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Haunted Elegance
The
history and hauntings of some of the most fantastic mansions.
Click on the mansions below to learn more. Make sure to check back we'll be adding more mansions to see.
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Brown Mansion - Coffeyville Kansas
Stately,
beautiful and haunted. Verandas
surround this three-story mansion and massive white columns that take
you back in time. Its features include a ballroom, two story
entryway, bowling alley, Tiffany light fixtures and hand painted
walls. There is hardly any compare for the beauty of the Brown
Mansion but its magnetism isn’t just limited to its
opulence. The history of the mansion is scattered throughout this
time capsule. Personal memorabilia, furniture, decorations and
even cleaning supplies are still in the home from the original owners.
William and Nancy Brown built the Brown Mansion in 1906. They
lived in the home until they passed away and the home went to their
only living child Violet Brown. She resided in the mansion until
1970 when she packed a few personal items and moved to a nursing home
in Coffeyville. Violet then sold the mansion to the City of
Coffeyville. William and Nancy Brown had five children, Violet,
William (Willie) who died at age four in 1898, two baby boys who both
died at birth and Donald who died 11/11/1911 at the age of 11 from
diabetic complications.
Its no wonder with so many emotions of happiness and sorrow in the mansion that it is haunted. After Donald's death in 1911 Miss Brown closed up his room and the room was not opened until after William and Nancy died. People report hearing the sounds of a child running up and down the second floor hallway. Is Donald still there running from his bedroom to the stairs to head up to the ballroom to do his lessons? Speaking of the ballroom you might just hear sounds of a child humming. A man in a smoking jacket has also been seen standing in the second floor hallway. The butler coming in and sitting on the bed after it has been straitened out routinely irritates the volunteers of the Brown Mansion. How do they know? Because they will smooth out the bed covers to later come back and find an indention in the bed as if someone has sat there. The butler’s room isn’t the only place visited by the supernatural in the basement. Sometimes you can hear sounds of someone throwing a strike in the bowling alley. But go look there’s only one pen left and the room will be empty. A woman has been photographed on the stairs that wasn't there at the time the pictures was taken as well as a figure on the balcony. All these happenings are more comforting then disturbing in the fact that maybe the family is still all there not wanting to leave each other or this beautiful home they lived and loved in. There is no fear to be felt at the Brown Mansion only fascination of the imagination. VISIT THE BROWN MANSION
Built in 1869 the mansion and history is infused with tragedy. Brewery mogul William Lemp purchased the mansion 1876, the mansion was already impressive but William began renovating and expanding the 33-room house into a showplace. He added a tunnel through the caves to his brewery. Frederick Lemp, William SR’s favorite son died in 1901 at the age of 28. Frederick, who had never been in extremely good health, died of heart failure. The devastated William Lemp was never the same, beginning a slow withdrawal; he was rarely seen in public after his son’s death. In 1904 William shot himself in the head with a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson. William Jr. and Lillian Lemp then took over the fortune, business and mansion. However, they were not the pictures of wedded bliss. Lillian was William's "trophy wife" he soon tired of her and took on a "playboy" status, frequenting with prostitutes. These activities later caught up with him when he produced an illegitimate child who was afflicted with Down's Syndrome. The child was hidden away in the Lemp Mansion attic his entire life. Inevitably the marriage ended in divorce. In 1906 William's mother died and he was facing financial ruin with the business steadily declining due to fierce competition. In 1915 he married for a second time to Ellie Limberg. In 1920, Elsa Lemp Wright, William’s sister, shot herself just like her father had years before. Elsa was said to have been despondent over her rocky marriage. Two years later William shot himself, in the heart with a .38 caliber revolver, in the very same building where his father had died eighteen years before. In 1943, yet another tragedy occurred when William Lemp III died of a heart attack at the age of forty-two. Brother Charles eventually took over the residence and lived in the house along with the illegitimate child of his brother William. Charles developed a morbid fear of germs; his