To find the story of one of the most gruesome killers in American history, you don’t have to look far from Wisconsin. The terrifying tale of Ed Gein unfolded in the town of Plainfield. Gein, a murderer and grave robber, served as inspiration for the characters in cinematic horror classics including Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs.
Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller was based on Robert Bloch’s novel of the same name. Bloch’s inspiration for the character of Norman Bates was Ed Gein, the mild-mannered murderer of Plainfield. Bloch lived in Milwaukee and Weyauwega.