Jane Addams Hull House – Haunted Settlement House in Chicago, Illinois

Once a beacon of hope for immigrants in the late 19th century, the Jane Addams Hull House in Chicago is now better known for the restless spirits that reportedly linger within its historic walls.

Founded by social reformer Jane Addams, the house served as a community center—but beneath its noble mission lies a chilling history filled with urban legends, strange happenings, and tales of a devil baby that still haunt the imagination of locals and visitors alike.

Historical Background

• Year Built: 1856
• Original Purpose: Private residence, later a settlement house
• Significant Events:
  Originally built as a home for a wealthy family, the building was later transformed by Jane Addams in 1889 into one of the first settlement houses in the U.S., aiming to help struggling immigrants. Tragedy touched the house more than once—stories tell of disease, poverty, and death behind its doors. But it was the infamous tale of the “Devil Baby” in the early 1900s that cast a lasting supernatural shadow over the home.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Visitors have long reported strange occurrences at Hull House. Cold spots drift through the hallways even during the heat of summer. Disembodied footsteps echo in empty rooms. Objects are said to move on their own. A woman in white has been seen gazing from the upstairs window, vanishing when approached. The most unnerving reports center around a crying baby—heard when no one is around.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The most famous spirit is the Devil Baby, a child said to have been born with scales, claws, and glowing eyes after a blasphemous father mocked religious icons. Though Jane Addams denied the baby ever existed, women from across the city visited, hoping to see it. To this day, people claim to hear the baby’s cries echoing through the halls.

Other spectral figures include:

• A woman in Victorian clothing, believed to be a former resident or grieving spirit, seen on the staircase.
• An unidentified man seen pacing in the garden late at night, vanishing when approached.

Urban legend also tells of a cursed mirror in the house that once showed the face of the Devil himself. Though the mirror is no longer displayed, the legend persists.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

The second-floor nursery is said to be the most active area. Visitors report intense cold, the feeling of being watched, and even hearing a baby crying when no one else is around. Staff have also refused to enter the room alone after dark.

Can You Visit?

• Open to the Public? Yes
• Entry Fee: Free (Donations accepted)
• Tour Availability: Self-guided and guided history tours available; paranormal tours offered occasionally during Halloween season
• Photography Allowed? Yes (no flash photography indoors)
• Visiting Hours? Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM

Best Time to Visit

Most ghostly encounters are reported in the late fall and winter months, especially around dusk when the house is quiet and shadows seem to linger longer.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

Hull House has been featured in several paranormal documentaries and books. Local ghost hunting groups have captured EVP recordings, cold spots, and reported contact with a child-like spirit during sessions in the nursery. Though no definitive proof has emerged, the consistency of reports keeps investigators returning.

Local Legends & Myths

The Devil Baby of Hull House is among Chicago’s most enduring supernatural legends. According to folklore, the baby was hidden away in the attic, cared for by Addams herself until it died. The story, though denied by Addams, drew thousands of curious women, creating a legend that continues to breathe life into the house’s haunted reputation.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

There are no known structural dangers, but visitors are advised to stay with the group during tours, as some areas of the house are dimly lit and can cause disorientation.

Cursed or Haunted Objects

Though the Devil Baby’s crib no longer exists, several artifacts in the house—especially a rocking chair in the nursery—have been linked to unusual activity. Staff members say the chair occasionally rocks on its own when no one is near.