obsessive-compulsive behavior included wearing gloves at all times to avoid bacteria and constantly washing his hands. It was during this time that William's illegitimate child, now in his 30s, died at the mansion. He was buried on the Lemp Cemetery plot with only a small flat marker, with the word "Lemp." In 1949 Charles shot his beloved Doberman Pincher before climbing the stairs to his room and shooting himself. After Charles suicide the mansion was sold and turned into a boarding house. It started deteriorating and was almost in ruin until the present owners who have turned it into a restaurant and hotel purchased it. People sometimes feel a sense of sadness while in the Lemp Mansion. It’s no wonder with the Lemp family history. Divorce, suicide, heartbreak, financial ruin, greed and shame are part of that history and the mansion saw it all. All this adds up to a ghost hunters Disney land. As it is rated in the top 10 of the nation's most haunted buildings. Apparitions of the Lemp family, objects moving, doors opening, closing, locking and unlocking, lights coming on, voices, footsteps, unexplained sounds and feelings of being watched are just a few of the experiences encountered at the Lemp Mansion. There’s is no guessing what paranormal encounter you will have at the Lemp Mansion there’s just a guarantee. VISIT THE LEMP MANSION
This 18th century German Gothic "castle" is the very picture of the Halloween haunted mansion. In 1872 Anton and Mary Sauer bought the Sauer Castle. Anton Sauer bought this mansion as a show of his wealth and status. However, he was ill with TB and Anton Sauer died of tuberculosis on August 16,1879, a month after the death of his infant daughter, Helen. Mary also died in the mansion in 1919. Throughout the years, 5 generations of the Sauer family lived and died in this family mansion from natural and unnatural causes. There was one suicide, one infant death, one child drowned in the swimming pool, and Anton's son, Julius, was killed in a train accident, burned to death. Lights appear in the lookout tower, and can be seen floating around the property. All of this love, laughter and tears add up to some serious paranormal activity. Laughter, crying, shouting, has been heard coming from the house, when no one living was there. Doors opening and closing by themselves have also been reported. An apparition of a woman is seen standing and walking on the widow's walk, and standing in the lookout tower. This apparition could be any of the Sauer women who lived here. Supposedly on Halloween, two apparitions (a man and a woman) are seen dancing in the lookout tower. Perhaps these spirits could be Eve and John S. Perkins, who was the one who shot himself here. An apparition of a boy was seen at the mansion. Perhaps this is Julius appearing to the living as the boy he was, when he lived here; a place he probably loved. However, exploration of this Scooby Do type mansion is not permitted. The mansion is privately owned.
Oak Alley's most distinguishing architectural feature is the 28 colossal classic columns and double row of 28 giant oaks lining the entry to the antebellum plantation. Originally named Bon Sejour, Oak Alley was built in 1837-39 by George Swainey for Jacques Telesphore Roman. Jacques died of TB in 1848; his son Henri took over the operations of the plantation. Louise Roman, daughter of Jacques and Josephine, a beauty of the French Creole upper class was approached and insulted by an intoxicated suitor. As was expected of the time she became angry and fled the suitor only to trip and fall and cut her leg on the iron frame in her hoop skirt. Sadly she developed gangrene and lost her leg. After that she was considered unsuitable for marriage and joined a convent. Years later she moved back to the mansion. In 1866, Oak Alley was sold at auction to John Armstrong. Several owners followed Armstrong, and by the 1920s, the house was is in a state of deterioration. Andrew and Josephine Stewart purchased the property in 1925 and began restoration. So does Josephine Stewart stays on to watch over her beloved plantation. Or does Louise Roman remain haunting looking for her lost youth and promise of grand future. Well the encounters at Oak Alley suggest they are still there’s. It’s a common occurrence to hear the clip clop sound of horses pulling a carriage up the long drive. Apparitions have been seen and photographed. Tourists have witnessed objects moving and tour guides routinely have paranormal experiences. Lights come on; sounds of crying and people are even touched by unseen sources. Oak Alley envelops you in Old World Creole romanticism why wouldn't someone want to stay even after they are gone? VISIT OAK ALLEY
