Runyon Preserve

Runyon Preserve, once known as Legion Park and home to a popular swimming hole, takes its name from Armstead Runyon, an early Lockport settler and advocate for the Illinois and Michigan Canal; three graves belonging to his family remain on the grounds. The Ghost Research Society formally investigated Runyon Cemetery on September 20, 2020. Visitors report disembodied voices in the surrounding woods, even in daylight, and local legend holds that witchcraft was once practiced here — some say you can still hear a woman's voice calling out to unseen followers. The old buildings and flagpole are gone, and some trails are steep and uneven, so wear sturdy shoes and visit in a group.