Alton is widely considered one of America's most haunted small towns, and paranormal activity is said to be concentrated in several of its cemeteries. The Alton City Cemetery and the Alton National Cemetery both have histories and ghost stories attributed to them. The Alton City Cemetery is associated with tales of murder and mysterious phenomena, adding to the city's eerie reputation. It is the final resting place of abolitionist Elijah P. Lovejoy, who was murdered by a pro-slavery mob in 1837. He was secretly buried for years before being properly laid to rest in 1865. His monument stands on a hill in the City Cemetery, and residual hauntings are believed to replay the events of his final, violent moments.