Haunted History Tours in Milwaukee

By Nick Iannelli

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  • Photo from: www.milwaukeeghosts.com

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE REPORT BY NEWSRADIO 620 WTMJ'S NICK IANNELLI

MILWAUKEE - The Third Ward haunted history tour makes several stops at old buildings and other places around the area that are rich in ghostly stories, legends and local history.

"The Third Ward has such striking architecture and so much interesting history I feel that the rest of the city doesn't really know," says Allison Jornlin.

Jornlin created the 90 minute street tour after studying Milwaukee history for years. 

"I think that Milwaukee deserves legendary status like New Orleans or Chicago," says Jornlin.  "I thought why not Milwaukee? Don't we have some really great stories?  Don't we have folklore?  Don't we have modern day paranormal reports?"

The tour gives tales of tragedy like an infamous shipwreck that killed hundreds of Milwaukeeans in Lake Michigan and relentless, deadly fires in the Third Ward that happened in the late 1800s.

It also provides amusing stories like ghosts in the Pfister Hotel that have reportedly played pranks on professional baseball players in town to play the Brewers.

"Adrian Beltre of the LA Dodgers was staying there when suddenly he was hearing pounding on his hotel room door and wall," explains the tour guide.  "He would look down the hallway and there was nothing there."

Whether the stories be happy or sad however, Jornlin says it's important for them to be told. 

"I'd say investigate the history and the folklore of the community because we should really be celebrating local folklore.  It really deepens your appreciation for your community.  It helps you see it in an entirely different way."

The tours run from May through November but, of course, they are always busiest around Halloween. 

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO TAKE THE HAUNTED HISTORY TOUR