Background:
Situated on South Winchester Boulevard in San Jose, California, the mansion was the residence of Sarah Winchester. Sarah was the widow of William Wirt Winchester, the treasurer of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
Sarah was a very spiritual woman. In fact, it was the spirit of her late husband that convinced her to move from their home in New Haven and travel west. It was 1884 when she purchased an unfinished farmhouse and the construction of the mansion begun. The acreage was about 160 at the time but has downsized and is only 4.5 acres today.
To this day, the Winchester Mansion is known as an architectural masterpiece and wonder. With its stained glass windows and high-end décor, the home was a sight for all, especially during the time period of its beginning stages.
The House Details:
- 4 stories
- 160 rooms
- 40 bedrooms
- 13 bathrooms
- 6 kitchens
- 2 ballrooms
- 40 staircases
- 47 fireplaces
- 17 chimneys
- 2 basements
- 3 elevators
- 24,000 square feet
- 10,000 windows
- 2,000 doors
The Construction:
Legend has it that the reason Sarah insisted on construction being non-stop was to keep the spirits away. The same spirits that had their lives claimed by the guns behind her late husband’s name.
Sarah supervised the additions herself, directing the workers on their next tasks. This continued for nearly forty years, until Sarah passed away in 1922.
The number 13 is quite significant to the home and Sarah herself. It goes back to her spiritual beliefs and superstitions. She used this number in a lot of the creation of the home-13 hooks in closets, 13 overflow drain holes, 13 parts to her will, 13 steps to staircases, 13 panes in windows, and so on.
Another interesting fact about the home’s construction were some of the unexplainable rooms and paths. There were staircases that led to nowhere, secret passages, doors that opened to blank walls.
There was one room that no one was allowed to enter, except Sarah. This was the Séance Room. It was specifically used to communicate with spirits, and some say this is where she would learn of construction plans.
Hints of Paranormal:
Although the mansion was built with 13 bathrooms, there are claims there was only one working facility. The other rooms were meant to confuse the spirits.
Sarah would often change which room she slept in. This was another tactic to confuse the spirits.
Since the Winchester Mansion was opened to the public, many visitors have spoken about their experiences. Electronics would fail, footsteps could be heard where no one should be, cabinets opening on their own. It seems the same spirits that plagued Sarah Winchester are still there today.
Days of Tourism:
After Sarah passed away, the home she had worked so diligently on was deemed as worthless because of its unusual construction and design. It was sold at an auction and then leased to John & Mayme Brown. The Browns eventually purchased the home and opened its doors to the public in 1923, with Mayme acting as the first tour guide.
Today the home is owned by Winchester Investments, which is a company that represents the descendants of the Browns.
Over 12 million people have visited the Winchester House since its doors first opened in 1923.
It’s been designated as a California historical landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It’s considered a top destination by USA Today.
It’s also considered one of the top haunted places by multiple media outlets, like Time Magazine and Travel Channel.
Interesting Facts:
There are many theories surrounding the Winchester home and its mysteries. One particular theory suggests that Sarah was a member of a secret society, something similar to the Freemasons. This could be the reason for the odd construction. A tribute to her people.
Another theory disagrees with the non-stop construction, stating that Sarah Winchester would send the crews away for months at a time.
Harry Houdini visited the house in 1924. He was curious about the tales of ghosts and wanted to see for himself. It’s strange how few details are available for Houdini’s visit. It’s safe to say, though, he was fascinated by the home and its labyrinth of rooms.
Found in Pop Culture:
- Vanishing Point – 1993 sci-fi novel by Michaela Roessner
- Earthquake Weather – 1997 fantasy novel by Tim Powers
- Most Haunted – 2007, a special 7-hour live paranormal investigation
- House of Suns – 2007 sci-fi novel by Alastair Reynolds
- Ghost Adventures – 2016 series episode
- Ghost Brothers – 2016 series episode
- Sarah Winchester, Phantom Opera – 2016 24-minute film by Bertrand Bernello
- Buzzfeed Unsolved – 2016 two features
- Winchester – 2018 film
- Locked Away – 2018 Lore podcast
- The Widow & The Winchester – 2019 Criminal podcast
- Winchester Mystery House – 100th episode of American Horror Story
- Mrs. Winchester’s Gun Club – 2019 novel by Douglas Bruton
Author’s Opinion:
This is a mystery I’ve been intrigued by for as long as I can remember. I’ve dreamt of one day visiting the Winchester Mansion.
One article I read stated it best, “Sarah Winchester was a woman of independence, drive, and courage who lives on in legend.”
Sources:
winchestermysteryhouse.com
wikipedia.org
mentalfloss.com
Lore & Curiosities 