THE DANCING LIGHTS Thistle Millworks at Ilchester Maryland
Investigation and Experience by Sulky / Lon Strickler of Phantoms & Monsters Blog
CASE https://wp.eastghost.com/2025/01/case-thistle-mill-ilchester-maryland/
“I investigated an inquiry several years ago at the Simkins Industries, Inc. plant in Ilchester, MD. Some employees had noticed an orb of “dancing” light about 10 inches in diameter occasionally move slowly right to left along a wall in the beater room section of the plant. The sightings were usually in the early evening hours but always in the same area.”
BELOW: Thistle Mill, main building, in the 1940s when it was used primarily to produce “cotton duck” a heavy, plain woven cotton fabric, commonly called canvas. This was well after the mill’s heydey and in the wake of major cotton duck mill closures in Hartford, Connecticut and other areas in the north. Picture courtesy of Baltimore Historical Society.
I investigated an inquiry several years ago at the Simkins Industries, Inc. plant in Ilchester, MD. Some employees had noticed an orb of “dancing” light about 10 inches in diameter occasionally move slowly right to left along a wall in the beater room section of the plant. The sightings were usually in the early evening hours but always in the same area.
An employee and I entered the complex while the plant was down for weekend servicing. I must say that I noticed several spirits within this plant. There had been some deaths (natural and accidental) in the plant and some were evident, in particular an older man who insisted on following us around. His presence was very strong and somewhat disturbing since my feeling was that his death came at his own hand. The name I sensed was “Buzzard” are something similar. I don’t know if it was a nickname or his actual surname in life. We reached the area of the orb sighting and I noticed immediately that the temperature had dropped quickly and remained colder than the surrounding area the entire time I was there.
My perception was that of a man who has died in a piece of machinery (bottomliner pulper) many years before. The name that I sensed was “James” and that he seemed to be in his 30’s. I never witnessed the orb, but I am sure that this was his spirit energy. I attempted to contact “James” through my spiritual guide and seemed to have made some impact. My subsequent inquiry a year or so later with those employees who made the original inquiry concluded that the orb had not been seen and/or reported since.
History / Background
The Thistle Manufacturing Company, commonly known as Thistle Mill, was established in 1824 along the Patapsco River near Ilchester, Maryland. Over the years, it evolved from a cotton mill to a paper production facility, operating until its closure in 2003.
Beyond its industrial significance, Thistle Mill has been the subject of various paranormal investigations. One notable account comes from Lon Strickler of the “Phantoms & Monsters” blog. Employees reported witnessing a 10-inch diameter orb of “dancing” light moving along a wall in the beater room, typically during early evening hours. During his investigation, Strickler sensed multiple spirits, including an older man named “Buzzard” and a younger man named “James,” who he believed had died in the machinery years earlier. Following his intervention, reports of the orb ceased.
The area surrounding Thistle Mill is rich in history and local Nearby stands the site of the former St. Mary’s College, colloquially known as “Hell House.” Established in the 19th century, the college was later abandoned and became infamous for its eerie ruins and tales of hauntings. The structure was eventually demolished, but stories of paranormal activity persist.
Ilchester itself, with its deep-rooted history dating back to the 18th century, has been a focal point for various ghost stories and folklore. The combination of historic industrial sites, such as Thistle Mill, and abandoned institutions like St. Mary’s College contribute to the area’s reputation for supernatural occurrences.
While the physical remnants of Thistle Mill have largely disappeared, the stories and legends associated with it continue to intrigue both locals and visitors. The accounts of unexplained lights and spectral figures serve as a testament to the enduring allure of the unknown, ensuring that the legacy of Thistle Mill remains alive in the annals of Maryland’s haunted history.
