❌

Reading view

The most haunted house or building in every US state

Real estate photograph of a house located at 112 Ocean Avenue in the town of Amityville, New York March 31, 2005. The Amityville Horror house rich history and beauty are overshadowed by the story of George and Kathy Lutz, the previous residents of 112 Ocean Avenue, who claimed that shortly after moving into the house they fled in terror driven out by paranormal activity.
The infamous "Amityville Horror House" in Long Island, New York.

Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images

  • Historic buildings often collect urban legends over the course of their long histories.
  • For some thrill-seekers, haunted mansions are among the most popular tourist attractions.
  • The haunted homes industry in the US reportedly checks in at least $300 million annually.

It's spooky season, and nothing screams Halloween like a haunted house.

In the US, haunted homes are not only a seasonal staple but also a highly lucrative industry, often raising a town's profile as a tourist destination.

Haunted houses can make paranormal tourism a profitable economic strategy for cities. American Haunts, an industry trade group, estimated that the haunted-homes industry generates between $300 million and $500 million in annual ticket sales.

However, some homes have such dark histories that they're better left alone.

To find the most haunted home in every US state, Business Insider considered properties known locally for spooky occurrences, ghost sightings, or with horrifying backstories.

Some of these properties are open to the public, while others have been transformed and are now private residences.

From abandoned mansions to historic hotels, here's where the spookiest haunted building is hiding in every US state.

Lucy Yang contributed to a previous version of this article.

ALABAMA: Sweetwater Mansion
Sweetwater Mansion
Sweetwater Mansion in Florence.

Library of Congress

Located on Sweetwater Avenue in Florence, Alabama, this plantation home was built in 1835 by Gen. John Brahan and first occupied by Robert Patton, Brahan's son-in-law and, eventually, the governor of Alabama.

Many spooky stories are associated with this mansion, including one about the home's caretaker, who one day witnessed a casket appear out of thin air. Inside, she found a man dressed in a Confederate uniform, believed to be one of General Brahan's sons who died in the Civil War, AL.com reported.

Other examples of reported supernatural activities include distant voices of children's giggles and a woman in old clothes wandering the halls, as reported by Forbes.

Property records indicate that the private home, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, was sold to a hospitality group in 2023. The Willingham, a graduate student magazine at the University of North Alabama, reported that although the sale was part of a hotel investment, the owners have since worked with the Sweetwater Foundation to restore the mansion and find a new purpose for it.

The foundation is led by a descendant of the original owners and also works with descendants of the estimated 300 enslaved people once connected to the property.

ALASKA: Jesse Lee Home for Children
Jesse Lee Home for Children

US National Archives and Records Administration

Opened in 1926 as a sanctuary for orphaned children, this property was damaged in a 1964 earthquake and has remained abandoned since.

According to a widely reported urban legend, the spirits of several children are said to roam the hallways of the home after it closed as an orphanage. Visitors reported experiencing "dread and despair" when they walked inside and hearing giggling children and the sounds of jump ropes and bouncing balls, per Haunted Rooms, a ghost tour company.

By 2021, the home was mostly demolished by Seward City, with future plans still under discussion, KDLL reported.

ARIZONA: Winnie Ruth Judd's House
Winnie Ruth Judd's House
Hedwig Samuelson and Agnes LeRoi, a couple who rented this home, were murdered here in 1931.

Everett Collection/Shutterstock

In 1931, a 26-year-old medical secretary named Winnie Ruth Judd fatally shot two of her friends in this bungalow.

Dubbed the "Trunk Murderess," Judd was caught trying to dispose of her victims' corpses in Los Angeles after she stuffed their bodies into two trunks and other luggage.

After a jury found her legally insane, she was held at a mental health facility, but she escaped in 1962, vanishing for almost seven years before she was found in California, The New York Times reported. Her sentence was commuted in 1971, and she was paroled.

The house remains infamous in the area. Today, it serves as a working office for attorney Robert Warnicke, according to the local outlet KJZZ.

ARKANSAS: Allen House
Allen House arkansas

Google Maps

Built in 1906 by local businessman Joe Lee Allen, this eye-catching home is said to be haunted by several spirits.

Local legend says Allen's daughter killed herself by consuming mercury cyanide on Christmas Day in 1948, according to the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. Since then, her ghost is said to have haunted the two floors of this mansion.

While the house used to host ghost tours and haunted mazes, in 2024 the company running the tours announced it would no longer offer them because it was a private residence.

In 2023, the house was listed for $488,000. The listing was removed in March 2024, per Zillow.

CALIFORNIA: Winchester Mystery House
California Winchester House Historic

Library of Congress

This eerie mansion has an even creepier backstory. The home was built by Sarah Winchester after her husband, the creator of the Winchester rifle, died in 1881.

Since then, many have claimed, including Sarah herself, that the building is haunted by the spirits of those killed with her husband's invention, per Smithsonian Magazine.

She built the home to escape the angry spirits, and it has many quirks, including "a staircase that leads to nowhere, cabinets that open into walls, and a door that opens up to a 12-foot drop," Business Insider previously reported.

Today, it is open to visitors.

COLORADO: Henry Webber House
henry webber house

National Park Service

The history behind this quaint 1885 building, which is also known as Pioneer Park, is much darker than you'd think.

Henry Webber, a shoe and boot merchant who moved to Aspen in 1880, decided to build this home after making huge profits from his mining investments, per History Colorado.

The spooky story, though, involves Webber's wife, Harriet Webber, who died under "mysterious circumstances" and is said to haunt the house, The Aspen Times reported.

Today, the property is part of Pioneer Park and has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1987, although the house itself — which was sold in 2021 for $11.5 million — remains a private residence.

CONNECTICUT: The Seaside Regional Center
The Seaside Regional Center is in Waterford.
The Seaside Regional Center is in Waterford.

Rachel Rose Boucher/Shutterstock

Formerly known as the Seaside Sanatorium, this building opened in the 1930s to treat children with tuberculosis.

