Holding the title of the fourth oldest zoo in the country, Lincoln Park Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals from all over the world. It opened its doors back in 1868 after a pair of swans were donated from a source in Central Park in New York. Since then, Lincoln Park Zoo has become a key monument and cultural attraction of Chicago, and it is one of the only zoos in the country that offers free admission to all. 

With over 3 million visitors every year, the zoo is a place where people of all ages from all over the Chicagoland area can relax, enjoy their day, and spend time with others in their community. 

Many visitors, however, are unaware of the haunted history of this well-loved attraction. 

The Lincoln Park Zoo was built on what was once a cemetery: The Chicago City Cemetary. Open from 1843 to 1859, the cemetery held over 35,000 bodies. However, a few years later, all the bodies had to be relocated in order to create more space for the Lincoln Park Zoo. 

Attempts to move all the bodies were disrupted when the Great Chicago Fire occurred in 1871. The fire destroyed the site, and many grave locations were lost. It is rumored that there are still over 12,000 bodies under the park today, encouraging ghostly sightings in the area. 

Today, there have been many reports of paranormal activity. On top of the flickering lights and slamming doors, there have been many sightings of men and women in Victorian clothing all around the park. 

The lion’s house area in particular has been a hotspot for these spooky incidents. Many people have reported seeing ghost-like and shadowy figures in the mirrors of the bathrooms near this area, and zoo workers have heard many strange shouts and noises here. 

Every Tuesday and Wednesday night in October, Lincoln Park Zoo offers tours of the most haunted locations in the park. For those interested in their dark history, the tour guides talk more about personal stories, incidents, and sightings.