10/01/2026
🪦 THE MAPLE HILL CEMETERY TOURS ARE BACK FOR 2026! 🕯️
The popular cemetery tours of Cadillac’s beautiful and historic Maple Hill Cemetery return this October!
First, I owe everyone an apology for the late announcement. Life has a funny way of getting in the way of even the best-laid plans! Between a full-time job, serving as President of the Historical Society, having a college freshman and a high school freshman, and trying to keep everything else moving, this year has been… well, a lot. 😂
I had hoped to put together two or even three completely new tours for this year, but unfortunately, I just couldn’t make that happen. I kept delaying the announcement because I was hoping everything would somehow come together. It didn’t.
But we ARE back—and I’m excited to once again tell some of Cadillac’s fascinating, sometimes heartbreaking, and sometimes downright unsettling stories.
And if you came last year, I have something special planned just for you. 👀
🎟️ A SPECIAL THANK-YOU FOR RETURNING TOUR-GOERS
I promised everyone who supported the tours last year that you would receive a 24-hour exclusive buying window this year.
If you are a returning ticket holder, I strongly recommend looking at the tours on October 16, 17, or 18.
There will be a special surprise/bonus on those tours that I can only do for one weekend.
I’m not going to spoil it.
Let's just say… if you were there last year, you’re going to want to be there this year. 😉
🕯️ 3 DIFFERENT WAYS TO EXPERIENCE MAPLE HILL
🕯️ LANTERN-LED TRUE CRIME TOURS
Our evening tours are twilight/lantern-led and focus on some of the darker, more tragic, and true-crime-related stories from Cadillac’s past.
Bring a flashlight and/or use your phone flashlight. We will walk approximately ¾ of a mile around Maple Hill, and the cemetery has plenty of natural hazards—headstones, tree roots, hills, dips, uneven ground, and other obstacles.
There are no benches or rest stops, and the tour lasts approximately 1½ hours, so participants should be physically capable of walking and standing for that length of time.
And perhaps most importantly: we are guests in the cemetery.
We will treat Maple Hill, the people buried there, and the stories we tell with the utmost respect. Being good stewards of this historic place is extremely important to me—and it is essential if we want to continue offering these tours in the future.
🌤️ DAYLIGHT TRUE CRIME TOURS
Not comfortable walking through a cemetery at night? No problem!
We will offer two of our true-crime-focused tours during daylight hours as well. You’ll hear many of the same fascinating stories without the lanterns and darkness.
🏛️ THE TOWN FOUNDERS TOUR
Our daytime history tour focuses less on crime and more on the people who built Cadillac into the community we know today.
It’s a chance to meet some of the personalities, pioneers, businesspeople, leaders, and doctors whose stories are an integral part of Cadillac’s history.
📅 2026 TOUR SCHEDULE
Friday, October 9 — 6:45 PM
🕯️ Lantern-Led True Crime Tour
Saturday, October 10 — 6:45 PM
🕯️ Lantern-Led True Crime Tour
Friday, October 16 — 6:45 PM
🕯️ Lantern-Led True Crime Tour ⭐ SPECIAL BONUS
Saturday, October 17 — 12:00 PM
🏛️ Town Founders Tour ⭐ SPECIAL BONUS
Saturday, October 17 — 3:00 PM
🌤️ Daylight True Crime Tour ⭐ SPECIAL BONUS
Sunday, October 18 — 3:00 PM
🌤️ Daylight True Crime Tour ⭐ SPECIAL BONUS
Sunday, October 18 — 6:45 PM
🕯️ Lantern-Led True Crime Tour ⭐ SPECIAL BONUS
Friday, October 23 — 6:30 PM
🕯️ Lantern-Led True Crime Tour
Saturday, October 24 — 6:30 PM
🕯️ Lantern-Led True Crime Tour
Sunday, October 25 — 6:30 PM
🕯️ Lantern-Led True Crime Tour
Friday, October 30 — 6:30 PM
🕯️ Lantern-Led True Crime Tour
Saturday, October 31 — 12:00 PM
🏛️ Town Founders Tour
Saturday, October 31 — 3:00 PM
🌤️ Daylight True Crime Tour
Saturday, October 31 — 6:30 PM
🕯️ Lantern-Led True Crime Tour
🎟️ TICKETS
Tickets are $13 per person—or, as I like to call them, 13 scary dollars. 👻
Payment can be made by cash, PayPal, Venmo, or we can work something out by email.
To reserve your spot, email:
📧 [email protected]
Please include:
• Which tour you would like to attend
• Number of tickets
• Your name
• Your cell phone number
My wife or I will respond with payment information.
IMPORTANT: Your spot is NOT guaranteed until payment has been received or we have made another arrangement by email.
As we get closer to your tour date, parking and other important instructions will be sent to you by text.
⚠️ LIMITED TICKETS
Because we are guests in Maple Hill Cemetery, every tour has a strictly limited number of tickets.
This isn't simply about making the tour feel intimate. It is about being respectful of the cemetery, protecting the grounds, keeping the group manageable, and making sure we are being good users of this historic place.
We want to be able to come back next year. ❤️
❤️ AND FINALLY…
If you are one of the people who came on a tour last year, thank you.
Seriously.
I cannot express how much I appreciate your support, your kindness, and your words of encouragement.
There were definitely points this year when things were difficult, and the support and kind words people have shared have honestly helped keep me going.
So if you're returning this year, thank you for coming back.
And if you're a previous ticket holder taking advantage of the first 24-hour exclusive buying window, please make sure you mention that when you email. Include the name and cell phone number you used last year so I can verify your previous ticket and make sure you get the opportunity to reserve the tour you want.
I truly appreciate every one of you.
Now…
Who wants to go walking around a cemetery with me?
Cadillac Michigan Historical Tours
Bringing History to Life — and Life to History.
Respectfully,
Richard Shults
Photo taken by Andy Burns! Thank you for letting me use it and making me look cool! lol.
