the exorcist house st louis tours

A Guide to St. Louis' Ghost Tours and Other Haunted Spots

Tricked-out haunted houses are fun, but some of the most terrifying spots are the ones rooted in real, eerie events from the city's past.

by Melissa Meinzer

October 20, 2016

Photography by Thomas Crone

The history of St. Louis has no shortage of haunted tales. From the accursed Lemp family to Zombie Road to the events that inspired  The Exorcist , our city has brushes with other worlds and unclean phenomena to spare. We’re in the thick of Halloween madness season, so shut down the Netflix horror marathon, get off the couch, and get really scared. Here’s a half-dozen spooky spots waiting for you around town.

Haunted History Walk

Take an hour-and-a-half walking tour that starts in Laclede’s Landing and covers the Great St. Louis fire, the infamous exorcism, the city’s cholera epidemic, the sandbar known as Bloody Island for the duels that it hosted, and more. Tours run this weekend and next Wednesday through Friday. Book online , or call 314.800.6369. $25. Departing from the Morgan Street Brewery, 721 N. Second .

Haunted History Tours at the Lemp Mansion

The Lemp Mansion is considered one of the nation's top haunted destinations. The Lemp family’s beer business took advantage of the cool, underground caves at Cherokee and DeMenil for beer-making. The company flourished for a time, before a string of tragic events. Unhappy ancestors are said to still linger in the mansion. Call 314-644-1814 to book a tour. 3322 DeMenil Place .

St. Charles Ghost Tours

St. Charles is charming, but it has plenty of creepy manifestations worth checking out. In 1853, bodies and headstones at one of the city's graveyards were moved, but some souls were forgotten. Their bodies remain in St. Charles with no headstones, and they're apparently not thrilled about this development. (And for a less scary treat in St. Charles, check out the Legends & Lanterns festival during the next two weekends.) Ghost tours run Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m., and sometimes midnight. Call 314-374-6102 to book a tour. $20. 101 S. Main, St. Charles.

Zombie Road

Lawler Ford Road, dubbed “Zombie Road, " is a 2-mile stretch near the Meramec River. It was originally a trail used by Native Americans and early settlers accessing the river. During the Civil War, it was a travel route, and trucks used it to haul gravel from the river. You may or may not find ghosts there these days, but if you trespass after dark it’s a pretty safe bet that you'll find very corporeal police officers willing to write you a ticket. Rock Hollow Trail, Wildwood.

Haunted History Tours of Peabody Opera House

It’s not just melodies that haunt the Peabody Opera House—the St. Louis Paranormal Research Society says it’s one of the most haunted buildings that the group has ever investigated. Many old buildings were torn down to make way for the venue, and according to the society, the previous occupants didn't simply move along peacefully when they were displaced. The tours for this year sold out quickly, but it's never too early to mark your calendars for next October. 1400 Market.

Exorcist House

While you cannot step inside the house ( it's private property ), horror-movie buffs can still drive past the home where the dramatic spiritual cleansing that inspired The Exorcist took place. In 1949, a 14-year-old boy came to St. Louis for treatment of a mysterious affliction; Jesuit priests began praying over him at the house and finally took him to the Alexian Brothers Hospital in South City. 8435 Roanoke (private property).

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Experience St. Louis’s Most Haunted Ghost Tour

St. Louis Ghosts exposes the ghastly hauntings that lurk underneath this charming jewel at the great gateway to the west. Built on ancient Indian graves, this City on the Mississippi hides a Gateway to a legion of ghosts.

The ghosts of Saint Louis stretch through history. Form the prehistory of the mysterious mounds to today’s gruesome murders and modern spirits, St Louis has ghosts of every era. Book your place now to experience the tour that exposes the horrid truth behind the city’s landmarks.

To Order : Press "Get Tickets" for availability.

Ghost tours are held nightly, rain or shine!

The Experiences You've Heard About

St. Louis Ghosts: Gateway Ghouls and Hauntings

From the mysterious Native American dirt mounds to what lies beneath the world’s tallest steel arch, St. Louis Ghosts unveils why the city remains the burial ground for some of America’s most shocking historical tragedies.

What will I see on the St Louis Ghosts tour?

We have hand-picked the best 8 or 12 stories from spooky real-life locations that will let you in on the secrets of the Gateway City that rarely see the light of day. Our deeply researched histories will unveil sordid tales of gruesome murders and unexplained events from the turbulent past of the Lou’.

If you want to be entertained, informed and a little bit frightened this is the St Louis activity for you. From the surprising history of the 30’ tall burial mounds that dotted the city to modern-day tragic accidents; St Louis has some of the best ghost stories around.

Like the haunted underground drinking dens built on top of an earlier layer of Indian caves. The disease-infested shoreline, where corpses from the Spanish Flu epidemic were flung into ditches. Will you be able to hear the screams of the charred ghosts of victims of the Great Fire of 1849?

Our St Louis Ghosts tour has received great reviews, even from locals, who say they always learn new things about their home city on our tours.

Our passionate guides are locals St Louisans who love the city and its dark, twisted past. The horrid stories of grim deaths and the spirits that remain are plucked straight from the history books. We only share well-researched accounts of unexplained phenomena with our delighted guests.

The ghosts of St Louis appear in many forms; on our terrifying tour, you will discover every way the past haunts the present in this shadowy city by the dark Mississippi.

St Louis Ghosts is the only tour that entertains you with scary stories and sneaks in the spectacular history of Saint Lou without becoming a boring lecture! You will find being in the actual locations of these hauntings and hearing the gripping histories told in gory detail will cement these stories in your mind forever. Available for instant recall to entertain family and friends forever!

St Louis has a fascinating history of firsts, the first kindergarten, the first freeway, the first purpose-built gas station and the first Olympic Games in America. This spirit of innovation has created a driving force that has thrown countless passionate innovators into the gutter of life. They are sad stories, but they make for excellent ghosts!

We can’t wait to share some of the creepy history and horrifying haunts of Saint Louis with you. Our hour-long walking tour on the just-dark streets of St Louis will take you deep into the sordid past of this groundbreaking city.

Many guests on our tours and our fantastic tour guides have experienced things for which they have no reasonable explanation. We can’t promise you will experience anything specific, but we will show you where these strange things happened.

St Louis Ghosts will take you on an hour or 90-minute walk around some of the fascinating stories of this trailblazing city that values progress at all costs. One of the other notable world firsts for St Louis was the first successful parachute jump at Jefferson Barracks on March 1, 1912. The St Louis Gateway Arch was also the site of a much less successful one, years later.

Ghosts of the Gateway Arch

Even this spectacular steel monument has its ghosts. The monument celebrates the westward progress of the American nation; but it casts a long shadow over the whole downtown area. Visited by millions every year, it is still the tallest accessible structure in Missouri.

No one died during the construction, but years after it opened to the public a daredevil parachutist jumped from an airplane high above the arch and somehow managed to land on top of the structure. His widow later stated the plan had been to jettison the main chute after he landed atop the arch and use the reserve to jump from the top of the arch to the ground. Tragically after landing on the narrow arch, he was blown from his feet and dragged by his main parachute down the North leg. His reserve chute failed to open and his wife, looking from below, saw him plummet to the earth and his death.

The jumper’s ghost has been seen many times, wandering dazed and confused at the base of the arch, always slipping from view if anyone approaches.

Join the St Louis Ghosts haunted walking tour to experience first-hand the tales of tragedy and human misfortune that have lined the streets of St Louis with the finest ghost stories west of the Mississippi.

The nine ghosts of Lemp mansion

The site of the Gateway Arch was formerly the site of the first brewery in St Louis. John Coons opened it in 1809. Brewing has been an important industry in St Louis for hundreds of years.

One of the brewers that went under during prohibition was the William J. Lemp Brewing Company, which started in 1840. It was the first to introduce lager to St Louis. They used the natural caves under the city to age the beer in the always cool climate. At its peak, the brewery spanned five city blocks. William Lemp’s fortune grew, and a vast mansion was built for the growing family just south of Downtown. However, in 1901 things started going wrong. William’s sickly son Frederick died age 21. His daughter, who had married into the Pabst brewing family, brought the devastating news that his good friend Frederick Pabst had also died. William went into a spiral and committed suicide in the home his family had built. Willam Lemp started a horrifying family tradition of suicide in that house.

The Lemp mansion today is one of the most haunted houses in St Louis. Paranormal investigators have counted the spirits of the Lemp house. At least nine beings continue to haunt the place. Today it is used as an event space, including haunted sleepovers and murder mystery dinners.

Book your place on our haunted walking tour, and you will see more of the strange apparitions that St Louisans have seen and recorded for centuries.

St Louis Ghosts has tours every night of the week. Click ‘book now’ to see the tour times and if spots are available. Our easy walking route and fun-filled tour takes to you some of the classic haunted locations in St Louis. We also venture deeper into the depths of history to reveal some of the true stories behind the legends from St Louis.

The real life setting for ‘The Exorcist’

The book and film ‘The Exorcist’ is actually based on events that happened in St Louis. A confusing mist of myths and legend has grown up around the actual exorcism that took place here from January to April 1949.

Our in-depth research has the real story of what happened here. Our tour will let you into the secrets that remained boarded up for decades.

One day, in a small town in Maryland, welts appeared on a 13-year-old boy’s body. They appeared to spell the word ‘LOUIS.’ The family took this as a sign. They moved to St Louis to live with relatives in Bel Nor, a suburb in North St. Louis County.

The boy developed severe behavioral problems and went to St. Alexius hospital for treatment. He was released and later treated at home by the priests that ran the hospital. One of the priests that assisted in the ritual, Father Halloran, wrote a 29-page diary about the exorcism that disappeared for years. In the diary, he describes in shocking detail seeing scratches appear on the boy’s arm before his eyes, “as if a cat were slowly clawing his arm, the wounds grew.”

The exorcism was concluded at the St Alexius hospital in South St Louis. The room where the ritual happened was sealed off and never used again. In North St Louis, the ordinary-looking suburban house where the exorcism started is still there today. Unfortunately, it is not within walking distance for our tour. The hospital is gone now, but in its time, it had the look of a place that could put the devil in you, more than help take it out.

St Louis has more of these horrible tales to share. Join us tonight and we will take you to the places where the very worst happened and share with you the very best of St Louis Ghosts.

With so many tours and activities to choose from St. Louis, how do you choose which ones to book?

7 reasons to take the st louis ghosts tour.

St Louis is full of hidden histories

You will see St Louis in a different light after hearing our authentic spooky tales of real-life ghosts that terrorize the streets of St Louis.

St Louis has a darker side to share, one brimming with ghosts of the past and present. For example, the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Downtown West was the largest and best theatre in St Louis in its day. It was constructed by William Fox, who also founded the movie studio that bears his name. The Fox theatre became a grand showcase for stage shows, musical acts, and many world premieres of the biggest movies of the day, but profit proved elusive.

A sad decline happened over the years, and the theatre was a shell of its former self. However, a grand renovation in the 1980s gave it new life and made it a regular stop for Broadway musicals touring the country. Many a star has appeared on the stage; their performances made possible by a crew of dozens behind the scenes. In the early nineties, one of them tragically lost their life to a falling large piece of stage equipment. The stagehand didn’t hear the shouts because they were too engrossed in the performance. The stagehand’s spirit still lends a hand in the darkened theatre, long after his body was taken away after the tragic accident.

St Louis will shed its veil of decorum and show you its secret past on our walking tour around the flat streets of St Louis.

Looking for the most fun you can have in St Louis?

There is so much to do in St Louis, even just staying Downtown, you have your choice of the highest number of free attractions outside New York City. The Gateway Arch is free, the Saint Louis Zoo is Free, the Saint Louis Art Museum is free even the Saint Louis Science Center is free.

