Oriental Theater, Chicago

The Oriental Theater in Chicago is one of the city's most iconic and historic landmarks. But behind its glamorous facade lies a dark and tragic past that has left a lasting imprint on the theater and its surroundings. In this blog post, we will explore the history and hauntings of the Oriental Theater, formerly known as the Iroquois Theater, and why it is considered one of the most haunted places in Chicago.

The Iroquois Theater was built in 1903 as a lavish and luxurious venue for musicals, operas and vaudeville shows. It boasted a seating capacity of 1,602 and claimed to be "absolutely fireproof". However, on December 30, 1903, during a matinee performance of Mr. Bluebeard starring comedian Eddie Foy, a fire broke out on the stage due to faulty wiring and quickly spread to the auditorium. The theater was packed with nearly 2,000 people, mostly women and children, who panicked and tried to escape. But they found that many of the doors were locked or opened inward, creating a deadly bottleneck. The fire exits were also poorly marked and inaccessible. The fire brigade arrived too late to save most of the victims, who either burned to death or suffocated from the smoke. The death toll was estimated at 602, making it the deadliest theater fire in U.S. history.

The building that housed the theater was repaired and reopened several times before being demolished and reopened as the Oriental Theater in 1926. Today, the theater is known as the Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre. It hosts Broadway shows, concerts and other events. But many people believe that the theater is still haunted by the ghosts of those who perished in the fire. Some of the paranormal phenomena reported at the theater include:

- Hearing screams, cries and moans of agony coming from the stage or the auditorium.

- Seeing apparitions of women and children dressed in early 20th century clothing wandering around the theater or sitting in the seats.

- Feeling cold spots, drafts or touches from unseen hands.

- Smelling smoke or burning flesh.

- Experiencing equipment malfunctions, power outages or flickering lights.

- Witnessing objects moving or falling on their own.

The alley behind the theater, known as Death Alley, is also said to be haunted by the spirits of those who jumped or were thrown out of the windows during the fire. Some people have seen ghostly figures lying on the ground or floating in the air. Others have heard footsteps, whispers or sobbing sounds. Some have even felt a sudden surge of heat or pain as if they were being burned.

The Oriental Theater is a place of beauty and entertainment, but also of horror and sorrow. It is a reminder of one of the worst tragedies in Chicago's history and one of the most haunted places in Chicago. If you ever visit the theater, be respectful of its past and be prepared for its ghosts.