M.A. Kleen

Legends and Lore of Coles County, Illinois was a nine-part digital series I originally published in 2006, with each installment released monthly. Drawing from local history, folklore, and oral tradition, the series explored the eerie, forgotten, and mysterious corners of Coles County. From haunted dormitories and vanished villages to ghostly cemeteries and chilling tales passed down through generations, each issue uncovered a story that lingers just beneath the surface of everyday life in east-central Illinois.

I’ve made it available, for the first time in over a decade, for free at the Internet Archive:

• Issue 1 (Mar 2006) – Airtight Bridge
• Issue 2 (Apr 2006) – Lake Charleston
• Issue 3 (May 2006) – St. Omer Cemetery
• Issue 4 (Jun 2006) – Ashmore Estates
• Issue 5 (Jul 2006) – Lafler-Ennis Cemetery
• Issue 6 (Aug 2006) – Hitesville
• Issue 7 (Sep 2006) – Bethel “Ragdoll” Cemetery
• Issue 8 (Oct 2006) – Pemberton Hall
• Issue 9 (Nov 2006) – Morgan Township

Rich in atmosphere and historical context, the series blended investigative storytelling with regional folklore, offering readers a compelling glimpse into the county’s strange and storied past. Whether it’s a wandering rag doll in Bethel Cemetery, a phantom matron in Pemberton Hall, or a grave dug in advance to welcome the living, Legends and Lore revealed how myth and memory intertwine in unexpected ways. It’s a captivating journey into the heart of small-town mystery, where every field, creek, and crumbling stone has a story to tell.

Check out each issue at the links above!