Rockford’s Forgotten Ghost: The Legend of Emma Jones’ House

When you start digging for them, you'll quickly discover Rockford, Illinois has a history full of paranormal experiences. Have you ever heard about the 'House of Emma Jones'?

For the Love Of Old Homes

I love old and historic homes. I love the uniqueness and character of them, and I am fascinated by the stories people share about them.

I have often dreamed of restoring a historic home to live in, but then I remember two things:

1. It costs a LOT of money to properly restore an old home.
2. Many old homes are said to be haunted, and that completely freaks me out.

The 'House Of Emma Jones'

Every city, town, and village throughout the world has their own haunted legends, and Rockford, Illinois is no exception.

READ MORE: Haunted Events You Can't Miss in Rockford This Month

Some of Rockford's most popular haunted places include Tinker Swiss Cottage and the Coronado Performing Arts Center, but have you ever heard the 'House of Emma Jones'?

This house near the Rock River on N 1st Street, was once the home of Frank and Emma Jones in the late 1800s, early 1900s.

Frank owned a transportation company and traveled often for work. Legends say his wife Emma often spent her days sitting in the attic window, surrounded by her two beloved dogs, watching the river for Frank to return.

After Frank and her dogs died, Emma's mind began to fade, she was placed in a nursing home. Her family was then forced to sell the house.

Neighbors claimed they would see Emma occasionally roaming the property, confused and longing for her beloved house. But after Emma died, the real haunting began.

The Haunts of Emma Jones

Throughout the years since Emma Jones had to leave her home, several paranormal experiences have taken place there.

A realtor once reported seeing an elderly woman appear beside him in the dark basement. Later, new homeowners heard dogs’ claws on the hardwood floors and unexplained knocking throughout the house, but here's the part of the story that really gets me.

A Haunted Rockford article from 2014 says:

One day, they (the new owners) walked into the front parlor and found a little old lady standing there. She looked at them quite cross and demanded to know why they were in her house. They stood there in shock as she walked past them and went out the front door.

They mentioned the visit to the neighbors who told them it was probably Emma. They explained that Emma was confused and didn’t understand that the house was no longer hers. They told the couple to phone the nursing home to let them know that Emma had wandered away again. When the couple called, they were stunned when the receptionist replied that it could not have been Emma that visited them. Emma had died weeks before!

Shortly after hearing that news, the home owners moved out.

Emma Jones' spirit remained on the property through many years, and many different owners, but now the house seems finally at peace. Perhaps Emma’s spirit found comfort knowing her cherished home is loved once more. That’s what I choose to believe.