Jim Warfield enjoys working at home, even if it is haunted.

Warfield’s house in Mt. Carroll, Ill., called Raven’s Grin Inn, is a haunted house open year-round for tours and special meetings.

He purchased the home 17 years ago, and strange things have been happening ever since.

The home was an inn built in 1870 and has a haunted history dating from the 1920s.

Warfield found out his home was haunted when he rented it to murder mystery groups who held meetings in the wine cellar. When Warfield received letters of thanks from the different groups, many of them asked the identity of the lady in the wine cellar with the white dress.

“They said there was a glowing mist floating around the room, and the mist came out of the wall,” Warfield said. “There were no skeptics in that group after that.”

Warfield says he has nothing to do with the appearance of the ghosts.

Tours of the haunted home aren’t just reserved for the Halloween season; in fact, Warfield gives tours every day.

Warfield leads the tours himself and gives a history of the home as people make their way through the haunted house.

“I don’t have gory stuff here; I have my own monsters,” Warfield said.

The house has eclectic objects and artwork in each room, with special displays created by Warfield.

John Dolan, co-owner and co-producer of Creatures Crypt Haunted House in Bloomington, Ill., said Raven’s Grin Inn is a unique show.

“The house itself is just unbelievable,” Dolan said. “He’s even hand-carved tunnels out of his backyard.”

Warfield takes his time with the tours, which last between 60 and 90 minutes.

“I look at every customer as ‘this is the most important customer I’ll ever have,’” Warfield said.

Warfield uses humor throughout the tour and sometimes even dresses the part with an old suit coat.

“Most people consider me most of the entertainment,” he said.

Dolan said he was impressed with Warfield’s performance.

“You’re not really sure if Jim’s putting on a good act or if he’s really gone over the edge,” Dolan said. “Jim’s a show – a one-man show.”

A family who regularly visits the home thought they knew everything, until Warfield told them a little more history.

“The mother said, ‘This time you told so much of the history, I was scared,’” Warfield said.

Warfield said about 4,500 to 6,000 people visit his home each year.

Featured in National Geographic World magazine and on “Extreme Homes” in 1997, Raven’s Grin Inn is nationally known. Most of Warfield’s fame comes in October.

“I’m a celebrity one month of the year, and believe me, that’s plenty,” Warfield said.

The cost of the tour is $10 per person. Warfield said the best time to come is any time except October when it’s busy for the Halloween season.

“The quality of the show drops in October,” Warfield said.

Raven’s Grin Inn is open every night from 7 p.m. to midnight and has afternoon hours from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

People can send a check to reserve a time to Raven’s Grin Inn at 411 N. Carroll St., Mt. Carroll, IL, 61053. For information, call 815-244-4746.

Raven’s Grin Inn can be found online at www.hauntedravensgrin.com.