However, every single one of those fantastic places closes in the early evening. The St Louis Ghosts tour is the perfect activity between a day of sights and evening sampling the booming culinary scene of St Louis. The creative chefs of the Gateway City have the evening covered, and the daytime is taken care of, but that tricky slot in between is where St Louis Ghosts will provide a fun, entertaining, and gripping activity.

Our St Louis Ghosts walking tour will start and finish at the same spot. We will also leave you with an indelible impression and a host of memorable stories from your time in the Gateway City. Even if you live here, our entertaining and knowledgeable guides will tell you things you did not know about the Lou’.

You want to sneak some history into a night on the town

St Louis Ghosts walking tour will bring the history of the city to life, through death! We do it by telling the tragic stories of the characters who drove the history of the city from the very places they did it. Our entertaining guides will walk you through the history of St Louis with some of the scariest stories of the people who lived and died here.

Our fun haunted walking tour is history by stealth. Our guides have all the answers and a veritable laundry list of hauntings in this charming area. Each one involves a local character whose life, and more importantly, death is entwined with the history of this fascinating city.

St Louis is a city of firsts; the first cocktail party, the first drive-up bank window, and the first monster truck! Being ahead of the nation requires some bold thinkers with radical ideas, visionary men and women with the courage to lead, and the conviction of their ideas.

Many of these bold souls of yesterday have become the haunting spirits of today. Only our tour has the details of their lives, their riveting stories, their achievements and their untimely ends. Our guides bring it all to life through the stories of the spirits that refuse to leave us.

You only have limited time and you want maximum fun!

Give us just 60 minutes for our standard tour, or 90 minutes for the extended tour, and we will show you the dark and hideous hauntings of the Gateway City. The stories of the spirits we present are full of human drama and incredible twists and, more importantly, dramatic endings that the imagination could never invent. As they say, fiction is limited by what we can conceive of as possible, but real life is not.

For example, the 1849 Cholera outbreak in the city made the riverfront area a hive of ghostly activity. Spread by contaminated water, the disease could kill in hours. When the disease was at its height, the corpses came thick and fast; the city only recorded the numbers of people buried in different graveyards, not names.

On the riverfront, the poor and migrant populations were particularly ravaged by the disease. They could not afford burials, so they were laid in ditches and covered in soil. The spirits of so many lives taken early run thick in the dark cobbled streets and dingy underpasses of the district today. Let us tell you all about the heroes and villains of the outbreak.

Over a mile or so of walking around the city we will show you the dark past behind the bright lights of the city on the River. Fun lurks in mysterious places in STL; the riverfront’s entertaining ghosts have been storing up their tales for centuries.

You don’t believe in ghosts?

Although we have seen plenty of convincing evidence of the flimsy barrier between this world and the next, we won’t try and convert you. Neither are we out to capture glowing orbs and claim them as evidence of ghosts; that trick has been debunked for years. However, we are ready to show you between 8 and 12 fascinating stories about people’s lives from the past of St Louis. Then we will share how these spirits and souls have rippled through time and result in the unexplained events that so many have seen and felt in the city today.

Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, perhaps we can convince you that the energy we all put out into the world might continue long after we stop living. Like the heroic actions of Captain Thomas Targee, a volunteer fireman on the night of May 17, 1849. His heroism saved hundreds of people sleeping in buildings in the path of a fire that could have destroyed Saint Louis.

Early in the morning, the steamboat ‘White Cloud’ caught ablaze at the St Louis dock’s north end. The blazing ship drifted downstream, setting alight the next boat and spreading the fire to land.

The whole fire department was volunteer led at the time. Using hand-pumped tenders and a rudimentary hydrant system, the teams worked hard until the reservoir was empty. The fire continued unabated. The strategy now was to dynamite a line of buildings nearly eight blocks long to stop the fire before it reached the Cathedral and Court House.

Captain Thomas Targee was clearing buildings of sleeping inhabitants and setting charges in buildings that had been cleared. While setting the charges, one accidentally went off, killing the 41-year-old near the Gateway Arch site. An early hero of the professional fire fighting force established after the fire, Captain Targee is remembered today for his actions.

St Louis Ghosts tour has so many stories like this to entertain and spook you. Join our endlessly fascinating tour and let us lift the veil on the hidden history of the Gateway City.

There’s more to the city than Anheuser Busch!

The beer and the city are intertwined. The great brewing dynasty’s emblem, a train of Clydesdale horses pulling a delivery cart stacked with barrels, is housed in the city. The stadium where the Cardinals play is named Busch Stadium after the brewer wrote a check to keep the team in the city.

But there is much more to the city than its biggest export. There is a dark undercurrent of hauntings and ghosts that courses through the city like the dark Mississippi at night.

The grand tradition of ghosts in St Louis started with the desecration of the burial mounds of the Mississippi Civilization that even predates the Native Americans. The European settlers razed the burial mounds they found and unleashed a terrific flood of supernatural energy on the city.

This seam of supernatural activity has echoed through the ages. Add in the ghosts of the tragic accidents of the great industrial boom of the 19th Century and todays untimely casualties and St Louis is a strong contender for the most haunted city in America.

If you are looking for an alternative take on the history of St Louis, we can promise you the most entertaining way to get to know the Rome of the West, so called for being the home of so many churches, many of the Catholic.

We have so many more interesting and thrilling stories about St Louis, picking the ones that made it onto the tour was incredibly hard. Check out some of the others on our blog.

You need a St Louis activity everyone in the family can enjoy

Our St Louis Ghosts tour is created to be scary and creepy but is still family-friendly and accessible to all. We have gone to great lengths to make our stories scary, but not too scary. We don’t want anyone to lose sleep after taking the St Louis Ghosts tour. You will often find young people on some of our tours having the time of their lives.

If you are looking for absolute terror, we suggest the Exorcist movie… not so much the sequel. However, we have a host of interesting stories about that film, which is based on real-life events that happened here in the Gateway City.

Saint Louis is mostly flat, with a gentle slope down to the dark banks of the Mississippi. Our tours are proudly accessible to all. If you can roam for a mile under your own steam, you will find a fun, entertaining and fascinating tour around the most thrilling haunted locations of St Louis.

We are careful to make our stories memorable, being in the actual places that these historic haunted stories happened really makes the history stick. Science even agrees with us; they call this technique creating a ‘memory palace’ of the mind, resplendent with rich stories attached to specific places and experiences.

St Louis Ghosts has unforgettable stories that you can tell your family and friends just by picturing the places you visited on our tour.

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House that Inspired "The Exorcist"

8435 Roanoke Dr, Bel-Nor , Missouri 63121 USA

• Independent
• Credit Cards not Accepted
• Not Wheelchair Accessible
• No Public Restrooms

“Home to the most famous exorcism in history..”

This unassuming home in the suburbs of St. Louis is actually the site of the most famous exorcism of all time. The case, known as the "Roland Doe Exorcism", was so astounding that it became the basic of the book and film "The Exorcist". The Story: Roland was born into a German Lutheran Christian family. During the 1940s the family lived in Cottage City, Maryland. According to Allen, Roland was an only child and depended upon adults in his household for playmates, primarily his Aunt Harriet. His aunt, who was a spiritualist, introduced Roland to the Ouija board when he expressed interest in it. When Roland was thirteen his aunt died in St. Louis. Several books suppose that Roland tried to contact his deceased aunt via the Ouija board. According to Thomas Allen's book Possessed, supernatural activity began soon after Aunt Harriet's death. This includes the sound of squeaky and marching feet as well as other strange noises. Furniture moved on its own accord, and ordinary objects, including a vase, allegedly flew or levitated and a picture of Jesus rattled on the wall as if it was being thumped from behind. A container of holy water placed near him smashed to the ground. Nine priests and thirty-nine other witnesses signed the final ecclesiastical papers documenting Roland's experience. The frightened family turned to their Lutheran pastor, the Rev. Luther Miles Schulze, for help. According to a report made by Reverend Schulze to The Evening Star, a Washington D.C. newspaper, the boy was examined by both medical and psychiatric doctors, who could offer no explanation for these disturbing events taking place. Schulze arranged for the boy to spend the night of February 17 in his home in order to observe him. The boy slept near the minister in a twin bed and the minister reported that in the dark he heard vibrating sounds from the bed and scratching sounds on the wall. During the rest of the night he allegedly witnessed some strange events, a heavy armchair in which the boy sat seemingly tilted on its own and tipped over and a pallet of blankets on which the sleeping boy lay inexplicably moved around the room and slapped people in the face. Schulze concluded that there was evil at work in Roland, and a Lutheran rite of exorcism would be performed on Roland. According to the traditional story, the boy then underwent an exorcism under auspices of the Episcopal Church. After this, the case was referred to the Rev. Edward Hughes, a Roman Catholic priest, who, after examining the boy at St. James Church, conducted an exorcism on Roland at Georgetown University Hospital, a Jesuit institution. During the exorcism, the boy inflicted a wound upon the pastor that required stitches. As a result, the exorcism ritual was stopped and the boy went home to be with his family, where strange welts on the boy's body led to desperation. The family then proceeded to take the train to St. Louis. While they were in the city, Roland's cousin contacted one of his professors at St. Louis University, the Rev. Raymond J. Bishop, SJ, who in turn spoke to the Rev. William S. Bowdern, an associate of College Church. Together, both priests visited Roland in his relatives' home, where they noticed his aversion to anything sacred, a shaking bed, flying objects, and Roland speaking in a guttural voice. Fr. Bowdern sought permission from the archbishop to have the plaguing demons cast out from the boy. Permission for Bowdern to perform the exorcism was granted by the archbishop, with the requirement that a detailed diary be kept. Before the exorcism ritual began, Fr. Walter Halloran was called to the psychiatric wing of the hospital, where he was asked to assist Fr. Bowdern. The Rev. William Van Roo, a third Jesuit priest, was also there to assist. Fr. Halloran stated that during this scene words such as "evil" and "hell", along with other various marks, appeared on the teenager's body. Moreover, Roland broke Fr. Halloran's nose during the process. The exorcism ritual was performed thirty times over several weeks. When the final exorcism was complete witnesses reported loud noise going off throughout the hospital. After the exorcism was over, the family was no longer troubled, and moved back to their home. The boy went on to become a successful, happily married man, a father and grandfather. NOTE: This house is a private residence, so please do all your best pea-soup vomiting recreations from the sidewalk.  ***This is a private home on private property. Please do not try to enter the property without the express permission of the landowner. This listing is only for informational purposes.***

Reviewed by Tatiana Danger

• Road Warrior
• 1,169 Reviews
• 910 Helpful

This is the house that inspired the book (upon which the film was based). Located in the St. Luis suburbs, it's quite unassuming, but in the 1940s it was host to a slew of paranormal activity. Allegedly the son of the family who lived there used a Ouija board to attempt to contact his aunt (a former Spiritualist), who had recently died.

Reviewed by GlendaKayBarton

My goodness, how this story has been cultivated over the years. As a native Saint Louisan, I am surprised that the details are so different from those we all grew up with. Greater interest would have been about the room in St. Alexian Brother's Hospital which had been sealed up. Even from the window outside it was spooky.

Reviewed by roadtripper50531

The house is not in Mount Ranier, nor was it plowed over. It still stands and was recently sold to an unknowing couple. In 1999, historian Mark Opsasnick investigated the claims and found that the house where the exorcism took place was not in Mount Rainer or Georgetown, but in the nearby Cottage City, at. Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10061345/Maryland-couple-bought-house-inspired-Exorcist-story.html

Reviewed by DonaldEthel Blue

This is true..., the real Exorcist took place in Mount Rainier Maryland

Reviewed by sonabe

parkebrown This house is still standing, A friend of mine lives across the street from it and has pictures of when they filmed just recently and it was aired on tv

http://fox2now.com/2015/10/28/tv-show-to-perform-exorcism-at-the-exorcist-house-in-st-louis/ It was LIVE

Reviewed by kalebhahn

it was a good articlr

Reviewed by parkebrown

Wrong! The house is located in The Washington DC area. The town is called Cottage City, Maryland (near Brentwood Maryland). Maybe there was an exorcism there, but not the house from the movie. As a matter of fact, the house was plowed over and is a vacant lot now.

