Halloween and the east side go together like peanut butter and jelly, especially in Irvington. The historic neighborhood, named for Washington Irving, is considered one of the most haunted spots in the Midwest. No one spins a yarn like our own Al Hunter, who every year spends the weekends guiding hundreds through the streets and talking about what makes the Irv (in)famous. Residents can begin this season’s Ghost Tours on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. beginning October 4 through October 25. Tickets are $20 each (cash only) and available 20 minutes before the tour begins. You may also buy tickets in advance at the Magic Candle, 203 S. Audubon. The tours begin on 10 S. Johnson Ave. next to the Irving Theatre. The price includes a copy of the paperback supplement “The Tour Guide” and at least two hours of Irvington history that will curl your hair. Proceeds go to support GaiaWorks pantry, and other local charities.
The ghost tours are a way for people to learn more about the neighborhood and see its charms up close and personal, Al says. He encourages tour-goers to arrive early and check out the shops and restaurants before lining up for tour tickets. For over a decade, Al has seen the neighborhood embrace its artistic and cultural heritage, and become a successful historic district. People new to the area will learn a lot about the history of Irvington in the two-hour walks.
This year has been especially hectic for Al and his wife Rhonda, who assists on the tours and is his biggest cheerleader. While they regularly visit Gettysburg and Springfield, Illinois Lincoln sites, he ventured to Las Vegas to visit with Jeff Mudgett, H.H. Holmes’ great-grandson. They also went to Washington D.C. so he could do research. He was also offered a contract to write a book about the house Lincoln died in, which is incredible honor. Earlier this year, he was contacted by the Travel Channel’s popular “Ghost Adventures” producers about the H.H. Holmes haunted house (the story and the site are on the tour), and he was happy to share his Holmes memorabilia and stories with Zach Bagans and the crew. The episode will be aired in the season premiere on Saturday, Oct. 5 (check listings for times).
On Wednesday, Oct. 16, the Historic National Road Dinner will feature a talk with Al at the Mason Lodge No. 666 on the corner of Johnson and Washington St. from 6-9 p.m. (tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite). He’ll bring some of his Irvington-related artifacts and talk about haunted Irvington.
This year, Al will present the final “Whispers from the Grave” event at the Irving Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. Local celebrities will give dramatic readings from courtroom testimonies, depositions, and witness statements from the H.H. Holmes and D.C. Stephenson stories that took place in Irvington. Admission is free, but a $5 minimum donation is requested, with proceeds going to support the free press of Irvington. This year’s readers will include Nicole Misencik, Julie Patterson, Joe Melillo, and Dave Wilson, with special guest Sgt. Jo Moore. Last year’s show was wildly popular, so get there early to get good seats. Doors will close promptly at 2 p.m. and there will be no admission afterwards.
The tours aren’t just about ghosts — they are about the history of this ever-changing neighborhood since 1870. The neighborhood has been home to Butler University, artists, judges, and upstanding citizens of every persuasion. But it has also been home to the Grand Dragon of the Indiana chapter of the KKK, and briefly to America’s first serial killer, H. H. Holmes. And for decades, there have been stories about strange sightings of women floating through Irving Circle Park, puffs of cigar smoke out of nowhere, houses with lights that turn on an off when no one is about, children talking to people who aren’t there, and many more incidents that make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Al takes people on the journey to these places and tells the stories. No one will jump out from behind the bush and chase you with a chainsaw, because truth is sometimes scarier than fiction.
Tour-goers are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight to help navigate the dark streets and uneven sidewalks. The tours are rain or shine, so bring umbrellas or a raincoat just in case.
