The History of Ashmore Estates: A Century of the Forgotten

"This isn't just a building; it is a repository for a century of human struggle, where the echoes of the destitute still pace the halls."

Step back into a timeline where the unwanted were hidden away. The land at Ashmore Estates has served as a final destination for the "forgotten" since the mid-1800s.

It is a site where the soil and the stone have both been saturated with a century of poverty, private care, and the persistent presence of the institutionalized.

1857–1915: The Original Poor Farm

The history begins long before the current brick monolith was built. In 1857, the Coles County Board purchased the land to establish a "Poor Farm."

For decades, the destitute, the elderly, and the mentally ill were housed in a small, wooden farmhouse. Conditions were primitive and often grim; the "inmates," as they were then called, were expected to work the land to earn their keep.

Many who arrived here were at the end of their rope, with no family and no future.

For hundreds, Ashmore became their final resting place. Because the county could not afford proper burials, many were laid to rest in the "Potter’s Field"—a small cemetery on the property where wooden crosses have long since rotted away, leaving only unmarked, nameless graves.

1916: The Brick Monolith Rises

By the early 1900s, the original farmhouse was condemned as a fire hazard and a "death trap." In 1916, the massive three-story brick structure you see today was completed.

Built to be a "fireproof" sanctuary for the county’s paupers, it featured 25,000 square feet of institutional space.

While the new building offered better protection from the elements, the life within remained one of hardship.

The basement housed the kitchens and laundry where residents performed back-breaking labor, while the upper floors were divided into spartan wards.

The heavy, oak doors and cold concrete floors were designed for utility, not comfort, creating an environment where the walls seemed to absorb every sigh of despair.

1959–1986: Ashmore Benevolent & The Private Era

In 1959, the county sold the property, transitioning the site from a public poor farm into a private psychiatric care facility known as Ashmore Estates.

Over the next three decades, the building's purpose shifted from housing the poor to treating those with mental illness and developmental disabilities.

During this era, the building’s energy shifted. The halls were no longer filled with the quiet struggle of the elderly, but with the volatile, often tragic energy of psychiatric patients.

Changing medical standards and mounting financial debt eventually led to a slow collapse of the facility's operations.

The air in the wards became heavy with the stagnant energy of patients who spent years—sometimes decades—staring out of the barred windows at a world they were no longer a part of.

1987–Present: The Long Silence & Reopening

The facility officially shuttered its doors in 1987 after a final, failed attempt to bring it up to modern state codes.

For nearly 20 years, Ashmore Estates sat in total darkness. It became a magnet for local legends, vandals, and those looking for a glimpse into the afterlife.

Nature began to reclaim the brickwork, and the interior fell into a state of "beautiful decay."

In 2006, the building was rescued from the wrecking ball. Today, the doors are no longer locked to keep people in—they are opened to allow the brave to witness the history for themselves.

When you spend 12 hours here, you aren't just in a building; you are inside a 25,000-square-foot ghost story that is still being written.

⏳ The Timeline of the Forgotten

• 1857: Coles County establishes the first "Poor House" on this site.

• 1879: The county cemetery is established on-property for those who died unclaimed.

• 1916: The current 25,000-square-foot brick building is completed for $20,389.

• 1959: Sold to Ashmore Benevolent; transition to a private psychiatric facility begins.

• 1981: The facility is fined for safety violations, beginning the long road to closure.

• 1987: The doors are officially locked, leaving the building to decades of silent decay.

• 2006–Present: Reopened to the public for historical preservation and 12-hour investigations.

Ashmore Estates is more than just a relic of the past; it is a 25,000-square-foot lightning rod for the paranormal.

With a history rooted in the desperation of the Poor Farm and the psychic weight of a mental institution, the building has become a permanent home for those who were never claimed by the world outside.

The Residents of the Estates

• Elva Skinner—The Fire’s Victim: Perhaps the most famous resident, Elva was a young girl who lived at the Poor Farm. Legend tells of a tragic accident involving a heater that claimed her life in the early 20th century. Her small, fleeting shadow is often seen darting between the doorframes of the second floor, and her voice—thin and childlike—has been captured on countless recorders, still looking for the comfort she lost a hundred years ago.

• The Shadow Man of the Third Floor: While Elva represents the innocence of the past, the third floor holds something far more imposing. A tall, dark figure is frequently spotted looming at the end of the long corridors. He doesn't just pass through; he watches. This "Shadow Man" is known to pace the halls with heavy, boots-on-wood footsteps that stop the moment an investigator turns their flashlight toward the sound.

• The "Basement Creeper": The basement was the engine of the building, housing the laundry and kitchens where the paupers performed their daily labor. Today, it is a subterranean gauntlet of activity. Investigators often report the sensation of being followed, with low-level "creepers" seen crawling along the floor or peeking from behind the massive support pillars.

• The Psychiatric Echoes: In the wings used during the building's era as a mental health facility, the energy is volatile. Disembodied screams, the metallic "clack" of doors that no longer have latches, and the sound of phantom gurneys rolling across the floor are common. These are the "Residual Rounds"—moments of trauma looped in time, playing back for anyone brave enough to listen.

The "Unmarked" Presence

The activity at Ashmore isn't confined to the brick and mortar. The "Potter's Field" cemetery near the tree line holds hundreds of souls buried without names or headstones. On misty nights, figures have been seen standing at the edge of the property, staring back at the building as if waiting for a discharge that will never come.

The Experience: 12 Hours in the Dark

At Ashmore, the paranormal isn't a "maybe"—it’s an inevitability. Whether it’s the feeling of a cold hand brushing against your arm in the laundry room or the clear, intelligent response on a Spirit Box in the wards, the building is perpetually awake.

During your 9:00 PM – 9:00 AM lockdown, remember: You are the guest. They are the residents. Act accordingly.

• ⏰ The Sentence: 9:00 PM – 9:00 AM (Please arrive by 8:45 PM sharp for registration and safety briefing. Once the doors are bolted for the night, the lockdown is absolute.)

• 📍 Location: 22645 E Co Rd 1050 N, Ashmore, IL 61912 (The massive brick facade looms over the Coles County dark—the building will be watching your approach.)

• 🎟️ Tickets: $129 per person (Spaces are strictly limited to preserve the intense, heavy atmosphere of the wards. Book early to ensure your spot on the roster.)

• 🛌 The Sleepover: This is a primitive stay. You are encouraged to bring sleeping bags, air mattresses, and blankets to set up camp in the designated areas. You’ll be resting (if you can) in the very rooms where history was made.

• ☕ Fuel for the Hunt: Complimentary hot coffee, bottled water, and light snacks are provided throughout the night to keep you alert for the 3:00 AM witching hour.