Creepy history lesson in Libertyville

Stroll past 402 W. Lincoln Ave. in Libertyville and you'll see some very old and very skinny veterans.

Skeletons with eternal smiles on their faces, dressed in military garb, stand guard in front of the 1850s farm house.

A goggled World War II fighter pilot grins. A sword-holding Civil War soldier laughs at the enemy.

The creepy conscripts are part of Waly Lowry's annual display that blends history and horror.

The display is unique in the neighborhood.

"It took me a year to gather all the uniforms, but now I have my army," he laughed.

He's been setting up the home haunt since 1989, but has recently moved away from the predictable vampires and ghouls in favor of characters with historic roots.

After inheriting his great grandfather's Civil War hat, Lowry wanted to display it.

"That's how I got inspired to set up this display," he said. "My wife and I are really into antiques and history. The display has gotten more elaborate over time with each new element."

With the exception of the Revolutionary War uniform, Lowry's artifacts are the real deal gathered from Army surplus stores or from vintage collections. Some of the clothes have a connection to Libertyville's past.

A Grim Reaper is dressed in a nightgown once worn by a member of one of Libertyville's founding families.

"I found the nightgown and a swallowtail coat at an estate sale of the Horace Butler family a number of years ago," Lowry said. "He was the first postmaster in the early 1800s.

Lowry's house is historic too. He discovered a letter from a Civil War general that was written in 1863.

"I was cutting a hole in the ceiling to install recessed lights and found the envelope," he said. "It was long and rambling and sent to someone who once lived in this house."

Lowry said it's common for teachers from nearby Rockland School to bring students to the house for a look.

"I thought maybe the Grim Reaper might be too scary for them, but the kids love it. Especially the boys," he said.

Lowry made all the skeletons by hand. The 62-year-old home remodeling contractor purchases the artificial skulls, but makes the bones out of wood.

"Those skulls are so white when I buy them that I have to stain them and dirty them up a bit," he said.

Lowry is also fascinated by the ancient Day of the Dead celebration and has displays inside his home that folks can see.

Since he lives on Lincoln Avenue, Lowry dresses up as Honest Abe on Halloween.

"We get so many compliments from folks," he said. "Some moms come up and say 'thank you for doing this.' It's a nice feeling."