Terrifying!!! These 8 Luxurious Houses Hold Chilling Secrets. Their Previous Occupants Were Fond of Doing This...
When it comes to designing a house, many people are fascinated by grand and large buildings. Some may even envy the beautiful designs and wish to have such a structure as their future home. But what if a house or building with an intriguing design is haunted? Would you still want to live there?
Horror stories have always been a favorite among many. These stories come directly from people who have once inhabited these houses. Here are some magnificent yet eerie houses.
1. William Kehoe House, Savanah, Georgia
From the outside, this four-story brick Victorian-style building appears magnificent and beautiful. Completed in 1892, the house was originally intended for William and Anne Kehoe and their ten children. Sadly, the twins in the family died in the house due to an accident. In 1992, the house was transformed into a hotel. Guests who have stayed here often experienced spine-chilling events, such as hearing the sounds of children playing and even witnessing the apparitions of William and Anne wandering through various rooms in the house.
2. House of The Seven Gables, Salem, Massachusetts
house of the seven gables | story
This wooden house served as the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, making it quite famous. Built in 1667, the house has undergone various modifications over time, including the removal of some sections and additions to the structure. Eventually, the house was restored to its original form and now functions as a museum. Not only visitors but also museum staff have experienced strange occurrences inside, from faucets and lights turning on and off by themselves to sightings of the former lady of the house and a young boy playing in the attic.
3. Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California
winchester mystery house | story
This brightly yellow-colored mansion is quite eye-catching. Originally a farmhouse, it was purchased by Sarah Winchester, the widow of William Wirt Winchester, who was an heir to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. After the death of her husband, who succumbed to tuberculosis shortly after his father's passing, Sarah inherited the Winchester fortune. Unfortunately, her infant daughter also died. Sarah believed that her family was cursed by the vengeful spirits of those killed by Winchester firearms. Consequently, she embarked on a construction project of immense proportions.
Sarah designed the house herself without the aid of an architect, hiring carpenters to carry out her vision. The result was a unique structure filled with oddities, such as staircases leading to nowhere and windows opening into other rooms. The four-story house with 160 rooms, 10,000 windows, and 47 staircases was built to appease the restless spirits that Sarah believed had cursed her family.
4. Raynham Hall, Norfolk, England
Built in 1619 by Sir Roger Townsend, this building is believed to have been designed by the renowned English architect Inigo Jones. Subsequent modifications to both the exterior and interior are attributed to William Kent, originally a painter who transitioned to house and furniture design.
The house became infamous for a photograph featuring the "Brown Lady," believed to be the ghost of Lady Dorothy, the wife of Turnip Townsend. The photograph gained prominence in the 1930s. According to popular legend, after her death in 1726, Lady Dorothy was not buried but locked away in a room by her husband.
5. LaLaurie House, New Orleans, Louisiana
Purchased by Marie Delphine LaLaurie and her third husband in 1831, this house was expanded and redesigned to be more luxurious and contemporary. Unfortunately, the marriage of Delphine was far from happy and was marked by frequent quarrels. Left by her husband, she channeled her anger into the cruel treatment and murder of her slaves.
In 1834, a slave who was shackled near the kitchen stove set a fire, either as a desperate attempt to end her life or to get help. This incident led to the discovery of the mutilated slave. Enraged, the community rioted and destroyed the house, while Delphine escaped to France and died several years later. Some reports claim that the house is often filled with the sounds of tortured spirits, and others say they've been attacked by evil entities believed to be Madam LaLaurie herself.
6. Battery Carriage House Inn, Charleston, South Carolina
Battery Carriage House Inn | House
This neoclassical-style structure with its distinctive decorative columns on the façade stands out in Charleston. The unusual design drew attention, being more reminiscent of European architecture. However, behind the charming exterior lies a history of tragedy.
The house is associated with numerous unsettling stories, from servants dying of disease during the Civil War to the hanging of a robber on a tree in front of the house. There's also a tale of a sensitive teenage boy who lived in the house and eventually ended his own life by jumping from the roof. Male guests have reported unpleasant encounters, such as chairs violently slamming against walls and apparitions of floating bodies. Slenderman is said to appear to female guests. There have been documented sightings captured on video by a mother and son who stayed in room number 10.
7. Hampton House, Towson, Maryland
This beautifully built mansion was the largest Georgian-style mansion following the American Revolution. Charles Ridgely's dream home was constructed between 1772 and 1790, just before his passing. The property consists of 20 buildings and expansive grounds, showcasing its grandeur. Eight generations inhabited the house, and it is now owned by the government due to its historic and extensive nature.
However, this magnificent house is not without its mystique, as it is believed to be haunted by the spirits of some of its former residents who died in the house. Visitors have reported sightings, including that of Priscilla Ridgely, Charles Ridgely's wife, who is often seen wandering around the property, interacting with those nearby. There are also tales of Cygnet Swan, who died in her room while seated and holding a comb; some claim to have seen her repeating these actions before her death. Perhaps the most intriguing story is that of Tom, the loyal servant of the Ridgely family, who has been seen guiding a woman through a tour of the house, providing insights into the Ridgely family's history.
8. Grant Humphreys Mansion, Denver, Colorado
Grant Humphreys Mansion | story
This Beaux Arts-style mansion was built in 1902 by wealthy businessman and former governor James Benton Grant. The three-story, 30-room house was designed by the talented architects Theodore Davis Boal and F.I. Harnois, with a total cost of $35,000 at the time. The mansion features a brick façade, tall columns, terra cotta balustrades, and balconies that exude opulence and elegance.
However, in 1911, Grant passed away, and his wife Mary sold the house to Albert E. Humphreys and his wife, Alice Boy Humphreys, in 1917. Humphreys was known for taking risks that resulted in significant financial gains. Unfortunately, his death was shrouded in mystery, as he suffered a gunshot accident. To this day, it remains unclear whether Humphreys had suicidal
