The Blue Man and the Stairway to Hell

 This cemetery legend from Grand Haven, Michigan, tells of a mysterious, glowing blue figure that watches over the cemetery at night. This “Blue Man” is rumored to be the spirit of Reverend William M. Ferry, one of Grand Haven’s founding fathers.

The second part of the legend is the “Stairway to Hell” (cue the dramatic music here). In the middle of the cemetery, there is an old, winding, uneven staircase leading up to a hill where Grand Haven’s founders and notables are buried. The legend says souls travel up the stairs to determine if they get a ticket to heaven…or a ticket to hell. 

Naturally, it’s considered one of the spookiest parts of the cemetery given its secluded location and the old, worn out tombstones scattered about the small area. Of course, this is also where William Ferry, the “Blue man” is said to lurk at night to stay close to his tombstone and watch over his family and the cemetery. 

The stairway has since been updated to a newer and safer wooden staircase in recent years, so the creepy ambiance of the old one is long gone. We will have to wait another twenty years for the new stairs to age. 

There is a lot more neat history behind this large cemetery, and of course, you can read more about the stairway, the Blue Man and the Potter’s Field in the book, Ghosts & Legends Of Michigan’s West Coast available signed in the store or your favorite place to get books. Sorry. Shamless plug. 

If you love touring cemeteries, I give “Wicked” tours along with Loutit Library local history specialist Jeanette Wieden, of Lake Forest every fall. We explore the darker deeds committed by the residents buried below. The tours are a hit every year and we continue to research and add new stories all the time. Find out tour dates here or follow Loutit District Library on Facebook. 

Have you had an experience at Lake Forest Cemetery? Write to me or comment below.

**All cemeteries should be entered with respect. Leave them as you found them. Don’t litter, don’t vandalize anything or so help me, 10,000 demons will strike you down. If the cemetery has hours posted, respect that or find out how to get permission to be in after hours. Many times a simple phone call to the right person will grant access into a cemetery after it’s closed. If you can’t get access, enjoy the cemetery during open hours. I am a firm believer that spirits don’t just come out at night. I think it’s just “ghost hunters” who only come out at night. Respect nearby private property and don’t trespass where you do not belong.