180 Ashmore Estates

In this episode of Ghostly Podcast, we head to rural Coles County, Illinois to explore the haunted history and chilling paranormal activity reported at Ashmore Estates. Originally part of the Coles County Poor Farm in the late 1800s, Ashmore later became a psychiatric hospital before closing for good in 1986. With documented deaths, an on-site cemetery, and decades of neglect, many believe the spirits of former residents still linger within the building.  A Brief History • Poor farm established in 1870, housing the impoverished and mentally ill • 32 recorded deaths between 1870–1879 • A cemetery built on-site due to high mortality • Current structure built in 1916 • Psychiatric hospital operations ended in 1986 Reported Paranormal Activity • Visitors and investigators have reported: • Shadow figures in hallways and stairwells • Voices calling out names • Sudden cold spots • Objects moving or flying • Physical encounters including touches, scratches, and being shoved Ashmore is often described as a place that responds to those inside it. The Spirit of Elva Skinner One of the most well-known spirits associated with Ashmore is Elva Skinner, a young child believed to have died in a fire in the original almshouse in the 1880s. Reports include childlike footsteps, whispers, laughter, and small hands tugging at clothing. The Basement & Boiler Room The basement—especially the boiler room—is considered the most intense area of activity. Visitors report aggressive encounters, loud bangs, heavy footsteps, and even being knocked to the ground by an unseen force. Listen now: GhostlyPodcast.com (https://ghostlypodcast.com) or wherever you get your podcasts. Vote on the Evidence: Do you think Sterling Hill Mine is truly haunted? Cast your vote at GhostlyPodcast.com/polls Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter) Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! And tell us—do you believe? #GhostlyPodcast #HauntedHotels #HotelMonteVista #Flagstaff #ArizonaGhosts #Paranormal #HauntedHistory #SpookyTravel Patreon and GhostlyX Join our Patreon for all sorts of great extra Ghostly, including early, commercial-free episodes. Join today: ghostlypodcast.com/support/ (https://ghostlypodcast.com/support/) We want to hear from you with your ghost stories! Email us at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at GhostlyPodcast.  Phone Got a ghost story you’re dying to share? Now you can! Ghostly has an official phone line. Call or text us with your spooky encounters—and if you leave a voicemail, you might hear it on the show! You can also just say hi, or make your voice heard in our latest polls. Here’s how to vote: Text the episode title. Add YES if you’re a believer, NO if you’re a skeptic. Then, give it a haunting score from 1 to 10. Your opinion matters. Let us know what you think. Here’s that number (312) 869-9929 Music for this episode was performed by Michael Rivers “Pat Facts” and “Ghost Story” themes by Mondo “Time for a Debate” theme by Gail Gallagher gailgallaghermusic.com (https://www.gailgallaghermusic.com/) Sources for this week’s episode Ashmore Estates (https://ashmoreestates.net/) Ashmore Estates – Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashmore...) Ashmore Estates | Ashmore Illinois | Real Haunted Place (https://www.illinoishauntedhouses.com...) “illinois Ghost Stories And Pictures.” | “Ashmore Estates”, my nemesis | Facebook (  / 3149653488541277  ) Ashmore Estates Frightening Haunting in Illinois – HUS (https://hauntedus.com/illinois/ashmor...) A Grave Interest: Haunted Ashmore Estates – Ashmore, Illinois (https://agraveinterest.blogspot.com/2...) I stayed the night at the haunted Ashmore Estates asylum. (https://www.notracers.com/post/ashmor...) Tragedy and Haunting of Ashmore Estates | Amy’s Crypt (https://amyscrypt.com/haunted-ashmore...) Discovering the haunts of Ashmore Estates – The Daily Eastern News (https://www.dailyeasternnews.com/2007...) Ashmore Estates – A Real Haunted House? – The Source (https://the-source.net/ashmore-estate...) Ashmore Estates Investigation (https://www.ghostresearch.org/Investi...) Proof of Ghosts at Haunted Ashmor...