must stick together
Last winter, Hammond Indiana’s mayor flipped the Reaper’s hourglass, counting down a last seasonal huzzah before permanently shutting off the lights…forever.
For 36 seasons, Reaper’s Realm has hosted a haunt unlike any other. Settled in a 100 year old building, the main attraction for the attraction was more than an experience or show. This 1926 haunted Swedish mansion is fantastically settled on 4 acres of the Indiana Botanical Gardens. Fans of various herbs may find their history of interest. One may never know what unseen spirits may be working the attraction on a particular evening.
A virus called emanate domain will settle into the realm after this last Halloween shindig. Hammond is hoping for successful commercial ventures close to the interstate with a view of the Calumet River. Another haunted location. Madame please explain
Considered the oldest attraction in the Chicago – Metro – area, Reapers Realm was inventive with their sets. Flashback to my first encounter with the decision to seek out this haunt after viewing a commercial featuring the Slide of Death. I can still see myself and partner looking at each other and saying Hell Yeah!
A tale unknown to teens, is that a A 3 story mansion with a slide comes with safety considerations. A tale not told to many teens. Still! yet to this day has an attraction created such a beastie. Hellsgate’s slides are a fun continuous ride – with regard to safety.
Haunted House Chicago has partnered up with Reapers Realm for this last wickedly haunted dance. Creatives have been invited to create scenes within the halls of the haunt for a vacation prize. Visitors to the haunted mansion will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite room while exiting..and made it out alive?
Our next article in our Behind the Curtain series will explore the effect on local communities when attractions are shuttered. For additional explanatory purposes, one could point out the exclusion of Villa Park’s Odeum’s yearly haunted shindig that began with Hades Haunted House. Buried now under a shinny new commercial building, normies will never realize the scares that now must remain hidden. These haunts provided local communities an opportunity to haunt and create locally.
When Rob Zombie operated his haunted attraction later, Rob provided a nice boost to Mack’s Golden Pheasant, a Czech restaurant born in 1948 – that hosts with an amaz Germanic bar and decor. So much eye candy – and good food. It is said that Scott Weiland’s last – or close to – meal was had at the Pheasant.
The Rise of The Reaper
More than just an attraction, Reaper’s Realm was hosted yearly inside of a 1926 historic mansion built on 4 acres of the Indiana Botanical Gardens. Created by herbalist and mail order entrepreneur, Marcus Addams, the rented mansion was perfectly snuggled between the interstate and wood. Later providing the opportunity to create more scares. As tales of frights and creatures made their way throughout communities, this modest haunted house became a spectacle for all to enjoy.
With the use of commercials and testimonials from frightened visitors, Reaper’s Realm experienced a spike in guests in the late 90s and early 2000s. Known now as a frightfully delightful destination experience. Weaving dark local tales within the walls of a possibly haunted mansion left guests questioning if the spirits encountered were truly real.
However, despite its success and nostalgic charm, Reaper’s Realm began to face financial struggles in the 2010s. The upkeep for the elaborate sets and effects, combined with increasing property taxes and safety regulations, placed strain on the operation. It was open for fewer nights each year, and by 2020, the pandemic dealt what felt like a deadly blow.
photo cred: Only in your state
Virus Type: Eminent Domain
In late 2023, the city of Hammond decided that it would be best to use the 4 acres that Reaper’s Realm rests upon for redevelopment with views of the calumet river. Blueprints yet to be discovered, there are strong indicators that the area will host retail, apartments and entertainment options – there are rumors of a local music venue or outdoor amphitheater as Hammond looks to rebrand itself as a culture hub between Chicago and Indiana.
Framed as an essential part of Hammond’s future and much needed funding to the area. It is expected this development will create jobs, increase tourism and stimulate economic growth. Still, it can be argued that an iconic and integral part of Hammond’s local culture will soon be erased.
A Haunted Legacy?
For 36 years, Reaper’s Realm has brought a unique flavor to haunted entertainment. It’s current reign as the longest running Haunted Attraction will come to a close this November. Betrayal? Possibly.
As the bulldozers start creeping in, so too will be the memories of countless screams, scares and late night evenings spent in Halloween cheer. The ghastly remains of Reaper’s Realm may soon be well hidden under layers of concrete and progress – much like pinhead – but its legacy and spirit will remain.
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