About
Chances in Rochester, Wisconsin, is more than just a cozy eatery, it’s a portal to the past both historically and supernaturally. The old brick building was first constructed in 1843 as The Union House, the first brick structure in Rochester and a known stop on the Underground Railroad. While the restaurant opened in the 1980s, the building carries nearly two centuries of history, from Civil War-era patrons to whispers of escaped slaves finding freedom. Its walls are steeped in stories, secrets, and, according to many, lingering spirits.
Guests and staff report that Chances is home to seven friendly ghosts, including a Civil War soldier and a runaway slave named Sadie. Paranormal activity is often light-hearted: radios switch on by themselves, objects vanish only to reappear later, and the menu nods to its ghostly residents, warning diners to watch for the “lady in the green ball gown waiting for her Civil War soldier to return.”
Beneath the building lies a mysterious set of tunnels, discovered during 1970s construction. These passageways were sealed off due to unsettling screams and wails heard echoing from deep inside, leading some to speculate the tunnels may lead straight to Hell. The combination of historic significance, ghostly residents, and unexplained activity makes Chances a uniquely haunted destination in Wisconsin.
Reported Paranormal Activity
- Radios turning on by themselves
- Objects disappearing and later reappearing
- Apparitions of a Civil War soldier and a lady in a green ball gown
- Presence of a runaway slave spirit named Sadie
- Tunnel to Hell beneath the building
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