Reviewed by TimmyShannon

Was tim that good. Addickted spung. His son sucks he wishes he was yawn holmes. Sober bored and single. Tims son. See yu around.

Reviewed by MartiPughRobertson

Party going on...

Reviewed by DebKeezer

I'm curious, if this home is a private residence, does the current family ever experience paranormal activity

Be the first to add a review to the House that Inspired "The Exorcist".

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Welcome to st. louis's #1 rated ghost tour.

The Gateway to the West leads to the most terrifying hauntings on the Mississippi. Discover the grisly truths of St. Louis hidden just beyond its steel Arch.

From the mysterious Native American dirt mounds to what lies beneath the world’s tallest steel arch, St. Louis Ghosts unveils why the city remains the burial ground for some of America’s most shocking historical tragedies.

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THE EXPERIENCES YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT

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Welcome to St. Louis Ghosts

Join St. Louis Ghosts to uncover the countless unexplained hauntings that continue to terrify one of the most haunted cities of the midwest.

Burial Grounds to Bloodshed – Why St. Louis is so Haunted

St. Louis is a city that has witnessed centuries of war and bloodshed, changing hands from the indigenous Osage and Illiniwek tribes to the colonial superpowers France and then Spain. The ghostly activity surrounding the ancient Indian burial grounds stems from a dark, disturbing history with constant battles for supremacy amidst holy temples and sacred mounds on both sides of the Mississippi. From the Seven Years’ War between archrivals France and Spain to the Battle of St. Louis when the British attacked settlers during the Revolutionary War, the city’s inhabitants were continually the victims of the violence that surrounded it.  

As the “Gateway to the West”, St. Louis has had many adventurers, frontiersmen, and visitors pass through on their way to supposed fame and glory. Though many have made their way to the city and beyond, few ever return once they have stepped through the infamous arch. From ancient burial grounds to deadly wars and fatal happenings, this city holds centuries of terror, pain, and bloodshed. 

Kauffman Park is one of the locations in St. Louis where you may find ghostly figures wandering about still wearing their war uniforms. Homes in this neighborhood have also reported items unexplainably left out of place and doors slamming shut. From incredibly haunted theaters, to mysteriously abandoned museums and parks, St. Louis provides the perfect blend of haunted history and intense horror. 

Misery and Misdeeds on the Mighty Mississippi

The nail-biting St. Louis ghost tour leads you deep into the sordid past of the River City with an unforgettable recounting of authentic and spine-tingling stories and actual hauntings witnessed at each haunted location. Walk through this architecturally charming city and learn about the ghost who lives at Union Station that never made it to her destination. Experience a night full of adventure mixed with more than a little terror and visit some of the most terrifying and haunted locations in Missouri. Whether you’re a born and raised local or a Gateway first-timer, you’re guaranteed to learn something new and frightening that will keep you up at night clutching the covers. 

Discover gut-wrenching terror as you walk through Serra Sculpture Park and try to avoid making eye contact with the apparitions and ghosts of former residents whose lost souls will try to pierce through yours. Throughout St. Louis’ unique architecture and iconic buildings lies a dark horrifying past that will be revealed at each haunted stop along the bone-chilling ghost tour. Experience the ghosts of St. Louis’ past as you share its darkened streets with both the living and the dead.

Uncover the Darker SideSt. Louis’  to See a Destination From a New Perspective

Local expert guides will take you through multiple hand-picked and deeply researched sites of authentic tragic hauntings that are plucked straight from the darkest parts of America’s history books, beginning with the Stifle Theater. As you walk the dark streets traversed by former killers, victims, and outlaws, be prepared for the horrid stories of shocking deaths and the ghosts that remain in their wake, still haunting the city and stalking residents nightly. These thought-provoking accounts of unexplained phenomena will shock even the bravest visitors and shed light into St. Louis’ unbelievably dark and bloody past. 

Be Part of a Growing Community

Whether you’re a born and raised local or a Gateway first-timer, you’re guaranteed to learn something new and frightening that will keep you up at night clutching the covers. This thrilling tour is the perfect blend of real dark history, grisly entertainment, and hair-raising fear. Get ready to experience Ghosts of St. Louis’ past as you walk the streets among the living and the dead.

* This is a walking tour and we do not enter privately-owned buildings or private property *

Preview The Most Haunted Locations In St. Louis

6 reasons to book the st. louis ghost tour:, you’re looking for a different night-time experience..

St. Louis Ghosts will give you an experience you’ve never had before! Late at night, when most attractions close down, our tours are just getting started. Though walks around the city are common, these tours will bring light to some of St. Louis’ darkest moments in time.

You’re interested in a different way to learn about a city’s History.

Though St. Louis has some of the best museums, this walking tour will give you an interactive and informational experience you’ll be sure to remember! Our tours perfectly complement history and entertainment. Each site is deeply researched, and our guides exquisitely recount the events of real hauntings.

It’s date night, and you’re out of fun, new ideas.

This Ghost Tour is better than any scary movie you go to just to wait for a pretty girl to collapse in terror on her brave man’s shoulder. With a whole hour to walk hand-in-hand, this tour is the perfect date night for any couple wanting something different, exciting, fun, and more than frightening!

You’re intrigued by ghosts and you want to learn more.

Maybe you believe in ghosts, or maybe you don’t. Regardless, you ended up here… and you’re intrigued. This tour isn’t designed to transform you into a serious ghost hunter, but we will share fascinating and authentic stories about St. Louis’ gruesome past. The curiosity will only intensify as you walk through the haunted streets on a dark, deserted night with only your friends and the echoes of ghosts before you. 

You’ve had enough booze and want some real boos.

While St. Louis’ Brewery scene is impressive, it’s good to take a breather! Enjoy an evening of St. Louis’ finest food and beverage before indulging in something a bit more unnerving. Our Ghost Tours are sure to leave you full of frightening facts you won’t forget! (Then you can impress your friends over the next round of beers)

You’re Showing St. Louis off to your friends

It’s fun to play tour guide to friends and family, but sometimes you want a break. We’re happy to take over. There’s no better way to experience a city than to walk the streets while being informed by our expert guides. There are plenty of attractions in St. Louis, but this one-of-a-kind tour will be fun and exciting for everyone. They’ll definitely be sure to remember their visit!

Further Reading

The Exorcist House

A demon lives in this house. Or at least one did in 1973 when the movie the Exorcist was filmed in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington.

A tour we think you'll love

The Exorcist was a huge hit. Not so much a horror story as a theological thriller. But when we look at the house where the exterior scenes were shot, it’s nowhere near the famous stairs the main character fell down. So, the crew built an extension of the house so the bedroom window would be within easy leaping distance for the soon-to-be late priest, Fr. Karris.

The house has changed a bit since filming. A solid fence keeps the curious away. And the lamp post that was in the movie poster is gone. If it was ever here at all, it could have been placed there just for the movie.

The house is worth almost $4 million, so you’d have to work for the devil to afford it. Which in Washington is more common than you’d think.

Above It All - Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece. Perched on a hill overlooking the city it is the second largest cathedral in the country and the 6th largest in the world. It is a living work of art filled with stained-glass, hand-carved wood, and wrought iron. While a modern structure (finished in 1990) it is constructed in the old-world way and has no structural steel.

Hidden on Capitol Hill

Few people think beyond the Capitol when they think of the Hill. This tour takes you to the heart of a neighborhood with a fascinating history that still speaks to us today. Learn about these famous locations from a former Capitol Hill resident.

Embassy Row: Divinity & Diplomats

Most Embassy Row tours don’t venture far beyond Dupont Circle. But ours does. We see it all from top to bottom. This stretch of Massachusetts Avenue used to be called Millionaires Row where Gilded Age robber-barons built grand mansions. Today those mansions house most of Washington’s embassies, along with private clubs and statues of world heroes such as Mandela, Gandhi, and Churchill – and we will be right in the heart of it.

The Spirit of St. Louis: Exorcist Sites in the Lou

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St. Louis, home of The Exorcist

Owen Belt '23 , Editor October 14, 2022

That’s right, it’s that time of the year again. Spooky season is back. Filling the empty void between summer and Christmas, Halloween is a time full of cheesy horror flicks, weird-tasting legumes, and awkward costumes. Some cities across the United States are brimming with tales of the supernatural, but the “Gateway to the West” we know and love doesn’t receive the same spotlight. What if I told you that one of the greatest horror movies of all time was based on a story from right here in St. Louis? The story that inspired the 1973 film, The Exorcist , took place less than 20 minutes from Priory. For the residents of the cozy, colonial Bel-Nor neighborhood, a brush with the paranormal would stake its claim in St. Louis history.

The legend began with a sick 13-year-old boy who moved to the city of St. Louis in 1949. After coming to the conclusion that the boy was possessed, local Jesuit priests prepared for an exorcism. When they arrived at his house, the boy was shaking uncontrollably and would violently lash out at the mention of Scripture, with welts and scratches inexplicably appearing across his body. This grueling battle lasted for a month, with the rituals often taking up entire nights. Most of the priests involved with the case kept quiet about the details of the exorcism. Fr. Walter Halloran, a 27-year-old history student at Saint Louis University, provided the most information to the public, recalling a time when the boy broke free from his grasp and broke his nose. Another priest, Fr. Raymond Bishop, documented the exorcism in his diary, which would eventually become the main source of inspiration for The Exorcist . 

Sadly, much of the legend is a myth. Even though The Exorcist house became a popular destination for thrill seekers and squatters, the possession largely took place outside of the house. If it wasn’t obvious already, the events that take place in the movie are far from the truth. Even the actual exorcism is shrouded in controversy, some doubting that the boy was ever possessed. Many residents of the Bel Nor neighborhood believe the house stands as a portal to the other side while others quickly write off the rumors. Regardless of whether the events that inspired The Exorcist actually took place, a small, quaint cottage not too far from you has cemented itself in the history of St. Louis and the supernatural.

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SLU Legends and Lore: The 1949 St. Louis Exorcism

They say the truth is stranger than fiction. In the case of the classic horror film,  The Exorcist , the real-life events that inspired it are strange indeed, and those who lived them are intimately tied to the history of Saint Louis University.

Jesuits stationed at St. Francis Xavier College Church and Saint Louis University were deeply involved in the incident that inspired the 1973 horror classic,  The Exorcist .

An Ordinary Family Experiences a Loss

The incident that inspired both the 1971 novel and 1973 film,  The Exorcist , took place in 1949, and centered around a teenage boy who has never been formally identified. Called "Robbie," among other pseudonyms, the boy and his family lived near Washington, D.C., and had close family ties to the St. Louis area.

"Aunt Tillie," one St. Louis family member, was especially close to Robbie. Interested in Spiritualism and the occult, some reports claim she introduced Robbie to the Ouija board, a game conceived of during the late 19th Century when Spiritualism had become a world-wide new religious phenomenon. 

Following Aunt Tillie's death, in his grief, the teen allegedly tried to contact her spirit using the Ouija board. And strange things began to happen in Robbie's house.

Strange and Stranger Things

• On Jan. 15, 1949, Robbie and other family members heard what sounded like water dripping in their home. Despite checking the whole house, the family found no leak.
• The family began to hear other sounds - scratching like claws scraping wood. Brushing the noises off as mice or squirrels, the family called in pest control. Despite removing part of the home's floor and a piece of a wall, the exterminators found no pests.
• New noises began to bedevil the household, growing more intense in Robbie's room. The family heard squeaking shoes. Then footsteps.
• During one episode, the boy and his grandmother saw a picture of Jesus Christ hanging on a wall begin to shake.
• Robbie's mattress began shaking and the bed's covers flew out from beneath the mattress.
• At school, the boy's desk began sliding into aisles, banging into the desks of other students.
• Coat hangers, books, and fruit flew across rooms to land near the boy.
• Other furniture and items began to fly across rooms, smashing into walls.
• Robbie, his mother and grandmother felt a claw-like sensation running along the underside of his mattress.
• During an early visit from a local priest, Robbie began to speak in a Latin, a language the boy had not studied.
• Eventually, scratches appeared on the boy's arms, legs and chest, sometimes forming letters but not recognizable words until the events of the exorcism in March and April 1949.

