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Haunted: St. Mary's Cemetery LbNA #35720 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Oct 3, 2007
Location:
City:Buffalo Grove
County:Lake
State:Illinois
Boxes:1
Planted by:Mischief
Found by: tat2bob and kimberly
Last found:May 3, 2009
Status:FFFFFFFFFm
Last edited:Oct 3, 2007

Update: 9/27/2010 Sorry to say, but this box has disappeared. I'll recarve, replace, and rewrite the clues when I'm able, especially since the tree it was in is quickly falling apart.

The landmark old church of St. Mary's, standing near the cemetery, was built in 1899, but it is actually the third church standing at the sight. The first church was built 1853, but soon experienced troubled times. Vandalizes struck before the dedication of the church, stealing precious items to the church, even damaging the cross erected in front of the church so much that a year after the vandlization, people feared that the cross would be blown over by wind. A year after that, the church was set on fire, burning to the ground. Perhaps it was these tragic events that would help cause some of the mysterious phenomenon that has been reported at the adjoined cemetery.

St. Mary's Cemetery was established between 1885 and 1905 as one of seven cemeteries to take care of the burial needs of a burgeoning population. Burials are still performed at the cemetery. But, all is not peaceful at this quaint little resting place. Mysterious phenomenon has been repeated reported to the skeptic police during all seasons of the year, all times of weather, and by all types of people including those that are just passing through the area. Luminescent, unidentifiable shapes defy gravity to waft over the fence into the cemetery at night. Apparitions of cars often suddenly appear and vanish near the cemetery main gates, but there is no definitively known evidence as to the cause of these ghostly cars.

St. Mary's Cemetery is the starting point for this letterbox, but please be VERY discrete and cautious. The church is often busy and there is an associated school at the same location. It's not a very good place to hide from any potential ghosts, not to mention from the living.

From the parking lot off of Lake Cook Road, exit onto Buffalo Grove Road and head west on Lake Cook Road until you reach the first stop light. Turn left and park your car in the parking lot to your right. There will be a baseball diamond to the west and you will also see a bridge further south on the side street that you were just on. Head towards the end of the parking lot where you will see a fenced in area and a small house. Travel around the south side of the fence and the house where you will see a pair of large trees that share a base, forming a V. Standing on the east side of the V-tree, look directly through the opening and you'll see one of nature's elders standing tall, but wounded to one side, missing part of itself. Yet, while part is missing, the important support, though jagged, still remains with a few fungi friends for company. Find our friend within, huddled beneath stone. You will know that you're in the right place if the asphalt path and the baseball field are to your immediate right. Just the perfect place to hide from the living impaired with a favorite place for the living close-by, especially if it's during the day.

Be respectful, be cautious, be discrete, and be safe. And above all, please replace the box as it was found, making sure to have all sides firmly closed.