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| 21 1st Ave, Evansville, IN 47710, USA (Evansville, Indiana)
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| Information |
Willard Library
This Victorian Gothic library opened in 1885 in Evansville, making it the oldest library in the state of Indiana. It still serves as a library for the residents of Evansville and was named into the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Ghost Cam
The library gained international attention back in 1999 when The Evansville Courier & Press decided to create a World Wide Web ghost hunt by installing a ghost cam (one of the first of its kind) in the library. The site was an immediate hit and the library has since added two more cameras inside the building, including one in the basement that updates every second and allows users to pan in all directions. Additionally, another camera has been now set up at another site in Evansville to keep an eye on the deck of the World War II landing ship, LST 325, which is also said to be haunted. The basis for the original camera was the library's legendary Grey Lady who was first sighted inside the library in 1937.
The Grey Lady
The Lady in Grey (or the Grey Lady, which she is now commonly known as) is named such for her wardrobe, which is fully made up in a glowing grey as reported by eyewitnesses. After her first appearance in 1937 (to a janitor who never returned to work), she has been sighted by multiple staff members and guests and even was said to follow a staff member home one night. In addition, several Internet viewers have sent in screen captures to the library of what they believe to be the Grey Lady appearing on the ghost cam.
Though there are different theories as to who she is, the most predominant theory is that she is the daughter of the library's founder, Willard Carpenter. After trying unsuccessfully to establish a college designated for the poor, Willard Carpenter donated a plot of his land to the city with the strict instructions to build a park and library for "the use of the people of all classes, races and sexes, free of charge forever." Louise Carpenter would later sue the Board of Trustees and claim that he was pushed into the decision and was of "unsound mind" when he donated the property. She would lose her case and many claim that she now haunts the property that she believed was rightfully hers.
The Library Today
The library is still active today and fully embraces its haunted reputation, even inviting the Sci-Fi Channel's Ghost Hunters in to investigate the building. It regularly holds theme-based events at the library, incorporating ghost tours and scary stories into the typical book readings, art displays, book sales, author signings, and children readings. Check the site below for more information. |
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| GPS Interface |
Save Waypoint to Garmin Device.
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| User Trips |
| There are no user trips associated with this location. |
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| Related Sites |
Willard Library
The official site for the haunted Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana. |
Evansville Courier & Post Ghost Cam
Evansville Courier & Post's ghost cam(s) of haunted Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana. |
Willard Library Ghost Cams
Willard Libary's official site for the ghost cams set up in the haunted library of Evansville, Indiana. |
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| Similar Destinations |
| The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre |
| The Sixth Floor Museum |
| Ohio State Reformatory |
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| See Also on TheCabinet.com |
| Dark Destinations in the News (10/27/07) |
| Dark Destinations in the News (10/26/07) |
| Dark Destinations in the News (10/4/07) |
| Blog: The Willard Library is a Real Scary Story (02/10/09) |
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| Available from Amazon.com |
Where there's a Willard: The first 100 years of the Willard Library of Evansville, Indiana |
Ghost Hunters: Season 2, Part 2 |
More Haunted Hoosier Trails (Haunted Heartland Series) |
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Ghosts & Hauntings, 2nd Edition (The Complete Idiot's Guide) |
Haunted Places: The National Directory: Ghostly Abodes, Sacred Sites, UFO Landings and Other Supernatural Locations |
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