Seeking Help on All Fronts

Increasingly concerned, Robbie's parents took him to see a medical doctor, a psychologist and a psychiatrist. The family also turned to a local Lutheran minister, Rev. Luther Miles Schulze, who agreed to observe their son. 

Schulze also saw the boy's bed shake, dishes fly through the air and furniture move of its own accord. Even after inviting Robbie to stay at his own home, the bizarre events continued and escalated. 

At a loss, the minister suggested that Robbie's parents turn to the Catholic Church for help. The family approached a local Catholic parish, St. James, for help. The church's assistant pastor, Rev. E. Albert Hughes, prayed with the family and offered holy water and blessed candles for use in their home if the events began again.

While Robbie's mother attempted to use the blessed items as instructed, the holy water flew across the room one evening, smashing. The candles either blew out on their own or the flame shot up dangerously.

One source indicates that Hughes visited the home.  Sources claims Hughes was so shaken by the visit that he reached out to Patrick O'Boyle, the archbishop of Washington, D.C.

While a debate continues about whether Hughes attempted to perform the rite of Exorcism - a sacred and rare Catholic ritual - between February and March 1949, it appears Robbie underwent psychological and physical testing at the Georgetown University Hospital. When the tests failed to turn up any ailments, the boy was sent home. 

Robbie's mother, convinced that an answer might lie with Aunt Tillie, took the boy to St. Louis where they stayed with relatives in Bel Nor, a northern suburb. The bizarre happenings followed them to Missouri.

St. Francis Xavier College Church, where William Bowdern, S.J., was pastor when the events of the Exorcism occurred. 

SLU's Jesuits Step In to Aid a Child in Crisis

After Robbie and his mother arrived in St. Louis, on March 9, 1949, Raymond Bishop, S.J., a Jesuit teaching at SLU's Department (now School) of Education, visited the family.

One of Robbie's cousins, a University student, had informed Bishop about the strange events. The young priest, acting on the advice of fellow faculty member, Laurence Kenny, S.J., and SLU President Paul Reinert, S.J., met with the boy after blessing the home. Robbie's bed was shaking when they met but the shaking stopped when the priest sprinkled holy water to make the sign of the cross.

Returning to SLU, Bishop sought out William Bowdern, S.J., pastor of St. Francis Xavier College Church, SLU's spiritual home. The 52 year-old Bowdern, a World War II veteran with extensive teaching and pastoral experience, visited Robbie two days later. During the visit, Robbie suffered long scratches in the shape of a cross and objects including holy water flew across rooms. 

The strange events continued and escalated. 

Bowdern and Bishop sought permission from St. Louis Archbishop Joseph Ritter to perform the formal Rite of Exorcism. Ritter agreed.

The Exorcism

According to the diary kept by Bishop, after Ritter authorized the Exorcism, he and Bowdern, the lead exorcist, visited Robbie in Bel Nor nightly throughout the rest of March and into April 1949. Other Jesuits and Scholastics including Walter Halloran, William Van Roo, S.J., John O'Flaherty, S.J., and Joseph Boland, S.J., also assisted during the month's rites.

As the priests prayed, Robbie's reactions became extreme. Writing in his diary on March 18, 1949, Bishop noted,

"The prayers of the exorcism were continued and R was seized violently so he began to struggle with his pillow and the bed clothing. The arms, legs, and head of R had to be held by three men. The contortions revealed physical strength beyond natural power. R spit at the faces of those who held him and at those who prayed over him. He spit at the relics and at the priests' hands. He writhed under the sprinkling of Holy Water. He fought and screamed in a diabolical, high-pitched voice."

During one evening session, Bishop reported that a picture of the devil appeared on the boy's leg. On another, the word, "HELL," manifested on his chest. The boy punched Halloran in the face, breaking his nose and resisted the rite through cursing, speaking in tongues and by other physical means.

The process moved from the Bel Nor house to other locations in St. Louis including the rectory of College Church, Alexian Brothers Hospital and Jesuits' White House Retreat Center.

Changing locations did not alleviate the boy's torment. While making the Stations of the Cross outdoors at the retreat center, Robbie attempted to jump off a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Halloran managed to tackle him before the boy jumped off the cliff.

The Struggle for a Soul Reaches Its End

On Easter Monday, April 18, 1949, Robbie awoke in a fit at the Alexian Brothers Hospital. Bowdern continued the rite of exorcism, placing holy items in the boy's hands and around his neck. According to Bishop's diary, the exorcist then demanded to know the name of the demon possessing Robbie. The Jesuit demanded the demon leave the boy in peace.

The fit continued. According to Bishop, the demon mocked Bowdern, saying,

"He has to say one more word, one little word, I mean one BIG word. He'll never say it. I am always in him. I may not have much power always, but I am in him. He will never say that word."

Bowdern and the priests assisting him persisted. Shortly before midnight, the priests heard a different male voice come from Robbie, Bishop's diary noted. 

"Satan! Satan! I am St. Michael, and I command you Satan, and the other evil spirits to leave the body in the name of Dominus, immediately. Now! NOW! NOW!"

Moments later, Robbie woke up. The boy told the priests, "He's gone," telling them that he had a dream that St. Michael the Archangel had battled the Devil and demons to free him. 

Other reports claimed a loud noise like a gunshot sounded and could be heard coming from the part of the hospital where Robbie had been staying.

After the Exorcism

The Archdiocese of St. Louis received a formal report on the Exorcism, closing the matter formally. Neither the archdiocese or the Missouri Province of the Society of Jesus spoke publicly about the events, to protect Robbie's identity and because the matter was finished from an ecclesiastical standpoint.

In August 1949, Schulze spoke about the events in public, and several news outlets, including the  Washington Post , wrote stories. A small item appeared in the  The Catholic Review , an article that became the basis of a novel by Georgetown University alumnus William Peter Blatty.

Blatty would change key facts about the Exorcism in the book, as did the 1973 film version of  The Exorcist.  The film, starring Max von Sydow and Linda Blair, went on to earn two Oscars and became one of the highest grossing films of all time. 

What Happened to the People Involved?

• After the Exorcism, Robbie and his family returned home, and the boy sent Bowdern a letter to update him on his condition.
• He grew up to marry, start a family and to have a successful career. Reports suggest that he has never spoken about the events of the exorcist or been troubled by anything similar to it in more than 70 years.
•  Bowdern continued his ministry as a Jesuit until his death in 1983. 
• Raymond Bishop, S.J., would go on to leave SLU to teach at Creighton University, where he served on the faculty for more than 20 years. His diary is said to be the basis for many of the later books and films about the events.
• University President Paul Reinert, S.J., who advised Bishop to visit Robbie, led SLU as its president until 1974. He then served as University chancellor until 1991 and as chancellor emeritus until his death in 2001. Reinert is lauded today as a visionary leader in the University's 200-year history. Buildings, professorships, scholarships and other memorials, including a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame honor his legacy as an academic and leader in Catholic education.
• In a 1952 article in the  Archive , SLU's yearbook, students lauded Laurence Kenny, S.J., as "elder statesman of the institution's faculty." Serving almost 50 years on SLU's faculty, Kenny was also the University's first registrar and is thought to have been among the first men ordained to the priesthood at St. Francis Xavier College Church. After the Exorcism, Kenny appears to have spent his time teaching and mentoring students.
• Walter Halloran, S.J., went on to earn two Bronze Stars in the Vietnam War as a chaplain. He would also work in SLU's Department of Campus Ministry and in the Office of Alumni Relations, in addition to teaching at Jesuit high schools including Saint Louis University High School.
• The other Jesuits involved in the case also continued their ministries.

After  200 years , there are many legends and untold tales hiding in the nooks and crannies of Saint Louis University. Delve into the myths, fables, fantastic lives, moments and surprises you will find in its story with  “SLU Legends and Lore.”

Story based on the "SLU Legends and Lore" Bicentennial Series by John Waide, University archivist emeritus. Text and photos by Amelia Flood, University Marketing and Communications. Additional photos courtesy of the Saint Louis University Archives.

To learn more about the 1949 Exorcism, read "Exorcism Exposé,"  by Amy Garland, a 2014 in-depth look at the incident published in  Universitas.

24 Most Haunted Places in MO (Ghosts Missouri)

Last updated on February 2nd, 2024 at 08:52 am.

Ghosts and paranormal stories in Missouri are legendary. They come from the many historic places, civil war battlegrounds, haunted hotels, and many of the caves in the Show-Me state. Ready to explore ghosts Missouri style and learn about ghostly sightings, the oldest prison west of the Mississippi and more? Keep reading to learn about the 24 most haunted places in Missouri!

Ready to find some of Missouri’s most unusual residents? Ready to explore the otherworldly side of Missouri?

Disclosure:  Before you travel, please check what’s open and be sure to follow all local guidelines to keep yourself and others safe! Please know that ads are how we pay our bills and keep our blog free for you to enjoy. We also use affiliate links; if you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

The state of Missouri is known to have an enormous amount of paranormal activity and ghostly sightings. Missouri is filled with historic places, haunted hotels , and the oldest prison west of the Mississippi River.

The history of hauntings in Missouri includes the St. Louis home that the book and movie The Exorcist was based on and the Lemp Mansion, which is considered one of the ten most haunted locations in America.

You can simply type into Google, “haunted houses open near me” or “haunted locations in Missouri” or even better, scroll through our list of Missouri’s most haunted places.

Table of Contents

Ghosts Missouri …. a History

Jason Offutt, author of Haunted Missouri: A Ghostly Guide to the Show-Me State’s Most Spirited Spots , said he doesn’t call himself a ghost hunter but loves ghost stories and the paranormal as long as they’re happening to somebody else during a lecture he gave.

Jason is also a journalism instructor at Northwest Missouri State University and syndicated humor and paranormal columnist, who has done extensive research on ghosts and hauntings in Missouri and written the definitive travel guide to haunted Missouri .

Missouri is home to over 6 million people, as well as the many ghosts that linger in its haunted places. The state has a glorious history that has left some hauntings in its wake. In fact, there has been quite a lot of battles and bloodshed in Missouri.

Often called the ‘Gateway to the West,’ Missouri was home to Jesse James and his gang of outlaws and train robbers and the bushwhackers Bloody Bil’ Anderson and Sam Hilderbrand.

During the Civil War , thousands of battles were fought here because the state was bitterly divided between supporters of the Union vs. Confederate. All that death has no doubt attracted some spirits of the hereafter and more.

Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that Missouri’s cemeteries are the stuff of legend, and they are renowned worldwide for their famous graves and poignant locations.

So if you want an offbeat adventure, let’s go ghost hunting in Missouri.

24 Famous Haunted Places In Missouri

Ready to feel the chills up your spine and the hair at the back of your neck stand up? What about feeling an unfamiliar brush against your arm as you explore strange places in the dead of the night? Or hear a whisper, but nothing’s really there?

Get ready to experience all that and more when visiting these Missouri haunted places:

Lemp Mansion in St. Louis

The Lemp Mansion is said to be one of the ten most haunted locations in America. The Travel Channel has included the Lemp Mansion on its list of the most terrifying places in America .

Initially owned by Johann Adam Lemp, the mansion symbolized wealth and power when he built St. Louis’ first beer dynasty.

Lemp started with a small brewery in 1840, close to where the Gateway Arch stands today. By 1879, it was one of the most successful businesses in the area and ruled the St. Louis beer market.

