Some are. For example, the story of Resurrection Mary has elements that could be based on real events. There was likely a young woman who died in that area, and over time, the legend grew. But it's also been embellished with the idea of her being a ghost hitchhiker.
The Iroquois Theatre is also associated with a spooky story. There was a tragic fire in the theatre in 1903 that killed many people. Some claim to have seen the ghosts of the victims still lingering in the building. There are reports of strange noises and apparitions, as if the souls are still reliving that fateful day.
I'm not entirely sure as the title seems a bit odd. But generally, ghost stories often involve spooky hauntings, like a haunted house where ghosts make strange noises at night, or a spirit that haunts a particular place due to some tragic event in the past.
It's hard to say for sure. There could be elements of truth in some of the stories. Like if someone had a really bad accident in the place and then there were unexplained occurrences afterwards, people might start believing it's a ghost. But it could also just be coincidence or people misinterpreting normal things in a spooky setting.
The city's diverse population has also had an impact. With different ethnic groups, cultures, and social classes coexisting, it gives writers a lot of material. In Chicago fictions, we can see stories about immigrants trying to make a living, or about the clashes and reconciliations between different groups. The city's rich history of labor movements, for example, has also inspired many fictional works that deal with the struggles of the working class.
One key element could be the spooky settings. A haunted mansion or an old cemetery might be the backdrop for these stories. Another element is the distinct personalities of the thirteen ghosts. Each might have its own way of haunting, like making strange noises or appearing in a particular form.
I'm not sure specifically which 'thirteen ghosts' are in that story without more context. It could be a collection of various spooky apparitions like the ghost of a murdered victim, a spectral figure from an old haunted house, or a spirit from a tragic past event.