The Confused Spirits of a Chicago Walk-Up

Welcome to Homespun Haints, the podcast where guests tell us about the true ghost stories they’ve experienced! On today’s episode, we speak with another podcast host who got more than she bargained for when she rented a building with a tragic past that resulted in some paranormal mysteries.

Listen right here:

True Ghost Stories from Chicago

Running a business is tough. So much of it is about survival, testing what we’re made of, and having the wherewithal to just keep going forward and try new things until we finally get it right. Of course, running a business in a haunted location makes all of that even harder. Andrea’s story of doing just that will send chills down your spine.

About Andrea Klunder

Andrea Klunder is a podcast producer, editor, consultant, and speaker. She also is the host and producer of the podcasts The Creative Impostor and Podcast Envy. You can find links to both podcasts, as well as contact information for Andrea, on her website thecreativeimpostor.com. Also, be sure to follow Andrea on Instagram @thecreativeimpostor for podcasting tips and episode information.

We Interviewed Andrea, Then She Interviewed Us!

Here’s an update from the future! This episode of Andrea’s true ghost stories dropped in 2020. Four years later, we finally returned the favor. Go check out the episode of The Creative Imposter Podcast where she interviews Becky and Diana about what it’s like to run a spooky business, and our other entrepreneurial capers, like our sister website building and brand design company, The Concept Spot.

And just in case you’re thinking, “nah, I don’t listen to content for entrepreneurs, I only wanna hear ghost stories,” have I got a hook for you: yes, it’s true, ghosts were discussed on this very professional business podcast. Andrea shared some bonus spooky content…including EVPs. Here’s an interesting one-off recording artifact that only seemed to occur when the guest was discussing paranormal activity.

Then, we talked about paranormal stuff on her show, and she got another weird artifact!

It just goes to show, even infrequently talking about ghosts can get you haunted.

Catch the Homespun Haints speaking on The Creative Imposter here.

The Alley of Death and Mutilation

Chicago is no stranger to infrastructure tragedy. We open our episode with discussion of the fire of the Iroquois Theater in December of 1903, where over 600 people perished either in the flames that engulfed the theater, or in the adjacent alley where many of the theater-goes dove to their death. The tragedy claimed the lives of children, teachers, and parents who attended the fateful matinee performance of the musical comedy, Mr. Bluebeard. It also caused major revisions in fire codes and building standards which are still adhered to today.

Here’s the official story about the fire, and how everything went wrong in this “fireproof” theater on that fateful day. But of course we know you’d rather hear Becky speculate about the paranormal nature of the event and its outcomes, which you can do here.

The 2003 Chicago Porch Collapse

One hundred years after the fire at the Iroquois Theater, another tragedy claimed the lives of twelve twenty-somethings enjoying the first warm day of summer at an apartment party in Lincoln Park, an upscale neighborhood in Chicago. The back deck of the upper floor apartment, crowded with dozens of people, collapsed onto the porch below, which was also crowded with people.

You can read first-hand accounts of survivors and witnesses on this archived article. Ten years later, witnesses still remembered the tragedy in this CBS article. And, be sure you listen to the episode above to learn about what happened to Andrea when she moved into that same building, seven years later.

Can spirits become confused? Or get stuck?

After hearing so many real ghost horror stories, we think ghosts can get stuck, but don’t take our word for it. Check out this medium on YouTube who has some detailed explanations for why this might happen. It certainly would explain these haunted apartment stories. Also, you can read about the Tibetan Book of the Dead that Andrea references in the episode.

Now seeking: true ghost stories

Do you have a true first-hand ghost story? Tell it to us by submitting it here, and you could be featured on an episode of Homespun Haints! Until next time, have a spooky day!