America's Most Haunted Houses

Whether or not people believe in ghosts, haunted houses are a huge tourist attraction for those who are interested in other realms or history. Haunted houses act as museums, hosting old relics and fascinating stories. Although interest in them is piqued during Halloween, these houses host guests year round and have become famous for their ghostly stories. Here is a list of thirteen of America's most haunted houses.

The Whaley House (San Diego, California)

Called "possibly the most haunted house in America" by Hans Holzer (http://hauntedhouses.com/states/ca/whaley_house.cfm), the Whaley House has even been declared as being "genuinely haunted" by The United States Chamber of Commerce (http://theshadowlands.net/famous/whaley.htm). Purchased by Thomas Whaley in 1855, the house hosted as a courthouse. Controversy over where the public records should stay resulted in Anna Whaley being held hostage at gunpoint while the house was ransacked while Mr. Whaley was out of town. It also was the location of a hanging, Yankee Jim, a boat thief. Reports of hauntings of Thomas and Anna Whaley, along with their children, Yankee Jim, and even a dog include an account by Regis Philbin. (http://whaleyhouse.org/ghostly.htm) The house is a huge tourist attraction and was recently visited by Hugh Hefner and the Girls Next Door (of Playboy fame).

The Myrtles Plantation House (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)

The U.S. Tourist Bureau called this house "one of the most authenticated houses of America", supposedly haunted by at least a dozen ghosts, the most famous is Chloe. The official website (http://www.myrtlesplantation.com/sightings.html) even has a picture of this famous ghost, which according to legend was the French/mulatto governess who was one of the lovers of Judge Woodruff (the son-in-law of General Bradford who built the house in 1796) and also helped raise his children. The legend goes that after catching Chloe listening in on one of his meetings, he cut off her ear as punishment. Chloe retaliated by poisoning his daughter's birthday cake for the girl's party while the judge was away. Whether she meant to only make the children ill so she could care for them or if she intended greater harm, the poisoned cake killed two of the children and Mrs. Woodruff. After the judge returned, he discovered what happened and had Chloe killed. Supposedly her ghost still haunts the house, with frequent sightings of her roaming the mansion. Along with Chloe, ghosts of two young children, a young maid, an Indian girl, a confederate soldier, and William Winter, who died in the house after being shot and supposedly recreates his dying moments by stomping on the stairs to the 17th floor, where he died in his wife's arms (http://www.hauntedhouses.com/states/la/myrtles_plantation_house.cfm). The house is now home to a bed and breakfast, where tours are given year round.

The Lizze Borden House (Fall River, Massachutes)

The famous house that hosted one of the most famous murders in American history is now the home of a bed and breakfast. On August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were murdered with an axe, supposedly by Andrew's daughter and Abby's stepdaughter Lizzie, who was subsequently found non-guilty. This led to the now famous rhyme:

Lizzie Borden took an axe
Gave her mother forty whacks;
When she saw what she had done
Gave her father forty-one

The sensational trial left Lizzie Borden guilty in the public eye, and she and her sister Emma moved to a different house, ultimately with Emma cutting off all contact with her sister (http://www.prairieghosts.com/lizzie.html). Ghostly reports include doors opening and closing on their own, footsteps, voices, and crying. (http://theshadowlands.net/famous/borden.htm) When staying at the bed and breakfast, guests are treated to a breakfast reminicient of the one the Bordens ate on the morning of the murders, which includes, along with regular breakfast items, "bananas, jonny-cakes, sugar cookies and coffee". (http://www.hauntedhamilton.com/gotw_lizzieborden.html) There's an official website (http://www.lizzie-borden.com) and a MySpace page (www.MySpace.com/LizzieBordenBB).

The Lemp Mansion (St. Louis, Missouri)

Built in the early 1860's, this house is said to be among America's most haunted. William J. Lemp was a beer baron, and his brewery's success brought forth great wealth for him and his family. William trained his favorite son Frederick to take over the business, but Frederick died of a heart attack in 1901, and this caused William to fall into a depression and three years later he committed suicide. (http://www.ghostinmysuitcase.com/places/lemp/index.htm) Tragedy continued in the family, with stress of the Prohibition and personal sadness caused the other Lemp brothers William Jr. and Charles to take their own lives. Ghostly sightings include that of the "Lavender Lady", William Jr.'s wife, a dog (possibly the one who belonged to Charles), cold spots, voices, the feeling of being watched, knocking, and other sounds (http://theshadowlands.net/famous/lemp.htm). Also William Jr. had a son who had Down's Syndrome, and he kept the child in the attic, and the child's lonely spirit is said to haunt the attic, adding to the mansion's number of haunts. (http://www.hauntedhouses.com/states/mo/lemp_mansion.cfm) The basement is even nicknamed "the Gates of Hell" by the staff (http://www.legendsofamerica.com/MO-LempMansion3.html), and the house is now a restaurant and inn and also hosts a dinner theater. (http://www.lempmansion.com/history.html)

The Moore House (Villisca, Iowa)

On June 10, 1912, J.B. and Sarah Moore were brutally murdered along with their four children, and two guests Lena and Ina Stillinger. After an extensive search, the murders remained unsolved, with the motive still a mystery (http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/villisca/2.html). With such a gruesome history, it's no wonder that the house is reported to be haunted. Strange noises, moving objects, and reports of a ghost child opening a door when lured with candy have made the Moore house one of America's most haunted houses. Tours have even been interrupted by such strange occurrences. (http://www.prairieghosts.com/villisca.html) Although townspeople have been known to be unforthcoming or even "downright rude" to those asking about the murders (http://www.villiscaiowa.com/Villisca_Today.html), the town has seen local business flourish from curious spectators and paranormal investigators visiting the house.

