For the past 18 years, Al and Rhonda Hunter and their merry band of volunteers have spent every weekend evening in October prowling the streets of Irvington, guiding those with an interest in local lore and history on the Irvington Ghost Tours. At first, the tours were small — maybe a dozen or more people. But as word got out, the tours grew in size and scope, and on a nice-weather evening, hundreds would meet on Johnson Ave. to walk a spell and hear tales of the most haunted neighborhood in the Midwest. Tours are held on Friday and Saturday nights through October at 7 p.m.
Like everything else in this crazy year, the Irvington Ghost Tours will be different, due to COVID-19. In order to keep the tours safer, there will be a strict limit placed on how many tickets can be sold. The Magic Candle, 203 S. Audubon, will have pre-sale tickets available (cash only). The $20 covers the 2-plus hour walking tour, plus the official Tour Guide book, and a flashlight (while supplies last). You can call to reserve tickets at 317-850-1910. Proceeds from the tour are donated back into the Irvington community.
Face masks must be worn at all times during the tour, and social distancing will be enforced. No eating, drinking, or smoking on the tours. The tours go on, rain or shine, so participants are reminded to wear good walking shoes and jackets if the weather gets nippy.
The tour itself will highlight some of the most (in)famous stories of history and hauntings in Irvington. Rich in history, Irvington has been home to artists, writers, and scions of society — but it was also the spot where serial killer H.H. Holmes committed one of his last murders, where the Grand Dragon of the Indiana KKK wielded power (and lost it), and where a young punk named John Dillinger practiced his robbery skills. Those stories, and many more, are featured on the tour.
New this year is an opportunity to buy Al’s new book, The House Where Lincoln Died, a half-hour before every tour (6:30 p.m.). The “official” book release will be at the James Whitcomb Riley home in Greenfield on Halloween from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Al will also be doing a “ghost show” on Nelson Price’s “Hoosier History Live” Saturday, October 17 at noon on WICR-FM. He will be telling a few new ghost stories outside of Irvington (tied in to the National Road) on the radio, so tune in!
