Cemeteries will always carry a paranormal story or two, no matter what state you’re in. Maybe it’s because many cemeteries are historically old or because of our fascination with the afterlife. When you combine history and death, you’ll end up with a ghost story. Whether you’re a believer in the paranormal or not, one thing is certain: Roselawn Cemetery in Roseville is one of Minnesota’s most hauntingly beautiful cemeteries. And yes, we do mean hauntingly beautiful.

The Roselawn Cemetery was established in 1901.
JRob Zetelumen/Google
It is located in Roseville, Minnesota, which is about a seven-mile drive from Minneapolis.
The cemetery is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Roselawn Cemetery/Google
And it is a very peaceful, scenic spot for a stroll.
The grounds are truly beautiful.
JRob Zetelumen/Google
The perfectly manicured lawns boast several gardens, including a split rock garden and a garden of remembrance, an orchard view, and a fountain.

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While it may be one of Minnesota's most beautiful cemeteries...
JRob Zetelumen/Google
...rumor has it that it's also one of the most haunted cemeteries. Don't worry, this particular ghostly tale doesn't involve any malevolent spirits scratching you or hurting you.
The supernatural superstar of the cemetery is known as “Smiling Jack.”
Roselawn Cemetery/Google
It all began after the Roseville Police Department kept receiving phone calls that someone was locked inside one of the mausoleums after hours.
Every time the police answered the call, no one was found to be locked inside any of the buildings.
JRob Zetelumen/Google
Now, you might be thinking, "It's probably a prank by some teenagers trying to keep the story alive." But there have been many paranormal activity investigations done here and some even claim to have captured this apparition on camera. But why the name "Smiling Jack?" Well, there's a stained glass portrait of a man in the mausoleum, and he's smiling!

For more information, check out the Roselawn Cemetery website, as well as the Roselawn Cemetery Facebook page.

Do you think the Roselawn Cemetery is haunted? Have you been to other haunted cemeteries in Minnesota? If so, we’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!

There are plenty of allegedly haunted places in Minnesota where you might come face-to-face with a spirit. Are you brave enough to explore them all?

If you’re interested in making a weekend trip to Minneapolis, be sure to consider a stay at the Emery, Autograph Collection hotel.

If you’re still in the mood for more Minnesota adventures, take a look at this video:

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More to Explore

Exploring Beautiful Minnesota

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | September 09, 2023

Where can we find some of the best museums in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area?

  • The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is one of the top-rated museums in the country for its over 90,000 works of art representing world history spanning some 5,000 years.
  • The Mill City Museum is located in what was once the world's largest flour mill and focuses on 19th-century flour milling techniques and other aspects related to our food sources.
  • The Science Museum of Minnesota features a wide array of interactive science-related exhibits and gallery spaces suitable for all ages.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other great museums in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Where can we find beaches in Minnesota?

  • Black Beach in Silver Bay is a real black sand beach and the only one of its kind in Minnesota.
  • Flandrau State Park Beach near New Ulm is unique in that it is actually a sandy bottom chlorinated pool that looks and feels just like being at the beach.
  • Zippel Bay State Park Beach in Williams features two miles of sandy beachfront and is an area favorite because it is relatively unknown elsewhere in the state.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other beautiful beaches in Minnesota.

Where can we find animal adventures in Minnesota?

  • The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in Orr provides a unique opportunity to observe black bears within a two-acre clearing set amidst the overall 500+ acre forested sanctuary.
  • The International Wolf Center in Ely teaches visitors about the lifecycle of wolves, and their relationship to wildlands and humans.
  • Paul Bunyan's Animal Land in Bemidji offers up-close-and-personal encounters with lions, deer, tigers, and bears.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other wonderful animal adventures in Minnesota.

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Roselawn Cemetery, 803 Larpenteur Ave W, Roseville, MN 55113, USA