Spooky Tales from Wausau, Wisconsin: Murders, Hauntings, and Urban Legends
Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin, Wausau may appear to be just another charming Midwestern town. But beneath its serene surface lies a tapestry of eerie tales, chilling hauntings, and mysterious occurrences that have left residents and visitors alike shivering with curiosity and fear. As Halloween approaches, let’s dive into some of the spookiest stories that have haunted the Wausau area for decades.
The Marathon County Asylum: A Haunting Remnant
One of the most haunted locations in Wausau is the old Marathon County Asylum. Established in the late 19th century, the asylum was home to countless souls who were often forgotten by society. Over the years, stories have emerged of mistreatment, wrongful deaths, and the spirits of former patients who are unable to find peace. Visitors to the site have reported hearing faint cries, feeling cold spots, and even witnessing ghostly figures wandering the halls. Although the asylum no longer stands, its eerie legacy continues to haunt those who dare to explore the area. The Wisconsin Paranormal Research Society (WPRS) has documented numerous encounters at the asylum’s former location, adding credibility to the tales of its haunted past.
The Dark History of the McCrossen Block 
Wausau’s oldest remaining commercial building, the McCrossen Block, holds a particularly dark chapter in the city’s history. Located at 501 Third Street, this building was originally home to James McCrossen’s general store from 1875 to 1892. Built in the Italianate Commercial style, the McCrossen Block was a symbol of the city’s early prosperity. However, a devastating fire in 1950 destroyed much of its original character, leaving behind a shell of its former self.
The building’s history took a gruesome turn in 1880 when one of the first murders in Wausau is said to have occurred on the second floor. This space housed the office of Dr. E.L. Hagel, a dentist from Stevens Point who sought to establish his practice in Wausau. At the time, the city had only one dentist, Dr. J.C. Bennet, who saw Hagel as unwelcome competition. In a fit of rage, Bennet confronted Hagel in his office and ended his life with a shotgun blast. The murder shocked the community, and Bennet was swiftly found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. The McCrossen Block has since been associated with this dark event, and some say the building carries an eerie atmosphere, as if the tragic events of that day left a lingering imprint.
The Ghosts of Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods 
The Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods building in downtown Wausau has long been a staple of the community, offering outdoor equipment and gear for decades. However, beneath the hustle and bustle of everyday business lies a history of strange occurrences and unexplained phenomena that have left employees and visitors unnerved.
The building itself is over a century old, and with its age comes a storied past. Reports of paranormal activity began to surface years ago, with employees claiming to hear footsteps on the upper floors when no one was there, doors opening and closing by themselves, and the unsettling feeling of being watched. Some have even reported seeing shadowy figures moving through the store after hours.
The WPRS conducted an investigation at Shepherd & Schaller, seeking to uncover the source of these disturbances. During their investigation, they captured several EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena), including a voice that clearly said "leave" when the team was exploring the basement. The basement, in particular, has been a hotspot for activity, with cold spots, strange noises, and a general sense of unease reported by those who have ventured down there.
While the exact cause of the hauntings remains a mystery, some speculate that the building's long history, including its use for various purposes over the decades, may have contributed to the presence of restless spirits. Whether it's the echoes of past residents or something more sinister, Shepherd & Schaller has earned its place among Wausau's most haunted locations.
The Ghosts of the Plumer Mansion 
Another of Wausau’s most eerie locations is the former site of the Plumer Mansion, which once stood at the corner of 5th and Franklin. Built by Daniel Longfellow Plumer in 1890, this mansion was one of Wausau’s finest examples of gothic architecture, complete with native granite walls and massive porches. Daniel Plumer, a prominent figure in Wausau’s development, was a lumber magnate, banker, and politician. His mansion was a symbol of his success, but it would later become known for something far more chilling.
After Daniel Plumer’s death in 1920 and his wife Mary’s death in 1928, the mansion was donated to Memorial Hospital and later used by various businesses, including WSAU Channel 7 Television. However, it was during this period that reports of ghostly encounters began to surface.
In the summer of 1967, a maintenance worker at the Channel 7 studio witnessed a spectral figure—a woman in a light blue Victorian-era dress—materialize through a wall as he was waxing the floors. The apparition glided above the floor, passing by him without acknowledgment, before disappearing through the opposite wall. The worker later identified the figure as Mary Plumer after seeing her portrait in the Memorial Hospital where he was treated for an injury shortly after the encounter.
Another incident involved an employee who saw a man in an old-fashioned black suit standing in the third-floor tower window early one morning. The man had an ashen face, a dark beard, and mustache, and was eerily staring down at the employee from the window. However, when the employee investigated, the room was empty, and no one else was in the building. Later, a photograph confirmed that the figure matched Daniel Plumer.
The most unsettling story from the Plumer Mansion involves the apparition of a young boy, seen by multiple people, hanging from a rope near the third-floor staircase. Despite thorough searches, no evidence of this tragic event was ever found, and the identity of the boy remains a mystery.