In the 1950s, the property was renamed the Seaside Geriatric Hospital and served as a home for older patients for three years. After that, it reopened as the Seaside Regional Center, a home for people with mental illness, until it was closed in 1996.

Today, the abandoned spot is a popular destination for paranormal researchers, who claim to have seen ghostly orbs and other spooky phenomena, as reported by The New York Times.

In recent years, a developer has been fighting plans to demolish the property, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1996, according to the Connecticut Mirror.

DELAWARE: John Dickinson House
This home is in Dover.
This home is in Dover.

Library of Congress

Also known as Poplar Hall, this plantation home was the childhood home of John Dickinson, one of the Founding Fathers of the US.

Local lore says the home is haunted by Dickinson himself, and visitors have reported hearing the "sound of a quill pen scratching across parchment paper," Delaware Today reported.

The house is owned by the State of Delaware and serves as a park where visitors can learn about Dickinson's life and the stories of the 59 enslaved people who once lived and worked on the plantation, per the National Park Service.

FLORIDA: Riddle House
riddle house palm beach

Google Maps

Located in West Palm Beach, this private residence was first used as a funeral parlor in the early 1900s.

Legend has it that one of the homeowner's employees fell into financial hardship and hanged himself in the attic, the Palm Beach Post reported. His spirit is reportedly just one among many that haunt the home, said to be one of the most active haunted locations in South Florida.

Today, the house is part of the Yesteryear Village park and offers occasional ghost tours.

GEORGIA: Hay House
This mansion is in Macon and is part of The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.
This mansion is in Macon and is part of The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

Doug Nurnberger/Shutterstock

Also known as the Johnston-Felton-Hay House or the "Palace of the South," this historic residence was built in the late 1850s. Since then, various sightings of spooky figures and swinging chandeliers have been reported.

Today, the mansion is owned by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and serves as a museum. The property has been in the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.

In 2010, a photographer claimed he captured a ghost on camera — wearing a top hat, no less — while snapping pictures of a wedding at the Hay House, as reported by Macon's The Telegraph.

HAWAII: 'Iolani Palace
'Iolani Palace in Hawaii
A view of 'Iolani Palace from Kapiolani Boulevard in downtown Honolulu.

Faina Gurevich/Getty Images

Located in Honolulu, this residence was home to the island's last royal family until the monarchy was overthrown in 1893.

Since then, visitors and staff members have reported hearing footsteps and seeing the figure of a woman believed to be Queen Lili'uokalani, Honolulu Magazine reported.

Most recently, the National Historic Landmark, which is owned by the state, has become a tourist attraction.

IDAHO: Standrod Mansion
Standrod Mansion, built in 1901, at N. Garfield Avenue in Pocatello.
Standrod Mansion, built in 1901, at N. Garfield Avenue in Pocatello.

Carol M.Highsmith/Library of Congress

Built by a judge named D.W. Standrod in 1902, this mansion has a tragic backstory. Both of the Standrods' children died at a young age, and the home is said to be haunted by their spirits.

In 2020, the Idaho State Journal reported that a new owner, Barbara Magin, originally from New Jersey, revamped the property and brought it back to life.

Magin shared with the publication that when she visited the home, she felt it was trying to communicate with her, saying, "Help me."

"There are ghosts. I've had experiences with them. And I just told them that I was here to take care of the mansion," she said in the interview. "[They're] welcome to stay." 

ILLINOIS: McPike Mansion
A guided tour takes place at the notorious McPike Mansion in Alton, Illinois.
A guided tour at the McPike Mansion in Alton.

US Department of Transportation

Built in 1869 for local businessman Henry McPike, this three-story, 16-room brick house is said to be haunted by several spirits.

People have reported hearing children laughing when no one was present, seeing faces appear randomly in the home's windows, feeling touched, and more, according to the mansion's website.

Today, the private mansion is owned by Sharyn and George Luedke and regularly offers ghost tours.

A 2014 feature by Business Insider reported that many locals believe the ghosts of the home's former owners and their servants still surround it.

INDIANA: Culbertson Mansion
Historic Culbertson Mansion. Located in the Historic Mansion Row District on Main Street.

Thomas Kelley/Getty Images

The former home of William Culbertson, once the richest man in Indiana, this mansion and its carriage house are said to be haunted.

The carriage house burned down in 1888 after a lightning strike, killing everyone inside. Some believe their spirits roam the property, the Courier Journal reported.

Today, the historic site is owned by the state and offers haunted mansion tours in October.

IOWA: Villisca Axe Murder House
A newspaper clipping from June 14, 1912 reporting on the Moore murders.
A newspaper clipping from June 14, 1912 reporting on the Moore murders.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library/Library of Congress

In 1903, Josiah Moore moved into this residence with his family.

On the night of June 9, 1912, Moore, his five family members, and two guests were brutally murdered in the home. All eight victims were bludgeoned to death with an ax.

The horrific crime was never solved, and the home — per multiple reports — remains haunted by the spirits of the victims.

As of 2024, the private home is owned by Lance Zaal and serves as a local attraction, the Villisca Axe Murder House, which offers tours and even overnight stays for $199 per night, according to its website.

KANSAS: Clutter Family Home
Four members of the Clutter family were murdered by two ex-convicts in The home picture here is from Nov. 2, 1979.
Four members of the Clutter family were murdered by two ex-convicts in The home picture here is from Nov. 2, 1979.

AP

On the morning of November 15, 1959, wheat farmer Herbert Clutter, his wife, and his two teenage children were found bound and shot to death in this home.

Ex-convicts Perry Smith and Richard Hickock were later arrested, convicted, and executed for the crime. American author Truman Capote eventually immortalized the Clutter tragedy in his non-fiction bestseller, "In Cold Blood."

The home, which has been owned by Leonard and Donna Mader, was previously open to tours but is now closed to the public.