Hickory Hill Mansion/Old Slave House (Junction, Illinois)

During the unfortunate time in America's history when slavery was accepted, John Hart Crenshaw ran an illegal slave trade and breeding ground in his home. Slaves were subject to torture in Crenshaw's attic, with people shackled to the ground and living in a cramped area with poor ventilation. Crenshaw also often beat the slaves, keeping the whip in view of the captured slaves. (http://www.hauntedhouses.com/states/il/hickory_hill_mansion.cfm) Crenshaw was brought to justice in 1842 for selling a freed family (http://www.prairieghosts.com/slave.html), but although the case went to trial Crenshaw could not be proven guilty, and he was tried again in 1846. In that same year one of Crenshaw's slaves got revenge by severing one of his legs with an axe. His slave trade ruined, Crenshaw died in 1871. In the 1920s the house reopened as a museum, with tourists reporting strange sounds coming from the attic that sounded like cries and rattling chains. Only one reporter in 1978 was able to stay an entire night in the attic, and he also heard strange noises throughout the night. Legend also tells that President Lincoln had stayed in the house during a debate (http://www.illinoishistory.com/oshlincoln.html).

The LaLaurie House (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Another horrific tale of slavery and abuse provides the background of the story behind the LaLaurie House, located in New Orleans. After Dr. Louis LaLaurie and his wife Delphine purchased the mansion in 1832, they quickly established themselves in the Creole social life, hosting lavish parties attended by the powerful and influential. Their social standing crumbled after the horrific treatment of their slaves was discovered. First their neighbors noticed how the mansion's servants would disappear and suddenly be replaced without explanation. (http://www.prairieghosts.com/lalaurie.html) After that, a neighbor watched in horror as a young girl ran onto the roof from Delphine, who was brandishing a whip. The girl screamed, then jumped to her death. (http://www.whatwasthen.com/lalaurie.html) The neighbor reported what she saw, and the slaves were taken from the LaLaurie house and sold, but were bought by friends of the doctor and his wife, and were therefore returned to the LaLaurie mansion. (http://theshadowlands.net/famous/lalaurie.htm) Then on April 10, 1834, a mysterious fire broke out in the kitchen of the large mansion, and after firefighters arrived on the scene, they found a secret attic in which slaves were kept in ghastly conditions. (http://goneworleans.about.com/od/famouslandmarks/a/Lalaurie.htm) The slaves were chained to the wall, kept in cages, and were horribly beated and even mutilated. This tragic and truly disturbing discovery lead to an uproar in the community, and an angry mob gathered outside the home. Unfortunately the LaLauries were not brought to justice, as they fled the city before the angry citizens could get to them, and the house was vacated. From then on, it was considered haunted. Businesses such as a dance studio and a saloon closed down after strange reports of odd liquids and ghostly sightings, and private owners didn't hold on the house for very long. It's rumored that the ghosts of the doomed slave girl on the roof as well as other slaves and Delphine LaLaurie herself haunt the home. The house is now owned by actor Nicolas Cage, who bought it in April 2007. (http://www.bergproperties.com/blog/nicolas-cage-buys-house-in-new-orleans-french-quarter-for-3450000/514/celebrities)

The Hull House (Chicago, Illinois)

Now a museum, the Hull House is the home of supposed hauntings by Mrs. Charles Hull and the famous "Devil baby". It was built by Charles Hull in 1856, and several years before Jane Addams (a social reformer and first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize) acquired the house in 1889, Hull's wife died in her bedroom of natural causes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hull_House) Guests of the house and Addams herself reported strange sounds and what sounded like footprints, after which she moved to another room. (http://www.insidepulse.com/articles/50052) The Hull House is also the home of the famous "Devil baby" legend, one in which a woman gave birth to Satan's spawn after her husband used blasphemy against a picture of the Virgin Mary. (http://paranormalstories.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_archive.html) Jane Addams herself admonished visitors who came to the house hoping to see a glimpse of the baby (http://www.hauntedhamilton.com/gotw_hullhouse.html), although people report sightings of a demonic looking child in the windows of the house. (http://www.prairieghosts.com/hull.html)

Franklin Castle (Cleveland, Ohio)