The Plumer Mansion was eventually razed in 1972, but the ghostly legends surrounding it persist. The apparitions of Daniel and Mary Plumer, along with the mysterious phantom boy, have left an indelible mark on Wausau’s haunted history.
The Wausau Club: Martha’s Haunting Legacy 
The Wausau Club, now home to the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, has a long and storied history that includes tales of paranormal activity centered around a ghost named Martha. The club was established in 1901, and its Colonial-style building at 309 McClellan Street quickly became a hub for the city's elite. Over the years, the building was expanded and refurbished, even featuring a tunnel used during Prohibition to secretly move alcohol.
Martha’s story is one of tragedy and heartbreak. According to legend, she was a guest at the club during its early days. Despondent over a forbidden love affair and an unplanned pregnancy, she took her own life in one of the guest rooms in the north wing. Since that fateful day, Martha’s spirit is said to have lingered in the club.
Staff members and visitors have reported numerous encounters with Martha’s ghost over the years. Her apparition has been seen standing in front of the door to the room where she died, and she’s also been spotted on the grand staircase. Lights are known to turn on and off by themselves in the west wing and North room, and the chandelier in the second-floor ballroom is said to swing on its own. Footsteps have been heard in the ballroom when no one is present, and some staff have reported seeing shadowy shapes moving out of the corner of their eyes.
During renovations, workers complained of tools and equipment being mysteriously moved from where they had been placed. The WPRS conducted investigations in 2005 and again in 2017, documenting these strange occurrences.
Today, the Wausau Club building is home to the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, but the ghostly presence of Martha is still felt by many who visit or work there. The history of the building, combined with the paranormal activity reported, makes it one of Wausau’s most intriguing haunted locations.
The Wausau Municipal Airport: Archie Towle's Ghost 
Wausau Municipal Airport is another location in the city with a chilling story to tell. The airport is reportedly haunted by the ghost of Archie Towle, a former airport manager who tragically died in a crash there in 1945. Since his death, strange occurrences have been reported in one of the airport hangars where Archie spent much of his time.
Witnesses have described hearing ghostly footsteps that sound like "wingtips walking across a hardwood floor," even though the floors are concrete. Additionally, a water faucet in the hangar is known to turn itself on, with no explanation as to why. The current airport manager has noted that Archie's ghost seems particularly active during periods of renovation at the airport.
One of the more eerie incidents occurred when an employee was working late in a second-floor office. He heard a persistent pounding sound coming from a nearby closet. Half-jokingly, he knocked back on the wall and told Archie to keep it down. In response, the pounding moved from the closet to the outer wall and then seemed to make its way around the entire building. The employee, now thoroughly spooked, quickly wrapped up his work and left for the night.
These unexplained events have led many to believe that Archie Towle’s spirit remains at the Wausau Municipal Airport, keeping a watchful eye on the place he once managed. The hangar, where most of the activity occurs, has become a focal point for those interested in Wausau’s haunted history.
The Yawkey House Museum: Echoes of the Past 
The Yawkey House Museum, located in the historic Yawkey mansion at 410 McIndoe Street, is another site in Wausau known for its paranormal activity. The mansion, once home to the influential Yawkey family, now serves as a museum, preserving the elegance and history of Wausau’s past. However, it seems that not all of the mansion’s former residents have left.
One of the most common reports from the Yawkey House Museum is the smell of pipe smoke on the first-floor staircase landing—a favorite of Mr. Yawkey himself. Despite there being no logical source for the smell, it lingers as a reminder of the mansion’s original owner.
In addition to the scent of pipe smoke, museum staff have reported several other strange occurrences. A book of poetry is often found moved from one exhibit to another, seemingly by unseen hands. One staff member had a particularly frightening experience in the basement when he heard his name called out. When he tried to leave, he found the basement door held shut by an unseen force, only releasing after a few tense moments.
In another incident, a group of employees was taking a break in the kitchen when they witnessed a pop bottle cap move across the break room table and fall to the floor, with no apparent cause. Another time, the museum curator arrived in the morning to find various items moved and placed on the floor in Mr. Yawkey’s old office area, despite the museum being locked and secure overnight.
It’s also reported that when the tour guide is alone in the home, he often hears footsteps walking across the landing at the top of the staircase. As he leaves for the day, he sometimes hears knocking on the window from within, only to turn around and find no one there. These unexplained phenomena suggest that the spirits of the Yawkey family may still be present, keeping a watchful eye on their beloved home.
The Marathon County Historical Society: Ghostly Encounters 
The old Woodson mansion, now home to the Marathon County Historical Society and museum, also has its share of ghostly tales. Staff members have reported hearing the sound of a telephone ringing in a room that no longer has a phone. Phantom footsteps are frequently heard coming down the upstairs hallway and descending the main staircase, often when the building is otherwise empty.
Strange odors have also been reported in an upstairs room, with no identifiable source. The door alarm, meant to alert staff to any after-hours intrusions, has been known to sound by itself, adding to the building’s eerie atmosphere.
Perhaps most unsettling is the apparition of a younger male that has been seen in the first-floor area between the old church and the mansion. This ghostly figure appears and disappears without warning, leaving those who encounter him with more questions than answers.
