About
The Old Baraboo Inn dates to 1864, when it operated as a boarding house across from Baraboo’s railroad depot. As the town grew, so did the building’s reputation. It transitioned into a saloon and brothel, drawing a mix of travelers, workers, and criminals moving through the region. Accounts tie the location to Chicago mob activity, including visits from Al Capone. Several deaths are said to have occurred inside, including former owners and women who worked there during its brothel years. A fire in the late 20th century left the structure dormant until it was restored in the early 2000s, reopening with its layered history intact.
That history is reflected in the volume and consistency of reported activity. The inn is said to host multiple “resident” spirits, including cowboys, call girls, former owners, children, and even animals. Two of the most frequently identified figures are Mary, a spirit known for communicating through ghost-hunting equipment, and Cybil, a former madame believed to appear as a full-bodied “lady in white.” Staff, patrons, and former upstairs tenants have reported face-to-face encounters, along with objects moving, disembodied voices, and music heard in empty rooms. The basement walk-in cooler is frequently cited for doors slamming or locking on their own. The site has drawn repeated paranormal investigations, producing extensive photo, audio, and video captures over the years.
The Old Baraboo Inn has been featured on multiple paranormal TV shows and Youtube channels, was named Top 10 Most Haunted in America by Food Network, and has been investigated by well-known figures in paranormal media. Today, the building actively leans into its reputation. The former brothel upstairs includes a rentable “haunted suite” for overnight stays, and the inn regularly hosts guided investigations, paranormal workshops, and private events centered around direct interaction with the reported spirits.
Reported Paranormal Activity
Full-bodied apparition of Cybil, a lady in white
Frequent communication with the spirit Mary
Reports of multiple spirit types including former workers, owners, children, and animals
Objects moving, disappearing, or being thrown
Disembodied voices, laughter, and phantom music
Doors opening, slamming, or locking on their own, especially in the basement cooler
Photos
