Legends and Lore of Illinois Presents: Devil's Gate

Devil's Gate in Libertyville, Illinois is the story of an old school or camp that was the scene of gruesome murders. According to legend, a murderer broke into the camp/school, kidnapped some of the girls there, decapitated them, and stuck their heads on the iron gates. In reality, this location was the site of the Katherine K. Budd Memorial Home for Children, and later the St. Francis Boys Camp. It was then turned into the Independence Grove Forest Preserve.

In this episode, Michael Kleen, author of the Legends and Lore of Illinois, explains the physical evidence that proves the existence of the camp in spite of what angry authorities have claimed.

To read more about the legend of Devil's Gate, visit:
http://trueillinoishaunts.com

Bumper music by Midnight Syndicate.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Devil's
• Gate
• Ghosts
• Illinois
• St.
• Francis
• Boys
• Camp
• Independence
• Grove
• Libertyville

[gladewig8]

I go there all the time. Weird stuff has indeed happened. Also, in the wooded area, there's a strange circular clearing where nothing grows. It's very eerie.

[gomezv427]

we use to go there 20 years ago, we found the house that was there we went inside and went in the basement and there was a tunnel that went about eight feet to know where. Also there was an alter of some sort we went to move it and the concrete cross fell off the top of it. Also there was a rope hanging from a tree that was strange. I do believe something happened there.

[Catdogmouse11]

I was there last night. Its some creepy shit

[nini12397]

my dad lived at this place after, the girls camp my grandpa was the care taker of the boys camp!

[uofibonehead]

You can see foundations clearly from the Google Maps sattelite view. I grew up in Deerfield and now live in Gurnee, which is quite close to this. I found it Sunday and brought my wife back with me today. We agreed it was eerie sitting there with no apparent reason.

A friend mentioned he found foundations and I cannot wait to go back. Looking at Google Map sattelite views you can see where they are

[StgCoach256]

I don't know what made me start thinking about Camp St. Francis, which was a Franciscan boys' camp located on this site. I spent six weeks there every summer 1959 through (I think) 1963. I don't remember any folklore about a girls' school located there; we certainly exchanged plenty of ghost stories around campfires, though. I remember the pool. The concrete pads shown in the video would be about the size of some of the cabins.

[vampersbites]

This is stupid. I live in libertyville xD BULLSHIT.

[ozzy59291]

i been so many times i have more fun scaring the shit out of people that pass by lol. if u keep walking theres two paths u can go through so pick witch way u want to go and have fun i didnt see any thing that night but the third night i went i took some pics in front of the gate and i captured some little balls of light so give it a try and maybe you'll see some thing

[Shinjite1754]

@lilmisshollywood77 Chicken shit. haha.

[folkdancin]

we use to go there as kids 20 years ago. There was a 20 ft. 5x5 concrete structure with a base that seemed to look like an alture and a 100 yr. old shed just a few 1000 ft in on the right.. Also a 20ft. circle fence type cage with a post in the middle and door on the top way back by the lake. There was reports of satin worship in the woods and pets missing from the newer homes. Suddenly one day the alture, shed, and cage were just gone. They also started building houses but tore them down.