Eventually, the business was passed down to William Lemp, who lost his son and a close friend to a fatal illness. As William’s physical and mental health decayed, he shot and killed himself on the morning of Feb. 13, 1904, in his second-floor bedroom. Thus began a series of events that brought tragedy after tragedy to the family name.

William’s son Charles also died by suicide. Charles had an illegitimate son who was rumored to have Down Syndrome and was kept hidden in the mansion. The boy also ended up shooting himself – marking the 3rd suicide in the family.

The ghosts of the troubled family are thought to inhabit the place, haunting it night and day.

The house is said to be haunted by several members of the Lemp family, there are three areas of the old mansion that have the most activity — the stairway, the attic, and what the staff refers to as, the “Gates of Hell” in the basement.

The attic is said to be haunted by William, Jr’s illegitimate son, referred to only as the “Monkey Face Boy.” This poor soul, born with Down’s Syndrome, spent his entire life locked in the attic of the Lemp Mansion.

The restaurant has been reported apparitions appear and then quickly vanish, unexplained voices and strange noises come from nowhere, and glasses will often lift off the bar flying through the air by themselves.

Address : 3322 Demenil Pl in St. Louis

Lemp Haunted Neighborhood Ghost Tour

Embark on a mysterious journey through the hauntingly intriguing Lemp neighborhood, where the paranormal investigator regales you with tales of the cursed Lemp family. Along the way, you’ll make eerie stops at the Lemp Mansion and venture into the eerie basements of three Lemp Brewery locations. The nighttime tour ensures that you experience all the spine-tingling spookiness for an added layer of thrill to your adventure.

The Exorcist House in Bel-Nor

The Exorcist House is considered one of the most haunted places in the world. History.com lists it as one of the six horror movies based on true stories .

In March of 1949, a cadre of Jesuit priests from St. Louis University commenced the exorcism of a 14-year old boy. They prayed over him, did their best to cast out the demon they believed posses him, and saw things they could never explain.

This story became the inspiration for a 1971 novel and a 1973 film; both called The Exorcist .

The ‘real-life’ exorcism lasted two months – starting at the private home of the boy’s family. This is where they had witnessed tables flipping over and hangers flying out of closets when the entity was enraged.

The 3-bedroom colonial house in a charming neighborhood doesn’t look all that sinister when you first enter it. But there is no discounting for the fact that Satan himself slept here. The property is still tainted with tragedy because it can’t hold onto an owner for too long, and visitors also talk of feeling an unearthly presence that doesn’t want them around if they stay too long.

Many ghost hunters have visited the house and it’s currently open for tours with Haunted Journeys

Address : 8435 Roanoke Dr, Bel-Nor

Zombie Road in Wildwood

This is a rather innocent-looking 2.3-mile section of old railroad tracks on Rock Hollow Trail in Wildwood. But go down the road, and you might spot some of the shadow people who watch over it.

Legend has it that it is one of the largest American Indian mound sites and was used by the Union Army during the Civil War.

So it’s no wonder that folks say they’ve seen specters of confederate soldiers, Native Americans, and even lost schoolchildren around the trail. Many people have spotted the ghosts of quarry workers maimed by machinery, casually walking here.

One of the most eerie stories about Zombie Road:

The story goes that a man escaped from the nearby mental hospital and disappeared nearby. Later, they could only find his blood-soaked clothes to identify him.

Address : Al-Foster trail, near the intersection of Highway 109 and Old State Road.

Ravenswood Mansion in Bunceton

Ravenswood Mansion was built in 1880 for a wealthy couple, Nadine and Charles Leonard. They lived a comfortable life here until Nadine died at the age of 90.

However, legend says that Nadine’s spirit never left the premises. In fact, once, her family servant tried to enter the room to gather Nadine’s clothing but found the door locked from inside. So scared of what she might do to anyone who impeded on her solitude, they left the mansion to Nadine’s ghost, and the family retreated to a few rooms at the back of the house.  

The Ravenswood Mansion is still haunted with many unexplainable events including lights on the property that turn on and off on their own, and doors that swing open and slam shut by themselves. In addition, old orchestra music can sometimes be heard at the premises.

Make sure to be very respectful when visiting this haunted mansion; you don’t want to make Nadine mad!

Address : Ravenswood Farm, Main House, Rural Route 1, Bunceton, Cooper County, MO

Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City

The Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City was once the largest prison in the United States, housing 5,200 inmates at its peak. But it wasn’t a safe space for anyone during its time as a prison. In fact, they called it the bloodiest 47 acres in America because of its history of escape attempts, riots, suicides, and of course, death row.

The prison was closed in 2004 and today it’s considered one of the most haunted sites in Missouri. You can tour the dungeon cells, but the place is so spooky that anyone visiting must sign a waiver of liability. They also go so far as to caution anyone with asthma and heart conditions to consider their visit.

Better not split up with the tour group because visitors hear voices, see humanlike shapes and figures, and even witness full apparitions.

The Tennessee Wraith Chasers from the Travel Channel have declared the Missouri State Penitentiary as one of the oldest and most haunted prisons in the Midwest.

Address : 115 Lafayette Street, Jefferson City

Jesse James House & Farm in Kearney

The Jesse James Farm and Museum is located in Kearney, which is just under an hour from Kansas City.

This farm is where the infamous outlaw Jesse James and his brother Frank James grew up and it is said to be haunted. James’ parents moved to the farm in 1842. Jesse and Frank created the James Gang and are famous for robbing banks and trains in the West from 1860 to 1882.

After Jesse was murdered in 1882, he was brought to the farm and buried in the side yard. His remains were later moved to Mount Olivet Cemetery.

The farm is also the site of the raid on the family by the Pinkertons where one of the other James brothers was killed and the mother Zerelda lost her arm. Union Militia also strung up Zerelda’s husband and tried to burn their home on the farm.

Witnesses have claimed to see unexplained lights in the farmhouse even though it has been locked for years.

Many people have reported other mysterious things here like hearing doors slamming, horse hooves stomping, whispering conversations and movements are seen in the building but never recorded on security cameras.

Address : 21216 Jesse James Farm Road, Kearney

Thespian Hall – Boonville

The history of Thespian Hall dates back to 1838 when sixty leading citizens of Boonville founded an all-male dramatic group called “The Thespian Society.” This unique group soon became the talk of the town, and everyone in the community supported it wholeheartedly.

In 1855,  they built the Thespian Hall as “a monument to the liberality and good taste of our citizen”. It took two years to complete the 4-story Greek revival building. With its libraries, 18 ft. tall ceilings, and an expansive basement, plenty of its dark corners were inevitably haunted.

Today, it’s the oldest theater still in use west of the Alleghenies, was placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

Often a gray-haired female spirit is seen wandering Thespian Hall – and she has been captured in photos. Other puzzling events on-site include sudden outbursts of ragtime music and moving wig stands.

Group tours of Thespian Hall are available by appointment and cost $5. Call 660-882-7977.

Address : 522 Main Street Boonville, MO 65233

Pythian Castle in Springfield

Website : https://pythiancastle.com/

Pythian Castle was built in 1911-1913 by a fraternal organization called the Knights of Pythias. It initially served as a space for widows and orphans but was later bought by the army. Then, the military made it an O’Reilly Service Club for enlisted men. At the same time, the guardhouse had prisoner cells.

Later on, the building became a part of Veteran’s administration 500 bed Tubercular hospital. Eventually, it was sold off. But its rich history continues to follow it.

The castle is home to spirits that are often seen wandering the ballroom and the basement.

Pythian Castle is open for history tours, haunted tours, and ghost investigations.

Address: 1451 E Pythian Street, Springfield.

Night Ghost Tour of Pythian Castle

Explore Springfield’s haunted Pythian Castle on a 1.5-hour evening ghost tour. Uncover the castle’s Gothic mysteries, visit reputedly haunted spots, and hear century-long history along with chilling spectral stories. In this small-group, family-friendly tour limited to 15, you might even encounter restless spirits, creating a truly eerie atmosphere.

Beattie Mansion in St Joseph

When the Beattie Mansion was built in 1854, it belonged to Armstrong and Eliza Beattie. But in 1895, it became a memorial home for the elderly. In later years, it also served as a group home and refuge to the city’s mentally ill and substance abuse addicts.

News Press Now reported that, local psychic Mary Ann Podrasky believes with the mansion’s history of housing distressed souls, some of the spirit and misery of those displaced and unwanted people is left inside the structure today, manifesting in strange occurrences and events.

So if you visit the site, don’t be surprised if you hear disembodied voices, a lady humming, and observe shadowy figures.

To schedule a visit to the Beattie Mansion or for general questions, e-mail [email protected] .

Address : Building1120, Main Street, St. Joseph, MO

Elms Hotel And Spa in Excelsior Springs

The Elms Hotel and Spa has burnt down twice. The first fire was in 1898 and the second in 1910. Both times the building was reconstructed, but in the process, it became home to some unwanted guests who don’t plan to leave anytime soon.

At one point, the Elms became known as a famous speakeasy. This is because many gangsters, including Al Capone, were attracted to it. They conducted drinking and gambling parties, which sometimes led to violent brawls.

Today, the victims of violence still haunt the building. For example, a spirit said to be a man killed by a mob gangster roams the halls.

This is one of the best ghost adventures in Missouri as the hotel offers paranormal tours throughout the year.

Address: 401 Regent Street, Excelsior Springs, MO

Check out reviews of the Elms Hotel on TripAdvisor and our favorite site to find the lowest hotel prices is Hotels.com .

Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City

Located on Madison Street in Jefferson City, the Governor’s Mansion was built in 1871, and was once the official residence of Missouri’s governors.

The mansion’s history is connected to Missouri State Penitentiary because most of the building’s construction was done by inmates.

The paranormal activity in the area can be traced back to the Crittenden family. During Thomas Crittenden’s time as a governor from 1881 to 1885, there was a diphtheria outbreak.

The spread of the disease took the life of his nine-year-old daughter, Carrie. And now, her ghost is said to occupy the house.

Address : 100 Madison Street, Jefferson City

Rivercene Mansion in New Franklin

Rivercene Mansion dates back to 1869 when it was built by riverboat captain, Joseph Kinney. But the death of his son, Noble Kinney, leaves the building with a scarring memory.

Noble Kinney died by falling over the second-floor balcony and landing on the 8 th and 9 th steps of the main staircase. Moreover, why he fell remains a mystery. What’s even more surprising is the occurrence of strange events every time people enter the boy’s room. These included the shower turning on and off and temperatures going from one extreme to another.

Today Rivercene Mansion is a 9-bedroom Bed and Breakfast.

Even today, the mansion remains a spooky sight where people witness cold spots and eerie sensations.

Address : 127 County Road 463 65274 New Franklin USA

Stephens College in Columbia

Founded in 1833, Stephens College is the second oldest female college in the United States, and is rumored to have many ghosts.

Locals say the Pillsbury dorm hall is haunted by three women named the Blue Ladies. Additionally, these ghosts are thought to sing to students at night.

Searcy Hall has also witnessed the cries of a newborn spirit – a baby left behind a the locker by a student. Furthermore, there is a ghost known as Sarah, who was the lover of a civil war soldier, who is said to lurk around the campus.

Address : 1200 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO

Vaile Mansion – Independence

The ghostly tales of the Vaile Mansion start with its owner, Colonel Harvey Vaile.

He was charged with defrauding the government twice but was declared not guilty both times. Then, in 1883, his wife Sophia was found dead at home with a morphine overdose. Previously, she had been diagnosed with stomach cancer, but her suicide still left many shocked.

Now, people report spotting a ghost that resembles Sophia Vaile. It looks out of the windows and spends time on the floor she died.

The Vaile Manion tour is both a history tour as well as a glimpse into the living in Missouri in the 1880’s and also the why this victorian home is so important.