KENTUCKY: Loudoun House
Loudoun House Kentucky

Library of Congress

A shining example of Gothic Revival architecture, this elegant home was built in 1851 for Francis Key Hunt.

Some visitors have reported seeing a ghostly woman and capturing orbs in pictures, per Paranormal Traveling.

Today, the mansion is owned by the City of Lexington and is the home of the Lexington Art League and its galleries.

LOUISIANA: Myrtles Plantation
Spanish moss hanging from Crepe Myrtle trees at night outisde the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville.
Spanish moss hanging from Crepe Myrtle trees at night outisde the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville.

wanderluster/Getty Images

The Myrtles Plantation has been haunted by a series of deaths on its property, including that of two of the owner's children in the 1820s, per Nola.com.

Since then, the plantation has been said to be one of the most haunted homes in the US.

Today, the plantation functions as a hotel with restaurants on-site. The plantation also offers a variety of tours, including an evening "mystery" tour, per the hotel's website.

MAINE: Wood Island Lighthouse
Wood Island Lighthouse
Wood Island Lighthouse in Biddeford.

Chausa Tra/Shutterstock

The 11th-oldest lighthouse in the US, Wood Island Light, was built in 1808 under the orders of then-President Thomas Jefferson.

According to one urban legend shared by the lighthouse's website, it is haunted by the ghost of a fisherman named Howard Hobbs. In 1896, Hobbs shot and killed his landlord, Frederick Milliken, before turning the gun on himself.

Today, the lighthouse is owned by the US Coast Guard and is maintained by the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, who run a variety of tours on the property.

MARYLAND: Hager House
This home is in Hagerstown.
This home is in Hagerstown.

Alejandro Guzmani/Shutterstock

This stone house, constructed in the mid-1700s, was built by German immigrant Jonathan Hager, the founder of Hagerstown.

The property is reportedly haunted by as many as 13 ghosts of former residents who died in the home. Visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices and footsteps, seeing objects move on their own, and other paranormal activity, per the Herald-Mail.

Today, the house is owned by the City of Hagerstown and serves as a museum that offers guided tours.

MASSACHUSETTS: Jonathan Corwin House
Judge Jonathan Corwin's home in Salem.
Judge Jonathan Corwin's home in Salem.

AlessandroV/Shutterstock

Known as the Witch House, this structure is the only remaining building with direct ties to the Salem witch trials.

It is the former residence of Jonathan Corwin, who served as a judge during the hearings that led to the executions of 20 innocent people, falsely accused of witchcraft.

Today, the building is owned by the City of Salem and opens seasonally as a museum, per its website.

MICHIGAN: Bruce Mansion
bruce mansion michigan

Google Maps

Built by lumber baron John G. Bruce in 1876, this building has been a popular destination for paranormal investigators.

The house, which at some point served as a location for church events and funerals, saw multiple of its owners die on the property, including John Walker, who is said to have hanged himself in the mansion's central tower after running over a pedestrian and burying him in the backyard, the County Press reported.

Since then, multiple tenants in the house have moved out due to paranormal activity, the County Press also reported.

These days, the home is privately owned and hosts mystery tours, per its website.

MINNESOTA: Glensheen Mansion
Duluth, MN, USA - June 27, 2025: Stunning front view of Glensheen Mansion, highlighting its grand architecture and the scenic beauty of its surroundings.

GummyBone/Getty Images

On June 27, 1977, an 83-year-old millionaire heiress named Elisabeth Congdon and her nurse, Velma Pietila, were murdered in this massive mansion, as reported by Minnesota Public Radio.

Roger Caldwell, the husband of one of Congdon's adopted daughters, Marjorie, was later arrested and convicted of the crimes. Marjorie herself was charged, but acquitted, of aiding and abetting and conspiracy to commit murder.

In 1982, Caldwell's conviction was overturned based on new evidence introduced during Marjorie's trial. Although Caldwell was offered a new trial, he confessed to the murders after prosecutors cut him a deal.

However, Caldwell only served a little over five years before he was released from prison. He died by suicide in 1988.

Today, the mansion serves as a museum, venue, and beer garden, and offers a variety of tours, per its website.

MISSISSIPPI: The Longfellow House
Bellevue Longfellow house

Library of Congress

Also known as Bellevue, this building was built in 1850 as a private home for slave trader and pirate Daniel Smith Graham.

According to local legend, the building is haunted by the ghosts of the men, women, and children who were abused by Graham, who is said to have been sadistic and cruel, per the house's historical marker.

Today, the private residence is one of the last antebellum houses on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

MISSOURI: Epperson House
epperson house missouri

Google Maps

Now part of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, this four-story building is known for its many secret passageways and reported hauntings.

Built by businessman Uriah Epperson in 1923, the 54-room house was donated to the university in 1942 after Epperson's passing over a decade earlier, and it briefly served as a Navy dormitory during World War II, per Fox 4 News in Kansas City.

Since then, the house has gathered local legends of paranormal activity, with reports saying people have heard footsteps and music.

Today, the house is planned to be renovated and turned into a boutique hotel, as reported by Fox 4 News.

MONTANA: Daly Mansion
The mansion was the home of three generations of the Daly family.

Tara Krauss/Getty Images

This mansion was bought in 1886 by businessman Marcus Daly, one of the three "Copper Kings" of Montana during the Gilded Age.

Staff have reported paranormal activity in the mansion, such as the smell of roses when none are around and fire alarms going off inexplicably, the Missoulian reported.

Today, the property is owned by the State of Montana and run by the Daly Mansion Preservation Trust. The mansion can be rented for events like weddings and offers seasonal tours inside the property.

NEBRASKA: Fort Sidney
Fort Sidney Museum
Fort Sidney Museum is located in the Officer's Quarters and is reputed to be haunted.

Google Maps

In 1975, the Lincoln Journal Star published a story titled "A Ghost at Ft. Sidney? Well..." which tried to determine whether the ghost of a young officer's wife still roamed the home. 