Called "the most haunted house in Ohio" (http://www.prairieghosts.com/oh-frank.html), this large gothic mansion was built in the mid-1800s by Hans Tiedemann, a wealthy German immigrant. (http://www.forgottenoh.com/Franklin/franklin.html) After Tiedemann's mother and three of his children died, he built secret passageways and hidden rooms. The tragedy continued with Tiedmann being a suspect in the death of his niece, a servant girl, and his wife. (http://www.deadohio.com/franklincastle.htm) After Tiedemann's death in 1908, the castle belonged to the German Socialist Party from 1913 - 1968. (http://cleveland.about.com/od/clevelandhistory/ss/hauntedclev_3.htm) Rumors of espionage and Nazi activity were only enhanced after an occupant in the 1920's found a secret room that contained human baby skeletons, thought to be subjects of experiments. Ghostly sightings include a woman in white, a woman in black, and a young girl, and reports of strange sounds such as children crying, and cold spots on the third floor. Franklin Castle has been renovated and is now home to a private club. (http://www.franklincastleclub.com/)Congelier Mansion (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

This house was formerly known as the "most haunted house in America", and housed a love triangle that ended in murder. Charles Wright Congelier, and a young servant girl, Essie, were murdered in 1871 by Charles's wife Lyda. After discovering Charles and Essie's affair, she stabbed him and decapitated her. (http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/history/a/congelier_house.htm) The house was vacant until twenty years later, when Dr. Adolph C. Brunrichter reportedly performed grisly experiments with severed heads and electricity. (http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/hauntedhouses/Congelier/). Although these legends have been debunked by some (http://www.prairieghosts.com/ridge.html), and the house has since been demolished, its legend of murder and ghostly happenings still resonate for ghost hunters. People claim that ghosts wander along the highway where the house once stood.

The Stranahan House (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Frank Stranahan built this large house in 1901 as a "trading post for settlers and Seminole Indians", and it later became a post office, community center, then a town hall. (http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/new/galleries/stranahan.htm) Stranahan married Ivy Cromartie, but their bliss ended on June 23, 1929, when Frank Stranahan killed himself after succumbing to financial ruin. After his death, Ivy continued to live on the second floor and leased the first floor to open a restaurant. (http://www.stranahanhouse.org/html/history.html) The restaurant stayed open until 1979, and the historical home is now open to the public. The legend is that Frank Stranahan still haunts his beloved home, along with his wife Ivy and other family ghosts. Staff has reported strange noises, smells, and sightings. (http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/toptenhaunted/toptenhauntedhouses/)

The Winchester Mystery House (San Jose, California)

With 160 rooms and 38 years of continuous construction, the Winchester Mystery House is one of the strangest pieces of architechture in America. (http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/facts.html) Legend tells that Sarah Winchester began the construction of this house after visiting a medium while grieving over the deaths of her daughter and her husband, William Winchester, heir to a fortune made by the Winchester Repeating Rifle. (http://www.prairieghosts.com/winchester.html) The medium told her that her family was cursed because of the deaths the rifle caused, and that she had to build a house for the ghosts of those killed by the rifle, and that as long as she continued construction, she would live. The house is unfinished, and has a lot of strange features, such as stairways that go nowhere, doors in the floor as well as doors that lead to closed walls and one that even opens to the outside...on the top floor of the house. There are also reoccurences of the number thirteen throughout the house. (http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/sivalley/a/winchesterover.htm)

The White House (Washington, D.C.)

The most famous house in the country is also among the most haunted. The oldest ghost is that of Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams, who was president from 1797 - 1801. Sightings of her carrying an invisible load of laundry to the East Room are now legendary. (http://haunteddoghouse.com/The_White_Hous.html) Another spirit of a famous First Lady is of Dolly Madison, wife of James Madison, who began the famous rose garden. When Woodrow Wilson's wife planned to demolish the garden, Dolly's spirit appeared to the gardeners and they fled in fear, leaving the rose garden unharmed. (http://www.history.com/minisites/halloween/) The ghost of a British soldier reportedly walks around the house at night, believed to be from the war of 1812 (http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/10/31/whitehouse.ghost/). The Rose Room contains President Andrew Jackson's bed, and his tempermental ghost has been heard from time to time, laughing loudly. Mary Todd Lincoln also had reported hearing his spirit stomp and curse through the White House halls. The most famous ghost is that of President Abraham Lincoln, whose spirit has been heard and seen by many White House guests, staff, and residents. Winston Churchill refused to stay in the famous room because of its haunted reputation (http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/10/31/whitehouse.ghost/), and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands had a famous encounter with Lincoln when she heard a knock at her bedroom door, only to open it and see Lincoln's ghost. The queen fainted, and when she awoke, no one was there. Lady Bird Johnson and Eleanor Roosevelt felt Lincoln's presence during their stay in the White House, and Calvin Coolidge's wife reported seeing Lincoln gazing out the window with his hands clasped behind his back, deep in thought. (http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa022100a.htm)

While there isn't any concrete proof of any of these houses actually being haunted, they still have fascinating stories and legends, adding to their mystique. Curious travellers and professional ghost hunters continue to try to find the spirits that haunt these homes, and whether it's all fact or fiction, the stories behind haunted houses are always fascinating.