Historic aviator makes her presence known
by Katie Arvia
LANSING, Ill. (October 2018) – When Lynn Cartwright, better known as Lynnie Que, moved her BBQ restaurant to its new location at the Lansing Municipal Airport in March 2017, she was not a believer in the paranormal. However, it took only a short time to convince her that her restaurant was haunted. In fact, Lynnie believes the spirit is none other than that of Amelia Earhart.
Lansing Municipal Airport was originally named the Chicago-Hammond Airport; the Village acquired the property in 1976 for $1.75 million. With a rich history dating back to the 1920s, the Lansing Municipal Airport has seen its fair share of famous faces. Henry Ford erected his now-historic Ford Hangar on the property in 1927, and it was named a national historic site in 1985. Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan visited the airport in September 1990 to film two commercials. Famous aviators such as Charles Lindbergh, Wiley Post, and yes, Amelia Earhart, all used the airport at some point in time.
With such an expansive history, it’s not too hard to believe that at least one ghost haunts the halls of the airport. Lynnie and her employees can attest to that. “Music will be on when we come in in the morning,” they say. Or, “[We] hear the elevator beep and nobody gets off.” Even more dramatic, Lynnie has experienced things getting thrown at her—a plate and an ice scooper. She knows it was Amelia. “She’s not being mean or angry,” Lynnie explains. “She’s just letting us know she’s there.”
When the former airport maintenance manager told Lynnie how frequently he was frightened by Amelia, Lynnie says she felt relief. “I said, ‘I am so glad you said that because I thought it was just me cracking up,’ and it wasn’t! And believe me, he is very straight; he doesn’t make up nothing.”
As far as Lynnie knows, hers is the only establishment on the airport’s 500+ acre grounds that is haunted.
Despite the spooky events that occur in her airport bar and grill, Lynnie is enjoying her new location. She moved to the airport from the plaza at 19267 Burnham Avenue, where her business was carry-out only. Now her establishment is a dine-in restaurant with full bar and scheduled entertainment. “We’re loving it up here,” Lynnie said. “Our customers say, ‘We feel like we’re at home.’” The shelves are lined with pig-themed gifts from guests and coloring pages by young artists who don’t mind sharing the space with Amelia’s ghost.
Whether or not it is really Amelia who is turning on the radio and throwing plates, one thing is sure: her presence, whether paranormal or not, is felt strongly at the restaurant.
A life-size poster of Amelia decorates the door to the women’s restroom. A photo of Lansing resident Jan Marcon posing with Amelia herself sits on the shelves near the elevator next to Sassy the pig (the first pig Lynnie bought for her restaurant). And, on a chance encounter, an Amelia lookalike (and pilot herself) visited Lynnie Ques last year when her plane touched down in Lansing.
Regardless of whether or not you believe in the paranormal, there is no denying that Lynnie Ques and the Lansing Municipal Airport are unique locations in the village, and both offer a chance to explore some of Lansing’s history. For more information on the airport, visit lansingmunicipalairport.org. To learn more about Lynnie Ques, visit lynniequesbbq.com.
Lynnie Ques Airport Bar & Grill is located at 3249 Glenwood-Lansing Road in Lansing.