Address : 1500 N. Liberty St. Independence, MO 64050

1859 Jail, Marshal’s Home & Museum in Independence

Also located in Independence is the Jackson County Jail and Marshal’s House .

Famous outlaw William Clark Quantrill, as well as Frank James of the James Gang (Jesse James’ older brother), were housed at the 1859 Jail

The former Jackson County jail was built in 1859 and included 12 cells as well as the home for the marshall and his family. Military and civilian inmates were held at the jail.

An Independence paranormal investigation group have reported that some visitors claimed to feeling chilled or nauseated in certain areas of the jail. Others report hearing footsteps and voices.

Find out for yourself on a self guided tour!

Location : 217 N Main St., Independence, MO 64050

Belvoir Winery in Liberty

As a prior home to orphans, widows, and the elderly, Belvoir Winery is said to be the most haunted winery in Missouri.

The property that is now the winery has a dark and haunted past with many reports of paranormal incidents.

Several buildings on the current winery property that were once the Odd Fellows orphanage and nursing home are vacant. Several ghost hunters have visited and Fox4 KC has reported on the paranormal activity .

From child apparitions to shadowy figures, the winery is home to many ghosts. The odd feeling in the house is perpetuated by all old hospital equipment and school supplies remaining intact.

The winery is also a Bed & Breakfast and the owner has said that some guests have checked out in the middle of their stay because they are too scared to finish the night.

Address : 1325 Odd Fellows Rd, Liberty, MO

Check out reviews of the Inn at Belvoir Winery on TripAdvisor and our favorite site to find the lowest hotel prices is Hotels.com .

Oliver Anderson House in Lexington

Built in 1853 on what is now Delaware Street, Oliver Anderson House ‘s paranormal activity stems from its role in the Civil War.

When the Civil War was brought to Lexington, it led to the battle of Lexington. During the battle itself, the house changed hands thrice.

Anderson – a strong advocate of slavery – was evicted by the Federal troops. The house was then used as a hospital.

Despite that, it was not free of violent skirmishes. The damage from cannon shots and rifles are apparent in various parts of the house. For example, a ceiling hole remains to this day, marking the cannonball shot at the house.

So, the ghostly presence in house number 1101 belongs to the Civil War participants – both the soldiers and the rebels.

Address : 1101 Delaware Street, Lexington, MO

Park University in Parkville

Park University is our 2nd haunted college to make the Ghosts Missouri list! When the college opened in 1875, the initial concept for this university was for students to receive free tuition in return for working half a day in the college’s farm or printing plant.

However, the agreement did not sustain long-term. In the meantime, the area witnessed two violent wars – the Civil War and World War II.

During the latter, two female students hung themselves in the Herr house on campus. And people believe their ghosts still linger because there have been reports of hushed voices being heard. Moreover, students report hearing phantom footsteps coming from empty rooms.

In addition, people on campus recalled seeing a hooded figure, spirits in the astronomy tower, and a gray-suited figure on campus.

Address : 8700 N.W. River Park Dr., Parkville, MO

Morse Mill Hotel in Hillsboro

The Morse Mill Hotel is a pre-civil war hotel and was a popular getaway during the 1920’s and 30’s for many famous and infamous guests including actress Clara Bow, actor Charlie Chaplin, pilot Charles Lindbergh, gangster Al Capone and outlaws Frank and Jesse James.

It is also said that Bertha Gifford, the first known female serial murderer also stayed at the Morse Mill Hotel.

The place bears marks of the Civil War; some people even believe that the hotel might have helped the rebels return to Hillsboro.

The hotel has been a brothel, murder site, and a native American burial site and a Confederate soldier burial ground. Still, most of the spirits seen are said to belong to tortured souls of slaves.

In fact, the slave dungeon under the hotel is where the widely known spirit of Edward resides. Want to learn more about the many ghosts including Edward that call the Morse Mill Hotel home? Book a night if you dare!

Address : 8850 Morse Mill Spur Road Dittmer, MO

Phelps Grove Park in Springfield

Phelps Grove Park is over 100 years old and contains remnants of the Civil War. However, it was only in 1914 that it became both a park and a neighborhood. Despite it being a lively area, an eerie trail haunts its past and many ghost stories are told about the area.

To this day, the park is haunted by the bride who died on her wedding day. While she and her husband drove the car through the park, a crash led to their demise.

Since then, people recall seeing the faint ghost of the bride in a white wedding gown and a lacy veil. Although no one has seen the groom’s spirit, but who knows, maybe it’s also lurking around the park.

Address : 950 E Bennett St, Springfield, MO

Springfield National Cemetery In Springfield

Since Springfield National Cemetery was an area near where several wars took place, it’s no surprise that this place is haunted.

Located at E. Seminole Street, the cemetery is a resting place for the bodies of many dead soldiers.

It was initially created to be a burial space for Union soldiers who died in a battle near Springfield. But now, the cemetery also carries the remains of other war veterans. For example, soldiers from the Revolutionary War, Spanish-American War, and World War II are buried here.

As a result, people who visit the cemetery see apparitions, foggy sites, and walking shadowy figures. In addition, orbs and glowing gravestones have been reported and photographed here.  

Address : 1702 E. Seminole St., Springfield, Missouri

Union Station in Kansas City

Website : https://www.visitkc.com/business-detail/union-station-kansas-city

Built-in 1914, Union Station in Kansas City was once a hub of activity for over 200 passengers who passed through daily. But as train travel reduced, so did the station’s popularity. Eventually, it was closed in the 1980s.

In 1996, however, the station was renovated and restored as a landmark and a working train station. Even though the renovation was completed in 1999, strange sightings were reported during it.

No one knows why, but while the renovations were ongoing, employees repeatedly saw a woman in a black dress. She always went down the steps and would suddenly disappear. On top of that, people saw phantom travelers carrying suitcases. They even heard train whistles when there were no trains in sight making it one of the more haunted buildings in KCMO.

So if you’re in Kansas City, be sure to visit this historic haunted station.

Address : 30 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City

John Wornall House in Kansas City

Built in 1858, the John Wornall House briefly served as a hospital for injured soldiers during the Civil War. One of the most significant battles of the region, The Battle of Westport, broke out just a short distance from the house.

Spirits of injured soldiers are said to roam the house. Others visitors report seeing the ghost of a Union soldier standing guard inside the house. Candlelit tours allow visitors to experience the haunts for themselves.

Address : 6115 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO 64113

Glore Psychiatric Museum in St. Joseph

The Glore Psychiatric Museum , once known as the St. Joseph’s State Lunatic Asylum No. 2, not only sheds light on the history of mental health treatment but also appears to be a hub for eerie paranormal activity. Ghost hunters and paranormal investigators have been granted access to this historic site turned museum, and their experiences are nothing short of spine-chilling.

Reports include sightings of shadowy figures, eerie whispers in the corridors, and the capture of unusual electronic voice phenomena (EVP). Some have even heard the cry of what sounded like a child saying, “Help me.” Visitors have encountered inexplicable cold spots that send shivers down their spines. Even the museum staff have their own eerie tales to tell, with rocking chairs from the hospital’s past mysteriously moving or changing positions.

This museum, once an asylum, is not just a repository of history but also a place where the past seems to come alive in haunting ways, making it one of the most intriguing and haunted places in Missouri.

Address:  3406 Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, MO, 64506

Wrapping it Up

Whether it’s the spirits of the Civil War soldiers or the ones of wealthy inhabitants, Missouri has designated haunted places and many unsolved mysteries.

Spread across the entire state, these places are often on travelers’ bucket lists. While some want to see the truth behind the legends, others want to experience the eerie sights for themselves.

If you’re looking for a thrill or embarking on a Halloween adventure, these 23 places will give you the goosebumps you crave.

This is just the tip of the Ghosts Missouri iceberg.

We have a long list of additional haunted places in Missouri we want to research, visit and add to this list including; Bone Hill Cemetery in Levasy, Fort Osage, Haunted Castle House in Brumley, Wyeth Tootle Mansion in St Joseph, the town of Lone Jack, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, The Kendrick House in Carthage, Grand Avenue Bed and Breakfast in Carthage, Rockcliffe Mansion in Hannibal, Big Cedar Lodge, 1069 Salon and Spa in St. Charles, Mount Gilead School in Kearney, Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Senior Hall in Columbia, Yeater Hall at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Central Methodist University in Fayette, Workman Chapel, northeast of Maryville, Hazel Ridge Cemetery in Brunswick, Peace Church Cemetery in Joplin, Mark Twain Cave, Old Tavern Restaurant in Arrow Rock, Spook Lights in Seneca, Landers Theatre in Springfield, Marceline Cafe in Marceline, Hotel Savoy in Kansas City, Alexander Majors House in Kansas City, Bingham-Waggoner Estate in Independence, Hotel Bothwell in Sedalia, Walnut Street Inn in Springfield, and Anderson House in Lexington, Missouri

As we explore each of the above, we will update this article with more haunted & spooky Missouri location details.

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2 thoughts on “24 Most Haunted Places in MO (Ghosts Missouri)”

You provide cool history thanks!

maybe check out the Payne/Gentry house in Bridgeton, Mo. Several years ago we went on a tour of the house and the tour group was standing in the kitchen when the attic door creaked open by itself! The door leads to the slave quarters.

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See Inside the Real 'Exorcist' House Where Exorcism Will Be Filmed For Live TV

The Exorcist is the iconic movie about demonic possession and the most secret and controversial ritual of the Catholic Church .

Now, an actual exorcism is to be performed live on TV inside the very house where the real life story of The Exorcist took place.

The real-life exorcism was performed in 1949 on a 13-year-old boy, known only as Roland Doe. Now, 80 years old, he has never spoken about his ordeal. His exorcism took three harrowing months to complete and those who took part were sworn to secrecy.

INSIDE EDITION was given a tour of the home in St. Louis from where Exorcism: Live will be broadcast on the Destination America cable channel.

Read: 450-Year-Old Mexican Church Emerges From the Water

Exorcism: Live host Chris Jacobs said: "I was anxious to go in the house. I wanted to go in there and see if I felt anything. It is definitely spooky in there." 

James Long, the Archbishop of the United States Old Catholic Church and an expert in the paranormal, will take part in the exorcism.

He told INSIDE EDITION: "Tonight we are going to drive out any demonic entity that remains." 

The participants make the case that "lingering evil spirits" are centered on a staircase in the home. 

Bishop Long said: "When you walk up those stairs there is an overwhelming sense of oppression. Very, very heavy." 

Just in case, ambulances and crews of paramedics will be standing by while the live exorcism takes place.

The Catholic Archdiocese  of St. Louis is condemning the show. Bishop Robert Hermann said in a statement: "Exorcism is not entertainment. Exorcism is serious business and potentially dangerous. It can only be done with the authority of the Archbishop."

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Heard Of 'The Exorcist'? This St. Louis Event Inspired It

The mattress began to shake.  Arms and legs flailing.  For hours he fluctuated between frenzy and calm.

The following phrases describe an exorcism that took place in March and April of 1949.  A cadre of Jesuit priests affiliated with Saint Louis University, led by Father William S. Bowdern, the pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church, undertook the exorcism of a 14-year-old boy. They took turns praying over the boy, working to cast out the demon believed to have possessed him.

This real life exorcism was the inspiration for a 1971 novel called "The Exorcist" and a 1973 horror film by the same name. But the novel and film were mostly the product of William Peter Blatty's imagination, who changed the setting of the exorcism to D.C. and made the possessed child a twelve -year-old girl.

In contrast to these works of fiction, author Thomas Allen wrote a history of the St. Louis exorcism called Possessed: The True Story of an Exorcism.  Based on a meticulous 26-page diary kept by Rev. Raymond J. Bishop, the book was first published in 1993 but is now of interest to a new generation not familiar with the events.