The combination of these unexplained events has led many to believe that the Marathon County Historical Society is home to more than just historical artifacts—perhaps it also houses the spirits of those who once lived there.
Forest Park Village (Old Hospital North): Haunted Past and Present 
The building now known as Forest Park Village was once the Old Hospital North, a facility that loomed ominously over the city from East Hill before being abandoned in the 1980s. The hospital’s history is steeped in unsettling stories, particularly those involving strange happenings that occurred after it was left vacant.
One of the most infamous incidents at Old Hospital North involved the arrest of 13 cultists in the old hospital morgue on Halloween night in the mid-1980s. This event only added to the building’s dark reputation. Locals reported hearing strange sounds emanating from the derelict building and seeing shadows moving past the windows, despite it being abandoned.
Even after the hospital was converted into housing for the elderly, now known as Forest Park Village, the hauntings reportedly continued. Residents and staff have reported seeing apparitions, often in the elevator, as well as experiencing cold spots and hearing ghostly children's cries. Some residents have also described uneasy feelings in various areas of the complex, as if they were being watched.
One of the more disturbing accounts involves sightings of small children's faces peering in through the windows of the Stonecrest building, despite there being no children around. These sightings have left many residents and visitors feeling unsettled, adding to the eerie atmosphere of Forest Park Village.
These unexplained events suggest that the spirits of those who once inhabited Old Hospital North may still be present, unable to leave the place where they spent their final days.
The Dark History of Big Bull Falls 
Long before it became the modern city of Wausau, the area was known by its original settlers as Big Bull Falls. The name itself, derived from the significant rapids that powered the early lumber industry, also hints at the dark and often violent history that unfolded along its banks.
In the 1800s, Big Bull Falls was the epicenter of the logging industry, attracting tough men who sought to profit from the dense forests that surrounded the Wisconsin River. The town quickly became notorious for its lawlessness. Saloon brawls, gambling disputes, and even murders were common occurrences, earning the settlement a rough-and-tumble reputation. Many of these violent confrontations left behind spirits that some say still haunt the area today.
According to the Marathon County Historical Society, Big Bull Falls was the site of several gruesome incidents, including the mysterious drowning of a young logger whose cries for help were heard echoing across the water long after his death. Even today, some locals claim to hear faint screams carried on the wind near the river, especially on cold, foggy nights.
The river itself, with its powerful currents and hidden dangers, has claimed many lives over the centuries. Some believe that the souls of those who perished in its waters still linger, unable to move on. Visitors to the riverbanks at night have reported seeing strange lights hovering over the water and feeling an inexplicable sense of unease, as if being watched by unseen eyes.
Investigating the Paranormal: Shawn Blaschka and the WPRS 
For those intrigued by Wausau’s haunted history, there are opportunities to delve deeper into the paranormal. Shawn Blaschka, a seasoned ghost hunter and founder of the Wausau Paranormal Society, has spent years investigating the city’s haunted sites. His experiences, coupled with the extensive research conducted by the Wisconsin Paranormal Research Society, offer a fascinating glimpse into the supernatural side of Wausau. From conducting ghost hunts to documenting paranormal activity, these groups have uncovered evidence that suggests Wausau is indeed a hotspot for ghostly encounters.
Blaschka, whose interest in the paranormal was sparked at an early age, has made a significant impact on the local community's understanding of hauntings. He has not only led numerous investigations but also helped to educate the public about the methods used in paranormal research. His group has explored some of Wausau’s most notorious haunted sites, including the Marathon County Asylum, the McCrossen Block, Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods, the Plumer Mansion, the Wausau Club, the Wausau Municipal Airport, the Yawkey House Museum, the Marathon County Historical Society, and Forest Park Village (Old Hospital North). Their findings have often been nothing short of chilling.
In a recent interview, Blaschka shared that one of the most compelling pieces of evidence his team captured was an EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) recording from the Marathon County Asylum. The voice, which clearly said "help me," was captured in an area where there had been numerous reports of strange activity. This, along with other pieces of evidence, has cemented Blaschka’s reputation as a serious and dedicated paranormal investigator.
A City of Shadows and Secrets
Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, there’s no denying that Wausau is a city rich in history, mystery, and the unexplained. The tales of hauntings, murders, and urban legends continue to capture the imaginations of those who live here and those who dare to visit. So, the next time you find yourself walking the streets of Wausau after dark, take a moment to listen to the whispers of the past. You never know what—or who—you might encounter.
As Halloween approaches, these stories serve as a chilling reminder that sometimes, the past refuses to stay buried. Whether you’re brave enough to explore these haunted locations or prefer to enjoy the tales from the safety of your home, Wausau’s spooky history is sure to leave a lasting impression.
For more tales of the paranormal and to explore Wausau’s haunted history, consider reaching out to Shawn Blaschka or visiting the Wisconsin Paranormal Research Society’s website. Who knows? You might just discover that the city you thought you knew has a few more secrets to reveal.
We are working with Discover Wisconsin on a feature story of Haunted Wausau out in the Fall of 2025!
