enjoy the mansion that was intended to be hers. A mysterious bathroom attendant has been spotted in the same area.
On November 30, 1900, Whitney himself passed in the house due to a heart attack and his spirit is often seen around the Ghost Bar on the third floor as well. Sara lived in the mansion until 1917 and upon her passing is believed to have taken up a spiritual residence in the mansion’s basement. Not long after Sara’s passing, the Whitney Mansion was handed over to the Wayne County Medical Society and, in 1941, served as a hospice for people suffering from tuberculosis. Hospice patients would occupy what is now the guest dining room on the second floor. Individuals in period clothing have been spotted in the elevator, as well as other parts of the mansion throwing visitors off guard.
To up the spooky factor, the carriage house on the property is also incredibly haunted. It was used by Grace Whitney (David and Flora’s daughter) for afternoon tea, but eventually was taken over by the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA). Grace’s ghost haunts the carriage house along with a couple sinister spirits, including a nurse with hallowed out eye sockets.
If you’re interested in having a supernatural encounter at The Whitney, check out their website to see what kind of paranormal events they have in store. Disney’s Haunted Mansion has nothing on The Whitney!
Elmwood Cemetery
1200 Elmwood St, Detroit, MI 48207
On the surface, this beautiful and seemingly tranquil historic cemetery is a certified arboretum, but its stunning landscape belies its tragic past. It was the site of the Battle of Bloody Run, where Chief Pontiac had ordered the annihilation of Captain Dalzell and 160 of his British soldiers. The battle was so violent that the creek on the property ran red with British blood. The creek still exists in the cemetery today and is known as Bloody Run Creek. Reports of distressed and ensanguined soldiers in red coats have been spotted throughout the cemetery’s grounds, often frightening visitors. And while that sounds ultra unsettling, things get even creepier because this specific cemetery is home to the most haunted headstone in the state of Michigan!
The Veiled Lady monument belongs to Eliza Waterman, a woman who had been betrayed by her philandering husband and is believed to seek revenge in death. It is believed that touching her massive headstone will stir up her vengeful spirit. When her ghost appears, it is often seen wearing a tattered white dress with a veil hiding her disfigured and decomposing face. Reports of her ghost have been spotted in the cemetery, in people’s backseats and she has even been known to follow a few unfortunate souls home and wreak havoc on their lives!
To take a self-guided tour of the cemetery and try and catch a glimpse of these eerie spirits, hop onto their website for more information. Whatever you do, don’t touch Mrs. Waterman’s grave marker!
Detroit Public Library
5201 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
You may have heard the stories of the Nain Rouge, but this harbinger of doom has actually been spotted at Detroit Public Library’s main branch by…you guessed it…a former employee! Alejandra Amalia caught a glimpse of this miniature devil while working in the vault beneath the building where the Burton Historical Collection files are kept. These files belong to one of the largest personal collections regarding the history of Detroit, the state of Michigan and Canada.
In the dimly lit area where Alejandra was working, she heard the pitter-patter of feet and just when she thought it was an animal, she caught a glimpse of a child-sized figure clad in a red outfit running back and forth amongst the bookshelves. As a native Detroiter who grew up hearing tales of the Nain Rouge, the experience scared her so badly, that she vowed that she would never go down there again, under any circumstances. With the building dating back to 1921 and containing so much palpable history, other employees have reported strange happenings throughout the library as well, although none have been as forthcoming or reported anything quite as intense as what Alejandra experienced.
If you’re feeling brave, check out the events calendar that the main branch of the library offers. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll also get a glimpse of Detroit’s little Devil of Doom.
Abick's Bar
3500 Gilbert St, Detroit, MI 48210
This friendly neighborhood haunt in the center of Mexicantown has been owned and operated by six generations of the Abick/Soviak family. It was established in 1907 and is currently owned by Eric Lakeman. Eric’s grandmother, Marie “Manya” Soviak (née Abick) and great uncle, Walter “Podge” Abick became co-owners of the bar in 1964 when their mother, Katherine, died in a car crash.
For decades, Manya was the matriarch of the bar and people came from far and wide to pay her a visit. Podge was known to keep things cleanly and run a tight ship when it came to sanitization. Sadly, Eric lost his mother at age 13, so she was unable to fill Manya’s shoes upon Manya and Podge’s passing. Eric eventually took over as proprietor, but his ancestors continued to linger around long after to make sure the bar continued to stay in tip top shape. Familial spirits roam all corners of the bar rearranging furniture, making messes when upset, and causing noisy disturbances when it’s quiet. Even the family dog named Shadow remains attached to the bar in the afterlife and can often be heard dragging his heavy paws on the bar’s shiny floor.
Stop in to Abick’s for a cold one and you might be joined at the table by an unsuspecting guest! It’s not true what they say, a glass a day certainly does NOT keep the ghosts away.
