Emmaus Asylum
Marthasville, Missouri
As you turn onto the secluded grounds of Marthasville, the air begins to thicken and the hum of the modern world is replaced by a heavy, watchful silence. You aren’t just visiting an abandoned site; you are crossing the threshold into the year 1893.
At Emmaus Asylum, the story didn't end when the last resident left—it simply paused. Behind these weathered stone walls, you’ll find the medical relics of a forgotten era: iron bedframes, rusted examination tools, and the hollow echoes of a century of isolation. You are stepping into a sprawling sanctuary built for the "incurables," where the line between a place of healing and a place of permanent exile has completely blurred.
Event Start Time: 8pm until 5am
Ticket Price: $129 Per Person
💉 The Asylum Awaits: Do You Have the Nerve? 💉
A Legacy of Shadows
Crossing the stone bridge into the asylum is like crossing into another dimension. This German-styled fortress stands as a haunting monument to the souls cast aside by society. While the medical staff is long gone, the massive stone buildings still cling to the past—a place where the sorrow and mistreatment of decades keep the spirits of the patients walking the halls.
The History: Medicine in the Dark
Originally built in 1859 as a German Evangelical church seminary, the site underwent a dark transformation in 1893. It became a self-reliant medical colony for those suffering from epilepsy, dementia, and "nervous disorders."
A Life Sentence: In an age before modern neurology, Emmaus was a "dumping ground" for those the world didn't understand. Patients lived, labored, and eventually passed away within these stone walls.
Primitive Care: Walk the halls where early treatments for seizures and mental "feeblemindedness" were administered long before the invention of modern medicine.
The Weight of the Ward: The energy of a hundred years of physical pain and mental anguish didn't just evaporate. It settled into the limestone and waits for you in the shadows of the infirmary.
The Hauntings: A Permanent Residence
Now whispered about as one of the most haunted medical sites in the state, Emmaus is a playground for the unexplained. The doctors and patients may be gone, but their spirits are still following the clinical routine:
The Night Rounds: The heavy thud of boots echoes down the long, empty corridors of the infirmary, pacing as if a phantom doctor is still checking on patients.
The Four Boys: Only the foundation of the Men’s Building remains after a 1930 fire. The four patients trapped inside are frequently seen and heard throughout the grounds.
The Confinement Cells: These cells still hold the story of Albert, a patient confined for years, who left behind a journal filled with words of despair and "whispers from beyond."
The Shadow Patients: Dark, fleeting shapes are frequently seen darting between the stone buildings, moving with a frantic speed that no living person could match.
Marie’s Mystery: A visit to the upstairs bathroom will leave you feeling cold and damp after an encounter with Marie, a nurse found fully clothed and drowned in the bathtub.
Beyond the Walls
Safety was a mirage at Emmaus. Many who managed to escape were met with horrific fates: being gored by bulls, struck by trains, or lost forever in the dense woods. The facility also endured numerous plagues that took a heavy toll; those who never left were buried in the cemetery behind the building.
Whether it’s a sudden, icy breeze cutting through the patient wards or the heavy, watchful silence of the stone corridors, the shadows at Emmaus still breathe.
We have the keys to the dorms, the infirmary, and the dark halls in between.
The gates are open and the past is waiting. Do you have the nerve to enter?
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History, Paranormal and Ghost Hunting Information
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🏛️ History of Emmaus Asylum (Marthasville, Missouri)
The history of the Emmaus complex is a long and complex one, rooted in religious service and evolving institutional care in the American Midwest.
It transitioned from a theological training ground to a long-term care facility for those with developmental and mental challenges.
The Beginning: A German Seminary (1859–1893)
The complex's origins date back to 1859, when it was established by the German Evangelical Church in Missouri (a predecessor to the United Church of Christ) as the Marthasville Seminary.
Purpose: It was created to train ministers and pastors for the growing German immigrant population in the region.
Architecture: The initial buildings were constructed out of sturdy limestone in traditional German architectural styles, making them significant examples of early German immigrant architecture in Missouri.
