Archer Avenue – Haunted Roadway in Justice, Illinois

Archer Avenue in Justice, Illinois, is one of the most legendary haunted roads in the United States. This winding stretch of highway, flanked by woods, cemeteries, and old taverns, has been the source of countless ghost stories for nearly a century.

The most famous tale is that of Resurrection Mary, a phantom hitchhiker said to appear late at night in a white dress, asking for a ride—only to vanish without a trace. The road runs near Resurrection Cemetery and several historic sites, making it a hotspot for paranormal activity.

Historical Background

• Year Built: Early 1800s (expanded and paved over time)
• Original Purpose: Main travel route connecting Chicago to rural southwest suburbs
• Significant Events:
  • Resurrection Cemetery opened in 1904, adding eerie associations to the area.
  • Numerous fatal car accidents have occurred over the decades.
  • Nearby taverns and forest preserves were known hangouts during Prohibition and have their own share of tragedy and violence.

Paranormal Activity Summary

• Phantom hitchhikers are the most common reports—especially the ghost of Resurrection Mary, who is seen trying to get rides along Archer Avenue.
• Cold spots, disembodied voices, and sudden radio interference are frequently reported by drivers.
• Witnesses claim their car doors unlock by themselves or that an invisible presence touches them.
• Apparitions are seen walking through Resurrection Cemetery gates or disappearing into the woods.

Ghost Stories & Reports

• Resurrection Mary is the star of Archer Avenue’s hauntings. She’s described as a young blonde woman in a white party dress. Legend says she was killed in a hit-and-run after leaving a dance in the 1930s. She’s often picked up by drivers, only to vanish before reaching her destination.
• Monk-like figures have been seen along the road near the old St. James-Sag Church.
• Justice Pub and Willowbrook Ballroom, once popular spots for dancing, are tied to Mary’s story and are believed to be haunted themselves.
• Locals talk of ghost cars—vehicles that chase or tailgate you, only to disappear suddenly.
• A well-known urban legend says that if you pass the cemetery around midnight, you might see Mary’s hand pressed against the wrought iron fence.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

The stretch between Resurrection Cemetery and the Willowbrook Ballroom is considered the most haunted. This is where most Resurrection Mary sightings occur—especially near the cemetery gates.

Can You Visit?

• Open to the Public? Yes (public roadway)
• Entry Fee: None
• Tour Availability: Some local ghost tours operate on weekends in October
• Photography Allowed? Yes, from public areas
• Visiting Hours? Road is open 24/7, but cemetery gates close by evening

Best Time to Visit

Fall and winter nights, especially around Halloween, are considered peak times for ghost sightings—particularly late at night or in the early hours before dawn.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

• Countless drivers and locals have reported seeing a young woman in white vanish from their passenger seat.
• A Chicago Tribune article in the 1970s documented a man who swore he hit a woman with his car near the cemetery—but there was no body, only a dent in his bumper.
• Paranormal investigators have captured strange EMF readings and anomalies on thermal cameras near the cemetery gates.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

• Archer Avenue has been featured on several TV shows, including Unsolved Mysteries and Ghost Adventures.
• Paranormal groups in Illinois regularly visit the road and surrounding sites, reporting high levels of spirit activity.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

• Do not trespass inside Resurrection Cemetery after hours—security regularly patrols.
• The road is poorly lit and winding, so exercise caution when driving at night.