13 Haunted Mansions That Won’t Frighten You—Or So They Say
Many Haunted mansions would send most visitors running for the hills, but some have stepped into their haunted reputations and drawn crowds to witness mysterious and exciting otherworldly activity.
The history behind some of these places is undoubtedly hair-raising but with time, they have become points of historical appreciation, informative landmarks, and generally places that won’t frighten anyone curious to know more about their history.
The Myrtles Plantation
St. Francisville, Louisiana isn’t the only place bewitched by spirits, that’s for sure, but this historic plantation is purported to be one of the most haunted places in America. The Myrtles Plantation was where Chloe, an enslaved woman who is said to haunt the property, murdered her master’s family by poisoning them. The legends of the place aren’t always accurate, however, and visitors often say the atmosphere is peaceful, and tours are historical as much as paranormal. Saying the experience has a ‘ghostly’ twist, guests report friendly ghost sightings and say it’s as if they’re stepping into history.
Pittock Mansion
Pittock Mansion, perched atop Portland, Oregon, is famous for its views and occasional ghost. The mansion — built in 1914 by newspaper tycoon Henry Pittock — is grand and welcoming and has a few reported hauntings. Others say that Henry and his wife Georgiana have stayed on to keep an eye on the place and sometimes burst through mirrors or make their way around the halls. These spirits are far from creepy they seem to enjoy their forever home and add a little otherworldly charm to an already beautiful landmark.
Villisca Axe Murder House
There is a house in Villisca, Iowa, with a history so dark that it gives you goosebumps. Here, eight people were murdered in 1912 and the mystery remains unsolved. Visitors to the Villisca Axe Murder House now experience strange phenomena now that the house hosts ghost tours. This is as mild as ghost storytelling around a campfire and often inspires feelings of curiosity rather than fright. Tour guides are often present to educate visitors on its history.
Winchester Mystery House
This bizarre mansion in San Jose, California has to be one of America’s most famous haunted houses. Sarah Winchester, the widow of the inventor of the Winchester rifle, built this house which has more than 160 rooms and staircases that go nowhere. Sarah thought she was the target of haunting and remodeled the house to confuse the intruding entities and protect herself. It’s more of an architectural puzzle than a horror show.
The Whaley House
Located in San Diego’s Old Town, this historic home is a classic on any haunted mansion list. Before being built in 1857, executions were held on the grounds of the Whaley House. But the eerie legends don’t scare most visitors away; they’re intrigued by the house. The general vibe is welcoming, people say they hear footsteps and see glimpses of spirits. Its history and ambiance will be more likely to fascinate you than to frighten you.
The Lemp Mansion
In St. Louis, Missouri, there is a harbinger of misfortune at the Lemp Mansion, where the Lemp family — a beer-bonding family with one bad experience after another — lived. Visitors to the house say they feel a haunting sense of nostalgia, and a few say that the Lemp family spirits still walk their former home. Today the mansion hosts ghost dinners and tours where guests eat with a bit of the supernatural and hear about a family whose luck ran out.
The White House
Over the years America’s most famous residence has had plenty of ghost sightings. Abraham Lincoln, among other past presidents, has been seen wandering the halls of the White House by both staff and visiting dignitaries. With its spacious grounds and active history, any supernatural activity reminds you of its long lineage. After all, who wouldn’t want to meet a president even if he was in ghost form?
Rose Hall Great House
This Georgian mansion in Jamaica is beautiful, but there’s a darker side; the legend of Annie Palmer, the ‘White Witch of Rose Hall.’ They say that Annie, a former owner, is still trapped on the grounds haunting visitors because she practiced dark magic and met a tragic end. The tale can be chilling, but the mansion is too beautiful to be feared. But aside from the fear of the property, visitors leave the spot with new ghost stories and encounters.
Franklin Castle
Franklin Castle in Cleveland is a sprawling gothic structure known locally as Ohio’s most haunted house where tragedy, mystery and paranormal lore have been seen. The reported hauntings are more playful than petrifying, though its appearance may make your hair stand on end. It’s not the children or the noises that people have spotted and heard, it’s the house’s character and mystery that make it an unforgettable, if slightly eerie experience.
The Queen Mary
The retired ocean liner known as the Queen Mary has a reputation for paranormal activity. It is now docked at Long Beach, California, but was once a luxury cruise liner. The Queen Mary had its fair share of strange deaths and wartime action but is now a hotel and museum, and many guests claim to see ghosts. The Queen Mary’s Haunted Reputation isn’t a horror movie, it’s an adventure. The ghosts are said to be harmless, and not to be feared, which only helps to add to the mystique of the ship.
The Stanley Hotel
There’s no question about it, Stanley Hotel – If you’ve read or watched The Shining, inspired Stephen King’s famous novel, and is located in Estes Park, Colorado. Unlike its fictional counterpart, the Stanley doesn’t exude pure terror. It’s spooky, and guests have reported paranormal activity, but the hotel makes it fun with ghost-themed tours. The thrill is most guests’ reason to come, and they leave with spine-tingling memories, not nightmares.
Belcourt Castle
Belcourt Castle in Newport, Rhode Island has an odd appeal with ghost stories to go with it. The mansion, built in the late 1800s supposedly has more than its fair share of spirits. Cold spots, floating figures, and ghostly activity seem to draw more people in as they marvel at these strange happenings. The decor in Belcourt is very eclectic and mild. Perfect for those who are curious but not wanting to be frightened out of their minds.
The Joshua Ward House
It’s no surprise that the Joshua Ward House in Salem, Massachusetts, and its dark history, has a paranormal past. The home once belonged to a notorious sheriff who enforced wicked treatment of those accused of witchcraft and has seen some eeresome happenings. The atmosphere is not as spine-tingling as some other haunted locations but there is a palpable feeling of injustice and sadness as though the soulful cries of the tortured souls tell their story through its walls.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
