A century of spirits

For over a century, Wausau has been host to all manner of supposedly spooky sightings, from a city-wide “ghost” hunt in 1919 to modern-day investigations at historic landmarks. As Halloween draws nearer, City Pages decided to delve into the area’s rich history of ghosts and ghouls.

The Great Wausau Ghost Hunt of 1919

In May 1919, Wausau was gripped by excitement over a supposed “ghost” that confined its antics to Grant and McClellen streets. A report in the Wausau Daily Record-Herald described an encounter where a black-cloaked figure threw back its garment to reveal a white robe. Two “swains” and their dates beat a “hasty retreat,” with the escorts reportedly two blocks in the lead.

The sighting led to a city-wide nightly vigil, with crowds of residents, including “kids” and “graybeards,” staking out the area. One large group on McClellen St. even brought ukuleles and knitting to pass the time. The excitement died down within days after the police were reportedly involved, and the “ghost” was revealed to be a mere human prankster. The reporter joked that the unmasking spoiled the fun, as they had hoped to interview a “real one.”

Today, Wausau’s haunted reputation persists, documented by groups like the Marathon County Historical Society and the Wausau Paranormal Research Society (WPRS). Several key locations are associated with lingering spirits:

McCrossen Block (501 Third St.): This oldest commercial building in Wausau is linked to one of the city’s first murders in 1880. A competing dentist, Dr. J.C. Bennet, is said to have fatally shot Dr. E.L. Hagel on the second floor.

Plumer Mansion: Though razed in 1972, this former gothic mansion is still associated with its original owners, lumber magnate Daniel Longfellow Plumer and his wife, Mary. A maintenance worker in 1967 reported seeing Mary’s apparition in a light blue Victorian dress glide through a wall. Reports also include sightings of Daniel and a mysterious phantom boy hanging near a third-floor staircase.

Wausau Club (now Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art): The site is reportedly haunted by “Martha,” a guest who, according to legend, took her own life in the north wing over a forbidden love affair and pregnancy. Staff have reported her apparition, as well as swinging chandeliers, phantom footsteps, and mysteriously moved tools during renovations.

Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods: This downtown staple is a hotspot for paranormal activity, with employees reporting footsteps, doors opening, and shadowy figures. An investigation by the WPRS captured an Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) in the basement clearly saying “leave.”

Wausau Municipal Airport: The airport is reportedly haunted by Archie Towle, the former airport manager who died in a 1945 crash. Witnesses have reported hearing ghostly footsteps that sound like “wingtips walking across a hardwood floor” and a water faucet that inexplicably turns itself on in one of the hangars.

Yawkey House Museum & Marathon County Historical Society: Both historic residences-turned-museums report paranormal activity. At the Yawkey House, staff report the persistent smell of pipe smoke (a favorite of Mr. Yawkey), items being mysteriously moved and a staff member being held by an unseen force in the basement. At the Historical Society, phantom footsteps and the sound of a non-existent telephone ringing have been reported.

Forest Park Village (Former Old Hospital North): The complex, converted from a hospital abandoned in the 1980s, has a dark reputation, which includes the arrest of 13 alleged cultists in its old morgue on Halloween in the mid-1980s. Residents still report apparitions in the elevator, cold spots and ghostly children’s cries.

Big Bull Falls: The area’s original logging settlement has a history of lawlessness and violence. Locals claim to still hear faint screams near the Wisconsin River, believing the souls of loggers who drowned in the powerful currents still linger.

Shawn Blaschka, founder of WPRS, has led numerous investigations into these sites, documenting evidence like the “help me” EVP captured at the former Marathon County Asylum site, contributing to Wausau’s reputation as a “hotspot for ghostly encounters.”

Discover Wisconsin featured Blaschka and Wausau’s 400 Block in this year’s Halloween episode, which showcases paranormal stories from across the state. Watch “Dare to Discover – Paranormal Wisconsin” for free on Discover Wisconsin’s Youtube channel for more information. For more information on the stories featured in this article, check out “Spooky Tales from Wausau” at visitwausau.com and “The Ghost of Grant St.” at marathoncountyhistory.org.