It is not too late for a chance to be scared on Halloween, or to find a place to go. In the area, there are a few local attractions to seek out for a scare.

Ashmore Estates

Built in 1916, the estates was used as housing for people with mental disabilities. Known then as the Coles County Almshouse, the building had an estimated 100 people die inside. From 1956 to 1976 it was a mental institution until Paul Swinford purchased the building and turned it into an Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled.

Since 1987 the building has been closed due to lack of funds. It is now opened on select weekends, including this Friday and Saturday, for a three-story haunted tour.

The building has been visited by nine paranormal groups who have said, according to ashmoreestates.net, the building is “very active.” It has also been featured on the Sci-Fi Channel show “Ghost Hunters,” in the episode “Children of the Grave 2.” The paranormal professional professors performed tests and claim that ghosts do indeed haunt the building.

Ticket prices are $13 for adults and $12 for children. Tickets can be purchased on their website. On their website, maps, pictures, coupons, videos and more facts are available.

Shotgun Manor

If a former mental hospital is too much to handle, some might prefer the Shotgun Manor in Sullivan, a more traditional haunted house. The non-profit haunted house, located on 2 S. Washington St. in Sullivan is sponsored by Sullivan AmBucs and is open every weekend in October.

Each year the manor has a different story, each setting the scene for the frightening evening visitors will have in store.

This year the story is named ‘Vengeance’ which continues off of last year’s story. As the story goes, Little Emalee finds herself trapped inside Shotgun Manor, hearing voices, and must find a way to destroy the manor before it takes its vengeance.

Last year Shotgun Manor was voted the second most popular haunted house in Illinois on an online poll on www.hauntedillinois.com.

Tickets are available online: $8 for a group pass, $10 for a ticket, $12 for a rush group pass and $15 for a rush ticket.

Nick Draper can be reached at 581-4977 or [email protected].