Maple Lake’s Ghost Lights & Headless Ghosts

Ghost lights, or orbs of light that float and move of their own accord, are a common instance of haunting which are sought after on ghost tours and when exploring haunted places. For spirits that are not powerful enough to manifest, it is thought that these ghost orbs or ghost lights hold their place instead. 

Maple Lake is home to its own ghost light seen frequently by hikers and those who go specifically to search for them. Ghost lights and creatures which glow, like the Chilean Carbuncle, are popular in a global imagination.

Another notable figure has an ongoing life in Illinois: the headless horseman.

The most notable headless ghost might be from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. Sleepy Hollow, Illinois gets its name from the story and holds a festival as well with a more family friendly flare. The headless horseman is part of a cross-cultural pantheon of headless spirits and entities. From the Irish Dullahan to the shapeshifting, Trinidadian Lagahoo, to the German Hessian, Bran the Blessed, and more, headless-ness has captivated imaginations and become one of the longest and most traceable sort of ghost creatures. In the English-speaking world, headless spirits rose to popularity during the Middle Ages. The reason for this is debated from fear around decapitation as punishment or decapitation being seen in the result of battles, to the result of stories being exchanged cross-culturally during trade.

Lakey’s Ghost is another headless ghost with a long lasting legacy. The man who is remembered as Lakey but whose name is lost was victim of a murder where he was decapitated. His ghost has stayed alive in the memories of the community and has adhered to the tradition of headless spirits. This article on Lakey’s Ghost explores his history as well as other southern Illinois spirits.