I stayed the night at the haunted Ashmore Estates asylum.
- K Enagonio
- May 17
- 3 min read
Welcome to Ashmore Estates
Location: Illinois
This is entry number 28 of my urban exploration blog. Click here to go read the last ones!
The Exploration Video
The History
Ashmore Estates is an old asylum steeped in history and mystery, often regarded as one of the most haunted locations in the United States. This facility, which was originally established in the late 19th century, has been the subject of extensive research and investigation by numerous notable paranormal investigation teams, each drawn by the chilling tales and reported supernatural occurrences that permeate its walls. The asylum's dark past, including stories of mistreatment of patients and unexplained deaths, has contributed to its reputation as a hotspot for ghostly encounters.
With the motto "some call it home," this place definintely feels like some are still residing within the walls.
Getting In
I had the unique opportunity to film an independent paranormal investigator as he conducted an overnight investigation in this eerie location. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, as the investigator prepared their equipment, which included EMF detectors, infrared cameras, and audio recording devices, all designed to capture any signs of paranormal activity. The creaking of the old building and the chilling drafts that seemed to whisper through the halls added to the suspense of the night.
Throughout the night, we ventured into the most notorious areas of the asylum, including the former patient wards and the boiler room, where the atmosphere felt particularly heavy. The investigator conducted EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) sessions, asking questions into the darkness, hoping to elicit responses from any spirits that might be present. Each moment was filled with a palpable tension, as we waited in silence, listening for any signs of activity.
As the hours passed, though, we were left in silence in the darkness, coming away with little to no activity. However, the experience was not just a simple investigation; it was a journey into the history of this asylum, exploring the lives of those who once walked the halls of Ashmore Estates and the stories that continue to resonate within its walls.
I had so much fun lighting these rooms for my photos.
Spending the night on a property with such a well-known history definitely sent chills down my spine, but it was also a really unique experience.
This was my final photo of the night, taken just before we ended the investigation. Taken around 1:30AM.
If you'd like to read some amazing urban exploration stories and own some of my photography, pick up a copy of my photo book here.
Alone at Ashmore
As the sun rose the investigator woke me up to let me know that he was leaving early, due to lack of evidence. Luckily for me, we still had about two hours left of our allotted time at Ashmore so I decided to take a stroll through the halls on my own, which was honestly the most eerie part of my time there. Being alone in a building that has a palpable energy is definitely not for the faint of heart.
Oh, also, they had hoodies for sale and I HAD to get one. I wish every abandoned place had merchandise! HA!
Seeing children's toys in abandoned places always freaks me out!
The creepiest photo I took was of this sewing machine, because of the tiny fingerprints in the dust on the table.
THE ESCAPE!
This one was simple, because we were allowed to be on this property. Overall, I had an incredible time documenting this asylum and hope to go back one day.
If you have a spot you'd like me to know about or are interested in hiring me, CONTACT ME!
Gear Recommendations
For those wondering about my bag, this is what I use. A Wandrd, PRVKE 21 backpack. I'll be writing an entire blog about it soon. You can pick one up on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/340OCu7
For more gear recommendations, check out my Urbex Gear blog post here.
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