“No matter where you worked at Carrie, even in the offices, you were in danger.”
The Carrie Blast Furnaces is a site of immense industrial achievement, but also a place full of stories: some historic, some unexplained.
As we edge closer to Halloween, we’re revisiting a few of those unexplained moments—and letting you decide for yourself what to believe.
One staff member, who once investigated historic sites for paranormal activity, recalls an unforgettable encounter during the Festival of Combustion in 2019. As a storm rolled in, he spotted what looked like a man in coveralls and a hard hat standing at the corner of the Stock House—arms crossed, surveying the landscape. In an instant, the figure dissipated before his eyes.
The Stock House has long been associated with unusual phenomena. Visitors have reported rocks moving on their own, dogs refusing to enter, and the faintest whispers carried on the wind—sometimes playful, sometimes protective. There have even been recordings of voices responding to questions with words like “Straub” or “water,” as if the spirits of Carrie’s workers were still among us.
We’re sharing a few of these recordings as part of our “Eerie Echoes” series:
The Shadow in the Stock House
There was no easy job at the Furnaces, but work at the Stock House was among the most dangerous. Workers here prepared and delivered raw materials to feed the towering furnaces—loading skip cars, operating heavy machinery, and enduring deafening noise, searing heat, and toxic dust.
Safety equipment was minimal, and shifts stretched 12 to 24 hours. Despite the risks, these men labored to build better lives for their families.
In the video below, taken during a ghost investigation, watch closely. A shadow crosses the frame, followed by a team member reacting to something—or someone—passing by. But no one else moves.
“Can I Get You a Beer?”
Sometimes the echoes at Carrie seem almost conversational. In this next clip, the team playfully asked, “Can I get you a beer? What kind of beer do you like?”
At the nine-second mark, a clear answer comes back: “Straub.”
“Back Away”
The final recording comes from near the trough where molten iron once flowed through the cast house. At the ten-second mark, a low voice warns, “Back away, back away.”
Perhaps it’s nothing more than coincidence—or perhaps it’s something older, reminding those who visit to keep a safe distance from where danger once ruled the day.
While these tales may leave you questioning what’s real, one thing is certain: Carrie’s history is alive.
Visitors are invited to explore the site on weekend Industrial Tours through November 2. Whether you’re drawn by the region’s industrial legacy, its artistry, or the atmosphere that still hums through these massive furnaces, Carrie always has more stories to tell.
Discover Carrie’s past for yourself.
