M.A. Kleen

Richard T. Crowe, Chicago’s original “ghost hunter”, left a lasting legacy that ensured Chicago’s haunted history will continue to intrigue and inspire for years to come.

On a frosty fall evening in 1991, when I was in 4th grade, my dad took me and a friend to see Richard T. Crowe speak at Oakton Community College in the northwest Chicago suburb of Des Plaines, Illinois. Crowe created the first ghost tour in Chicago and sparked a lifelong interest in me to explore ghost stories and folklore, and visit and write about mysterious or unusual locations. All these years later, I still have this flyer he passed out at the event:

There were several notable people at that time who wrote about and investigated Chicago’s ghostlore, including Ursula Bielski and Dale Kaczmarek, both of whom I respect, but Richard T. Crowe was the man. He is often regarded as Chicago’s original ghost hunter, was a trailblazer who seamlessly blended history, folklore, and the paranormal to create captivating experiences for locals and visitors alike. His career left a lasting impact on Chicago’s haunted lore and the broader world of paranormal investigation.

Born in 1948, Crowe grew up in Chicago, where he developed an early fascination with local history and ghostly legends. His love for the paranormal started young, as he absorbed the stories that circulated through Chicago’s neighborhoods. After studying literature, communications, and folklore at DePaul University, he combined his academic knowledge with his growing interest in the supernatural. Crowe’s curiosity about how folklore shaped culture set the foundation for his future career as a renowned ghost hunter.

In the 1970s, Crowe took his passion for history and the paranormal to the next level by launching one of Chicago’s first ghost tours. Long before ghost hunting became mainstream, Crowe was a pioneer, offering not just a spooky thrill but a well-researched, historical journey through the city’s eerie past.

His tours became known for their mix of historical accuracy and chilling storytelling. Crowe led participants to some of Chicago’s most haunted spots, including Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, one of the most haunted cemeteries in the country, The Congress Plaza Hotel, infamous for its ghostly legends, and Resurrection Cemetery, home to the famous ghostly hitchhiker, Resurrection Mary.

“I did several tours with Richard Crowe, but two stand out in a spooky way,” remembered Michael Kravchuk. “On one city tour, we stopped by Hull House and heard the legend of the devil baby. This was a day tour and fortunately the house was open (at least the lobby). We were allowed into the lobby, a few at a time. It seemed once you walked in, the dull din of the city disappeared. As we soaked in the eerie vibe of the building, I was tapped on the shoulder. Thinking someone was trying to get by, I turned to let them pass. Only no one was there.”

The second encounter took place on a lunch tour of the original Red Lion Pub on N. Lincoln Avenue. “Richard was telling us about the ghost of a woman who tormented the ladies, and flirted with the men,” Kravchuk explained. “We were on the second floor, which had a low ceiling. As he told the story, I felt a cold breeze blow on my neck, as if the air kicked on and a vent was blowing on me. This happened twice in a short period. It was then a realized, it was a beautiful May Day. The windows were open, there was no breeze and no vent anywhere near me! I truly miss Richard and his stories!”

Crowe’s engaging style, packed with personal anecdotes from his own investigations, made his tours educational and entertaining, a unique combination that drew crowds from all over.

Crowe didn’t stop at tours—he actively investigated hauntings across Chicago and the Midwest. Balancing skepticism with an open mind, Crowe believed that paranormal phenomena were often linked to historical events or psychological factors. Yet, he remained intrigued by the unexplained.

Over the years, he gathered firsthand reports of ghost sightings and paranormal encounters from locals, continually updating his tour content and lectures. His investigations cemented his reputation as a serious figure in the world of paranormal research and helped solidify Chicago’s place as one of the most haunted cities in America.

As Crowe’s reputation grew, so did his media presence. He became a regular guest on local radio, sharing his spooky tales and insights into hauntings. Nationally, he appeared on shows like Unsolved Mysteries and Sightings, bringing Chicago’s haunted history to a broader audience.

Crowe was also a frequent speaker at paranormal conferences, where he shared his methods and findings with other ghost hunters and enthusiasts. His approach to blending research with entertainment influenced modern ghost-hunting shows and the booming paranormal tourism industry.

Richard T. Crowe passed away in 2012, but his influence endures. His ghost tours inspired countless others to explore the paranormal, and Chicago remains a top destination for ghost hunters and enthusiasts. The haunted locations and stories Crowe brought to life continue to be central to Chicago’s paranormal scene.

Through his pioneering ghost tours, media appearances, and dedication to preserving folklore, Crowe left behind a rich legacy that blends history, culture, and the supernatural. His work not only entertained but also deepened people’s understanding of the ghostly legends that shape a city’s identity.

In the end, Richard T. Crowe’s work went beyond ghost stories. He captured the essence of a city’s folklore, ensuring that Chicago’s haunted history will continue to intrigue and inspire for years to come.

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