How It Began

In January 1949, strange events at the Maryland home of the young boy took place.  Author Thomas Allen writes mysterious things began to happen when the child was present, “A coat on a hanger seemed to fly out of a closet…a Bible seemed to rise from a bookcase…one day the kitchen table tipped over.”

After some other events, an exorcism was sought for the child and a local priest agreed to perform it at Georgetown University Hospital. What happened next went terribly wrong.  After strapping the kid down and commencing the prayers of exorcism, the boy got ahold of a spring from the bed, broke it off and slashed the priest's arm from shoulder to wrist, requiring one hundred stitches.

Soon after, the boy’s family, which had strong ties to St. Louis, came to the city after finding bloody scratches on the child’s chest spelling “Louis.”

In St. Louis

In St. Louis, the exorcism, which occurred over a two month span, began in a private home.  Later, the exorcism would take place on the campus of Saint Louis University and the Alexian Brothers Hospital, in a wing that was demolished in 1978.

Thomas Allen came to St. Louis to talk about the exorcism at an event held Tuesday at Saint Louis University. While he acknowledges the strange occurrences documented by the priests, he personally remains skeptical that the child was possessed by a demon.

"I feel he was possessed by something that was inside himself," said Allen. "I don't have the faith to say devils and diabolical possession. But then you look at Father Bowdern, who day after day for weeks is saying exorcism prayers over this boy, and when Blatty writes to him and says tell me about it...Father Bowdern writes back and says I can't tell you anything about it. I'm pledged to secrecy. But I'll tell you one thing. This was the real thing."

Jesuit priests declared the exorcism a success.  The young boy, now in his seventies was married, had children and a career.  Allen preserves the anonymity of the boy by using pseudonyms in the book.

In the end, said Allen, a lot is still unknown despite the well-documented events. In 2005, the last of the priests involved in the exorcism , Rev. Walter Halloran died.

St. Louis on the Air provides discussion about issues and concerns facing the St. Louis area. The show is produced by Mary Edwards and Alex Heuer and hosted by veteran journalist Don Marsh .

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Yes, the Exorcist House in St. Louis is Real and Don’t Go There

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There is a house in St. Louis that has some of the most famous history in regards to paranormal happenings. While it is a very real place, you really should not go there and I'll explain why.

First, a brief history. The movie "The Exorcist" was based on real exorcisms (yes, plural) that took place in St. Louis, Missouri in the spring of 1949 . There is only one building that was directly involved in that series of exorcisms. It's a real home in a real neighborhood and I won't give the address here. I will share the Zillow listing that was made public for the home 4 years ago when it was on the market if you're curious though.

Rent Post shared the history of this home in their 5 Awesome Properties With Horrifying Secrets article. This was the home where some of the first exorcisms were performed before the priests moved the boy to a hospital.

True Title lists the St. Louis home as one of the 8 most haunted properties in the St. Louis area although ironically they point out there have been no evidences of real hauntings. Strange.

So, it's a real home. Why should no one go there?

I shared this home because it's real and the history it's tied to is notorious. However, it is now owned by a private citizen who I would imagine would rather paranormal sites not share the exact address because that results in people standing on the sidewalk outside or worse gawking in windows.

It's interesting to me that the home NEXT to the Exorcist house is blurred out on Google Street View , but the Exorcist house isn't. Peculiar.

I have no doubt other sources will once again share the exact address, but please respect the people's privacy and don't road trip there.

See One of the Most Secret Treehouses in Missouri You Can Stay At

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My ‘Exorcist’ Journey: A Tribute to a Classic Film and St. Louis’ Urban Legend

My ‘exorcist’ journey.

A Tribute to a Classic Film and St. Louis’ Urban Legend

“Well, like you say… as far as God goes, I am a nonbeliever. Still am. But when it comes to a devil – well, that’s something else. I could buy that. I do, in fact. I do. And it isn’t just what happened to Rags. I mean, generally.” She shrugged. “You come to God and you have to figure if there is one, then he must need a million years’ sleep every night or else he tends to get irritable. Know what I mean? He never talks. But the devil keeps advertising, Father. The devil does lots of commercials.”

 – The Exorcist, William Peter Blatty

October is upon us once again, and throughout this season a big theme you’ll find us talking about here and on the podcast is horror and urban legends that have taken place in St. Louis.

If you are from the Saint Louis area, chances are you already are familiar with the story of the famous exorcism case that inspired William Peter Blatty’s novel and the 1973 film of the same name.

If you’re Catholic and from Saint Louis, you’re even more familiar.

The Exorcist is my favorite horror film. Prior to seeing it, I was mostly into the Universal Monster classics and anything I was allowed to watch as a kid. But The Exorcist was a door opener to what horror could represent, with William Freidkin and WIlliam Peter Blaty’s sincere approach, and the bigger ideas and themes it could make us think about.

Growing up in Florissant, a predominantly Catholic area in St. Louis, I’d heard many of the stories of “The Scariest Movie Ever Made.” My parents would tell me about how horrifying it was and to stay away from it. “Don’t play with Ouija boards. Don’t play with Tarot cards. Don’t watch The Exorcist . Don’t go to the house where it happened!” It almost felt mythical, like some old relic you’re supposed to stay away from, and yet when you finally saw it, it was like a rite of passage, in so doing a tradition of carrying it on like a game of telephone or a campfire story, to be shared with the next unsuspecting watchers.”I finally saw The Exorcist!” you could tell your friends. At family gatherings you’d mostly hear adults talking about it.

My earliest memory involving the film was being at a supermarket in the 90’s with my family while on vacation. I think it was an issue of Entertainment Weekly on the newsstand with Regan on the cover in full possession mode that made my agnostic uncle SHRIEK upon looking at it, afterward telling me that it is from “the scariest movie ever made”. My mom would tell me “That’s Linda Blair.” That name became so eponymous with the film, this film I had never seen, that I would memorize the name. Linda Blair. The Exorcist.

Other than that, I became somewhat familiar with the movie through pop culture references such as the Leslie Nielsen spoof “Repossessed”, and even seeing a life like wax replica of the possessed Regan in a horror-themed area of a wax museum in Branson MO, but my first experience actually seeing footage from the film was in “The Burbs”, which shows Tom Hanks’ character flipping through TV channels and coming across the scene where the possessed Regan vomits all over Father Karras. I remember seeing that and thinking “ what is this movie?”

It being kind of a Saint Louis urban legend, even if you hadn’t seen the movie, you knew that our town was the focal point of the events, even though people in the rest of the country tend to refer to it as a Maryland case. It started there, but it culminated in St. Louis. Now it’s our big horror story, and you’d always be hearing about it, whether it be through family or when Dave Glover would periodically come to the house where the boy stayed and do his live Halloween special on the radio, and the bogus “live exorcism” at the house that was on Destination America a few years back.

In 2001 “The Version You’ve Never Seen” came out, featuring many alterations and deleted scenes added back in. My dad, funny enough, another family member on the list who said to stay away from this horrible movie and that nobody should ever watch such a thing, bought the DVD. And then he’d sell it. And then he’d purchase it again. And so on (my sister did something similar with the book – she’d buy it, get freaked out, get rid of it, then buy it again). And so during my weekend stays at my dad’s house as a kid (per post-divorce visitation guidelines), there would always be a copy of The Exorcist: The Version You’ve Never Seen. Of course, at that point, I hadn’t seen any version, and one night I got curious enough that I just had to see what this movie was all about. I remember one night I felt brave enough, waiting until he went to sleep, sneaking downstairs with his copy of the DVD and finally putting it in. To my surprise, I wasn’t quite as terrified – I was but I more intrigued and was also surprisingly moved. This wasn’t the evil, sleazy, gory, mean-spirited evil film that people had warned me about – this was about the triumph of good over evil in impossible circumstances.

I bought William Peter Blatty’s book which the film is based on and fell in love with it. When I turned 18, I bought my own copy of the DVD. The version I chose was the Version You’ve Never Seen. After reading what the original cut was lacking, at the time, I never wanted to see any other version. Of course, I eventually did and now own both but there is a fundamental moment in  TVYNS that really brought forth the theme of the film for me. There is a scene with the titular characters Father Merrin and Father Karras sitting on the stairs outside of Regan’s bedroom mid-exorcism, where the faith-broken Karras asks. “Why this girl? It doesn’t make sense.” Merrin responds “I think the point is to make us despair. To make us feel animal and ugly. To reject the possibility that God could love us.”

I would watch it often, even falling asleep listening to the audio commentary by William Friedkin as he (to many’s dismay) explains quite literally everything going on in the film, but his insight reaffirmed my own affirmations of what the film is really about.

“He takes a walk onto this promontory wherein you have the ancient confrontation of Good vs. Evil. Father Merrin representing the forces of goodness, the demon Pazuzu who has unleashed the dogs of war and chaos, and Pazuzu faces his own enemy, Father Merrin, in a symbolic face-off between good and evil.”

– William Friedkin, “The Exorcist” audio commentary

The mythological aspect of the film was something that deeply resonated with me and it was something that never occurred to me to be an element of the film. The film begins in Iraq, where Father Lancaster Merrin (Max Von Sydow) is involved with an archaeological dig site and has premonitions of the demon Pazuzu, a demon he has faced in the past. It is after this premonition that he realizes that he must face the demon once more. I loved seeing the setup in the film in such an ancient site. Furthermore, I love how Merrin is never seen again until an hour and forty-five minutes into the film, where after the approval for the Exorcism is summoned, he knows the battle must continue – and end.

“The moment is at hand where he will once again have to face his life long enemy, and will he be able to do it this time? The demon too knows that Merrin is coming, to do battle, once again, on a new battlefield, with his own enemy.”

– WIlliam Friedkin, ‘The Exorcist’ audio comm entary

Contrary to popular belief, Father Merrin is not “The Exorcist” – at least in my perspective. He exemplifies the mythological struggle of the film, but it is the character development of Karras that represents the film as a whole. Father Karras is a priest who is struck with grief over the sudden death of his mother and suffers a crisis of faith, and the first person to carry the weight on his shoulders and take on the responsibility of carrying out the exorcism, until the experienced Father Merrin is brought along – of course, in the end, Karras is the one to accomplish the task. Miller’s performance shows a man who is tormented throughout, presented with overwhelmingly paranormal evidence, but in the face of it he can’t let himself believe any of it due to the ugliness of the world. In Blatty’s book he gets deep into the thoughts of Karras, whose cynical world view challenges the notion that there could ever be a God.

The need to rend food with the teeth and then defecate. My mother’s nine First Fridays. Stinking socks. Thalidomide babies. An item in the paper about a young altar boy waiting at a bus stop; set on by strangers; sprayed with kerosene; ignited. No. Too emotional. Vague. Existential. More rooted in logic was the silence of God. In the world there was evil. And much of the evil resulted from doubt; from an honest confusion among men of good will. Would a reasonable God refuse to end it? Not reveal Himself? Not speak?

– William Peter Blatty, ‘The Exorcist

As an angsty 18 year old with mixed feelings emerging regarding religion in general, Father Karras was a hero to me. Not to mention, he was a hero in black. And as a gothy late teen, of course that was appealing to me.

“What’s interesting visually is that these two men in black – black color in a garment being sort of the symbol of evil whenever you see it on film , these two men dressed in black are the good guys – and the little innocent child is the demon.”

– William Friedkin, ‘The Exorcist’ audio commentary

I had doubts about God, I had my own notions on religion in general, and among my Father’s side of the family I was somewhat of an outcast. I didn’t go to Mass every Sunday. I didn’t even get confirmed. I still haven’t. I had such conflicting emotions living in a cynical world, that I wanted to believe but I didn’t know if I could. Everyone wants there to be a Heaven, right? Everyone wants there to be someone watching out for us.

