Chiller Haunted House

In 1983, Jim Coon created his first home haunt in his parent’s one car garage on Lamont Circle and opened it to the neighborhood trick or treaters for a few laughs and hopefully a couple of screams. 41 years later the screams and laughs continue as the Chiller Haunted House will once again spring to life (?) on Halloween night, Tuesday October 31st from 6pm to 10pm on Madison Street in Cortland.

The haunt moved to Coon’s residence on Madison Street one year after he purchased the property along with his wife Kati. For a time it was held at the Burch Building in Suggett Park in Cortland where is daughter Abbi first got involved at the age of 11.  It then resided for 4 years at the Center For The Arts of Homer, in Homer, NY. In 2022 it was decided to scale the haunt back a little and bring it home to Madison Street.

“I hate to say I’m getting older, but I’m getting older.” The 56 year old Coon says “It’s not just the haunt that creaks groans now a days.”

Coon runs his own print and design service so his time to work on the haunt is limited, but he still feels the need to produce the annual Halloween attraction.

“Last year’s haunt was well received by all those who attended and several people thanked me for bringing it back to Madison Street. Some even said they remember coming to the haunt when they were young and now they were bringing their children. Talk about feeling old!” Coon laughs.

The haunt will be open for non-scary tours from 6pm to 6:45pm and then at 7pm scary tours begin. The haunt will also be open on October 28th from 7pm to 9pm for those who cannot make it on Halloween night.

When asked for the address Coon smiles and says “Madison Street in Cortland. If you can’t find it, you ain’t tryin’!” To find out more about the Chiller Haunted House and to see all updates, visit Jim’s Facebook page Facebook.com/Jim8ball.