Relocation: The seminary operated on this site until 1883, when it moved to St. Louis, eventually becoming the modern-day Eden Seminary.
The Asylum for Epileptics and Feeble Minded (1893–Mid-20th Century)
In 1893, the campus was repurposed by the German Evangelical Church and renamed the Emmaus Asylum for Epileptics and Feeble Minded.
The Mission: Emmaus was founded to provide long-term care for adults with developmental disabilities and those suffering from epilepsy—a population often neglected by state and private institutions. This mission made it one of the first private organizations in the country to provide this specific service.
Institutional Life: The facility functioned as a secluded, self-sufficient village, where residents lived and worked. By 1928, the campus had grown to include a chapel and several substantial buildings.
Changing Views: Emmaus leaders reportedly studied with international experts on treatment, and some early research regarding epilepsy was performed on the site. However, the term "asylum" and the practices within large institutions of the era are now viewed through the lens of changing standards of care and human rights.
🩸 Trauma, Tragedy, and Unexplained Loss
The asylum’s long history is marked by significant tragedy and loss, fueling its reputation for dark energy:
1930 Fire Catastrophe: In 1930, a catastrophic fire engulfed the Men’s Building, claiming the lives of four patients tragically trapped inside.
Horrific Escapes: Some patients who managed to escape the confines of the asylum met horrific fates, never finding safety beyond its walls. Reports include patients being gored by a bull, tragically struck by trains, or found deceased in the nearby woods and farmers' fields.
Mysterious Death: Nurse Marie Strumm was found dead in her bathtub, fully clothed, her death remaining shrouded in mystery within the facility's walls.
Plagues and Outbreaks: The facility endured numerous plagues and outbreaks throughout its operating years, taking a heavy toll on both patients and staff alike.
The Modern Era: Emmaus Homes (Mid-20th Century–2020)
Over the later half of the 20th century, the institution modernized its name and practices.
Renaming: It became known as Emmaus Homes, reflecting a shift away from the institutional language of the past. The complex continued to serve adults with developmental disabilities for over 125 years.
Decline of Institutional Care: As approaches to caring for the disabled changed, the focus shifted from large, isolated institutional settings to smaller, community-based group homes.
Closure: Emmaus Homes began the process of transitioning all remaining residents away from the historic Marthasville campus, with the goal of phasing out the property's use for client care by around 2020.
Recent Status and Preservation (2020–Present)
The historic campus faced an uncertain future due to its age and the cost of maintenance, leading to its listing as a "Place in Peril" by preservation groups.
The Paranormal: The sprawling, long-vacant limestone buildings, combined with the site's history of mental health care and isolation, have naturally made it a major destination for paranormal investigators, leading to the "Haunted Emmaus Asylum" events mentioned in the promotions.
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👻 Paranormal Phenomena: The Lingering Presence at Emmaus Asylum
The decades of isolation and the profound emotional weight associated with long-term care for individuals with developmental disabilities and epilepsy have imbued the Emmaus Asylum complex with a reputation for intense, unsettling paranormal activity.
Investigators consistently report an array of phenomena that suggest not only residual energy but also intelligent, interactive entities.
Key Reported Paranormal Activity
Disembodied Voices and EVP
The Whispers: One of the most common and compelling forms of evidence is the capture of Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP). Investigators frequently record faint whispers, distressed sighs, and sometimes, clear-but-indistinct voices in empty halls, particularly in the former patient dormitories.
Intelligent Responses: Reports include voices that seem to respond directly to investigators' questions, often uttering short, sorrowful, or confused statements, suggesting the presence of spirits who are still cognitively limited or simply trapped in a cycle of institutional confusion.
Apparitions and Shadow Figures
Fleeting Shapes: Dark, fleeting shadow figures are frequently observed moving quickly down the long corridors or standing just at the edge of the light in doorways. These figures often appear human-shaped but lack distinct features.
