Ashmore Estates is a 3 story building built in 1916 and has housed those who are indigent as well as the mentally challenged. From 1916 to 1956 this was the Coles County Almshouse, located on the 200 – 300 acre Coles County Poor Farm. Records indicate that roughly 200 people have lost their lives here. 1956 – 1976 the building housed the mentally impaired as a mental institution. In 1976 Paul Swinford bought the building turning it in to the ICFDD, Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled. The building was in use until 1987 when it was closed due to lack of funding.
Off limits to the public for 20 years, many visitors came here illegally and experienced hauntings first hand. Thanks to the current owners they have made this site available to the public in many ways. There are public overnights, flashlight tours, and a haunted house attraction during the month of October.
To date there have been over 30 paranormal investigation groups out there trying to prove the existence of paranormal activity on this property. The main agreement between the groups is that Ashmore Estates is very active.
Apparitions have been seen walking through the building and some have even been caught on tape. Shadow figures have been seen on the 3rd floor. There have been a couple of famous groups out here as well. Ashmore Estates was visited by Ghost Adventures, The Booth Brothers, and Haunted Times Magazine (Christopher Moon).