As the sun sets and the shadows grow long, step into one of Traverse City’s most fascinating—and mysterious—historic places.
Established in 1861, Oakwood Cemetery encompasses 65 acres and is the final resting place of many of the people who built Traverse City and other colorful characters from our community’s past.
But Oakwood holds even more secrets. The grounds contain four historic cemetery areas, including the largely unmarked cemetery associated with the Northern Michigan Asylum. Elaborate monuments, unusual symbols, forgotten stories, tragic deaths, local scandals, wartime heroes—and perhaps a few unexplained happenings—await those willing to explore after dark.
OUR TOUR:
WEDNESDAY – OCTOBER 21, 2026
5:15 PM
Please bring $10 cash per person as a donation to The Traverse Area Historical Society.
Meet at the main entrance of Oakwood Cemetery off Eighth Street, directly across from the intersection of Fair Street and Eighth Street.
The tour will start and finish at this location. Parking is available on either side of the entrance, up against the hedge.
Please note: This walking tour covers approximately 1.5 miles and takes us over uneven surfaces of dirt roads and grass. It will last about 90 minutes.
Please consider if this tour is appropriate for your mobility and stamina.
In case of inclement weather, we will notify you by email. We’ll do our best to have any cancellation notice sent at least 1 hour prior to the tour.
Join us for a fun, entertaining and occasionally spooky journey through Traverse City history, where the stories of the people beneath our feet are every bit as intriguing as the legends surrounding them.
Come for the Halloween atmosphere. Stay for the history. And keep an eye out for who—or what—might be watching from the shadows.
CANCELLATIONS/WAITLIST
If you register and need to cancel, please do so as soon as possible so the space can be filled from the waitlist. You may cancel via the event page on the website minimum of 2 days in advance.
There will be a waitlist for this event so if you would like to attend and registration is full, please click the "Add me to Waitlist" button to be added to the waitlist. You will receive an email confirming your waitlist status and you will be emailed if space opens. You will have 10 hours to register after the email is sent. If you do not register within that time frame the next person on the waitlist will be notified.