The Blue Man Of Lake Forest Cemetery

Written by Amberrose Hammond

For decades, kids and adults alike have been telling stories about a “blue light” seen in Lake Forest Cemetery in Grand Haven, Michigan. Most recently is has been the “blue man,” seen atop Ferry Hill, also known as Founder's Hill. They say he’s a hazy shade of blue, in the shape of a grown man, standing by his grave and looking down over the rest of the cemetery below. I’ve never heard any malicious stories about this particular entity but many love to say the reason he stands on top of his lonely citadel is because his tomb has been desecrated. They believe the spirit or "blue man" is that of William Ferry, the town founder.

Tombstone of William Ferry on Ferry Hill.

It’s a true fact that the Reverend Ferry’s tomb used to be an above ground sarcophagus, but was so heavily vandalized over the years that only the top cover remains. Stop and insert legend here. At least that is what many people over the years have done, making William Ferry famous in life and even more famous in death. Not only is Lake Forest Cemetery known for its blue guardian, it’s also known for having a Stairway to Hell.

Every cemetery that has a winding staircase in it has a legend attached to it. Ferry Hill is reached by taking a moderately hefty trek up uneven wooden steps. The legend states that when a person has been buried, their soul goes to the steps and walks up. If they are greeted by a white light, they are going to Heaven. But if a white light doesn’t show up, they turn around and begrudgingly walk back down the stairs, awaiting their trip to Hell.

Just to illustrate legends surrounding staircases in cemeteries, there is a cemetery just outside of Brazil, Indiana called Stepp Cemetery that has a staircase leading up to the burial grounds. The legend says you must count the steps as you go up. When you get to the top, turn around and look out into the open area in front of you. The cemeteries first caretaker will appear to you in a vision and show you how you will die. On your way down, you count the steps again and if you come up with a different number then what you did coming up, you will die the way the caretaker showed you.

Care to take a visit to Stepp Cemetery and count the steps? Many have and so far, no one has seen their “vision of death.” But this is just one story to illustrate the many legends that love to surround stairways in cemeteries. So, it’s only natural that little Grand Haven gets it’s very own portal to Hell with its staircase.

The "stairway to Hell" in Lake Forest Cemetery

Many legends have multiple versions and the Blue Man legend seems to change as you go back in time. The current legend circulating is the Blue Man, involving William Ferry being angry his tomb has been disturbed. He now watches over the cemetery as a silent, glowing reminder to any trespassers to stay away from what remains of his and his family’s gravestones. Many people like to say that the tree next to the Ferry tomb has something to do with the haunting. Sure, it looks creepy having been carved up with symbols over the years, but that is just the byproduct of teenagers.

In late 1960’s, high school students talked about the “blue light.” During an interview with a Grand Haven resident who was in school in the late 60’s, he remembered being in the cemetery one night and seeing a blue light that came from nowhere. Was that the start of the legend? He stated that he didn’t know what it was or where it came from, only they all remember seeing a blue light in the woods.

In the 1970’s, high school students continued to talk about the blue light, only now it became the blue light of Duncan’s Woods.” The kids told of a strange blue light coming from the Duncan’s tombstone, near the woods the Duncan’s donated many years ago to Grand Haven. The 1980’s seems to be the dawn of the “Blue Man.” As for the Stairway to Hell, it is in fact really there. We’ve entered and had tea with the Devil many times. He’s a great guy. The tea was excellent. Just kidding.

Michigan’s Otherside has investigated the spot many times seeing it’s in one of our hometowns, but what’s so interesting about Ferry Hill is how peaceful everyone feels up there. There has been one or two times where the air had a “tight” feeling. But as for feeling anything scary or menacing, we have had nothing. No strange pictures, no EVP’s, just random impressions that come and go. Most of the psychics we have worked with have received feelings of sadness. So far, we have no reports of anyone finding themselves whisked away and transported to Hell. If it happens, I hope they can send an email from whereever they go so I can update this page.

An important part of paranormal research is sharing stories and experiences with other people. If you've had an interesting experience, big or small at Lake Forest Cemetery, send us an email. We want to hear your story!

Blue Man Story Submissions:

Camera Malfunctions and Footsteps

The "White Man" of Lake Forest Cemetery