Third Ward Ghost Walk

About

"Do you want to have some real fun?" With those words, the wildly eccentric Clair Richardson founded the Skylight Music Theatre. While Clair died in 1981, many say he never left. In fact, his human remains still reside in the building and have even taken part in two productions. To this day, his ghost is known to disrupt live performances if the perpetual spotlight, shining on his urn in the Cabot Theatre’s trap room, is allowed to go out. The stage manager checks that the bulb is burning before each and every show.

The tour route is wheelchair-accessible, just let us know if you plan on using one, so we can adjust the route appropriately for your comfort.

The Third Ward, dubbed “The Bloody Third” in 1846, is a charming arts district today but conceals a violent gangster past. Once home to Milwaukee’s mafia operations and, before that, Irish gangsters, known as the Third Ward Cowboys, its streets have been touched by tragedy and the paranormal.

Expect to learn more about paranormal happenings and ghost sightings at the Skylight Opera Theatre, the Italian Community Center, and MIAD, as well as many other lesser-known locations. Ghosts stories with Third Ward connections including supernatural encounters at the Hilton Garden Inn and the Pfister Hotel. See the Itinerary section below for a sample of the stops.