Top 20 Famous Real Life Haunted Houses
#20: House of the Seven Gables
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Salem, Massachusetts is a historic American town, known for the infamous witch trials of the late 1600s. The House of the Seven Gables, or Turner House, is one of its most famous symbols. The colonial mansion was built in 1668 by Samuel Wardwell, who would later be executed during the trials. The house is now a museum, and many people have reported paranormal activity within its walls. There is allegedly a young boy who plays in or near the attic, a man who climbs a staircase, and even the spirit of Susannah Ingersoll, the cousin of novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne would publish a very famous book titled after the House of the Seven Gables in 1851.
#19: Ennis House
South of Los Angeles’s Griffith Park is one of the city’s most esteemed landmarks. Found on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, Built in 1924, Ennis House came from the mind of architect Frank Lloyd Wright and is acclaimed for its textile block design. It was made famous after being seen in movies like “House on Haunted Hill” and “Blade Runner.” While gorgeous, the house has a very threatening and operatic atmosphere which lends to its eerie reputation. It may also house the literal and metaphorical ghosts of many, including Lloyd Wright, Frank Lloyd Wright’s son.
#18: Burton Agnes Hall
English manor houses typically have a certain creepy quality to them, and Burton Agnes Hall is no exception. Built all the way back in the early 1600s, it’s found in East Yorkshire and is noted for its exceptional architecture and history. It’s said to harbor the ghost of Anne Griffith, who was enamored with the house as it was being built. She proceeded to pass away there, and has apparently never left. It’s also said that Griffith’s skull is entombed in the manor, and that whenever it was removed, her ghost would show great displeasure.
#17: Kehoe House
Found in Georgia’s Savannah Historic District is the Kehoe House. Built in 1892, it was owned by William Kehoe, an Irish immigrant who attained great success in the iron business. It was one of two houses that he owned in the area - the other is located close by, also in the city’s Columbia Square. Kehoe House has since been converted into a renowned inn. Many guests have spoken of ghostly children playing, perfume scent spreading through when no one has walked by, and the sensation of being touched in bed.
#16: Croke-Patterson-Campbell Mansion
While the name is a bit of a mouthful, the Croke-Patterson-Campbell Mansion is one of Denver’s greatest architectural delights. The 19th century house immediately stood out not only because of its size, but because of its sandstone and Chateauesque style. It was initially owned by Senator Thomas B. Croke, before being bought by politician Thomas M. Patterson. He and his wife Katharine’s daughter then tied the knot, which is where the Campbell part of the name comes in. It has since been renovated into an inn that many believe is haunted. Guests have reported hearing ghostly voices and seeing the calming presence of past owner Katharine Patterson.
#15: Labadie Mansion
Tucked away in the Northeast corner of Oklahoma is the Labadie Mansion. The house is property of the Labadie family, and it has been in their possession since construction began in the late 1800s. Numerous legends surround the mansion, many of them quite violent (and unfortunately hard to verify). The house currently sits on private property, but the owner has granted permission to curious explorers to investigate what remains of the place. People have reported paranormal activity like distant cries, smoke issuing from the fireplace, and even the spirits of original owners Frank and Samantha Labadie.
#14: Blickling Hall
Now owned and conserved by the National Trust, Blickling Hall is found in Norfolk, England and was built back in the 17th century. It’s notable both for its Jacobean architecture and its extensive library. It’s also located on the land where the old Boleyn house used to be. Anne Boleyn was probably born there in the early 1500s, adding another layer of intrigue. The hall is allegedly filled with notable inhabitants, including the headless Anne and her dad, Thomas. It’s also said to harbor the spirit of John Fastolf, a Medieval knight who partly inspired Shakespeare’s iconic character, John Falstaff.
#13: Merchant's House Museum
An iconic New York landmark, Merchant's House Museum is found on Manhattan’s East Fourth Street. The home’s architectural and historical worth are impossible to ignore, as it’s been completely preserved since its construction in 1832. The New York Times has called it “Manhattan’s Most Haunted House,” and it’s not hard to see why. The residence remained in the possession of the Tredwell family for close to a century, and it seems they’ve left their mark in a rather permanent way. The museum’s employees and guests have reported encountering the ghost of Gertrude Tredwell, who, in 1933, became the last member of the immediate family to die.
#12: Rowan Oak
Built in 1844 by Robert Sheegog, this Greek revival mansion is best known as the late author William Faulkner’s old residence. It was here that he penned his renowned novel, “A Fable.” A few years after his passing, Rowan Oak was bought by the University of Mississippi, and they continue to own and preserve the house to this day. Visitors have reported seeing the ghost of Faulkner himself. The house is kept as he left it, with the scribbled outlines of “A Fable” that he famously left on the office walls still there. Perhaps he still feels an attachment to its grounds?
#11: Delaware Governor's Mansion
This place goes by various names, including the Delaware Governor's Mansion, or simply Woodburn. No matter what you call it, there’s no denying it has an interesting story. It was first built back in 1790, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that it began serving as the home of Delaware’s sitting governor. Reports of paranormal activity go all the way back to the 1820s and continue to this day. Footsteps, gliding ghosts, smiling portraits, and even disappearing wine have all allegedly been witnessed. But it’s not all harmless activity. Some have seen the body of a man hanging from a tree. This is said to be the spirit of an old slave raider.