The Magnolia Mansion was built in 1857 by Alexander Harris. In 1869 Alexander died of yellow fever leaving the estate to his widow Elizabeth “Lizzie” Johnson Thompson who could be described as cold and callous towards her family members. She then sold the mansion to the Maginnis family in 1879. John Maginnis was a cotton mogul who some say karma caught up with for his treatment of his employees at the cotton mill. In 1889 John died by being struck by lightening. In 1939, John's daughter, Josephine, inherited the home and willed it to the Red Cross. The Red Cross used the home to train nurses for WWII and the Korean War. In 1954 the home was again sold into private ownership. Magnolia Mansion was renovated in 2001 and opened as a B&B in 2002. During renovations of the mansion the crew had to stop their progress due to an oily substances appearing on the walls. The ghosts were told of the intentions to return the home to its former glory. Strangely enough the phenomena stopped after that. Visitors of the mansion don't just experience the grandeur of the mansion but the ghosts ensure their stay is an interesting one. Guests have felt a phantom touch, captured pictures of faces without a source, heard unexplained noises and footsteps and they have even been snuggled up to in their bed. Is the cold hearted Elizabeth Thompson still there? Or maybe its Josephine still enjoyed her debut into New Orleans society. Nurses may still be taking care of those that stay at the Magnolia Mansion. VISIT MAGNOLIA MANSION
The Forepaugh's Mansion was built in 1870 bye Joseph Forepaugh. At one point Joseph made the mistake of having an affair with one of his maids, Molly. Joseph's wife, Mary, reportedly walked in on Molley and Joseph and caught them in bed. Mary had Joseph break of the affair. In turn Molley, realizing she was pregnant, hung herself on the third floor. The Forepaugh family sold the mansion and moved to Europe for a number of years. Later the family returned to build a new home which overlooked the original mansion. In 1892 after sinking into a deep depression Joseph went to the park and shot himself. Maybe it was due to a failing business or maybe it was due to his past with Molley. The house passed through many owners over the years without much incident or recorded history available. It is now a French restaurant that also holds weddings and other special events. Of course these weddings would appeal to Molley, who didn't have the chance to experience her own wedding. Photos and personal experiences have shown her frequenting these happy events. Joseph, still the man of the house, has shown himself to dinner guests on a number of occasions. And the basement is the location of cold spots and lights turning on and off. Maybe they are still hiding their love by meeting in the basement. Dinner at the Forepaugh's Mansion is sure to turn out a culinary experience to remember. VISIT FOREPAUGH MANSION
The
Biltmore is French Renaissance-inspired chateau and is the largest home
privately owned in America with it's 4 acres of floor space, 250 rooms,
34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces. The basement alone would
house a swimming pool, gymnasium and changing rooms, bowling alley,
servants' quarters, kitchens, and more. In 1898 he married Edith
Stuyvesant Dresser and they had a child, Cornelia, in 1900. An
interesting bit of information is, in 1912 he and Edith booked passage
on the Titanic but canceled due to a premonition of Mrs. Vanderbilt's
sister, Susan Dresser. It was too late to stop Mr. Vanderbilt's valet,
Fred Wheeler, and their baggage from boarding the ship; both were lost
when the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank on April 15,
1912. In 1914 George Vanderbilt died of a heart attack in
Washington, D.C. after an operation for appendectomy. His wife
was said to be mad by her servant’s as she would sit in their
library and talk out loud to George long after his death. Edith was
forced to sell of much of the land, to the federal government, which
later became part of the Pisgah National Forest. After Edith's death
Cornelia took over the Biltmore and passed it to her son's George and
William who still own and run the estate. Throughout the years
the home has seen much history. The Vanderbilt's loved to
entertain and some of those who visited were author Edith Wharton,
novelist Henry James, presidents McKinley, Wilson and Nixon, and
Charles, Prince of Wales. Imagine the imprint left not only here
but on those that visited the home. The home is so spectacular that
those that loved and lived there just may have never left. To
this day, late at night you can still hear Edith's voice talking with
George very softly. Also, you can feel George's presence in the
Billiard Room, and the 2nd floor Oak Sitting room, one of his favorite
rooms in the mansion. Workers report feelings of being watched,
apparitions, voices, laughing, & screams. The sound of people
swimming echoes throughout the entire lower floor in the dead of night.
