What makes a home spooky and creepy? Is it the architecture? The landscaping? The torrid history? The lack of light? Its proximity to a cemetery? Whatever it is that gives a house an eerie feeling, we wanted to share with you some of the creepiest, spookiest houses in the world for you to enjoy (from a non-haunted distance) this Halloween season!
Winchester Mystery House
Located in San Jose, California, this large, sprawling home boasts loads of unique architectural qualities. Many believe it’s even haunted (some even say with the spirits of those killed by Winchester firearms), though the sprawling structure of the building, built in 1886, likely has a lot to do with the haunted “feel” of this mansion. When it was built, the owner did not use an architect, which creates a variety of oddities such as doors and windows that open to nowhere and odd-sized risers.
LaLaurie House
The LaLaurie House is considered a “haunted mansion” in New Orleans, where slaves were tortured by Delphine LaLaurie. Many people believe the souls of former slaves haunt the mansion and its grounds. A brutal murder also occurred in the LaLaurie House in 1894. The multitude of doors and windows in this large property help lend to an ominous feeling to this creepy home.
Lizzie Borden House
Located right in Fall River, Massachusetts, the Lizzie Borden house is where infamous “axe murderer” Lizzie Borden and her family lived. The same house is where Lizzie’s stepmother was murdered, and is currently a bed and breakfast, where you can request to stay in the same room the alleged murder occurred. Some people describe the house as having paranormal energy and ongoings.
Bell Witch Farm
The Bell Witch farm (and subsequent cave), located in Adams, Tennessee, is home to a chilling tale of a farmer who noted a strange occurrence one night. The family was plagued with sounds of rattling chains, chanting, and knocking, while some family members woke up with welts and hand prints on them. It is believed that a former neighbor, known as Kate Batts, was causing the haunting at the property, up to and including poisoning the owner, John. Supposedly, the Bell Witch lived in a cave behind the farmhouse. There is a recreation of the farmhouse at the property, but ultimately the original structure was lost. Still, this is one of the cases where the story is more creepy than the actual building!
Franklin Castle
This victorian stone house, located in Cleveland, Ohio, was built in 1881-1883. Beginning in 1891, the house experienced a string of deaths inside of its walls which led to speculation that each death had more to it than was initially apparent. Loaded with secret passageways and rooms (for bootlegging during prohibition times), the Franklin Castle has all of the ingredients in a recipe for a creepy house, including the old, spooky architecture and wrought iron gates out front. Many people believe the home to be haunted, and the building underwent damage and multiple sales before eventually being bought in 2011 by a developer wanting to convert it to a three-bedroom home.
Want to share with us a spooky house? Send them in the comments below!
