The Winchester House in California grabs the interest of paranormal investigators all over the world. The house contains 160 rooms, doors to nowhere, windows to a fatal drop, and what is said to be spirits.
Historical Background:
Perhaps you have heard of Winchester Repeating Arms Company or Winchester Rifles? The man who owned that company, William Winchester, fell ill and passed away with tuberculosis in 1881. His wife, Sarah, inherited his wealth, receiving around $20,000 per day. Unfortunately, her young daughter passed away as well. She was plagued with grief and started to exhibit extremely paranoid behavior. After seeing a medium, Sarah was convinced that she had to move to the west coast and build a house for the spirits killed by her husband’s rifles. She believed her family’s deaths had a direct correlation between vengeful spirits. Thus, Sarah ordered the construction of her home, construction which would seemingly never end. She wanted strange staircases that go to the ceiling, decoy rooms, and other strange additions to confuse the spirits and keep them away from her.
Architectural Oddities:
Sarah Winchester’s home had 40 bedrooms, and according to her she slept in a different one each night to “confuse spirits.” 10,000 windows shine light, some even overlooking other rooms. Some windows go straight to the ground, which would be fatal.
Hauntings:
Most hauntings reported by guests are not the same spirits Sarah claimed to see. Some claim to see what they believe workers who did construction on the house. An infamous “wheelbarrow ghost” is said to be seen, working on a fireplace, as if nothing had happened. This is classified as a residual haunting, a playback of memory important to a spirit. Another worker, Clyde, is said to be seen around the Winchester Home, attempting to make contact with people. Typical sightings as in shadowy figures or unintelligible apparitions are frequently reported. Some investigators capture EVPS that seem to answer questions.
Is this mansion haunted, or was Sarah Winchester haunted by paranoia and grief? There is no clear answer to that, however, the mansion still provides a spooky experience for those who visit.