Insane laughter can be heard coming from the drain at the bottom of the
pool. It is said to be haunted by a lady in black. Employees report
hearing footsteps on the second floor. The Halloween Room is said to be
haunted by a drunk woman wearing a 1920's flapper outfit. VISIT THE BILTMORE
ESTATE
Its no wonder with so many emotions of happiness and sorrow in the mansion that it is haunted. After Donald's death in 1911 Miss Brown closed up his room and the room was not opened until after William and Nancy died. People report hearing the sounds of a child running up and down the second floor hallway. Is Donald still there running from his bedroom to the stairs to head up to the ballroom to do his lessons? Speaking of the ballroom you might just hear sounds of a child humming. A man in a smoking jacket has also been seen standing in the second floor hallway. The butler coming in and sitting on the bed after it has been straitened out routinely irritates the volunteers of the Brown Mansion. How do they know? Because they will smooth out the bed covers to later come back and find an indention in the bed as if someone has sat there. The butler’s room isn’t the only place visited by the supernatural in the basement. Sometimes you can hear sounds of someone throwing a strike in the bowling alley. But go look there’s only one pen left and the room will be empty. A woman has been photographed on the stairs that wasn't there at the time the pictures was taken as well as a figure on the balcony. All these happenings are more comforting then disturbing in the fact that maybe the family is still all there not wanting to leave each other or this beautiful home they lived and loved in. There is no fear to be felt at the Brown Mansion only fascination of the imagination. VISIT THE BROWN MANSION
Lemp Mansion - St. Louis
MissouriBuilt in 1869 the mansion and history is infused with tragedy. Brewery mogul William Lemp purchased the mansion 1876, the mansion was already impressive but William began renovating and expanding the 33-room house into a showplace. He added a tunnel through the caves to his brewery. Frederick Lemp, William SR’s favorite son died in 1901 at the age of 28. Frederick, who had never been in extremely good health, died of heart failure. The devastated William Lemp was never the same, beginning a slow withdrawal; he was rarely seen in public after his son’s death. In 1904 William shot himself in the head with a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson. William Jr. and Lillian Lemp then took over the fortune, business and mansion. However, they were not the pictures of wedded bliss. Lillian was William's "trophy wife" he soon tired of her and took on a "playboy" status, frequenting with prostitutes. These activities later caught up with him when he produced an illegitimate child who was afflicted with Down's Syndrome. The child was hidden away in the Lemp Mansion attic his entire life. Inevitably the marriage ended in divorce. In 1906 William's mother died and he was facing financial ruin with the business steadily declining due to fierce competition. In 1915 he married for a second time to Ellie Limberg. In 1920, Elsa Lemp Wright, William’s sister, shot herself just like her father had years before. Elsa was said to have been despondent over her rocky marriage. Two years later William shot himself, in the heart with a .38 caliber revolver, in the very same building where his father had died eighteen years before. In 1943, yet another tragedy occurred when William Lemp III died of a heart attack at the age of forty-two. Brother Charles eventually took over the residence and lived in the house along with the illegitimate child of his brother William. Charles developed a morbid fear of germs; his obsessive-compulsive behavior included wearing gloves at all times to avoid bacteria and constantly washing his hands. It was during this time that William's illegitimate child, now in his 30s, died at the mansion. He was buried on the Lemp Cemetery plot with only a small flat marker, with the word "Lemp." In 1949 Charles shot his beloved Doberman Pincher before climbing the stairs to his room and shooting himself. After Charles suicide the mansion was sold and turned into a boarding house. It started deteriorating and was almost in ruin until the present owners who have turned it into a restaurant and hotel purchased it. People sometimes feel a sense of sadness while in the Lemp Mansion. It’s no wonder with the Lemp family history. Divorce, suicide, heartbreak, financial ruin, greed and shame are part of that history and the mansion saw it all. All this adds up to a ghost hunters Disney land. As it is rated in the top 10 of the nation's most haunted buildings. Apparitions of the Lemp family, objects moving, doors opening, closing, locking and unlocking, lights coming on, voices, footsteps, unexplained sounds and feelings of being watched are just a few of the experiences encountered at the Lemp Mansion. There’s is no guessing what paranormal encounter you will have at the Lemp Mansion there’s just a guarantee. VISIT THE LEMP MANSION
