There are many ways to make the most out of the year’s spookiest holiday: watching horror movies, parties, trick or treating, and most importantly, going to haunted houses. The excitement and terror that runs through your veins as you’re being chased by masked pursuers, darting left and right through dark halls and never knowing what to expect next is thrilling! But there’s one building in particular that will really leave you shaking in your shoes… The Chittyville Haunted House.

So how did this aged, average school building develop into such a spectacle? It might have something to do with the truly strange and unexplainable activities witnessed by its unsuspecting guests. The history of this spooky structure dates back to October 1912, when officials decided to build their new school on the grounds of Chittyville Road, which, at the time, was being used as a public cemetery. Residents of the area were concerned about the consequences that may come with disrupting the sacred grounds and pleaded for the project to cease. However, despite the warnings of the superstitious townspeople, the school began construction and opened in August of 1913. Almost fifty years later, the school was shut down in 1984 after various disappearances and supposed ghost sightings scared off its attendees and left the building abandoned. That was until December 2004, when Sammie and Mike King purchased the building and transformed it into an attraction, marking the start of Herrin’s most beloved haunted house.

One of the building’s former owners, Krista King, claims to have witnessed the building’s mysterious activity back when it was simply an abandoned school, such as phone lines going off in its desolate rooms, seeing strange figures in the windows, and experiencing constant paranoia. King and her colleagues reported, “We never wanted to go inside it; it always felt like you were being watched whenever you stepped through the doors.” Even today, there are still reports of unusual activity within the building, such as scare actors claiming they felt their hair being pulled by an unseen force while waiting at their stations and hearing unexplained voices when no one else was in the room.

With all of the supernatural events that have occurred within the school, it has garnered the attention of hundreds of guests, whether they believe in ghosts or not. Now, in 2025, the doors to the building are opened once again to the community, and people are screaming with excitement. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with the ominous presence of the building’s demonic gargoyle statues and are treated to the sounds of screams of those who thought it brave enough to enter, creating an undeniably frightening atmosphere. Although the impressive exterior of the building is enough to leave one second-guessing, the inside is sure to satisfy your need for fun and terror. Within the school’s walls, the dark halls of the building are decked in terrifying decor, from bloodied walls to looming golems; each gruesome prop is strategically placed in every cob-webbed corner to send chills and thrills down the spines of its wandering guests. 

A couple of local high school students even share their own praise for the building’s petrifying and exciting design. HHS senior Bailey Kern states that, “Everywhere we turned, there were colorful and creative decorations that really freaked me out.” 

Likewise, senior Jacie Watson commented, “It was fun! It was made like a maze and was very dark in certain places; it was super scary.”

Aside from the spooky interior, the scare actors effortlessly play a vital role in the experience, jumping out at the most unpredictable moments to truly enhance the turmoil of their already horror-stricken victims with their various, horrifying costume designs and props. The actors are also praised for their playful and engaging interactions with the guests, giving them both a scare and a sense of connection to their experience.

 So whether or not you believe in ghosts or ghouls, the Chittyville Haunted House will surely surprise you with the most haunting thrill of the season.