“My ghost will haunt Rainbow Springs after I’m gone. It will never open up without me.”

The very words of Francis Schroedel echoed in my mind as I stopped in my tracks and marveled at the abandoned kingdom. After hearing numerous tales and reading many articles about Schroedel’s fallen empire I stood at it’s gate and knew in my heart that seeing was indeed believing and by visiting the place I finally would be able to understand the sadness of the Legend. The light breeze shook the army of Evergreen trees that surrounded the property as I thought back to when I encountered the tale for the first time.

My friends and I were conversing at a coffee shop located just west of Mukwonago, the town where Rainbow Springs is located. A past time that we frequently do to settle our minds after a busy day. That night the table behind us was engaged in a heated discussion. Being the nosy person I am I eavesdropped. The topic was the haunted Rainbow Springs Resort. My curiosity was immediately awakened and I spouted out questions like a firing squad. In response, Michael, a story-weaving friend of mine shared his experience of “spiritual activity.”

For years, the local High School utilized Rainbow Springs for fundraiser purposes. Every year as it neared Halloween they would stage a haunted house. One year Michael was involved in the event. He was type-casted into the role of a monster. During the hours of the haunted house the majority of the time the employees would be enveloped in absolute darkness. Every 15 minutes after the group of current visitors exited they would turn on the lights. Michael assumed this was to let people readjust and give their eyes a break from the lack of light. During a break period one of the evenings he encountered what he believes to be Mr. Schroedel himself.

Michael was stationed in one of the guestrooms alone with only the distant screams from visitors for company. As he stretched out to relieve the tension that being hidden caused he spotted out of the corner of his eye a bright white light. The abnormal light was across the room from him and slowly floating towards him. As his initial fear kicked in he called out for one of his friends. Not a soul responded. He stood there mesmerized as the light began to move closer, defying the laws of science it remained the same size despite it closing in on the distance between them.

Mike stood there paralyzed with fear and he shut his eyes tightly. Goosebumps covered his body and he felt an intense coldness. He continued to stand there as straight as a soldier, tense, with eyes shut when he sensed that the darkness returned and the haunted house was welcoming another group of people. The break was over. Then and only then did he open his eyes and all traces of the white light had disappeared as if it was merely a figment of his imagination.

“Sarah,” he said to me years later at the coffee shop. “You know I’m a difficult person to scare, but I hold a fear for that place that no other in this World can match. There is not a shred of doubt in my mind that Schroedel haunts that hotel.” As he stated this he looked me dead in the eye. Not a flinch or a slight trace of a smile. It was then that I knew he meant every word.

So thus began my mission to find out more about the mysterious Francis J. Schroedel and his quest to be ruler of the kingdom he called The Rainbow Springs Resort.

With built up excitement I pushed the memory out of my mind and focused on reality. I was finally here to see it first-hand and I soon enough I would have my own experiences to store in my memory. The reality I was embraced in was one of the most beautiful plots of land I have ever been in the presence of. Rows and rows of evergreen trees and wildlife surrounded me as we ventured up the paved driveway which was our path.

Meandering along I felt as if we were embarked on a nature hike rather then a ghost hunt. The song of birds and crickets greeted my ears as my eyes laid sight on a sparkling moonlit lake. I let out a gasp when I focused upon the 3-story lodge sitting across the water from us. It was the home of Francis. The only building in his “city” that ever hosted guests. I squinted my eyes to get a better look and sadness settled in my heart. Once the building was impressive but now it was left un-kept and it began to dilapidate. Later that evening I would discover most of his empire was forgotten as well.

Splash!

I quickly spun around to see what interrupted my hypnosis-like state. A swamp area was located behind me. The home of may frogs and insects. However, here wasn’t nearly enough water to be a good environment for fish to survive. Much less the size of fish that would make such an ominous splash. Only a good-sized rock could create such a noise in the moistened weeds. I mentally scolded myself for being so enthralled with the beauty and reminded myself that I was an unwelcome visitor for a certain Mr. Schroedel. With renewed determination I continued quickly down the path as my companions followed next to me.

