On East 55th Street in Cleveland, Ohio, there stands a Gothic-style building. It is imposing and has a rich and often somber history: the House of Wills. This 42-room structure is more than just an architectural marvel. It has worn many hats over its 120-plus years. It began as a German social club and immigrant hospital. Later, it evolved into Cleveland’s largest Black-owned funeral home. Eventually, it became a renowned hotspot for paranormal activity. Its storied past, intertwined with life, death, and significant community events, has woven a tapestry of tales that draw both history buffs and thrill-seeking paranormal investigators to its decaying grandeur.
A Building with Many Lives
The House of Wills was built in 1898 and opened in 1900. It originally served as the Cleveland Gesangverein Hall. This was a vibrant clubhouse for a German singing society. For 14 years, it echoed with music and camaraderie. Later, it transformed into a hospital serving Hungarian immigrants. The hospital witnessed countless moments of human vulnerability, pain, and inevitable loss. The building then housed the Cleveland Hebrew Institute for 18 years, before taking on its most enduring identity.
In 1941, the notable mortician and entrepreneur John W. Wills purchased the building. Wills was a prominent figure in Cleveland’s Black community. He was also a staunch advocate for civil rights. He transformed the building into his funeral home. It quickly became the largest Black-owned funeral home in Ohio. Beyond its mortuary services, the House of Wills was more than just a place for funerals. It served as a vital community hub. The hub hosted social gatherings and civil rights meetings. There were even rumored speakeasy operations during Prohibition. Mr. Wills also resided in the building, and it’s said he passed away in an upstairs bedroom in 1971.
The funeral home continued to operate under the Wills family until its closure in 2005. After sitting abandoned for several years, the building fell into disrepair. It became a target for vandals. Artist Erich Freeman purchased the building in 2010. He had ambitious plans for its restoration and community use, including art shows and exhibitions.
The Veil Thins: Tales of the Unseen
The House of Wills has a rich history as a funeral home. It has absorbed a vast volume of human experience. It’s perhaps unsurprising that it has garnered a reputation as one of Cleveland’s most haunted locations. Accounts of paranormal phenomena are varied and consistent, drawing investigators and curious visitors from across the country.
One of the most frequently reported sightings is that of a whitish apparition peering down from an upstairs window, seemingly keeping watch over the neighborhood. The former casket room is also a hotbed of activity, with consistent reports of a man in a suit being seen. Disembodied voices, phantom footsteps, and inexplicable sounds of social gatherings are also commonly reported, leading many to believe that spirits from its diverse past continue to inhabit the space.
Paranormal investigators, both amateur and professional, have flocked to the House of Wills, documenting a wide range of unsettling experiences:
- Shadow Figures: Many visitors claim to have witnessed shadowy figures scurrying from room to room or lurking in hallways.
- Disembodied Voices and Sounds: Beyond indistinct whispers, some report hearing clear voices calling their names, as well as sighs and other unexplained vocalizations.
- Physical Phenomena: Instances of objects moving on their own, feelings of being watched, and even physical pushes have been reported, particularly in areas like the basement’s “cloud room.”
- Sensory Experiences: Some investigators have reported sudden temperature drops, a feeling of nausea, or even seeing their breath in warm August air within the building.
- Time Distortion: One prominent paranormal investigator, Daryl Marston, co-lead on A&E’s “Ghost Hunters,” recounted losing large chunks of time during his 13-hour investigation of the House of Wills, alongside other disturbing encounters. He described the location as a “living, breathing organism” that feeds off human energy.
The history of the building’s ownership and alleged activities has also fueled some of the darker tales. Current owner Eric Freeman is reportedly a well-known Satanist in the Cleveland area, and some speculate that his presence and artifacts may have contributed to a more intense or negative energy within the house. Marston, in his book “The Horrors of the House of Wills,” describes the location as “a ticking time bomb of negative paranormal activity.”
A Place of Both History and Haunts
Despite its dilapidated state and chilling reputation, the House of Wills remains a significant piece of Cleveland’s history. Owner Eric Freeman continues to work on its restoration, hoping to revitalize it for community use. In the meantime, it has become a popular destination for ghost tours and paranormal investigations, with its decaying grandeur serving as a haunting backdrop for those seeking an encounter with the unknown.
The House of Wills stands as a testament to the layers of history a single building can hold – from joyous celebrations to solemn goodbyes, from community empowerment to personal tragedy. Whether one believes in the literal presence of ghosts or views the phenomena as residual energy from a turbulent past, the House of Wills undeniably possesses an eerie allure, inviting all who dare to step inside and experience its lingering echoes.
To read other blogs in my Paranormal category, click HERE! To read a first-hand report from the House of Wills, click on the book cover below, reviewed HERE.