The Caretaker's Presence: There are multiple accounts of an apparition believed to be a former caretaker or nun, sometimes described as wearing older, simple clothing, often seen watching from the second-story windows or standing near the former administrative areas.
Physical and Environmental Phenomena
Temperature Anomalies: Sudden, drastic drops in temperature are reported throughout the buildings, creating extreme cold spots that cannot be explained by drafts or faulty HVAC systems (which are often non-functional in the vacant structures).
Object Manipulation (Poltergeist Activity): On occasion, teams have reported minor objects moving, including doors slamming shut violently without wind or human interference, or items—such as small pieces of furniture—being shifted when no one was near.
The Sensation of Touch: Visitors and investigators often report feeling unexplained touches, pushes, or the chilling sensation of being brushed against when walking through specific doorways or up the winding, historic staircases.
The Morgue and Isolation Cells
The areas related to the deepest confinement or finality—specifically the isolation cells and any rumored or actual morgue/autopsy area—are consistently cited as the most active and emotionally draining zones. Reports of feeling intense sorrow, oppression, or sudden, overwhelming anxiety are common in these locations.
Emmaus Asylum's reputation is built on the belief that the intense, confined emotional experiences of its residents, who were often forgotten by the outside world, have indelibly marked the historic stone buildings with their lasting, restless energy.
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🗝️ Your Exclusive Night of Paranormal Investigation at Emmaus Asylum
Dare to step behind the silent, towering stone walls of the Emmaus Asylum for an intense, structured, and immersive overnight investigation.
Your night is carefully structured to provide both guided investigation and dedicated private investigation time within this legendary and historically charged former institutional complex.
Wander through the morgue, the imposing administration building, and the desolate girls’ wing, each area carrying the weight of decades of institutional pain, medical mystery, and death.
🌙 Guided Paranormal Experience
Your investigation begins with expert guidance to introduce you to the asylum's most powerful residual energies and harrowing past.
Psychic Medium in Attendance: A seasoned Psychic Medium will be with you throughout the night, offering deep insights, attempting to communicate directly with the spirits of forgotten patients and the aggressive, confused energies linked to the isolation cells.
Exclusive Access to Active Areas: Your access covers the entire vast complex, including the towering main wards, the claustrophobic solitary confinement rooms, and the intensely charged former hydrotherapy area where treatments were conducted.
Deep Dive into Emmaus History and Trauma: We will share the full, gripping history of the asylum, covering the grim stories of the confined and the documented ghostly manifestations linked to their long-term stay.
🔬 Hands-On Paranormal Investigation
You will participate in small-group vigils across the most active areas, utilising a blend of modern kit and traditional techniques:
Ghost Hunting Equipment: Get hands-on with professional kit, including EMF Meters, K2 Meters, and voice recorders (to capture EVPs).
Traditional Experiments: Guided participation in experiments such as table tipping and the use of response flashlights within the confinement of the solitary rooms.
Vigils and Séances: Conducting ghost hunting vigils and spiritual séances in very small groups within the most energetic hotspots.
🔦 Dedicated Private Exploration Time
A significant portion of the night is allocated for solo or small-group free time towards the end of the investigation.
This is your crucial chance to properly break away and conduct your own private vigil in the most active spots, maximizing your opportunity to capture evidence before the night concludes.
☕ Refreshments
Late-Night Refreshments: Includes coffee, cold drinks, and water, along with light snacks, provided throughout the intense investigation phase. We will observe necessary rest breaks during the evening to allow you to debrief and recuperate.
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Event Time: 8:00 PM until 5:00 AM (Overnight Investigation)
Arrival & Registration:
Please arrive promptly by 7:45 PM for registration.
Location Address:
11900 Emmaus Dr, Marthasville, MO 63357, United States
Tickets: $129 per person
Deposit Option: Secure your spot with a $30 per person deposit (Non-Refundable).
Balance Due:Remaining balance is due 4 weeks prior to your event date.
Dates Available: Various Dates (Check website for specific availability)
Note:All guests will be required to sign a safety waiver upon arrival at the event. Age 18+ only.