Old houses are filled with fascinating history, and with that history often come ghost stories. Some of America’s oldest houses are often the nation's most “haunted” homes. Within their walls, visitors report mysterious sounds and strange sightings. This spooky season, we’re exploring 5 famous “haunted” houses and the intriguing history behind them.
The Whaley House Museum - San Diego, California
Considered the most haunted home in America, the Whaley House has been the subject of many ghost stories. Built in 1856, it is the oldest brick structure in Southern California. It’s not surprising that this old house holds strange memories of San Diego’s past. It has been a family home, a general store, a courthouse, and a movie theater. Today, it’s a museum and tourist attraction for its history and hauntings. The staff have reported seeing a few ghosts about, including the ghosts of the Whaley family.
“The Whaley House - Supposedly America's most Haunted House. Old Town, San Diego” by Kirk K, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Image from Flickr.
House of Death - Greenwich Village, New York
After 22 people died in this New York home, it got its eerie nickname “House of Death.” The brownstone building was built in the 1850s in one of New York’s most beautiful neighborhoods. It’s said to be haunted by 23 different souls, but its most famous ghost is that of the writer Mark Twain. Twain moved into the house in 1900 and only lived there for about a year. Though he did not believe in ghosts himself, he did report some strange happenings in the home.
“14 West 10th Street” by Beyond My Ken, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International, 3.0 Unported, 2.5 Generic, 2.0 Generic and 1.0 Generic license. Image from Wikimedia.
Biltmore House - Asheville, North Carolina
During America’s Gilded Age, the Vanderbilt family was one of the richest families in the country. In 1889, the heir to the Vanderbilts’ fortune, George Vanderbilt II, built the Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina. This sprawling mansion has 250 rooms with 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, and (supposedly) ghosts! Today, the home is a popular tourist destination. While most visitors are there to explore its luxurious rooms and gardens, some have heard mysterious footsteps and seen shadowy figures in its halls.
“Biltmore Estate” by Doug Colddwell, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported. Image from Wikimedia.
Learn more about this famous home in our kids' magazine, Issue 24 | American Glitter.
The House of Seven Gables - Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is steeped in ghost stories, many born from tales of the infamous witch trials. This city is also home to one of the U.S.’s most historic homes: the House of the Seven Gables, also known as the Turner House. The colonial mansion was built in 1668 and was the inspiration behind Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The House of the Seven Gables. Many tourists visit the home because of its literary past, but some come for its haunted history. Ghosts have been spotted near the attic and gables of the old home. Today, the House of the Seven Gables is a popular museum. For those seeking a spooky experience, the staff offers special evening tours every October.
“House of Seven Gables - Salem, MA” by Upstateherd, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International. Image from Wikimedia.
The White House - Washington, DC
The home of the U.S. President is rich with history and, supposedly, ghosts! Visitors have reported sightings since the 1800s. Over the years, the ghost of Abraham Lincoln has been spotted in the Lincoln Bedroom and the Yellow Oval Room. Abigail Adams is said to appear hanging laundry in the East Room, and some visitors have said they’ve heard the pluck of Thomas Jefferson’s violin in the Yellow Oval Room. There is also the story of the unnamed British soldier who is said to wander the grounds, holding a torch. Spooky!
“1600 Pennsylvania Avenue” by PLBechly, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International. Image from Wikimedia.
Historic homes are often the subject of ghost stories, and whether or not these tales are true, they are a fascinating way to learn about times long ago. They tell us about a home's history, the people who lived there, and help us keep the memory of the past alive.
Have you heard any tales of haunted homes in your neighborhood? Ghost stories can be scary, but there is often a surprising amount of history behind them!