Entry No. 11 — the St. Louis file — filed under: haunted
American Oddities Museum
Owned and curated by dark historian Troy Taylor, this museum houses a massive collection of haunted objects, sideshow relics, medical quackery, and true crime memorabilia.
The story
Alton has long traded on its reputation as a haunted river town along the Mississippi, so it is only fitting that dark historian and author Troy Taylor established his physical repository right on Piasa Street. The American Oddities Museum acts as the tangible storehouse for Taylor's decades of researching regional ghosts, supernatural lore, murder mysteries, and forgotten American history.
Inside, you won't find sterile, white-walled exhibit halls or high-tech screens. Instead, the museum operates as an intimate cabinet of curiosities crammed with taxidermied "mermaids," authentic Victorian vampire-killing kits, quack medical devices from bygone eras, sideshow relics, and documented haunted artifacts alongside true crime memorabilia. It's a concentrated collection where every case holds something unsettling.
What it's like
Stepping into 301 Piasa Street feels less like entering a public institution and more like gaining entry to the private library of an obsessive paranormal researcher. The space is dense and shadowed, filled with display cases that require a close look to fully take in. Take your time working through the glass cases, keep an eye out for the uncanny details on the medical and sideshow exhibits, and leave a few minutes to browse the attached American Hauntings bookstore before heading back out.
The move: Explore the spooky exhibits to see a taxidermied 'mermaid' and Victorian vampire-killing kits, then browse the American Hauntings bookstore for a signed copy of a local ghost story.
- 📍 Alton
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 301 Piasa St, Alton, IL 62002
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- St. Louis Antique Mall — Double down on hunting for strange artifacts by digging through 21,000 square feet of vintage goods and eclectic maximalist booths across the river.
- Botanica Yemaya — Transition from macabre historical oddities to authentic spiritual herbs, ritual candles, and traditional supplies in Overland.
- Keep Quiet — Unwind after examining dark lore with a low-key, secluded cocktail inside this speakeasy tucked behind Midtown's beer garden.
Good to know
Who owns and curates the museum?
The museum is owned and curated by dark historian, author, and paranormal researcher Troy Taylor.
What kind of items are on display?
The collection includes a taxidermy "mermaid," Victorian vampire-killing kits, quackery medical devices, sideshow artifacts, haunted objects, and true crime memorabilia.
Where is the museum located?
It is located at 301 Piasa Street in downtown Alton, Illinois.
Can I buy books at the museum?
Yes, the venue houses the American Hauntings bookstore, where you can pick up books on regional ghost stories and dark history, including signed titles by Troy Taylor.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Atlas Obscura · riversandroutes.com · dinnerandspirits.com
last checked: 2026-07-21