The Legend of Shorty Shobin and the Haunting of Blarney Island

Nestled in the heart of Illinois’ Chain O’Lakes, Blarney Island is more than just a lively waterfront destination. Its unique location, accessible only by boat, and rich history have made it an iconic attraction for generations. But beyond its revelry lies a darker, more mysterious tale—a story of betrayal, high-stakes poker, and a ghost who refuses to leave.

A Sacred Land: The Early Days

Long before poker games and ghost stories, the Chain O’Lakes was home to the Potawatomi people. For thousands of years, their villages flourished along the shores of Grass Lake and the surrounding waterways. The Potawatomi saw this region as sacred, a place where water and earth connected with the spirits of their ancestors. They thrived through fishing, hunting, and farming, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with the natural beauty of the land.

By the early 1800s, treaties such as the Treaty of Chicago in 1833 forced the Potawatomi to cede their lands. While they departed, local legends suggest their spirits never left, influencing the strange and dark events that would follow centuries later.

By 1901, Grass Lake was a swampy expanse known for its vibrant lotus flowers that drew hunters and adventurers. A small bar and viewing spot, originally named Rohemia, was established to give visitors a front-row seat to this natural beauty. The venue would later become known as "Shorty’s Place," after its charismatic owner, Shorty Shobin.

Shorty’s Place quickly became a hub for locals and tourists, offering a front-row view of the lotus blooms. Shorty, known for his boisterous personality, was the life of the bar, always quick to pour a drink and share a laugh. But the bar’s growing fame also attracted competition. In 1908, the construction of the Fox River Dam caused Grass Lake to swell, turning Shorty's bar into a prime viewing platform for the expanding lotus beds. Tourists began flocking to the area, and Shorty's Place became a bustling hub of activity. Around this time, a rival emerged—Jack O’Connor. He brought a houseboat, aptly named "Blarney Island," to the Chain O'Lakes and began drawing crowds of his own. Jack’s floating operation had a charm of its own, and soon the two businessmen were locked in a fierce rivalry.

Rivalry and Risk: The Fateful Poker Game

One humid summer evening, the rivalry reached its climax in a high-stakes poker game. The air was thick with cigar smoke, and the room buzzed with tension. Shorty, ever confident, leaned back in his chair and baited Jack with a challenge: "Put up that fancy floating tin can of yours, and I’ll wager my bar. Winner takes all."

Jack hesitated as the room fell silent. Onlookers whispered warnings, but Jack, driven by desperation and ambition, reluctantly agreed. The game of five-card stud began, and Shorty dominated from the start, building a straight while Jack struggled with scattered cards. But the final round brought a twist—Jack revealed four sixes, a miraculous hand that turned the tables. The room erupted in chaos as Shorty, uncharacteristically silent, disappeared into the back room. Some say he slipped out into the swamp, never to be seen again. Others claim his spirit remains.

The Birth of Blarney Island

Not long after Shorty vanished, Jack O’Connor’s houseboat mysteriously burned down, forcing him to relocate his operation to Shorty’s Place. Thus, Blarney Island was born. Over the decades, the bar became a popular destination, but tales of Shorty’s ghost began to surface.

Jack continued operating the bar successfully into the 1930s before selling it to Jack Pigensor. Ownership of Blarney Island changed hands frequently afterward, with locals speculating about the reasons behind these rapid turnovers. The bar was a profitable and popular spot, so why did no one seem to hold onto it for long? Some believe eerie happenings drove owners away. Unexplained noises, misplaced items, and a lingering sense of unease—perhaps Shorty’s spirit ensured the bar would never truly belong to anyone else.

A Haunted Legacy: Shorty’s Ghost

Patrons and staff have reported eerie sightings, including a shadowy figure seated at the poker table, ghostly laughter echoing through the bar, and the sound of shuffling poker chips in an empty room. One visitor recounted how their bar stool was pulled out from under them, while another discovered their drink inexplicably knocked over.

The most infamous legend involves the tradition of patrons tacking their undergarments to the ceiling—a prank many believe originated with Shorty’s mischievous ghost. One man, after losing a hand of cards, found his boxers mysteriously hanging above the bar, as if Shorty himself had claimed his prize.

One bartender shared a chilling story of closing up late one night. She noticed a shadowy figure near the poker table. Thinking it was a straggler, she approached, only to see it vanish before her eyes. Moments later, the sound of poker chips being shuffled filled the empty bar, sending her fleeing into the night.

Another tale comes from a group of friends celebrating a birthday. While taking photos near the bar, they later noticed a faint outline of a man in their pictures. He appeared to be holding cards and a cigar. None of them had seen anyone there at the time.

Paranormal Island: Hollywood’s Take

In 2014, Blarney Island’s haunted reputation reached Hollywood with the film Paranormal Island. Loosely inspired by the island’s legends, the movie brought renewed attention to its ghostly tales, cementing its place as both a party destination and a paranormal hotspot.

A Personal Encounter

One summer night, as I boated past Blarney Island in the early hours of the morning, something unusual caught our attention. A light was on inside, seemingly in the kitchen. Intrigued, my friends and I drew our pontoon boat closer to investigate. As we reached the docks, the light abruptly flicked off. Then, out of nowhere, a loud splash echoed across the water, and the temperature dropped over ten degrees, chilling us to the bone. Shivering, we quickly turned the boat around and sped away toward the channels, relieved to feel the warmth of the summer night return as we left the island behind.

The Legend Lives On

Today, Blarney Island is a beloved getaway for boaters and revelers, hosting music, boat races, and summer festivities. But beneath the vibrant atmosphere lies an enduring mystery. Visitors often glance toward the poker table, wondering if they might catch a glimpse of Shorty’s ghost or hear his spectral laughter.

For those who linger into the late hours, as the music fades and the lake grows still, Blarney Island becomes more than just a bar. It’s a place where history, legend, and the supernatural intertwine—where the past is never far away, and Shorty Shobin still holds court. If you visit, tread carefully. The drinks are strong, the stories stronger—but the spirit of Shorty Shobin may be the strongest of all.