TIP Investigation Report: The Haunted 1861 Masonic Lodge in Keithsburg, Illinois

Arrival and First Impressions

When The Illinois Paranormalists arrived at the Haunted 1861 Masonic Lodge, the energy in the air felt thick. Our team for the night included Paul, Renee, Andrew, Randy, Austin, Kristina, Ron, and Lori. Together, we stepped into a building that holds more history than many modern towns combined. The silence inside was deep and heavy, the kind that makes you instinctively lower your voice. It did not take long to sense that the Lodge was ready to communicate. It also did not take long for us to discover how surprisingly good Casey’s gas station pizza tastes when you are preparing for a long night of investigating.

A Lodge Built on Ceremony and Tradition

Freemasonry is the oldest fraternal organization in the world, with roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. Its traditions grew from ancient stonemasons and its members are connected through ceremonial rites and initiation practices. Those very rituals once took place in this Lodge. The structure itself dates back to 1861 and was originally built as the Arlington Hotel. In its early years, it served travelers moving along the river and nearby routes. Eventually, it became the Robert Burns Lodge #113 of the Freemasons before spending many years abandoned.

The Story of Keithsburg

Surrounding the Lodge is the town of Keithsburg, founded in 1837 by Scottish immigrant Robert Keith. The community grew quickly thanks to wheat, flour, and corn industries. Positioned along the Mississippi River, the town experienced both prosperity and hardship. Two powerful floods reshaped its early history. Nearby stands St. Mary’s Church, erected in 1869 and known as the oldest church in the county. Even today, Keithsburg carries the character of a place touched by nature, industry, and resilience.

Activity Begins

We had barely begun our investigation when the building made its presence known. The team received EVPs that contained clear responses. One moment that stood out came when the spirit box spoke the name of one of our investigators.

The dowsing rods were equally active. When we asked the rods to point to a specific member of the team, they turned with accuracy each time. Our yes and no questions received strong and consistent answers. There was a steady feeling of interaction, as if the spirits wanted to guide the conversation in their own way.

Messages From Loved Ones

Several investigators had moments that felt deeply personal. Some of our own relatives appeared to reach out and communicate via the dowsing rods. These experiences carried an emotional weight and reminded us that paranormal work often involves more than simply documenting activity. Sometimes it opens a doorway to meaningful connection.

Physical Contact

At one point, an investigator felt a touch on the top of her head. No one was standing near them at the time. The sensation was light but clear, the kind of contact that makes you stop and look around even when you already know you will not see anyone there.

The Lodge as a Living Presence

The Haunted 1861 Masonic Lodge feels like a character in its own story. The brick walls of the basement, the wide empty rooms above, and the narrow hallways all seem to breathe with memory. This building has hosted travelers, Freemason ceremonies, and countless personal moments. It is no surprise that visitors have long reported footsteps, slamming doors, whispers, laughter, shadows, apparitions, and brief touches that cannot be explained.

Every corner of the Lodge seems to hum with history. The past is not gone here. It has simply fallen quiet, waiting for those willing to listen.

Closing Thoughts

By the end of the night, we had collected new evidence, experienced moments none of us will forget, and deepened our respect for the spirits that live in this location. The Haunted 1861 Masonic Lodge is a place filled with stories, and during this investigation, it allowed us to hear a few of them.

We left knowing that we have only just begun to uncover what cannot be seen. The Lodge is not finished speaking. And neither are we.