While Michigan is certainly home to plenty of delightful destinations, our state also houses plenty of spooky locales with haunting (and haunted) histories. If you’re fascinated by the darker side of the region’s past, read on to learn about the bloody history behind one of Michigan’s most famous parks.
River Raisin National Battlefield Park is located at 1403 E Elm Ave in Monroe.
During the War of 1812, militiamen from an area near the River Raisin, known as Frenchtown, were enlisted to help build a road connecting Detroit to Ohio.
However, during their tenure, American commander William Hull surrendered his Michigan land — leaving the River Raisin militia vulnerable to an attack.
While the River Raisin American army was able to thwart the attacks of British and Native American ally troops during an initial attack, what happened next would become the bloodiest chapter in Michigan’s military history.
Of the approximately 1,000 American troops stationed in the Frenchtown/River Raisin area, only 33 escaped unharmed. 397 were killed, and nearly 600 were held prisoner.
As if the original battle weren’t shocking enough, a second group of Native American fighters arrived to kill wounded soldiers the next day — resulting in another bloody event that’s now known as the "River Raisin Massacre."
Today, visitors can walk the grounds of River Raisin Battlefield Park to learn more about its history, peruse artifacts, and enjoy opportunities for hiking and bicycling.
But with such a devastating history, it’s difficult to visit this fascinating site without experiencing a spooky sense of loss. In fact, some have even reported sighting ghostly figures or hearing haunting screams throughout the park.
While it’s impossible to verify any of these paranormal reports, one thing is for sure: there’s an all-too-real dark past to be explored at River Raisin National Battlefield Park, and you’ll only find it right here in Michigan.
To learn more about this one-of-a-kind national park in the Great Lakes State, click here. Have you visited River Raisin National Battlefield Park? Share your experiences in the comment section below.
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