Haunted Illinois: Dresden Cemetery
Finding information on the haunted Dresden Cemetery is hard because it goes by so many different names. I even found more than one location listed for it. A maker inside the cemetery states it was established in 1847 as St. Anthony's Cemetery. Some call it the Aux Sable Cemetery for Aux Sable Township or Saint Anthony's Cemetery. Locals also refer to it as both Old Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery and Dresden Cemetery,
legend says the people resting here are not happy. Around the turn of the 20th century, the bodies and stones were moved to St. Mary's Cemetery. Those handling the job did not realize they left at least one body behind. The little boy was so upset at losing his friends and family he began haunting the cemetery. He continues to wander until he can find his loved ones again.
A twist on this story claims a huge storm passed through, leading to flooding in many rural Illinois counties. Grundy County was no exception. By the time the rain finally stopped, locals were excited to leave their homes again...until they saw what happened to the cemetery. The storm not only flooded the cemetery, but it caused the coffins to rise to the top where they tipped over and spilled out the bodies inside. In the hurry to quickly get them back to the ground, they forgot about one little boy whose body went missing.
St. Mary's Cemetery really does have a connection to a flood. In 1914, Illinois received so much rainfall that burials were impossible. Thomas Comerford wanted to bury his wife and was frustrated at digging a grave and seeing it almost instantly fill with water. Once the rain stopped, he bought a small plot of land and finally buried her. Cornerford allowed others to use his land, which became St. Mary's Cemetery.
Many of those who live close to Dresden Cemetery know it's haunted. They recall seeing dozens of people sneaking in late at night and bolting within minutes. One woman I talked to said she often sees flashlight beams bouncing around inside the cemetery but never for more than five to ten minutes before the people leave in a hurry. Some have even heard visitors shout or scream at whatever they saw. It's worth noting that some locals say their dogs growl or howl when they get close to the cemetery.
Dark shadows are a common sight, too. These shadowy figures appear in the corners of visitors' eyes and disappear as soon as they turn. Many people claim they saw shadows moving around behind the stones as if trying to stay out of sight. The figures are never there when they take a closer look. Visitors also hear odd noises coming from the trees.
Even those who didn't see anything inside the cemetery are hesitant to return. Almost from the moment they step inside, they feel a dark and heavy sensation as if something doesn't want them there. Visitors experience cold spots inside the cemetery and feel unsettled, too. Some believe the feelings come from the past history of the cemetery grounds. Rumors say Native Americans used it as a burial ground long before white settlers arrived and runaway slaves are also buried there.
If you venture out to this haunted spot, let me know what you experienced! Dresden Cemetery is at 7502 Hansel Road in Grundy County, Illinois.
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