Myths and Stories

-Fact or Fiction?

When we first heard of the tunnels, we were told that they were located on the other side of Michigan Ave, across from the train tracks.

Q: Is this true?

Eloise Cemetery, where they buried those who had no family to claim them, is located South of Michigan Avenue.

Q: What else was on this land?

Few people "know" Ed Thomas.

Q: Who was he?

There have been reports of the Eloise Building Ruins mysteriously disappearing.

Q: Are they really gone?

Your Stories

What draws me to this place??? It's a hybrid of emotions. I remember driving by it often in the mid 1970s and wondering who these people wandering around the grounds were. Young and cocky was I then and too selfish to realize the reality of their (and our) plight. In the years since I've seen the ugliness of the human species and have come to the conclusion that those who can't cope with reality (war, greed, hatred, hardened hearts and such) are perhaps really the sane ones. So much evil in the world and we (the "normal-sane") numb ourselves to it rather than rise up to change things.

Those deemed insane have been traditionally locked away, experimented on and treated like lost souls often because they just chose not to play the worlds game of rationalization. Many times the treatment via chemicals and counsel made them behave more erratic, encouraging further "treatment" and perpetually feeding the machinery of the mental health mills. They were not animals-They were human beings, capable of all the good imaginable, while still capable of the evil that makes the angels shake their heads and wonder what God ever saw in us. Many were dreamers whose vision was never encouraged. They were incarcerated Edisons and Einsteins and the world's loss for medicating and incarcerating indiscriminately shall never been known. And, many were sad, displaced, abandoned, misunderstood or just plain lonely. Nonetheless, Eloise was home to many and a truer slice of "reality real estate" may have never existed.

Sitting at a stop light at the corner of Merriman and Michigan I heard in my hearts ear a repetitive voice- "Loneliness is no disease" over and over. Was it a spirit of someone who once spent time there and wanted to tell their story? Was it my subconscious telling me that this place was a great source for a song? The answer to that may never be known to me on this side of life but the song "Eloise" has given me a purpose in telling it. It has also brought me into contact with new people, thoughts, challenges and dreams that were made possible only because the insane part of me chose to listen to a voice in my head while stopped at a red light.

Thanks, Eloise. You will always be my friend.

Mark "the Lark" Boone

Eloise, Eloise
Loneliness, is no disease
I’ve never begged-I'm on my knees
Take me back
(to) Eloise...

The teardrop stain's still on the wall.
Familiar voices echoing down the hall
I can hear them-Are you here at all?
My heart is soaring but I know its going to fall.
Eloise...

bridge-
Eloise, you taught me how to live and love again.
Though the years have come between us you will always be my friend.

The planter where your flowers grew.
That's the spot I stop and think about you.
Forever, faithful. Forever, true.
I'm living in the past because I've nothing better to do.
Eloise...

bridge-
Eloise, you taught me how to live and love again.
Though the years have come between us you will always be my friend.

Your fence’s fallen. The building's gone.
I see their shadows as I lay here on the lawn
Your form has altered Your spirit's strong
Nothing matters when I'm here where I belong.
Eloise.....

Eloise, Eloise
Loneliness, is no disease
I’ve never begged-I'm on my knees
Take me back
(to) Eloise...

SHARE YOUR STORIES HERE!