NIGHT AT THE VIRGIL HICKOX HOUSE (NORB ANDY'S) -- FEBRUARY 11, 2012 Join us in Springfield, Illinois for a Night of Historical Hauntings! FEBRUARY DATE IS SOLD OUT! Night at the Virgil Hickox House (Norb Andy's) 518 East Capitol Avenue - Springfield, Illinois February 11, 2012 -- 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM The evening includes the ghost hunt AND a famous Central Illinois "Horseshoe" sandwich from Norb Andy's -- a place that made it famous! Join American Hauntings and rep Loren Hamilton for a chilling ghost hunt at one of Springfield's most actively haunted spots -- the Virgil Hickox House, home to Norb Andy's tavern! Spend the night looking for the ghosts of this historic and haunted place with a limited number of ghost hunters during a private ghost hunt at the location! Are you brave enough to spend the night inside these haunted walls?  This authentic and historic haunted location offers you the chance to spend the night and early morning hours looking for the  the building's reported ghosts and learn more about it's rich history in the Springfield area.  Is the house really as haunted as some people claim? You'll have the chance to find out on February 11 when we give a limited number of ghost hunters the chance to possibly meet some of the former occupants of the old mansion face-to-face! $60 Per Person (Includes Dinner & Ghost Hunt!)     Click Here for Reservations! The Virgil Hickox house is Springfield's oldest and last single family residence left standing in the downtown business district. The elite of the city's business and political scene have been connected to the house since it was built. Virgil Hickox lived in the house since it was built in 1839 to his death in 1880 and was one of Springfield's most influential citizens. In addition to being a wealthy store owner, he was also a prominent attorney and railroad developer, helping to bring the Chicago & Alton Railroad to the city. He was also the Canal Commissioner for the Illinois & Michigan Canal, was a bank president and chairman of the Democratic State Committee for 20 years. Although allied with Stephen Douglas, he was also friends and professionally associated with Abraham Lincoln. Although the Hickox house has been remodeled a number of time, it is substantially the same as it was when the Hickox family lived in it in 1880. The house remained in the family for many years after Mr. Hickox's death. In 1895, Springfield's first men's club, the Sangamo Club, moved into the house and remained there for 15 years. Illinois governors were given honorary membership in the club. After the Sangamo Club moved out, the house became Branson's Funeral Parlor and the casket room was located on the lower level. It was said that during the 1918 Spanish Influenza Epidemic, the funeral parlor operated 24 hours a day to keep up with the demand caused by the deadly flu. During the years of Prohibition, the lower level of the club operated as a popular speakeasy and the saloon continued after the repeal of the law. A man named Hoot Francis was given one of the first liquor licenses in the city to operate a tavern at that location. In 1937, the place re-opened as the locally famous Norb Andy Tabarin. Norb Andy's became a popular bar for state legislators and the countless political lobbyists and hangers-on that haunted the city. Many local attorneys and politicians dined there daily and still continue to frequent the place today. It was a popular night spot for many years and owner Norbert Anderson brought in nationally-known celebrities like Tommy Dorsey and other performers to entertain his customers. The bar closed down in 2006 but re-opened three years later and has become a popular night spot once again. The main portion of the house was used as a music shop, a beauty parlor and a rooming house but was abandoned between 1965 and 1980. It has since been renovated and earned a place on the National Historic Register in the 1980s. In addition to the reputation the place enjoyed as a popular tavern, the building has also earned a reputation for being haunted. Over the years, there have been countless reports of phantom footsteps, objects moving about and even the ghosts of a little girl and of Norb Anderson, still hanging around the tavern that he operated for 42 years! Join us for our ghost hunt at the house and you might have the chance to experience the resident ghosts for yourself!