Time of Torment
Orion theme haunt inspired by classic horror films
Sunday, October 22, 2006
By TOM LOEWY
The Register-Mail
ORION - Nancy and Steve Patterson met seven years ago.
They were married in 2002 and moved to a 30-acre spread at 5030 N. 1200th Ave. in Orion.
The Pattersons didn't want to farm. They were determined to haunt.
"I had a little business in Cambridge before I met Steve and I had done some small haunts," Nancy said. "Steve is a DJ and a sound engineer and he had done some haunts in Peoria.
"So when we bought the 30 acres of land, we had our eyes on the old barn that sat on it. We were pretty determined to make a haunted house."
The Pattersons installed what is called a "turn-key" haunt three years ago. What is known as the "Torment at Twelve Hundred" was born.
"A turn-key haunt is a permanent haunt on a site," Nancy said. "It's a theme haunt. There is a story and we've added to the story every year we have been open.
"This year is the third chapter in the Torment at Twelve Hundred."
And it's the story that sets the Torment at Twelve Hundred apart from other haunted houses in the area. Visitors are told the tale before they enter the haunt.
Officer B. Justice, played by Steve, greets visitors as they enter the haunt. He starts the story.
Visitors spend part of the time outdoors and some more inside the infamous old barn.
"We really like to stress to folks that they can't travel through the haunt if they are wearing high heels or open-toe shoes," Nancy said. "We recommend sneakers or boots."
The main character of the haunt, Dr. Orment, remains. New attractions and characters have been added to enhance and continue the story.
"Basically we used our imaginations," Nancy said. "Steve and I both grew up watching horror movies and creature features. Obviously, both of us enjoy Halloween."
While the Torment at Twelve Hundred is original, it has also infused some of the old-school horror ethos Steve and Nancy learned from watching the classic horror films..
"A lot of the movies I grew up with used suspense to drag the horror out," Steve said. "Suspense stretches out fear. It lets fear and anticipation build.
"Most haunted houses are amusement oriented. A replication of a monster jumps out at you. Those are shock scares - and we use those at Torment. But what we try to do is push the envelope a bit by creating torment through suspense."
Torment at Twelve Hundred
Hours:
You still have four days to check out the Torment. The haunt is open Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight; Sunday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Halloween night from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. this year.
Website:
www.tormentwelve.com
Directions from Galesburg:
Head west on Interstate 74. Take Exit 24 (the Illinois 81 to Kewanee and Cambridge exit). Go east for approximately a half mile. Turn left on East 600th Street and drive north for approximately two miles. Turn left on North 1200th Avenue. Drive west for approximately one mile. Torment at Twelve Hundred will be on the right.
If you go:
Wear sneakers or boots. No high-heel or open-toe shoes are allowed.
Cost:
Tickets are $12.00 per person and available at the door. The haunt is recommended for ages 13 and older.
Concessions:
A concession stand is available at the end of the haunt.
Other rules:
No alcohol is allowed on the property. Visitors might want to carpool to the haunt because parking fills up quickly.
Owners:
Steve and Nancy Patterson
Why they opened the haunt:
"We love haunted houses and scary movies," Nancy said. "More than that, I think it gives kids a chance for something fun to do. Both my husband and I wanted to show kids that there is so much you can do without having to drink."
Be prepared for an experience that may reach into the depth of your mind, where the true torment originates, and remember:
'The Realm of Darkness leaves us Vulnerable'
See you in October!!
