Friday, April 20, 2012, the Haunted Attraction Family lost a beloved member, George Carpenter. He was the creator, designer, and original owner of Nightmares: Basement of the Dead in Aurora, as well as co-owner of Skully’s Family Fun in Oswego, IL. He passed away at the age of 68.
Under his direction and vision, he created and operated Nightmares: Basement of the Dead, a haunted and terrifying journey through the basement of a 1900’s laundry building tracing the steps of Al and Imus Kilya.
In 2003, its first operating year, Nightmares: Basement of the Dead was chosen by Haunted House Chicago as their “New Attraction of the Year.” George and his family continued to perfect the attraction until in 2008, Haunted House Chicago awarded it their highest honor, “Haunted Attraction of the Year.”
George sold the attraction in 2010 and began developing a new family-friendly attraction with his family. The attraction is known as Skully’s Family Fun and launched in 2011 in Oswego, IL.
George was a very caring and passionate man about everything in his life. While most of those in the haunt industry may have only known him for his work on Nightmares, George had many other projects and interests, including monster trucks and his family. But, regardless of the topic, he shared his excitement with everyone around him.
We at Haunted House Chicago feel honored to have known him and called him a friend. He will be greatly missed and forever remembered.