According to local legends, this historic building, which was once a supply station and trailhead for gold-seekers, is haunted by the ghost of a young officer's wife, who broke her neck in 1885 after falling down a staircase.

Upon her death, the husband boarded up the staircase. However, visitors have said they've heard noises of a person walking up or down the staircase and falling. 

Today, the property is privately owned and operates as a museum, opening seasonally and offering tours, according to its website.

NEVADA: Bowers Mansion
bowers mansion
Bowers Mansion.

Hank Shiffman/Shutterstock

Built in 1863 by millionaires Lemuel "Sandy" Bowers and his wife, Eilley, this historic building is said to be haunted by Bowers himself.

According to locals, after Mrs. Bowers' death, many people saw a green light floating around the grounds, along with shadows and the voices of spirits.

Today, the mansion is owned by Washoe County Parks and operates as a seasonal museum.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Ocean-Born Mary House
OCEAN BORN MARY HOUSE

Library of Congress

According to local lore, this home is haunted by a woman named Mary Wallace, a folklore figure more commonly known as "Ocean-Born Mary." Her spirit is said to protect the property, where her husband was murdered over a pirated treasure, per New Hampshire Magazine.

Today, the house is a private residence.

NEW JERSEY: Seabrook-Wilson House
This home is in port Monmouth.
This home is in port Monmouth.

Andrew F. Kazmierski/Shutterstock

Also known as the Spy House, this property dates back to 1650, when it was a popular drinking spot for both British and Colonial soldiers.

Now, some say the old tavern is home to as many as 22 different ghosts, from a "devil-worshiping sea captain" to a "blood-thirsty pirate" in the basement, according to the Best of NJ.

NEW MEXICO: Luna Mansion
Luna Mansion

Google Maps

Formerly a steakhouse, the Luna Mansion is said to be haunted by as many as four ghosts. The most famous is Josefita, who was once the lady of the opulent home, per local news outlet KOAT.

Patrons of the restaurant claimed to have seen an empty rocking chair move back and forth as Josefita appeared and watched them eat.

Today, the building operates as a historic event venue that hosts haunted house tours, according to its website.

NEW YORK: Amityville Horror House
amityville horror home

Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images

In 1974, this expensive estate became the site of a horrific mass murder when 23-year-old Ronald J. DeFeo Jr. fatally shot his parents and four siblings. 

One year later, George and Kathy Lutz moved into the home with their three children. After only 28 days, however, the Lutz family left, claiming that they had been terrorized by paranormal phenomena such as strange odors, slamming doors, and a voice that screamed: "Get out."

Their claims eventually became the subject of Jay Anson's best-selling book, "The Amityville Horror: A True Story."

NORTH CAROLINA: Biltmore Estate
Landscape of the Biltmore Estate with the green garden in Asheville, North Carolina stock photo

Wirestock/Getty Images

Among the largest private homes in the US, the massive 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate is said to be haunted by Edith, the wife of its original owner, George Washington Vanderbilt II, of the wealthy Vanderbilt family.

Visitors have reported hearing her laughing and calling for her husband inside the property, per Explore Asheville.

Today, the historic mansion serves as a museum, an attraction, and a winery.

NORTH DAKOTA: Chateau De Mores
Medora, ND, USA - July 17, 2025: The Chateau de Mores Interpretive Center in Medora, North Dakota

GummyBone/Getty Images

Originally built in 1883 as a summer home for Antoine de Vallombrosa, the Marquis de Mores, the 26-room, two-story home is now a museum. However, some people believe this historic building is haunted by a female spirit, the Minot Daily News reported.

Today, the house is a historic site open to the public.

OHIO: Ohio State Reformatory
Ohio State Reformatory

ullstein bild Dtl./ullstein bild via Getty Images

Built in 1896, the Ohio State Reformatory was designed as a middle-tier prison for criminals too old for a juvenile detention facility but who had committed lesser offenses than those sent to the state penitentiary, according to the building's website.

The state began withdrawing funding from the facility in the 1960s, and by the 1980s, the building had severely deteriorated, leading to its closure in 1990.

In 1994, the film "The Shawshank Redemption" was filmed on the property.

Once filming wrapped, the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society, a nonprofit organization, purchased the property for $1 and opened its doors to the public for ghost tours. The home now attracts more than 120,000 visitors each year, and ticket sales help fund property restoration.

Visitors can tour the facilities during regular times or visit during the seasonal "Blood Prison" offerings, which include themed tours and escape rooms.

OKLAHOMA: Skirvin Hotel
Aerial view of the Skirvin Hilton, Oklahoma City.
Aerial view of the Skirvin Hilton, Oklahoma City.

Aaron Yoder/Getty Images/iStockphoto

While Oklahoma has its fair share of haunted homes, the Skirvin Hotel is one of its most famous.

Over the years, many of the hotel's guests, including several NBA players, have claimed to see a ghost named Effie, who is said to have died at the hotel, The New York Times reported.

OREGON: Asahel Bush House
Bush's Pasture Park salem oregon

Bob Pool/Shutterstock

Now a museum, this mansion was built by American newspaper publisher Asahel Bush in the 1870s in Salem, Oregon.

Legend has it that Bush's youngest daughter, Eugenia, still haunts the home. Visitors have claimed they've heard female voices and described random cold spots when visiting the mansion, per the Oregonian.

PENNSYLVANIA: The Farnsworth House
Farnsworth House

George Sheldon/Shutterstock

This bed-and-breakfast is said to be haunted by the ghosts of Confederate soldiers, a nurse named Mary, several other women and children, and even some cats, as reported by Fox 43.

These days, the privately owned home is popular for its group dining experiences and ghost tours. 

RHODE ISLAND: The Breakers
The Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, USA

AlexandreFagundes/Getty Images

The Breakers in Newport is the second Vanderbilt property on this list. The estate, which served as a summer home for Cornelius Vanderbilt II in the late 19th century, is said to be haunted by his wife, Alice, per Visit Rhode Island.

