Berlin Tannery

The Berlin Tannery in Berlin, Wisconsin, is a massive former industrial complex with a history stretching back to the 19th century. The property began as a cranberry warehouse before becoming a tannery, and the building was largely destroyed by a fire in the 1920s before being rebuilt on its original limestone foundation. The tannery continued operating into the late 20th century. In 2000, Dan Hoppa purchased the complex and began preserving the historic building while investigating longstanding reports of paranormal activity. Today, the roughly 75,000-square-foot Tannery is one of Wisconsin’s better-known destinations for paranormal investigations, with guided tours and overnight investigations offered at the reportedly haunted former factory.

Reported activity at the Berlin Tannery includes disembodied footsteps, voices and yells, unexplained objects moving or slamming, unexplained touches, shadow figures and recurring cold spots. Paranormal investigators have also reported capturing EVPs and unexplained audio, including apparent voices and a sound resembling a cat’s meow. The Tannery’s own evidence archive features recordings and video from paranormal investigations, including alleged responses of “Get Out” and “Help You” through a spirit box, unexplained whispering and a light anomaly recorded in an area known as the “Train Station.” Some mediums who have visited the building have claimed that it contains three “portals” between the physical and spirit worlds.

Reported Paranormal Activity

• Disembodied footsteps throughout the building, including footsteps that seem to follow visitors
• Disembodied voices and yells
• EVPs have been captured during investigations, including responses such as “Get Out” and “Help You”
• Shadow figures seen moving through hallways and other areas of the Tannery
• Unexplained touches have been reported by visitors and investigators
• Cold spots are frequently reported in different areas of the building
• Objects moving or slamming on their own
• Unexplained sounds resembling machinery, despite the factory no longer operating