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All the United States Missouri Kirksville Kirksville Devil's Chair

Kirksville Devil's Chair

Another in a long tradition of legends regarding infernal seats.

Kirksville, Missouri

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Logan
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The supposedly haunted chair.   Submitted by ly9oawesome
The supposedly haunted chair.   Submitted by ly9oawesome
  WebeontheGO / Atlas Obscura User
  WebeontheGO / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The actual name of this marble monument located in a Missouri cemetery is the "Baird Chair," but locals know it better as the Devil's Chair.

The myth of the Devil's Chair says that something dreadful will happen to the person so bold as to be seated in it at midnight (or on a particular evening, such as Halloween). In the case of the Baird Chair, an undead hand will emerge from the grave and drag the seated person to Hell.

This chair was placed by William Baird, a prominent banker in Kirksville.  Baird himself is not buried at the cemetery.  Instead being buried across town in the only mausoleum in Forest-Llewellyn cemetery.  In addition, Baird's home is now the chamber of commerce.  The bank he owned is now Pagliai's pizza, where a picture of William Baird standing next to his car in front of the bank can be seen on the wall.

Highland park cemetery is also the resting place of Harry Laughlin, the father of Eugenics in the United States and arguably one of the largest influences in Hitler's actions against Jews. Though Harry Laughlin's grave is unmarked, he is buried with other family members and a small HS can be found on the back of the stone.

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Added By

ly9oawesome

Edited By

zenhulk5000, windlord, salberts, WebeontheGO

  • zenhulk5000
  • windlord
  • salberts
  • WebeontheGO

Published

August 7, 2013

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Sources
  • http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/haunted/THEDEVILSCHAIR.php
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil's_Chair_(urban_legend)
  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/wesh/485897504/
Kirksville Devil's Chair
201 N Centennial St
Kirksville, Missouri, 63501
United States
40.195318, -92.589277
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Museum of Osteopathic Medicine

Kirksville, Missouri

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kirksville

Kirksville

Missouri

Places 2

Nearby Places

Museum of Osteopathic Medicine

Kirksville, Missouri

miles away

Walt Disney Hometown Museum

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miles away

Locust Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kirksville

Kirksville

Missouri

Places 2

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