Today, the historic mansion is a museum open to the public.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
A view of an old Southern mansion located at Magnolia Plantation in South Carolina

Thomas J Crawford/Getty Images

Originally acquired by Stephen Fox in the early 17th century and passed down to his son-in-law Thomas Drayton, the Magnolia Plantation encompassed more than 1,700 acres of land cultivated by enslaved people prior to the Civil War.

The property still has four preserved slave cabins on its grounds.

Various reports of creepy voices, growls, and the sound of music have shrouded this Charleston plantation in mystery over the years, per CBS News.

Today, the plantation is a museum and is open to the public.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Bullock Hotel
Deadwood, SD, USA - May 27, 2026: Historic Bullock Hotel on Main Street in Deadwood South Dakota known for its Western heritage and architecture

GummyBone/Getty Images

Some believe this building is haunted by its original owner, Seth Bullock, per Legends of America.

Guests have reported feeling a "ghostly presence" on the second and third floors of the hotel, while others have said they've smelled a cigar burning, heard boots and ragtime music, or seen floating glasses.

TENNESSEE: Carnton Mansion
Carnton is a historic home and museum in Franklin, Williamson County.
Carnton is a historic home and museum in Franklin, Williamson County.

Mariusz S. Jurgielewicz/Shutterstock

This plantation served as a field hospital on November 30, 1864, during one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. The site is said to be haunted by the ghosts of fallen Confederate soldiers, per a town website.

TEXAS: Menger Hotel
Facade of historic Menger Hotel, Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, Texas stock photo

Gerald Zaffuts/Getty Images

The Menger Hotel, which opened its doors in 1859, is among the oldest hotels in San Antonio.

Its founder, William Menger, a brewer from Germany, began by opening a tavern, only to realize that those who came to drink there often needed a place to sleep afterward. That's when he and his wife, Mary Menger, launched a small inn next to the tavern.

Soon after, the place became successful and was revamped into a bar similar to the House of Lords Pub in London, according to local news outlet KSAT. It was frequented by famous figures, most notably Theodore Roosevelt.

Legend has it that this historic hotel is haunted by several spirits, from a murdered maid named Sallie White to famed riverboat captain Richard King, per Texas Monthly.

UTAH: McCune Mansion
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA — August 27, 2025: Classic houses in the neighborhoods around downtown Salt Lake City, Utah captured during late summer.

todamo/Getty Images

The construction of this Victorian mansion began in 1898 and was completed in 1901.

In 1999, the McCarthey family purchased it and helped restore it to its original architectural style. Since then, many people have booked the place for private events such as weddings.

However, according to local reports, this popular wedding venue is said to be haunted by two spirits: a man believed to be Alfred McCune and a young girl, per Only In Utah.

VERMONT: Hartness House
hartness house vermont

Google Maps

James Hartness, a politician, inventor, and astronomer, built the Hartness House in the early 1900s. During that time, several underground tunnels were built on the estate to support the former owner's work and create private office space for him.

In the 2000s, the small hotel underwent renovation and reopened as a boutique inn. 

Since then, many locals have reported several paranormal activities, suggesting that the underground tunnels are home to several ghosts, per NewEngland.com.

VIRGINIA: Ferry Plantation House
Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA - January 14, 2026: The back of the Ferry Plantation, built by enslaved African Americans around 1830, is reported to be haunted by eleven spirits.

Bill Chizek/Getty Images

Built in the 1640s, this plantation is reportedly home to 11 spirits, including that of Henry, an enslaved man who was likely born on the plantation, per WHRO, Norfolk, Virginia's public radio.

Today, the historic house is owned by the City of Virginia Beach and run by The Friends of the Ferry Plantation House. The house offers a variety of paranormal tours.

WASHINGTON: Thornewood Castle
Thornewood Castle

National Park Service

Local legends claim that this estate, located in the town of Lakewood, is haunted by the ghosts of several former residents.

Interestingly, in 2002, the castle was featured as a haunted mansion in Stephen King's miniseries, "Rose Red."

WEST VIRGINIA: West Virginia State Penitentiary
Moundsville State Penitentiary

Library of Congress

This creepy site operated as a prison for the state of West Virginia from 1876 to 1995.

The Gothic-style building is said to be haunted by numerous spirits, and visitors have reported feeling their hair being pulled and hearing voices telling them to leave, local news station WTRF reported.

The building, owned by the state, operates today as a tourist facility, offering a variety of tours.

WISCONSIN: Brumder Mansion
brumder mansion

Google Maps

This charming bed-and-breakfast is also a popular destination for ghost hunters and paranormal investigators. 

The property is said to be home to at least three known spirits, and visitors have reported seeing shadowy figures and moving chairs, per Paranormal Milwaukee.

Today, the 1910 privately owned building serves as a bed-and-breakfast and event venue.

WYOMING: Occidental Hotel
Buffalo, USA - August 19, 2015: Exterior of the Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, Wyoming, USA. Many famous guests have stayed at the historic hotel including Butch Cassidy, Calamity Jane and Ernest Hemingway.

Maisna/Getty Images

Over the years, this historic 1880 hotel has been home to gold miners and criminals, and it even served as a brothel.

Guests reported sightings of a female ghost on the first floor as early as the 1880s, according to the hotel's website.

Read the original article on Business Insider

  •  

Oheka Castle, the 127-room Long Island estate that helped inspire 'The Great Gatsby,' has been sold. See inside.

Aerial view of the Oheka Castle property  in Huntington, New York.
An aerial view of the Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York.

J. Conrad Williams, Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images

  • Oheka Castle, the second-largest private home in the US, has been sold for $72 million.
  • The estate is said to have inspired "The Great Gatsby" and has been used in film and TV.
  • It's also a favorite wedding venue for celebrities, such as Kevin Jonas, Megyn Kelly, and more.

If you've ever read or seen "The Great Gatsby," you know 1920s New York was home to extravagant mansions with owners who hosted lavish parties — and if you've watched "The Gilded Age," you know those parties began decades earlier in the 1870s.