I could relate heavily to Father Karras because I was feeling everything that he was feeling. Since I first picked up the book (it’s still my favorite book), and read everything Karras was feeling, thinking – I thought it was me.  It was cathartic. He was a character that was almost mythical in himself – a superhero in a cassock. Here was a priest who gives his life to save a little girl – and overcomes his own darkest emotions. A priest who recognizes the problems within the church. The man who invites the ancient evil to possess himself in order to save the life of an innocent.

And to a naive teen watching a priest who smoked cigarettes and boxed regularly – a cool priest.

They don’t make priests like that anymore.

I have noticed, in recent years, my parents revisit the film more often, probably thanks to me. My mother and I watch it every October.  My father has a newly rekindled interest in the exorcist and the real life exorcism case that took place here in St. Louis. After a recent look at our family history he discovered that, through marriage, we are related through marriage to the exorcist who performed the original exorcism that the film and book are based on, named Father William Bowdern. This amazed me and I felt even closer to this story than ever before. Here was the real life priest who influenced both of the great priest characters including Karras, the character I related to so much. That was crazy to me and meant a lot. We may not be related by blood, but in my mind, he’s family.

Father William S. Bowdern

The grave of Father Bowdern at Calvary Cemetery in Saint Louis, MO

The Exorcist is still terrifying, moving and a cinematic achievement. It was exactly what I needed in an existential crisis. Indeed, to this day, when existential thoughts reoccur, I often revisit this film to ease my mind.

As far as religion goes, I’m not sure exactly where I stand. I’m not angry about my upbringing, but I have been upset at the church for many things, what I deem to be the “man made rules of religion.” I still remember my last mass I ever attended willingly – during the 2016 election when a priest spoke during his homily essentially telling everyone present how to vote. I wanted none of that. I wasn’t going to be deemed a sinner for my own political beliefs. I guess you could call me a “Cafeteria Catholic” – I have belief and admiration in the rituals and prayers, but there are many of the organized aspects I disagree with. To this day I have a strange curiosity in the archaic, broken system of the church, though I’ve drawn away from the dogma and tone deaf rules that have been made. There’s a beauty in the articulation of the words of prayer – in the architecture of holy places. There’s a beauty in the feeling of spiritual presence. I am not a heavily church-going person, though there is some semblance of belief deeply rooted in my being.

If you’re not aware (though if you’re from St. Louis I’d be surprised), the story is inspired by a real life case that began in Maryland with a young boy and culminated in St. Louis.

The St. Louis Exorcism

In 1949, a young boy famously referred to as “Roland Doe”,  inhibited signs of possession.

The boy’s aunt, a St. Louis native, would visit often, spending a lot of time with her nephew. She was interested in spiritualism and ouija boards and got him interested in the subject. After her passing, he attempted to contact her, after which the family began experiencing strange phenomena.

First it was dripping sounds. Then it was sounds in the attic, and then it was scratching under the grandmother’s bed which they assumed to be rats. The floorboards were ripped open without any sign of rodents. Every night at 7 pm until after midnight, the sounds would continue, and eventually the sounds reached the young boy’s room. This time, he heard footsteps walking toward his room and eventually in it.

One night they felt what could only be described as something trying to claw its way out of the bed, eventually making the bed shake erratically.

By this point, things got even worse. Furniture would violently move across the house, and the boy would begin acting unlike himself, shouting obscenities and becoming unhinged. They decided to see a priest at their Lutheran parish and he stayed a night with the boy and his mother to see for himself. To his dismay,  he recommended they see a Catholic priest due to their experience with the subject.

A young priest met with the boy and he saw the signs right away. 

The boy began speaking languages he didn’t know, including fluent Latin. This was proof enough for Hughes and he sought approval to perform an exorcism, and admitted the boy to a Catholic hospital. He prematurely began an exorcism, and he was injured in the process after being slashed by a bed spring, suffered a nervous breakdown, and knew he couldn’t perform it again. Writing appeared on the boys chest, much like in the film, when the famous “help me” scratches show up on the little girls chest, in the real case it actually said “Louis”. They put two and two together and realized they needed to go to St. Louis.

The family packed up and left for St. Louis and they stayed at a relatives house on Roanoke Street in the neighborhood of Bel-Nor in St. Louis.

The famous “Exorcist House” in Bel-Nor, Saint Louis MO.

They met Father Raymond Bishop, an academic Jesuit who was a little skeptical of the situation. He visited the house they were staying at and witnessed the symptoms for himself. Bishop informed his friend, Father William Bowdern, a middle aged Jesuit who was a parishioner at St Louis University’s St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in St. Louis, MO

Bowdern sought approval from the archbishop and he was granted it on the condition that the case was kept confidential. 

He began the exorcism and with the most powerful prayers in the Roman Ritual, he demanded the demon be cast out, but Roland replied in a terrifying voice that he would not leave until one word was pronounced.

The exorcism was carried out across three different locations in St. Louis – the house on Roanoke Street, the rectory at St Francis Xavier church, and finally Alexian Brothers hospital, now renamed St. Alexius Hospital, where the exorcism concluded after a booming voice identifying himself as St. Michael, ordered the demon to leave in the name of Dominus (evidently the one word that would make the demon leave). 

St. Alexius Hospital, formerly Alexian Brothers, where the exorcism was completed. The wing where the boy was held has since been torn down.

For a comprehensive look at the events, I highly recommend Troy Taylor’s  book “The Devil Came to St. Louis”. Every year when it gets closer to Halloween, I take a pilgrimage to several of the events where it happened. We recommend you do the same.

A Few Thoughts On The Director’s Cut

A lot of purists consider the theatrical version of the film to be superior, and while I understand that view point, I do want to make the case for why the Director’s Cut is worth revisiting. I don’t love everything about the director’s cut – the face of Pazuzu inserted into random shots for jump scares, even the famous spider-walk isn’t quite necessary, but it is effective. However the Director’s Cut includes some of my favorite Exorcist moments.

Regan’s Doctor Visit

One thing I love about this version is it shows that Regan was brought to medical attention fairly early on – and you begin to see the earliest signs of the possession. She walks around like she is in a trance, sees her first glimpse of the demon Pazuzu, and curses at the doctor giving her a shot. It especially makes sense to have this scene reinserted because without it, when Regan is referencing her doctor’s visit in the theatrical version, it doesn’t really make sense. It just makes the possession feel less sudden.

Chris Offers Father Merrin Brandy

While Father Karras is off gathering supplies for the exorcism, Father Merrin silently prays the Rosary while Chris offers him a cup of tea with brandy, to which he replies “The doctors say I shouldn’t…but thank God my will is weak”, and he accepts. It’s a cute little human moment that shows Merrin has a sense of humor and a heart.

Regan’s Middle Name

As Merrin and Karras walk toward Regan’s room to begin the exorcism, Merrin stops and turns toward Regan’s mother and asks “What is your daughter’s middle name?” She replies “Theresa.” Merrin smiles and replies “That’s a lovely name.” I love this moment because it’s a reminder of what they are really here for – to save this little girl, and what lies beyond the bedroom door is not her. It also makes it more poignant when Merrin says her middle name during the exorcism.

The two above scenes left quite the impression on me because upon rewatching the theatrical version, its feels like Father Merrin has no interaction with the family whatsoever. He’s kind of just…there and does his job. I feel these moments are incredibly important and add a lot of heart and impress on you the stakes of the situation and who they are trying to save, while showing you also that this priest is a normal person like you and I.

Karras and Merrin On The Stairs

“Why this girl? It doesn’t make sense.”

“I think the point is to make us despair. To make us see ourselves as animal and ugly. To reject the possibility that God could love us.”

My favorite moment, as mentioned earlier, and the focus of the theme of the film. I maintain that without it, the film lacks the heart and soul and it leaves us with no message or intent. Maybe that is what people without my background prefer is to keep it vague, but it is an incredibly important moment for me.

Before Regan and her mother leave, Chris hands Karras’ friend, Father Dyer, his St. Joseph medal. Dyer holds it briefly, eventually saying “you keep it” and puts the medal back in her hands.

In what I consider a bit of a travesty, the theatrical cut omits this, only showing Chris handing him the medal and Dyer never giving it back. It almost feels pointless without the rest of the scene. It feels so jarring and takes away so much. I also love seeing Father Dyer and Detective Kinderman beginning a friendship that they continue onto The Exorcist III.

After rewatching the theatrical cut, it did feel a little shallow and empty not having that stuff put in. Maybe it’s because I’m such a fan of the book and I just missed seeing these moments. They’re little things but they say a lot.

I think there is something still about this film that resonates with people – even to the non-religious, it represents a side of humanity that we cannot comprehend. Why do bad things happen to good people? If there is an Almighty, why doesn’t He intervene?

“What the film is about as far as I’m concerned, is the constant struggle within all of us. Everyday of our lives almost on a moment by moment basis, the struggle of goodness and evil that is within all of us, the constant struggle that we have to keep from doing harm to others. To keep from destroying ourselves and others. The film must be seen not only in terms of reality of what’s going on in that bedroom, but the idea of the struggle that exists in humanity from the beginning of time and probably forever of goodness doing battle with evil that is within all of us. That constant battlefield.”

I still find a strange sense of wonder and, to a sense, comfort reading “true” demonic possession stories. It leads me to the possibility that maybe something does exist. If there is a supernatural evil, then there must be a supernatural good. Thoughts I still go through day by day in a sonorous wonder. Though you just may still catch me making the Sign of the Cross before dangerous situations or even clutching my pocket Rosary for good luck during viewings of such films like The Conjuring or Hereditary. Because maybe there is something – someone – watching over. We hope.

“(The Exorcist) should also inspire and provoke you and make you reflect. Most people take out of The Exorcist what they bring into it. If you believe that the world is a dark and evil place, then The Exorcist will reinforce that. If you believe that there is a force for good that combats, and eventually triumphs over evil, then you will take out of the film what we tried to put into it.”

– William Friedkin

Want To Dig A Little Deeper?

If you want to get dig a little deeper into Blatty’s Exorcist mythos, here is some other content we recommend checking out.

The Exorcist 1994 Audiobook

If you haven’t read the book and you’re a fan of audiobooks, you can listen to the entire Exorcist audiobook from a long out-of-print version available for free on YouTube. Normally I wouldn’t go so out of my way to recommend audiobooks, but c’mon – this one’s read by Christopher Lee !

The Exorcist 2014 BBC Radiodrama

You can also check out the radio drama produced by the BBC featuring Ian McDiarmid (aka Emperor Palpatine of Star Wars fame) as Father Merrin. It’s an extremely condensed version of the book, but it’s a lot of fun.

Dave Glover’s Exorcist Halloween Special

https://971talk.radio.com/dgs-halloween-show-2008-exorcist-house

St. Louis radio host Dave Glover is known for his annual live Halloween specials, where he stays the night in various haunted locations across St. Louis such as the “Exorcist house” and The Lemp Mansion.

The Ninth Configuration

We also recommend you check out the film The Ninth Configuration, William Peter Blatty’s “spinoff” of The Exorcist and in his mind, the second of his Exorcist trilogy consisting of The Exorcist, The Ninth Configuration, and Exorcist III (or Legion). You can watch it streaming on Amazon Prime and you can hear us talk about it in detail on Episode 62 of the Destroy The Brain podcast. Give it a listen. We compel you!!

Mini Horror Houses…

Ten great episodes….

ST. LOUIS: Win Passes to an Advance Screening of ‘THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER’

We have some tickets to exorcise for St. Louis Creeps!

[PODCAST] Episode 66: The St. Louis Exorcism That Inspired ‘THE EXORCIST’

Just in time for Halloween, we’re proud to tell the story of The Exorcism of Roland Doe, which

My ‘Exorcist’ Journey A Tribute to a Classic Film and St. Louis’ Urban Legend   ̶

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10 Things You Might Not Know About The Exorcist

About steven a. lachance.

Steven LaChance (Missouri) has appeared on numerous television and radio programs worldwide. He has been a featured guest on The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet, Fox News, NBC News, CBS News, Travel ...

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