Did you know three of Illinois' "most haunted" houses are right here in the northern 815? I don't mean Halloween/"BOO!" haunted houses with actors, I'm talking about the kind of homes spirits refuse to leave behind. The stories behind the houses will give you goosebumps, guaranteed.

This list comes from Mysterious Heartland, and the higher the ratings on their "Top 10 Most Haunted Homes in Illinois" list the creepier the stories get.

Let's start in Rockford, which lands at #8.

Credit: Google Street View
Credit: Google Street View
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"EMMA JUNE HOME" - ROCKFORD, IL (#8)

The story behind this home is a woman, named Emma June, who lived here with her husband and their dogs. Her husband died when she was in her 66s and it was just her and her two dogs. And her dogs died her health quickly deteriorated and she moved in with a loved one after selling home. People who have lived in this home after her death claim they've experienced hearing odd noises and spotted the ghost of an elderly woman and even witnessed moving furniture. The most chilling report is a couple who said an old woman appeared in the living room and wanted to know why they were in her home and then she vanished.

"NELLIE DUNTON HOME" -  BELVIDERE, IL (#5)

Here's another home with a sad story. Nellie lived during the civil war when she was with the love of her life. This man had promised he'd marry her upon returning from war. He never returned. Nellie was heartbroken, swore she'd never love again, and wandered into the Rock River in a white wedding dress and drowned. People living in the home and nearby neighbors claim to has seen Nellie's ghost.

"GUITEAU HOME"- FREEPORT, IL (#4)

This is an involved historical story connected to a U.S. President.

The history behind this home, where Charles Guiteau grew up, very strange. Guiteau tried to assassinate President James Garfield after the POTUS rejected Guiteau as the US Ambassador to France.

On July 2, 1881, he shot Garfield twice in the back. For 11 weeks, the president lay in agony, until he finally died of an infection in September. Guiteau was hanged on June 30, 1882.

Charles Guiteau was charged and hanged for the crime. His final resting place remains a mystery but many believe his body was sent back to Freeport and buried in the basement of the home, oddly known as "Saltbox Place."

After he was hanged people living in the home claimed to have encountered an "oppressive, dark presence" and said they often could smell sulfur.

MORE HAUNTED HOMES IN ILLINOIS

You can the seven other homes here, some of which have some messed up stories involved. Sleep tight.

[h/t Mysterious Heartland]

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