As the crowd creeps through a darkened room towards a staircase, chills slide down their spines. They look around, yet there is nothing but blackness. However, when they press forward, they feel like they are being watched. Carlinville Haunted Tours, one of several expeditions conducted by American Hauntings, offers the opportunity to experience what goes bump in the night.
Lead tour guide Kaylan Schardan explained that the tours start at 7 p.m. in front of the Macoupin County Courthouse located at 200 East Main Street. They last approximately two and a half to three hours and currently take place every weekend in October. “While our tour is a walking tour, it is not consistent walking. There are places to sit down and we do go inside a couple locations,” Schardan noted. “On the tour, you will learn about the history, strange and unusual tales of Carlinville and the many hauntings that still roam the town.” The journey ends where it began as attendees enter the courthouse and experience what it feels like to be a paranormal investigator.
Carlinville Square is one of the stops on the tour.
Former tour anchor (one who monitors the group from behind) and 2016 communications alumna Courtney Egner got involved with the organization after Schardan read an article she wrote in The ‘Burnian about Blackburn hauntings. Egner recommended that students give the tour a try. She said they can learn about a darker angle of Carlinville’s history, and that she really enjoyed getting to explore new parts of the town. According to Egner, “It’s a really fun tour and you get to do your own exploring throughout. It’s also important to know a little bit about the town you inhabit, and those tours will definitely give you some interesting information about Carlinville you never knew before.”
Schardan said one major change this year is that Carlinville Haunted Tours spend more time in the Macoupin County Courthouse. Additionally, guests get to use some paranormal detection equipment. “While in the courthouse, some of our guests have experienced the unexplained firsthand, some for the very first time,” she added. “Being able to share in this exploration with our guests is always exciting, and many come away from our tour with their own story to tell.”
Although the last tour date (Oct. 28) is sold out, there is still a chance to sign up for a paranormal investigation in the Macoupin County Courthouse Dec. 3 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. for $50. Spots can be reserved at bumpinthenight.net.