And if you're a really dedicated fan, you just missed your chance to own a piece of F. Scott Fitzgerald history yourself. Oheka Castle, a sprawling, century-old estate said to have inspired the parties in "The Great Gatsby," went up for auction on October 27, via Concierge Auctions and Adam Modlin of The Modlin Group.

Its original homeowner was financier Otto Hermann Kahn, who built Oheka Castle — named after its owner (Oh-He-Ka) — in 1919 on Long Island.

Kahn's wife used to call the home "Otto's zoo," and it seemed to be an accurate description. A-listers of the time used to party at the 109,000-square-foot home, with Kahn as a Gatsby-like figure entertaining all his guests.

But Oheka's journey didn't end there. After Kahn's death in 1934, the property changed hands numerous times until it was abandoned in the '80s. Fires, vandalism, and theft devastated it.

According to Oheka Castle, land developer Gary Melius then purchased the estate and spent $40 million restoring it to its former glory. He defaulted on a loan over a decade ago, Forbes reported, and declared bankruptcy in July 2025 to forestall what happened this week: Oheka on the auction block.

Per Concierge Auction, seven bidders were competing for Oheka, but the eventual winner, Gold Coast Property & Estate Management LLC, is set to pay $72 million for the property, pending approval. The sale also includes a pre-approved plan to build a four-story condo building.

"This sale marks an exciting next chapter for Oheka and an opportunity for its next owner to preserve that legacy while bringing a new vision to the estate," said Modlin.

Today, Oheka is the second-largest private home in the US, behind only the Biltmore House in North Carolina. It's a popular venue for weddings, a restaurant, and a hotel, and has been featured in movies, TV shows, and music videos. Taylor Swift even filmed the "Blank Space" video there.

You can also tour the grounds for $30. I took the tour in April 2024 and was astonished by the beauty of Oheka Castle. Here's what it was like to visit.

Oheka Castle was built in 1919 by German-American financier Otto Hermann Kahn.
oheka castle and grounds
The grounds at Oheka.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

He spent about $11 million, or about $213 million in today's currency, to build Oheka on 443 acres of land in West Hills, New York.
oheka castle front
The front of Oheka.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Oheka Castle has seen a lot in its 100-plus years, and for anyone who wants to learn more, tours are offered twice daily.
me at oheka
Sitting outside of Oheka.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

So, I decided to visit. All I knew about Oheka was that Kevin Jonas got married there and Taylor Swift filmed the "Blank Space" music video there.
taylor swift blank space
"Blank Space."

YouTube

But Oheka has a rich history. I learned all about it on a beautiful afternoon in April 2024.
me at the gazebo at oheka
Standing by the gazebo.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

When you drive to the entryway, it's a bit intimidating. There's someone working the gate who must let you in.
front gate with tower
The front gate.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Then comes a long driveway. I felt like I was going back in time to the Gilded Age.
the driveway at oheka
The driveway.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

My first look at the main house was astounding — and yes, I mean house. Oheka Castle is the second-largest private residence in the US.
front door of oheka
The front door.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

It's also on the National Register of Historic Places. It was added in September 2004.
the plaque
The plaque adding Oheka to the National Register of Historic Places.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

When Kahn built this house, he had three requirements: He wanted to be high up, he wanted a view of the water, and he needed the house to be fireproof.
staircase
An exterior staircase.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

His previous house in New Jersey had burned down. Oheka, in contrast, is built largely out of stone.
side of oheka stone
Some of the stonework at Oheka.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I went inside and waited in front of a grand staircase with the rest of my group for our tour to begin.
staircase
The staircase.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

When it began, we saw photos of how the house looked before its current owner restored it. We'd learn more about this later.
the grand staircase in 1984
The grand staircase in 1984.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The first room we entered was this beautiful entryway with a mural of the sky on the ceiling.
entryway
The entryway.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The house itself is 112,895 square feet today and has 127 rooms.
stairs at oheka
More of Oheka.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Many of the rooms are dedicated to showing off the home's history, like the Chaplin Room.
chaplin room oheka
The Chaplin Room.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Charlie Chaplin was just one of the many '20s A-listers who hung out at Oheka. This photo shows Chaplin (right) with Kahn (center) and actor Douglas Fairbanks (left).
douglas fairbanks, otto kahn and charlie chaplin
Fairbanks, Kahn, and Chaplin.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

In fact, according to my tour guide, Jay Gatsby's wild parties in "The Great Gatsby" were inspired by what was going down at Oheka in the '20s.
the great gatsby party
"The Great Gatsby."

Warner Bros. Pictures

This was Kahn's wife Adelaide's favorite room. Adelaide wasn't as big of an entertainer as her husband, but this sunny room was perfect for guests.
adelaide kahn's favorite room
Adelaide's favorite room.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

This ballroom is the only room that's not original to Kahn's time inside Oheka today.
grand ballroom at oheka
The ballroom.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

But as you can see from the ballroom's windows, Oheka met Kahn's requirement for a view of the water. He used to dock his yacht there.
view of the water
That's Cold Spring Harbor in the background.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Kahn, who was Jewish, also built a golf course on his property — country clubs at the time wouldn't admit Jewish people or allow them to play.
golf course at oheka
The golf course next to Oheka.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

After Kahn's death in 1934, the property was shuffled between owners. From 1948 to 1979, it was the Eastern Military Academy.
Otto Kahn in 1933.
Otto Kahn in 1933.

NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images

During those days, what is now the breakfast room was used as a gym.
breakfast room
A breakfast room.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

From that room, we made our way to this huge library.
library at oheka
Oheka's library.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

A portrait of Kahn hung above the fireplace.
otto kahn
Otto Hermann Kahn.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Our final stop on the first floor was this room, which also houses a bar. Press clippings about Oheka adorned the walls.
news room and bar
The bar.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Among the displayed articles was Danielle and Kevin Jonas' wedding spread in People. They got married at the estate in 2009.
kevin and danielle's wedding
Kevin and Danielle Jonas' wedding spread in People.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Then we went upstairs to check out the hotel and bridal suite.
hotel hallway
The hallway at Oheka's hotel.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The bridal suite, which is on the fourth floor, opens with this mural-covered entryway.
bridal suite entryway
The bridal suite entryway.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

A beautiful open room with windows allows wedding parties to take in the view of Oheka's well-manicured grounds.
bridal suite
Bridal suite.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The gardens at Oheka are breathtaking from above.
gardens from above
The garden from the bridal suite.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Here's the main bedroom of the bridal suite.
bedroom of bridal suite
The bedroom in the bridal suite.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The primary bathroom has a bathtub and a shower.
bridal suite bathroom
The bridal suite bathroom.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Then it was time to check out the gardens — and to learn what happened to Oheka.
gardens at oheka
The gardens.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

When the Eastern Military Academy went bankrupt and vacated its premises in 1979, Oheka was left abandoned.
oheka castle in 2014
Oheka Castle in 2014.

John Paraskevas/Newsday RM/Getty Images

Residents who lived nearby were concerned about vandalism. One neighbor even took this statue for safekeeping and returned it when Oheka was restored in the '80s.
oheka statues
A statue at Oheka.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Land developer Gary Melius purchased Oheka in 1984 and spent $40 million restoring it to its former glory.
Huntington, N.Y.: Businessman Gary Melius during an interview in his office at Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York on August 6, 2014.
Huntington, N.Y.: Businessman Gary Melius during an interview in his office at Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York on August 6, 2014.

Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM/Getty Images

The gardens were originally designed by the Olmsted Brothers, best known for helping with Central Park.
gardens at oheka
The front yard at Oheka.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Melius used those original sketches to restore Oheka.
gazebo at oheka
The gazebo at Oheka.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

These statues were tracked down at an auction and are thought to date back to the Renaissance.
renaissance statues at oheka
A statue at Oheka.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Now, it's a beautiful wedding venue, hotel, restaurant, and home — Melius keeps an apartment on the third floor.
oheka restaurant
The restaurant at Oheka.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

As I left the grounds, I got one more look at the restaurant and its courtyard.
courtyard oheka
The courtyard.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I would highly recommend taking a tour of Oheka. As I viewed its stunning surroundings and learned about its unique history, I felt like I was traveling back in time.
me at the fountain
Sitting at the fountain.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Editor's Note: This story was originally published in September 2026 and most recently updated in October 2026.

Read the original article on Business Insider

  •  

Beyoncé and Jay-Z own one of the most expensive mansions in California history. See all the homes in their real-estate empire.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé pose together in formal attire before a branded event backdrop with Deloitte and Disney logos.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z have built a six-figure portfolio of real estate properties.

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

  • Beyoncé and Jay-Z purchased a home that set a record for the priciest home in California in 2023.
  • The $190 million Malibu mansion is just one of the many properties they own around the country.
  • Here are the homes they're linked to, from a former church in New Orleans to a Hamptons estate.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z break music records — and real-estate records.

The couple, whose combined net worth is nearly $4 billion as of publication, according to Forbes, is linked to numerous partnerships and deals, including Jay-Z's upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance, as well as several multimillion-dollar homes across the United States.

In 2023, they bought a 42,000-square-foot Malibu estate with a minimalist concrete aesthetic, designed by famed Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The price? $190 million — one of the largest sums in California history.

In New Orleans, the "Cowboy Carter" singer and the rapper-turned-entrepreneur have been linked to a former Presbyterian church that has been transformed into a mansion.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z's impressive property portfolio also includes another mansion in the Los Angeles area and several homes in New York. They are also reportedly in talks to purchase a 58-acre plot of land in the Cotswolds that they plan to develop in the future.

Take a look at Beyoncé and Jay-Z's homes across the country.

Beyoncé came from humble beginnings in Houston.
One of Beyonce's Houston area childhood homes.
One of Beyonce's Houston area childhood homes.

Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images

Beyoncé's rise to stardom began in a modest, middle-class neighborhood in Houston's Third Ward.

2414 Rosedale Street has three bedrooms and three bathrooms over 8,640 square feet, according to the listing from 2019.

According to the Associated Press, the Knowles family purchased the home in 1982, not long after Beyoncé was born, and moved out when she was about 5.

In 2019, the home was listed for sale for about $500,000. Because Texas is a non-disclosure state, it's unclear how much it sold for.

Beyoncé was spotted taking photos of the home in September 2023 during the Houston stop of her Renaissance World Tour, the AP reported.

The couple is linked to a Tribeca penthouse, where they married in 2008.
A streetview of 195 Hudson Street.
Jay-Z made one of his first large real estate purchases at 195 Hudson Street.

Business Insider/Julie Zeveloff

In September 2004, Jay-Z, who voiced his aspirations for success in his hit rap song 'Big Pimpin', made one of his first big real-estate purchases.

The native New Yorker, who was about 34 at the time, spent $6.85 million on a penthouse at 195 Hudson Street in the downtown Manhattan neighborhood of Tribeca.

Architectural Digest reported that the 8,000-square-foot apartment has an additional 3,000 square feet of outdoor terrace space. It's in a 27-unit building that was converted from a 1929 brick warehouse in 1999, real-estate listings site StreetEasy reported.

In 2008, he and Beyoncé held an intimate wedding ceremony at the penthouse, with 40 people in attendance. Architectural Digest reported in 2024 that the couple is believed to still own the home.

The couple rented out a Los Angeles mansion for $150,000 a month
A panoramic and aerial view of the Los Angeles skyline.
Los Angeles.

Michelle Smith/Getty Images

In 2014, the Carters house-hunted on the East Coast, considering several properties. One was an eight-bedroom, 15-bathroom Beverly Hills mansion that they were outbid for by Markus Persson, the billionaire creator of the video game Minecraft. (Persson listed the mansion for sale in October 2026 for $70 million.)