Detroit Urban Artifacts
1600 Clay St. #119, Detroit, MI 48211
One of Detroit’s coolest stores just so happens to be haunted! In 1915, a sprawling 2.2 million square foot complex was erected by architect, Albert Kahn, for John William Murray. It was originally known as the Murray Body Corporation Plant and churned out bodies and components for automobiles during the rise of Detroit’s auto industry. During the 1940’s, the plant made military supplies, including airplane wings for the B-52 Bombers during WWII.
Today the plant is known as the Russell Industrial Center and has seven buildings on site that are currently being used for commercial purposes. Nestled within one of those buildings is Detroit Urban Artifacts. Founded in 2021 by Ryan Cunningham, the store features vintage furniture, architectural salvage, oddities, signs, art, historic Detroit artifacts and so much more! With the help of his girlfriend and fellow artifact collector, Ashley Barnett (owner of Miss Holly Hock Vintage), the store is filled to the brink with all kinds of unique finds, some of which are even believed to contain spiritual attachments! One such item in the store that has stirred up paranormal activity are actual doorknobs from the old Clinton Insane Asylum.
When paranormal team, Detroit Paranormal Expeditions (DPX) and psychic medium, Brandy Miller, investigated the old factory they held a spirit box session where they were able to communicate with a nurse and her patient. In addition to that, visitors to the property have witnessed shadow figures, felt feelings of heaviness, and reported feeling as though they were being watched.
If you’re in the Detroit area, this store is a must visit, and who knows, you just might bring home a little more than you bargained for. However, if you’re into the paranormal, then that’ll be right up your alley! Before you make the trip, be sure to check the hours.
Historic Fort Wayne
6325 W Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48209
While the fort never saw combat, its ninety-six acres saw the rise and fall of Native Americans for over 1,000 years, the War of 1812, the Civil War, the 1918 influenza pandemic, World War I and II, the Korean War and Vietnam conflict and the 1967 Uprising. Over the years the fort stood witness to various murders, suicides, accidents, and tragedies.
In one such instance, 3,814 Detroiters died due to the influenza pandemic and a considerable number of those deaths happened within the garrison. This is because those infected by the virus were housed on the property to keep the infection at bay in the city. Reported paranormal sightings include but are not limited to civilians (including men, women, and children), soldiers, former slaves and at least one inhuman spirit.
The fort is currently used for various events throughout the year. In addition, the Historic Fort Wayne Coalition offers tours to thrill seekers and history buffs alike. To see what’s on the schedule this October and snag some tickets, drop by their website. Just be on guard when you do visit, you don’t know who may be marching behind you!
Redford Theatre
17360 Lahser Rd, Detroit, MI 48219
Advertised as America’s Most Unique Suburban Playhouse, this movie house opened on January 27, 1928. The theatre was originally designed with a Japanese motif, but after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the decision was made to rid the theatre of its Japanese theme. In the 1990’s, the original theme was eventually restored, along with adding some Chinese accents.
Over the years the theatre suffered financial woes, but currently is in good standing and run strictly by volunteers. Many people have reported seeing spirits of all sorts, including some former volunteers. It is suspected that there are a minimum of eight ghosts who’ve taken up residence at the location. The ladies’ bathroom is purported to be haunted by Ethel O’Leary, a 101-year-old who used to clean the theatre. Smells of bleach, toilets flushing and shuffling feet have all been recalled by volunteers who were in the theatre alone. In addition to Ethel, a young girl and woman occupy the dressing room on the top floor.
Another apparition, who many presume to be male, has been seen standing by the organ and was captured on camera by the Motor City Ghost Hunters during their initial paranormal investigation. Since then, the Motor City Ghost Hunters have organized public ghost hunts at the theatre to raise funds to aid in historic preservation of the building.
For upcoming opportunities to investigate the theatre or just check out a show there, join the theatre’s email list.
If you are interested in reading more in-depth about some of these locations, I encourage you to check out my books, Haunted Detroit and Haunted Bars and Pubs of Michigan. Haunted Detroit mostly covers haunts in Detroit proper, with a couple of Metro-Detroit locations thrown in. Not all locations featured in this article are featured in the book, but the ones that showcase true accounts of hauntings backed by historical research. Haunted Bars and Pubs of Michigan
features 17 bars from across 15 different cities across the state, with a full chapter on Abick’s Bar detailing the full extent of paranormal happenings at the location.
I encourage you to visit each of the locations I have written about and show them some support, but please be respectful of both the property itself and the staff on site. Keep in mind that some areas of these buildings may not be accessible to the public for whatever reason and therefore may possibly be off-limits for viewing. Lastly, paranormal activity doesn’t tend to happen on command, so you might have to make a few trips to each location to get your desired experience.
Happy Hauntings!
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