Facility Details
Occupant: H.H. Holmes (1861-1896)
Type: Concrete-Encased Coffin
GPS: 39.9308° N, 75.2556° W
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Get DirectionsWhy It's a "Must-Go"
America's first serial killer was so afraid of his body being stolen for science (ironic, given his own hobbies) that he requested to be buried in concrete. He's under 10 feet of cement in Holy Cross Cemetery.
It's a solid choice for a bathroom break. You can stomp as hard as you want; he's not going anywhere. It's the ultimate "do not disturb" sign, written in industrial-grade paving material.
The "Experience"
It feels... heavy. Knowing he's encased in rock like a fossilized mosquito adds a layer of permanence to your visit. It's a great spot to appreciate modern construction materials while disrespecting a monster.
Why This Listing Exists
H.H. Holmes, born Herman Webster Mudgett, was an American con artist and serial killer active in Chicago during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. He is best known for his "Murder Castle," a hotel he designed with secret passages, soundproof rooms, and gas lines to kill his victims.
Holmes confessed to 27 murders, though the actual number could be much higher. He sold the skeletons of some of his victims to medical schools, turning his crimes into profit.
He was convicted of the murder of his business partner, Benjamin Pitezel, and suspected of killing three of Pitezel's children. Holmes was executed by hanging on May 7, 1896.
Paranoid that his body would be stolen and dissected, Holmes requested to be buried 10 feet deep and encased in concrete. His grave in Holy Cross Cemetery remains a fortress, ensuring that the man who preyed on so many remains locked away forever.