After being outbid on several other properties, the couple decided to rent a home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Holmby Hills, Architectural Digest reported. The 20,000-square-foot estate was valued at $4 million in 2015, according to Realtor.com. At the time, the couple paid a whopping $150,000 a month in rent. When the property was eventually sold in 2015, they moved on.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z are also linked to a home in New Orleans that used to be a church.
An old newspaper image of La Casa de Castille.
La Casa de Castille was previously a Presbyterian church before being transformed into a residence decades later.

IMAGE VIA TIMES-PICAYUNE ARCHIVE"

Louisiana is where Beyoncé's mother, fashion designer Tina Knowles, was born and raised.

In 2015, multiple news outlets reported that the couple purchased a Spanish Baroque-style mansion in New Orleans' Garden District. The house on Harmony Street, locally known as La Casa de Castille, was listed for $2.6 million at the time of its purchase, but the exact sales purchase price remains a mystery due to Louisiana's non-disclosure policy.

NOLA.com outlined how the church became a residence: In the 1920s, Westminster Presbyterian Church built it, and 38 members of the Ku Klux Klan allegedly attended its groundbreaking ceremony. Following years of vacancy, dancer Harvey Hysell transformed it into a ballet theater in 1977. Finally, in the early 2000s, it was purchased and extensively renovated.

According to the old Zillow listing, it still has 16-foot ceilings and stained-glass windows. The 13,300-square-foot, three-story property, made up of a main residence and three separate apartments, has a total of seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a rooftop garden.

In 2021, there was a fire on the property, and it was listed for sale shortly after at $3.5 million, later increased to $4.45 million, TMZ reported. However, it was later taken off the market, according to Architectural Digest.

On Google Maps' Street View, La Casa de Castille is blurred, suggesting that it may still be a private residence.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z own a home in the Hamptons.
Pond House Rear Exterior

Jeffrey Collé

Beyoncé and Jay-Z have a New York state of mind when it comes to real estate.

In addition to the Tribeca penthouse and a midtown Manhattan condo — which Beyoncé owned prior to their marriage and sold in 2017 for $10 million — they have rented and owned several homes in the Hamptons.

In 2012, the year their daughter Blue Ivy was born, they leased a 31,000-square-foot vacation home in Bridgehampton for $400,000 a month.

Beyond the standard luxuries like a bar, a pool, and a tennis court, that mansion also featured a bowling alley, rock climbing wall, and skateboard half-pipe, according to Architectural Digest.

In 2017, the couple purchased the Pond House in East Hampton for $26 million.

Located at 81 Briar Patch Road, the 12,000-square-foot mansion with seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and a separate cottage was designed by architect Stanford White, whose work includes the arch in Washington Square Park.

The couple's waterfront property sits across from Georgica Pond and a 17-acre meadow preserve, offering unparalleled privacy.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z purchased a 34,000-square-foot estate in Bel Air in 2017.
An aerial photo of Beyoncé and Jay-Z's Bel Air mansion, showing several houses from above with swimming pools, separated by winding roads and greenery
An aerial view of Beyoncé and Jay-Z's Bel Air mansion, pictured in the center of the image with the round driveway, just above the semicircular construction site.

USGS Explorer

Also in 2017, Beyoncé and Jay-Z bought an $88 million mansion in Bel Air. They welcomed twins Rumi and Sir that year, too.

The ultramodern 34,000-square-foot estate has eight bedrooms, 20 bathrooms, and a 90-foot infinity pool, according to its Zillow listing.

It has more than 10,000 square feet of outdoor living space and offers panoramic views of the Angeles National Forest.

In 2023, Beyoncé and Jay-Z bought the most expensive home in California history.
A sky view of 27712 Pacific Coast Highway.
A sky view of 27712 Pacific Coast Highway, the priciest residential property ever sold in California.

Anthony Barcelo

In 2023, Beyoncé and Jay-Z purchased a 40,000-square-foot mansion in Malibu's exclusive Paradise Cove neighborhood, which some have dubbed "Billionaires' Beach," for $190 million.

The sale set a record at the time for the most expensive property transaction in California. It was also the largest residential sale nationwide that year.

The estate's record-breaking price tag is attributed in part to its high-pedigree design and extensive array of amenities.

According to Architectural Digest, it took the previous owners, art collectors Bill Bell and his wife Maria Bell, a decade and a half to complete the building.

Spanning more than 8 acres, the compound is designed in the Japanese minimalist style for which its architect, Tadao Ando, is known.

According to E! News, the main residence has 8 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, while its living room features custom-made fixtures imported from Italy. Outside, there are four separate pools, a bar, and a private helipad.

The couple is reportedly in talks to purchase a 58-acre plot of land in the Cotswolds in England.
Stone village with a church tower sits among trees and green hills in a rural landscape.
The Cotswolds.

by Marc Guitard/Getty Images

The Cotswolds, a picturesque region spanning parts of southwestern and south-central England, is known for its rolling green hills, centuries-old villages, and historic estates.

With luxury properties often commanding multimillion-pound prices, the area has earned the nickname "the Hamptons of England." It has long attracted prominent British residents, including David and Victoria Beckham, actress Elizabeth Hurley, and supermodel Kate Moss.

More recently, the Cotswolds have also attracted wealthy Americans. Beyoncé and Jay-Z are reportedly among them, The Times reported in September.

According to the publication, the Carters are considering a £7.5 million ($8.54 million) 58-acre property in Wigginton, a village with fewer than 200 residents. Owain Jones, who is handling the sale, told The Times that their plans to develop the land could bring the project's total cost to about £18 million (or about $20. 5 million).

Should the Carters move forward with the purchase, they would not be far from the Beckhams and Simon Cowell, who reportedly own homes in the nearby village of Great Tew.

However, the proposed construction has upset some Wigginton residents, who are concerned about preserving the village's peace and quiet, House & Garden reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider

  •  
❌