Noting that the tall, strong evergreens were fading and in their place were gnarled trees trying desperately to survive. As we rounded one final turn my heart beat quickened and my anticipation peaked at a new level. On my right hand side was a well managed golf course and pro shop. Obviously still used today. What held my attention and awe was not the golf course, however. It was the creation across the road. “Dear Lord,” I gasped out. The only words uttered since we first stepped onto the property. Right in front of my eyes was the 756 room Resort of Rainbow Springs that never laid eyes on it’s first customer. The building seemed to be alive and lonely in it’s forgotten state. It made me feel that it lived and breathed and watched every step I took. Or was it the building? Could it have been Schroedel? I couldn’t shake the feeling I was being looked upon with intensity.

With a deep breath to settle my nerves I walked to the first door. Locked! No entrance granted. Not a problem, I thought, there area about 15 doors, one should be open. We walked to the next one. Locked. The next and the next. Same thing. It seemed as if fate played a cruel trick on me. Tempting me with possibilities and then snatching them away before they could be obtained. I approached the last door and tugged with all my strength. I growled in frustration: locked again.

I looked up at the building… looking everywhere for a sign of movement from the man that was testing my patience. All the while searching for possible ways to enter. The broken windows didn’t leave enough room for passage, plus it was too dangerous with glass shards poking out. I came this far, Schroedel, don’t let me down, I chanted in my head.

We walked the length of the building once more and finally a thought popped into my head. The back of the building was sure to have some doors. I chuckled as I jogged to where I saw a gate that had to be blocking the path to the back of the building. Ignoring the no trespassing sign I pushed it open. We followed the gravel to the back and I opened my mind to once again absorb the sights. Two abandoned job trailers, as spooky as the building was stood before our eyes. Old electrical wires connected the trailers to the hotel as if they were sharing a lifeline.

To view it more in detail I turned on the flashlight I brought with me. The rear of the building wasn’t fortunate enough to share light with the golf course and the moon so it was virtually pitch black. I finished my appraisal and scanned the building for a sign of a door. No luck, just a mass amount of windows in the same condition as the front; broken.

Right before my patience ran dry my flashlight caught and reflected off a large, glass door. Surprisingly the glass was fully intact. It was hidden away in a corner covered by vines and blocked by tall weeds. I scrambled to the entrance as quickly as I could, through the barricades of plant growth and dried out tree branches. I reached the door and tugged on it.

“Finally,” I said with enthusiasm, as it grudgingly opened for me.

I took cautious, baby steps into the building and was confronted with a distinctive smell of mustiness and rotting wood. I walked further into the room to allow my friends to come in as well, and I nearly slipped on my derriere. The stone floors were covered with moss and puddles. Once again I was saddened. The place would have and could have been so gorgeous if not for the fact that it was never completed. The walls were strong and the materials were all chosen in good taste. Schroedel was obviously one of the best and most talented at what he did. The Rainbow Springs Resort was worthy of the threat of eternal haunting, not an act of an insane man.

Continuing on our journey we walked down hallway after hallway until we reached a grand staircase. Being adventurous I led the way up it and as we reached the top I paused to take in my surroundings once again. Right around the corner from the staircase is what would have been a cafeteria. Standing in the doorway my eyes danced across forgotten chairs and pieces of wood left there to slowly decay. I stepped in the room with thoughts that were sidetracked by observation when something came straight at my face.

I let out a little scream as the black creature made a noise that sounded like a screech and wings slapped me in the face. Apparently, we entered the home of a bat and we were unwelcome. After my heart beat calmed down I laughed. It truly was a scene right out of a Hollywood horror movie… the bat playing the role of Schroedel’s “watch dog.”

We continued to explore every room we could. We came across empty elevator shafts, holes in the building structure where stairways were intended, a ballroom, an Olympic size swimming pool. The place was a maze and amazing. But throughout the entire exploration I couldn’t shake away the sense that we were not alone. Our ghost was being nice and allowing us to visit his home for this long, but his hospitality might soon run out.

