1903 Carnegie library with a documented child death on its grounds and EVP reports
69 S Water St, Janesville, WI 53548
Research updated June 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
$
Regular senior center programming is not public ticketed access; haunted-history events have been held periodically. Check local event listings for current programming.
Access
Wheelchair OK
Historic 1903 building; first floor accessible. Upper floors accessed by original staircase.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1903 · Carnegie Library Heritage · Wisconsin Public Library History
The building at 69 S Water Street in Janesville was constructed in 1903 as part of Andrew Carnegie's library philanthropy program, which funded hundreds of public libraries across the United States. It was among the earlier Carnegie library buildings constructed in Wisconsin. The structure served the city as a public library before its conversion to use as the Janesville Senior Center.
Janesville Gazette reporting from 2009, covering local dark-history author Mitch Goth's book '30 Haunted Nights in Wisconsin,' described a child's death on the property dating to approximately 1898 or 1899 — before the Carnegie building stood on the site. The Gazette's account places the incident in the pre-construction era, making it a case where historical tragedy is associated with the land rather than the building itself.
The site was included in Goth's book alongside two other Janesville buildings. Subsequent paranormal investigations at the Senior Center have focused on the second floor, where investigators have reported capturing EVP recordings. Public haunted-history events have been held at the venue, though the building's primary function remains as a senior center rather than a tourism attraction.
Sources
The paranormal lore attached to the Janesville Senior Center originates with local researcher and author Mitch Goth, whose book '30 Haunted Nights in Wisconsin' included the building among its featured sites. According to the Janesville Gazette's coverage of the book, Goth documented a child's death on the property dating to around 1898 or 1899. Because the Carnegie building was not constructed until 1903, the event predates the existing structure.
Paranormal investigators who have accessed the building have focused attention on the second floor, with reports of electronic voice phenomena captured during recording sessions. These accounts circulate in regional paranormal listings but have not been independently published in news coverage beyond the book's mention in the Gazette.
The venue has hosted public haunted-history events tied to this lore. The building is not a dedicated haunted attraction and does not market itself as such; dark-tourism programming has been periodic rather than ongoing.
Media Appearances
Public haunted-history events have been held at the building, which was featured in local author Mitch Goth's '30 Haunted Nights in Wisconsin.' EVP investigations have been conducted on the second floor. Check local event listings for current programming.
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