House of Shadows

House of Shadows stands out among Wisconsin haunted houses because the building itself is part of the story. Located at 501 Osborne Drive in Sparta, the attraction occupies a reportedly haunted former infirmary associated with the Wisconsin State Child Center. The building dates to the 1930s and was later used as a care facility for elderly residents before becoming the setting for this annual haunted attraction. Today, the Boys & Girls Club of Sparta operates House of Shadows as a fundraiser, turning the historic building into an interactive walk-through haunt filled with themed rooms, creatures, and scares.

The haunt offers two distinct experiences. Not So Scary runs early in the evening for younger visitors and the faint of heart, with a flashlight and creature escort and no actors jumping out at guests. The Very Scary experience turns up the intensity, sending visitors through the building after dark with creatures waiting around the next corner. The attraction has also offered a Spook Pass for guests who want to skip ahead in line, along with concessions and a covered waiting area.

What makes House of Shadows especially interesting for fans of haunted history is the lore surrounding the property. Workers and visitors have reported unexplained cold spots, children’s laughter and crying, strange lights and apparitions, including reports of a figure appearing in an upstairs window. Those stories are part of the attraction’s reported paranormal reputation, not established fact, but they add an unsettling layer to a haunted house where the setting is arguably as creepy as anything the actors can create.