Ghostly

180 Ashmore Estates


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In this episode of Ghostly Podcast, we head to rural Coles County, Illinois to explore the haunted history and chilling paranormal activity reported at Ashmore Estates.

Originally part of the Coles County Poor Farm in the late 1800s, Ashmore later became a psychiatric hospital before closing for good in 1986. With documented deaths, an on-site cemetery, and decades of neglect, many believe the spirits of former residents still linger within the building.

 A Brief History
  • Poor farm established in 1870, housing the impoverished and mentally ill
  • 32 recorded deaths between 1870–1879
  • A cemetery built on-site due to high mortality
  • Current structure built in 1916
  • Psychiatric hospital operations ended in 1986
  • Reported Paranormal Activity
    • Visitors and investigators have reported:
    • Shadow figures in hallways and stairwells
    • Voices calling out names
    • Sudden cold spots
    • Objects moving or flying
    • Physical encounters including touches, scratches, and being shoved
    • Ashmore is often described as a place that responds to those inside it.

      The Spirit of Elva Skinner

      One of the most well-known spirits associated with Ashmore is Elva Skinner, a young child believed to have died in a fire in the original almshouse in the 1880s. Reports include childlike footsteps, whispers, laughter, and small hands tugging at clothing.

      The Basement & Boiler Room

      The basement—especially the boiler room—is considered the most intense area of activity. Visitors report aggressive encounters, loud bangs, heavy footsteps, and even being knocked to the ground by an unseen force.

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      Music for this episode was performed by Michael Rivers

      “Pat Facts” and “Ghost Story” themes by Mondo

      “Time for a Debate” theme by Gail Gallagher gailgallaghermusic.com

      Sources for this week’s episode

      Ashmore Estates

      Ashmore Estates – Wikipedia

      Ashmore Estates | Ashmore Illinois | Real Haunted Place

      “illinois Ghost Stories And Pictures.” | “Ashmore Estates”, my nemesis | Facebook

      Ashmore Estates Frightening Haunting in Illinois – HUS

      A Grave Interest: Haunted Ashmore Estates – Ashmore, Illinois

      I stayed the night at the haunted Ashmore Estates asylum.

      Tragedy and Haunting of Ashmore Estates | Amy’s Crypt

      Discovering the haunts of Ashmore Estates – The Daily Eastern News

      Ashmore Estates – A Real Haunted House? – The Source

      Ashmore Estates Investigation

      Proof of Ghosts at Haunted Ashmore Estates Asylum/Poor Farm | Ashmore IL… : r/hauntedhouses

      Adventures of Ashmore Estates | The Navigator

      This Overnight Ghost Hunt In Ashmore, Illinois Will Haunt You

      The Malicious Spirits of Ashmore Estates – Sequoit Media

      Ashmore Estates Investigation 2020

      Are the Ashmore Estates Haunted?

      ...more
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