1893 brought forth one of Chicago’s greatest accomplishments in the Columbian Expedition World’s Fair. At the time, the gargantuan fair was one of the most stunning spectacles the world had ever witnessed. The site took place on Chicago’s South Side and contained a brilliant collection of monstrous white buildings designed by renowned architect Daniel P. Burnham, who went on to take a chief role in creating The Plan of Chicago. Frederick Law Olmstead’s beautiful landscaping connected the magnificent structures with rich greenery from around the world, peaceful lagoons and streaming canals. It was a rich time for not only Chicago, but also for an America that wanted to outdo the Paris Exposition held just a few years prior. Many things were introduced at the World’s Fair such as the zipper, Cracker Jack, Shredded Wheat, phosphorescent lamps, spray painting and probably the most notable of all, The Ferris Wheel, which was made solely to top Paris’ Eiffel Tower. 

However, no one at the time had any idea that the fair’s top billing would later go to a certain H.H. Holmes who used the fair to lure unsuspecting victims to his nearby hotel, otherwise known as his “Murder Castle”. Herman Webster Mudgett, a.k.a. H.H. Holmes, was in the murder business well before the World’s Fair, but it was during those very six months in which it was open to the public that his hideous nature would reach its pinnacle. 

Rooms for rent was a popular commodity during the fair and Holmes’ tiny ad in the local paper brought plenty of travelers his way. Holmes was also selective in who he rented to, mostly choosing lone tourists or people that wouldn’t exactly be missed very easily. The hotel, located on the corner of S. Wallace Street and 63rd, was filled with trap doors, and rooms that would lock from the outside to prevent escape once Holmes would emit deadly gas into the air from hidden pipes. Holmes also had a walk in vault that he used to gas victims to death after tricking them into grabbing documents from within. But possibly most disturbing of all, was Holmes’ tortures chamber located in the building’s basement where a variety of medical instruments were often used in the worst ways and vats of acid could be found to dispose of the mangled bodies.

Now you can relive the horror.

H.H. Holmes is believed to be America’s first serial killer and Rosemont’s Screams in the Park is doing its part in keeping his memory alive. With a haunted house themed around Holmes “Murder Castle”, we are led through creepy dimly lit hallways reminiscent of the historic hotel. Eerie pictures decorate the walls with many causing double takes as though something may have moved within its frame. As the maze continues, we walk into one frightening room after another not knowing if anything might jump out towards us at any given second. Each room is unique from the other with some exhibiting scenes as imagined directly from Holmes evil hotel and others displaying their own original theme of gore and horror. Screams from other guests are often heard from other rooms adding to the excitement. Ghosts of past victims walk frantically about and H.H. Holmes himself instructs guests to walk through a frightening stretch of pitch black void. 

Thrills, chills and plenty of excitement will certainly be had at Rosemont’s Screams in the Park. The haunted house is by far one of the more original fright factories I have seen in some time. It is quite obvious that tons of thought, effort and precision went into each detail of the house from the moment you walk into the house to the moment you escape with your life. With more heart stopping scares than the “Saw” films combined, this is the perfect Halloween event.

The walkthrough takes a good 20-30 minutes and the price, which includes parking, is very reasonable at $20. “Screams” is open most nights in October from 7pm through 11pm. For more information on this scare fest, visit www.screamsinthepark.com.