Ghost Walk

The Independence Ghost Walk was spawned by the Independence Hop & Heritage Festival and is now hosted by Heritage Museum. The event made its debut in 2002 when over 300 guests visited three downtown locations to hear tales both historic and spooky. Over the decades, the event has grown, both in attendance and the number of volunteers it takes to make it a success.

The Ghost Walk has always been free to the public (but of course donations are appreciated). The Ghost Walk is a time for guests, volunteers, and businesses to have fun together, welcome the spooktacular season of October, and share the joy of seeing Independence and its history truly shine.

Though there are 32 or more identified sites that could be part of the Ghost Walk, the focus is on about 20 locations in the downtown core of Independence. Visitors find that most of the sites are within comfortable walking distance. At least 30 volunteers come together to present the Ghost Walk by telling stories that are grounded in local lore. Guests get an education in the well-researched history of local sites along with the shiver from tales of a spectral nature.

When exploring stops on the Ghost Walk you may encounter some volunteers who have decided to take their story-telling to the next level by wearing period-style clothing, using appropriate props, and even assuming a historic character’s personality.