Sauer
Castle - Kansas City Kansas This 18th century German Gothic "castle" is the very picture of the Halloween haunted mansion. In 1872 Anton and Mary Sauer bought the Sauer Castle. Anton Sauer bought this mansion as a show of his wealth and status. However, he was ill with TB and Anton Sauer died of tuberculosis on August 16,1879, a month after the death of his infant daughter, Helen. Mary also died in the mansion in 1919. Throughout the years, 5 generations of the Sauer family lived and died in this family mansion from natural and unnatural causes. There was one suicide, one infant death, one child drowned in the swimming pool, and Anton's son, Julius, was killed in a train accident, burned to death. Lights appear in the lookout tower, and can be seen floating around the property. All of this love, laughter and tears add up to some serious paranormal activity. Laughter, crying, shouting, has been heard coming from the house, when no one living was there. Doors opening and closing by themselves have also been reported. An apparition of a woman is seen standing and walking on the widow's walk, and standing in the lookout tower. This apparition could be any of the Sauer women who lived here. Supposedly on Halloween, two apparitions (a man and a woman) are seen dancing in the lookout tower. Perhaps these spirits could be Eve and John S. Perkins, who was the one who shot himself here. An apparition of a boy was seen at the mansion. Perhaps this is Julius appearing to the living as the boy he was, when he lived here; a place he probably loved. However, exploration of this Scooby Do type mansion is not permitted. The mansion is privately owned.
Oak
Alley Plantation - Vacherie Louisiana Oak Alley's most distinguishing architectural feature is the 28 colossal classic columns and double row of 28 giant oaks lining the entry to the antebellum plantation. Originally named Bon Sejour, Oak Alley was built in 1837-39 by George Swainey for Jacques Telesphore Roman. Jacques died of TB in 1848; his son Henri took over the operations of the plantation. Louise Roman, daughter of Jacques and Josephine, a beauty of the French Creole upper class was approached and insulted by an intoxicated suitor. As was expected of the time she became angry and fled the suitor only to trip and fall and cut her leg on the iron frame in her hoop skirt. Sadly she developed gangrene and lost her leg. After that she was considered unsuitable for marriage and joined a convent. Years later she moved back to the mansion. In 1866, Oak Alley was sold at auction to John Armstrong. Several owners followed Armstrong, and by the 1920s, the house was is in a state of deterioration. Andrew and Josephine Stewart purchased the property in 1925 and began restoration. So does Josephine Stewart stays on to watch over her beloved plantation. Or does Louise Roman remain haunting looking for her lost youth and promise of grand future. Well the encounters at Oak Alley suggest they are still there’s. It’s a common occurrence to hear the clip clop sound of horses pulling a carriage up the long drive. Apparitions have been seen and photographed. Tourists have witnessed objects moving and tour guides routinely have paranormal experiences. Lights come on; sounds of crying and people are even touched by unseen sources. Oak Alley envelops you in Old World Creole romanticism why wouldn't someone want to stay even after they are gone? VISIT OAK ALLEY
The Magnolia Mansion was built in 1857 by Alexander Harris. In 1869 Alexander died of yellow fever leaving the estate to his widow Elizabeth “Lizzie” Johnson Thompson who could be described as cold and callous towards her family members. She then sold the mansion to the Maginnis family in 1879. John Maginnis was a cotton mogul who some say karma caught up with for his treatment of his employees at the cotton mill. In 1889 John died by being struck by lightening. In 1939, John's daughter, Josephine, inherited the home and willed it to the Red Cross. The Red Cross used the home to train nurses for WWII and the Korean War. In 1954 the home was again sold into private ownership. Magnolia Mansion was renovated in 2001 and