Ghostly Residence, Whaley House
Some Consider this Former Home the Most Haunted Building in the US
Aug 29, 2007
The house, now a museum, is on the list of the U. S. Commerce Department’s haunted places. Thomas Whaley built the home in 1856. The house was built on the grounds where Yankee Jim Robinson, a man of mystery, was hanged for his role in grand larceny four years prior to the construction.
The home became the city’s social community center. At one time, the house’s granary was transformed into a courtroom which was not used because of a controversy. The town was divided into two sections and some people, who prevailed, felt that a bigger courthouse should be in the newer section of the town. Today, the building’s still an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture and filled with antiques of the nineteenth century as well as a gaggle of ghosts.
Ghosts
- Yankee Jim Robinson: Corinne Whaley, Thomas’ and wife Anna’s daughter was the first to experience Robinson’s ghost. She felt an unseen presence in the house and wasn’t comfortable there although she remained in the Whaley House until her death. Visitors often noticed the sound of footsteps on the second floor while Corinne tried to ignore them, but she admitted that Robinson walked in the structure. His ghost has been seen on rare occasions.
- Thomas Whaley: People have smelled his cigar smoke and heard his laughter. Some have listened to him speak, although, most of the time it is not directed to them. His apparition, garbed in a top hat and frock coat, has been sighted.
- Anna Whaley: Witnesses have smelled her perfume. She loved music in life and her piano playing and singing have been heard. Her phantom has been seen as a graceful petite lady.
- Dolly, the Whaley's dog and an Unnamed Cat: Dolly resembles a fox terrier who brushes against visitors’ legs and has been sighted running about the halls and chasing a spectral cat through the rose garden. Panting sounds have resounded in the museum.
- Kitchen Ghosts: Two young girl ghosts haunt this room, one after being severely hurt in the yard. She's called the Washburn Girl, a playmate of the Whaley children. She ran to join her friends and bumped into a clothesline which struck her neck. She fell and her head struck a rock. She died while Mr. Whaley was carrying her into the house. A visitor caught a ghost in a picture, which is believed to be hers. The other was a Whaley daughter who ingested something that was fatal. She, perhaps both, like to play with kitchen wares, most often a meat cleaver, teapot and utensils hanging on the wall. Sometimes, a soft giggling has been perceived.
- Soldier: A woman, around Hallowe’en, was at the house when it was open for tours. She saw a uniformed military man and thought he was a volunteer until he slowly vanished from sight.
- The Woman in Calico:A Canadian visitor saw a young woman with hoped earrings, dressed in calico seated in a chair in the courtroom. She felt this ghost did not like people visiting the house.
- Native American Ghost: June Reading was the museum director. One morning, she saw this specter in the dining room. He looked real, except that he had no feet. He slowly disappeared from view. This was the only time he was seen.
Other Phenomena
- Fog and Eerie Lights have been witnessed throughout the house moving erratically. At times, ghostly shapes are perceived in the illuminations.
- Rocking chairs and cradles shift of their own volition.
- Courtroom chains stir as if unseen hands are at work.
- Footsteps other than Yankee Jim’s have been heard.
Sources:
Haunted Houses, Richard Winer and Nancy Osborn, (Bantam Books, 1979)
Historic Haunted America, Michael Norman & Beth Scott, (Tor, 1995)