Taking light steps up a wooden stairway that led to another floor we were confronted with bright, blood red walls. It was the infamous red, third floor. The floor that held basis for many tales that rooted from the hotel. Idealistically, it was intended to for a royal effect. Under the circumstance of our visit, it created an effect that sped up my heartbeat. We walked down the hallway and I decided to stop in one of the rooms to take a look.

The room was designed to be a luxurious suite, complete with two bedrooms, a sitting area, and bathroom. Today, it just represented emptiness. I sighed and went back out to the hall to see where it led. Suddenly a big gust of wind hit us and the temperature dropped. Remembering Michael’s story I was a little worried at what could happen. Would Schroedel finally make his entrance? Suddenly a door shut at the opposite end of the hallway. We paused mid-step and I excitedly hurried in that direction.

Despite the slamming door every single on remained open. Some of my companions didn’t like the unexplainable doors at all and they suggested leaving. I ignored their pleas as I analyzed every room. Nothing. Not a sign or even a sensation led me to believe he was near, so we continued on.

The last room, the grand finale for the evening so-to-speak was the Great Room. It was the main entrance to the hotel and the room where Schroedel placed the famous 80-ton fireplace. Marvelous, spectacular, unbelievable were the only words fitting enough to describe it. I walked around the room with my mouth wide open. Hypnotized for the millionth time that evening. I stared, devouring every inch. From the top all the way to his famous plaque: “From the brush to the plush…”

Footsteps from the floor above snapped me out of it quickly.

It’s common knowledge that an old building will make settling noises, but these were loud, deliberate, human footsteps. Coming towards us from one of the many hallways leading to the Great Room. It became apparent that Mr. Schroedel wanted to make his presence known once again and since the door tactic didn’t work he tried another attempt. This time we believed. Believed in every haunted tale we ever heard about Rainbow Springs. My curiosity piqued at an all time high for the evening. I was ecstatic. I’ll admit, a little afraid as well, but absolutely ecstatic. I turned to go where the footsteps were but was stopped by a hand on my arm.

“Sarah, that’s our cue to leave,” my friend said pulling me with him. I argued for a moment but I was clearly outnumbered. Everyone wanted to leave so I reluctantly agreed.

We took a different route back out then we did in. I was still protesting the idea of leaving and when I saw a room with some books in it I had the perfect excuse not to. They turned out to be Corporate Records. Stock Share Certificates that were never used, and titles of ownership signed by the Secretary of State. I even found a checkbook that had checks previously used. Surprisingly the documents were all in good condition. Better condition then the building even.

It was almost as if someone placed them there recently. Well, being the ever-so-curious person I am, I grabbed as many books as I could comfortably carry. Granted, I felt guilty, but I convinced myself that Mr. Schroedel intended them to be there for me. With my brand new, extra load we decided to take another way out that would result in a sooner exit. So we opened a window and popped out the screen and went on our way. Enveloped in nature once again.

People always say there’s safety in numbers. Safety was my concern earlier in the evening; nor necessarily knowing what I would come across. Later I realized my mistake. Ghosts usually don’t perform for large audiences. Next time would be with fewer people… and there definitely would be a next time.

About a week and a half later is the next time I returned. Keeping the promise to myself, I had fewer people. Not few enough in my opinion, but fewer. I also possessed the knowledge of what the environment was so my quest for knowledge about Schroedel’s ghost would be easier to focus on. Moving quickly, yet with watchfulness I went past the lodge, the marsh and lake. Then I headed straight to the back entrance that granted me passage the last time.

Then a whisper.

I stopped dead in my tracks and squeezed my eyes closed in an attempt to heighten my hearing sense. My whole body tingled, announcing that he was virtually a step away. I heard another soft, mumbled whisper and I held my breath. I lifted my arm and reached out my hand in the direction the low voice was coming from.

“Sarah, what are you doing,” my friend asked immediately breaking my connection to the mysterious event that was taking place. As fast as he appeared, Francis was gone.

