Night at the Old Havana Gym Havana, Illinois -- March 23, 2013 Join us for our First Night at an Old Gym, Haunted by the Past! Night at the Old Havana Gym 127 East Jefferson Street - Havana, Illinois March 23, 2013 -- 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Join American Hauntings and Rep Loren Hamilton for an ghost hunt at the old Havana Gym, now owned by the Havana Park District. Constructed in 1925 to serve two of the local schools, the gym is now home to park district activities -- as well as some of the local spirits of the past! According to legend, a former custodian from the schools and the gym still lingers in the place, working away at the tasks he repeated so often in life. His activities have been heard here -- and recorded -- many times in the past. But the most prominent ghost is a local boy who was allegedly locked in the gym one night and subsequently died. His cries have often been heard, calling for help, as have footsteps on the stairs, the sounds of basketballs, and other eerie happenings!  $40 Per Person -- Click Here to make Reservations! The area of Havana was first surveyed in 1827 for Ossian Ross, who started a canoe ferry across the nearby Spoon River. It is an area rich in Illinois history and lore and the town gained its unusual name because of a river island that they dubbed "Cuba," thanks to the fact that it was shaped like the Caribbean nation. Locals eventually called their town "Havana" because it was next to "Cuba Island." It was incorporated as an Illinois town in 1848. By 1900, it was a well-known fishing and hunting center for the region. The economy boomed and legend has it that its many happenings attracted Chicago city officials, wealthy businessmen and even mobsters like Al Capone. As the area thrived, new businesses came to town and there streets were lined with hotels, theaters, bars and gambling houses, all intent on entertaining the fishermen and hunters who flocked to the region. The city remained a bustling place throughout the first half of the twentieth century. Among its businesses were four floating fish markets, three drugstores, banks, scores of restaurants, a movie theater (now believed to be haunted in its own right), taverns, night clubs and more. Now long past Havana's population peak, the quiet community slumbers like many other Illinois river towns, attracting visitors to its pleasant location, area history and the paranormal events that some of the local structures seem to offer. The Old Havana Gym is one such location. A number of ghost researchers have visited the locations in the past (including reps from American Hauntings) and have left the place with a variety of what seems to be evidence of supernatural events. We're now opening up nights at this location to the general public, to come along and discover this eerie location for themselves. As with all of our events, we promise a quiet, serious and PRIVATE investigation of this spirited place and give our guests the chance to perhaps come face-to-face with the resident ghosts for themselves!. Is the old gym really as haunted as some people claim? You'll have the chance to find out on March 23 when we give a limited number of ghost hunters the chance to experience the building. This unusual event is not for the faint of heart and flashlights are required!