Resurrection Cemetery – Haunted Cemetery in Justice, Illinois

Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois, is one of the most famously haunted graveyards in the United States. Best known as the home of the legendary “Resurrection Mary,” this cemetery has terrified locals and intrigued ghost hunters for nearly a century.

With its gothic gates, winding roads, and shadowed paths, it exudes an eerie atmosphere—even in broad daylight. Countless reports of spectral encounters, phantom hitchhikers, and ghostly footprints on iron bars have earned it a chilling reputation.

Historical Background

• Year Built: 1904
• Original Purpose: Catholic cemetery serving the Polish and Lithuanian communities in Chicago
• Significant Events:
  While no major tragedy defines its history, the cemetery’s proximity to Archer Avenue—a road notorious for ghost sightings—has contributed to numerous tales. Most notably, the legend of Resurrection Mary began in the 1930s when drivers reported picking up a young woman in white along the road, only for her to vanish near the cemetery gates.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Visitors commonly report:

• Seeing a young woman in a white dress wandering near the gates or inside the cemetery
• Phantom hitchhikers asking for rides, only to disappear mid-journey
• Cold spots, especially near Mary’s alleged gravesite
• Handprints burned into the cemetery’s wrought iron bars, which some believe were left by Mary herself

Resurrection Mary remains the most well-known spirit, but other ghostly figures have been reported walking among the tombstones, often just out of reach or fading into mist.

Ghost Stories & Reports

• Who are the ghosts?
  Resurrection Mary is believed to be the spirit of a young woman who died in the 1930s, possibly after leaving a dance hall or being struck by a car on Archer Avenue. Her identity is debated, but candidates include Mary Bregovy and Anna Norkus, both of whom died young and are buried nearby.
• What do visitors report?
  Drivers have stopped for a young blonde woman in a white party dress who asks for a ride home—only to vanish near the cemetery. Others see her dancing alone in ballrooms or walking barefoot along the road.
• Folklore and Legends:
  Urban legends claim that Resurrection Mary will only appear to single men or those driving alone. Some believe her ghost is drawn to music and is seen most frequently near dance venues.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

The main cemetery gates are the most haunted location.
This is where Mary has allegedly been seen placing her hands on the bars—leaving hand-shaped scorch marks that became infamous in the 1970s and were even documented by local news.

Can You Visit?

• Open to the Public? Yes
• Entry Fee: None
• Tour Availability: No official tours, but paranormal enthusiasts often gather along Archer Avenue
• Photography Allowed? Yes
• Visiting Hours: Dawn to dusk; gates close at night

Best Time to Visit

Fall months, especially around Halloween, are when the most sightings are reported. Full moons and late evenings are rumored to increase your chances of encountering Resurrection Mary.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

• Numerous local newspaper articles from the 1970s and ’80s detail sightings of Mary and the scorched gate bars.
• Paranormal groups have visited the area and recorded EVP (electronic voice phenomena) near the gates.
• Cab drivers have anonymously reported picking up a silent woman who disappeared from the back seat.

Local Legends & Myths

A widespread legend warns:
If you see a woman in white asking for a ride near Resurrection Cemetery, never agree—or she may follow you home. Some stories tell of drivers who gave her a ride, only to have their radios die, engines stall, or mirrors fog up with handprints on the glass.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

Resurrection Cemetery has been featured on shows like Unsolved Mysteries and Sightings, with investigators capturing unexplained audio and reporting strange equipment failures.
Ghost hunting teams have described the energy around the gates as “charged” and “intensely emotional.”

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

Visitors are not allowed after dark, and police patrol the area to deter trespassing. Walking through the cemetery at night can result in fines or arrest.

Resurrection Cemetery remains a chilling blend of folklore, mystery, and genuine paranormal intrigue. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, one thing is certain—something strange walks Archer Avenue after sundown.