“Nothing, I’m coming,” I managed to squeak out. I smiled a quick secretive smile and caught up to my friends. For some reason I felt it necessary to keep my interaction with the ghost a secret. Some would say that was selfish, but I viewed the interaction as being special and I saved it solely for myself. We left my Rainbow Springs (as I jokingly began to call it) shortly after the “secret” experience. We made our way to the road where we parked our cars. When we arrived there something was disturbing the woods directly next to our vehicles. Needless, to say my friends were spooked.

“It’s just an animal,” I stated laughing.

Unfortunately, I was incorrect. My friend’s car was broken into. Whoever did it was running into the woods towards the house that was tucked away in the trees. My male friends who accompanied me ran off in an attempt to show how macho they were. Foolishly they went after the theives. I yelled out for them to come back and that what they were doing was dangerous. No success, they didn’t return.

Being practical I called the Village of Mukwonago Police Department. Granted, I did not explain that during the time of the break in we were in Rainbow Springs. Unfortunately, it’s illegal and you get a pretty hefty trespassing fine.

Three squads, one K-9 car, and one undercover later they caught our villains.

Throughout the whole time one thought kept crossing my mind; my ghost was whispering a warning for me to leave because of the thieves breaking into our cars. Granted, it could have been coincidence, but an odd coincidence at that.

I visited my mystery man many times since then. Each time he proved to a most interesting host in his hotel, but my last time was indeed the most amazing of all experiences. I’ve always intended to go with just one other person, rather then a couple people, however, I never had the chance until recently. The opportunity arrived when I met a woman named Lori.

I brought the topic up accidentally but the second she heard about it, like me she was intrigued. I filled her in on all the details, she read a few of the articles I had and she was hooked. We both vowed that we would have a “date” with Mr. Schroedel to help him determine the reason he wasn’t able to “rest in peace.”

A week later was the evening we went. It turned out that it was raining that evening, but we didn’t let that discourage us. We parked the car and quickly ran across the road to the gate. I let Lori take the time to view the covered bridge/gate since this was her first visit, but then I had to prompt her to continue before we were seen.

We continued up the path and we reached the lake. Lori paused to marvel at it when just like my first visit there was a splash. This time in the lake and again, as if someone tossed a large rock. However, the rings of disruption that are normally present were invisible as I scanned the water top for them. Determined more then ever I headed us to the hotel. Immediately going to the back to the gate. Other times the gate was closed, but this time it was locked.

“Maybe we aren’t as welcome as I thought we were,” I chuckled to Lori.

We fiddled with the chain and lock for a bit then decided to just hop over. Routine-like I led the way to the back door that was always left unlocked and we entered. Every other time I went silence kept us company, this time the building was overwhelmed by musical raindrops dripping down through the leaks in the roof. A warmer welcome then the silence ever was.

We took our time as I introduced her to the kitchen area, the cafeteria, the empty elevator shafts (which were full right up to the top with water) and various other rooms. Then we made our way to the guestroom hallway. The area of the building that things always seem to “happen.” We slowly walked waiting and anticipating the smallest little sign that my ghost was nearby.

Since, it was Lori’s first visit we went into one of the guestrooms so she could get the full “Rainbow Springs” experience.

“Every time I’ve been here before,” I commented. “There has always been a breeze traveling these halls and a cold temperature change, but not tonight.”

We were halfway down the hall almost to a closed door that led to the Great Room when Lori stopped. “Sarah, come here.” I went to where she stood and it a warm gust of wind met my skin. Warm in the sense that a heating vent was blowing upon us. Contradicting it’s warmth I shuttered.

I leaned up against the wall and shut my eyes. Thinking that I could mentally speak to him and communicate better. Lori followed suit and turned off the flashlight as well.

Mentally I called out his name once and waited. A few moments later the whole building became silent. The dripping of water that we should have still heard halted. Pure and absolute silence. My ears began to ring and I kept my eyes shut. I couldn’t open them even if I wanted to. Then a whistle. A short little tune coming from the end of the hall. The end where we intended to go before Schroedel threw us off course.