#10: The Sallie House
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This famous haunted house is found in the small town of Atchison, Kansas. Constructed in the 19th century, it was once owned by a physician named Charles Finney, who worked out of his abode. Legend states that a young girl named Sallie was brought to Dr. Finney, complaining of a stomach ache. He did what he could to save her, but she died during the operation. It’s now said that her ghost haunts the home and that she takes a particular dislike towards male visitors. Some have mentioned being touched by an unseen presence, and others claim to have been attacked, resulting in bruises and bloody scratches.
#9: The Villisca House
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One of Iowa’s most infamous crimes occurred back in June of 1912. In the very small town of Villisca, eight people were killed inside a house by an assailant wielding an ax. Numerous folks were investigated, and among them was Reverend George Kelly, who went to trial twice. No one was ultimately found responsible, and the whole thing is still unsolved. The house in which the crime occurred is said to be haunted due to its incredibly violent history. It has been visited by many notable ghost hunting and paranormal reality shows and has been the subject of numerous podcasts.
#8: The LaLaurie Mansion
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The story of New Orleans socialite Delphine LaLaurie is well known. LaLaurie owned a mansion in the city’s historic French Quarter, and it was here that she mistreated and killed slaves. Once her crimes became public, a mob stormed her house and left it in significant disrepair. It was later rebuilt and continues to stand. The house is said to be haunted by the people who were once tormented, and sounds like groaning and footsteps can be heard issuing throughout. However, visiting the mansion is out of the question, as it is currently a private residence.
#7: Franklin Castle
Said to be one of Ohio’s hottest paranormal hotspots, Franklin Castle is found in the Cleveland area. It was constructed in the 1880s for Hannes Tiedemann, the co-founder of the Union Banking & Savings Co. The residence has a horribly tragic past, which is largely why so many believe it’s haunted. Many people passed away inside, including Tiedemann's mother, wife, and four of his children. Suspicion eventually fell on Tiedemann himself, as so many people around him were dying. Though they were just rumors, they ultimately hurt his standing and bolstered the idea that the house is haunted. Tiedemann sold the place in 1896 and remarried.
#6: Myrtles Plantation
A famous house of the antebellum style, Myrtles Plantation is found in St. Francisville, Louisiana and is included on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1796 by politician David Bradford after he fled to the south because of his role in the violent Whiskey Rebellion. His abode is said to be one of the most haunted in the United States. It allegedly contains a minimum of a dozen spirits, including that of Chloe, a slave who is said to have killed owner Sara Woodruff and her two daughters with a poisoned cake. While the story is fabricated, it’s the most famous legend associated with the Myrtles Plantation.
#5: Whaley House
Constructed back in 1857 in San Diego, Whaley House is among California’s greatest paranormal and historical treasures. The house was built by Thomas Whaley, who moved from Manhattan during the gold rush of the mid-1800s. It was the city’s first brick house, and sections of it were used as a theater, courthouse, and more. Many members of the Whaley family died inside the residence, and it’s now believed to be extremely haunted. It’s thought to harbor the spirits of Thomas Whaley, his wife Anna, and even their young child Thomas, whose giggles can allegedly be heard emanating from the empty hallways.
#4: Winchester Mystery House
One of California’s most notorious attractions, the Winchester Mystery House has baffled visitors (and architects) for centuries. Found in San Jose, it was built throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was owned by Sarah Winchester. Her late husband, William Winchester, was the owner of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Legend has it that Sarah was haunted by the victims of Winchester rifles and added to the house in nonsensical fashion in order to escape their vengeful spirits. However, this story has largely been debunked. Regardless, the house is still rumored to be haunted - its bizarre architecture and staircases that have no destination certainly help the myth live on.
#3: The Lizzie Borden House
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On August 4, 1892, Andrew Borden and his wife Abby were bludgeoned to death with an ax in their home. Suspicion fell on Borden’s daughter Lizzie, but she was eventually acquitted of all charges. The case remains unsolved and is one of the most legendary crimes the state of Massachusetts has ever seen. The house is now a very famous bed and breakfast that is sought by paranormal investigators and those interested in the macabre story. All sorts of unusual activity has apparently been witnessed, including ghostly faces, footsteps, laughter, and even physical attacks.
#2: The Amityville House
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Much has been written and said about the world-famous Amityville house, which is extremely well-known for its supposed hauntings. Back in 1974, a man named Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered six of his family members inside the house. The Lutz family moved in shortly after and allegedly dealt with severe supernatural activity. It got so bad that they fled after less than a month, and their experience was famously captured in Jay Anson’s book “The Amityville Horror.” Both the book and the Lutzs’ claims have long been scrutinized, and no other owner has reported any paranormal activity. Regardless, the home’s reputation is nearly unmatched.
#1: The White House
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It’s an extravagant house, but a house nonetheless! And apparently, it’s a very haunted one at that. This residence has housed every American President since it was completed in November of 1800. As of 2022, George Washington is the only Commander-in-Chief who didn’t live inside the White House, as it was completed about three years after his presidency ended. It’s said that the White House is extremely haunted, housing the souls of Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, and Thomas Jefferson, just to name a few. Laughing, violin playing, marriage proposals, banging on doors, ghostly torches, the smell of lavender…such paranormal occurrences are all allegedly commonplace!