opened as a B&B in 2002. During renovations of the mansion the crew had to stop their progress due to an oily substances appearing on the walls. The ghosts were told of the intentions to return the home to its former glory. Strangely enough the phenomena stopped after that. Visitors of the mansion don't just experience the grandeur of the mansion but the ghosts ensure their stay is an interesting one. Guests have felt a phantom touch, captured pictures of faces without a source, heard unexplained noises and footsteps and they have even been snuggled up to in their bed. Is the cold hearted Elizabeth Thompson still there? Or maybe its Josephine still enjoyed her debut into New Orleans society. Nurses may still be taking care of those that stay at the Magnolia Mansion. VISIT MAGNOLIA MANSION
Forepaugh's
Victorian Mansion - St. Paul, MNThe Forepaugh's Mansion was built in 1870 bye Joseph Forepaugh. At one point Joseph made the mistake of having an affair with one of his maids, Molly. Joseph's wife, Mary, reportedly walked in on Molley and Joseph and caught them in bed. Mary had Joseph break of the affair. In turn Molley, realizing she was pregnant, hung herself on the third floor. The Forepaugh family sold the mansion and moved to Europe for a number of years. Later the family returned to build a new home which overlooked the original mansion. In 1892 after sinking into a deep depression Joseph went to the park and shot himself. Maybe it was due to a failing business or maybe it was due to his past with Molley. The house passed through many owners over the years without much incident or recorded history available. It is now a French restaurant that also holds weddings and other special events. Of course these weddings would appeal to Molley, who didn't have the chance to experience her own wedding. Photos and personal experiences have shown her frequenting these happy events. Joseph, still the man of the house, has shown himself to dinner guests on a number of occasions. And the basement is the location of cold spots and lights turning on and off. Maybe they are still hiding their love by meeting in the basement. Dinner at the Forepaugh's Mansion is sure to turn out a culinary experience to remember. VISIT FOREPAUGH MANSION
The
Biltmore is French Renaissance-inspired chateau and is the largest home
privately owned in America with it's 4 acres of floor space, 250 rooms,
34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces. The basement alone would
house a swimming pool, gymnasium and changing rooms, bowling alley,
servants' quarters, kitchens, and more. In 1898 he married Edith
Stuyvesant Dresser and they had a child, Cornelia, in 1900. An
interesting bit of information is, in 1912 he and Edith booked passage
on the Titanic but canceled due to a premonition of Mrs. Vanderbilt's
sister, Susan Dresser. It was too late to stop Mr. Vanderbilt's valet,
Fred Wheeler, and their baggage from boarding the ship; both were lost
when the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank on April 15,
1912. In 1914 George Vanderbilt died of a heart attack in
Washington, D.C. after an operation for appendectomy. His wife
was said to be mad by her servant’s as she would sit in their
library and talk out loud to George long after his death. Edith was
forced to sell of much of the land, to the federal government, which
later became part of the Pisgah National Forest. After Edith's death
Cornelia took over the Biltmore and passed it to her son's George and
William who still own and run the estate. Throughout the years
the home has seen much history. The Vanderbilt's loved to
entertain and some of those who visited were author Edith Wharton,
novelist Henry James, presidents McKinley, Wilson and Nixon, and
Charles, Prince of Wales. Imagine the imprint left not only here
but on those that visited the home. The home is so spectacular that
those that loved and lived there just may have never left. To
this day, late at night you can still hear Edith's voice talking with
George very softly. Also, you can feel George's presence in the
Billiard Room, and the 2nd floor Oak Sitting room, one of his favorite
rooms in the mansion. Workers report feelings of being watched,
apparitions, voices, laughing, & screams. The sound of people
swimming echoes throughout the entire lower floor in the dead of night.
Insane laughter can be heard coming from the drain at the bottom of the
pool. It is said to be haunted by a lady in black. Employees report
hearing footsteps on the second floor. The Halloween Room is said to be
haunted by a drunk woman wearing a 1920's flapper outfit. VISIT THE BILTMORE
ESTATE