I gasped and opened my eyes. “Lori, turn on the flashlight… turn on the flashlight,” I demanded. She did and I flinched as the light met my eyes. “Did you hear that?”

“Why yes I surely did,” she said excitedly.

We turned to continue down the hall and my stomach fell through the floor. The door to the Great Room was propped open by a crutch. The very door that was closed previous to the whistling. Chills went up and down my body and my initial thought was to run, run as far as I could as fast as my legs would take me. I looked at Lori and she looked at me and we said at the same exact moment, “We need to leave.”

My gut intuition was screaming at me that if we stayed it would not result in a good outcome. “Francis, sir, we are leaving. There’s absolutely no need to get distressed,” I assured him. Goosebumps traveled up my entire body as something or someone brushed up against me. “Lori do you feel that, the man is following us,” I whispered.

“Yes, yes I do honey,” she replied. Quickening her pace.

The tingling sensation of us being followed stopped the second we exited the hotel and I let out a sigh. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh,” Lori repeated. “We’re out Sir, no harm done.”

We jogged to the gate, hopped over and walked briskly to the path. Then Lori questioned me about the Lodge. I told her that that was the actual place where he lived. “One of these days I’ll find a way to go there,” I dreamed aloud.

Goosebumps… he was still there. It was then that he let me know that he wasn’t restricted to only the hotel. He had access to all the land and he was escorting us out.

“Stop it,” I scolded him. “Enough is enough, we’re leaving.”

I slightly quickened my pace as we passed the lodge. When a splash occurred in the marsh area. Lori walked over to the edge of the road in the area it came from. “Lori, don’t,” I said. Schroedel was kind enough to show us to the exit and we needed to leave with no delay. She ignored my protest and turned on the flashlight and shined it over the weeds.

Another splash, this time louder then the first. Lori scrambled to where I was on the path.

“Okay, we’re almost to our car. I promise I won’t go in your Lodge during future visits unless you want me to,” I stated hoping it would ease my ghost.

Another chill, beginning at my neck. Raising every hair on my body. He didn’t utter a single word, but none-the-less his opinion was being communicated to me.

Lori and I continued to voice various ideas in an attempt to get more responses. See what he reacted to and what he didn’t.

“Maybe somewhere along the line his spirit being earthbound is related to his wife,” I suggested, taking a shot in the dark. The second the comment left my lips my body erupted with goose bumps. If I didn’t feel him nearby before, I most certainly did now. Lori as well. I kept quiet until I regained my composure and the paranormal sensation decreased in intensity.

“Tell us more. I’m a friend and I want to help,” I encouraged.

Nothing. The gate and the covered bridge were in view informing me we were near the road. My ghost had returned home.

“You can leave, but I’m not through with you, Francis,” I retorted jokingly to his obvious dismissal of us.

When the gate was right in front of us I habitually checked my watch. It read quarter to midnight. I checked my cell phone as well… quarter to midnight.

“Well Lori, we made it just in time. It’s right before midnight,” I said with a smile as I hopped the gate then gleefully skipped to my car like a child. I turned the ignition key and drove away from my friend. Looking in my rearview mirror just in case I missed something.

During the ride back to Lori’s car we discussed the “events” that occurred that evening and future visits we intended to take. Francis warned us to leave that night, but his presence on our walk to the road encouraged me that he would more than likely welcome our return.

Interrupting our conversation I suddenly laughed and Lori looked at me as if I grew two heads.

“Pick up my phone,” I spouted out. She continued to look at me weird. “Pick up my phone, look at the clock on it.”

She looked at the time and it said 11:30 P.M. identical to what my watch read. It was fifteen minutes earlier then it was when we left Rainbow Springs.

“I do believe Francis played a trick on us,” I said amused. My ghost has a sense of humor. See you next time, Francis, I thought.

What I anticipated to be another urban legend resulted in surprising reality. As the man himself said: “My ghost will haunt Rainbow Springs after I’m gone. It will never open up without me.”

Francis Schroedel is a man of his word…