JACKSON, Mich. (WLNS) – A Halloween season ghost tour is doubling as a fundraiser for downtown Jackson, and organizers say it’s drawing brave visitors to a historic site.
In partnership with the Downtown Development Authority, Central Michigan Paranormal Investigators (CMPI) have returned to the Commercial Exchange Building with guided tours using K-2 meters and REM pods to detect unusual activity.
“I thought he was a real person. That’s how solid he seemed,” said CMPI founder and senior researcher Rusty Jones, recalling an encounter a decade ago. Jones says he first witnessed spirit activity on the front staircase of the building: “I actually saw a full body spirit going from the first to the second floor. We had the doors open; we heard people walking above us.”
DDA Executive Director Beth Kuiper said tickets are being reduced to $10 this year to make the event more accessible to families. He said profits will be reinvested in downtown preservation and community assets.
“What we do is take funds from events and then distribute them so that every demographic has something to do and we can highlight our businesses: restaurants, retailers, service industries,” Kuiper said.
Kuiper encourages residents to join what she called a “one-of-a-kind” spooky adventure. “These are the experiences we keep coming back to. We just want to offer something interesting, whether it’s a family or a nightlife fan, something for everyone,” he said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
For breaking news, weather, sports and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.