Sarah Winchester sought to be elusive to the ghosts who haunted her after the death of her husband and only child. She had married into a wealthy family and inherited a huge fortune on the death of her husband.* She spent a large part of her fortune and the major part of her life building onto her mysterious mansion. The workmen never stopped, working in continuous round the clock shifts. No expense was spared and many luxurious materials went into the construction. The house was built to appease the ghosts who haunted Sarah and possibly confuse them, with some doors that go no where or stairs going up to the ceiling. She would sleep in different rooms to elude the spirits and held séances to communicate with them. The number 13 is a recurrent theme in the house’s construction. Many rooms were constructed only to be torn apart. I have a memory of visiting there but now realize how little I knew about this mysterious house and lady. It is a disturbing story, a spooky Halloween tale. I hope she found peace in the end.
*heir to the inventor of the Winchester rifle. For a bit more history click on the links.
JustJotItJanuary is guest hosted today by Judy E. Martin of Edwina’s Episodes.
The prompt word “elusive” was suggested by Evelyn of Eclectic Evelyn (http://www.eclecticevelyn.com/).
Featured image of the Winchester Mystery House mansion via San Jose Library Archives on Flickr.
Notes Tied On The Sagebrush 
Intriguing and sad.
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Yes, she had such a strange life after the death of her husband and child. I think in those days spiritualists were popular and she was looking for answers to what happened. I have not researched it in depth, but so far it looks like it had a bazarre effect on her life. And none of her family wanted to talk about it after she died.
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Very interesting 🙂
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Yes, it is an interesting and unsettling story. 🙂
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Hmm, quite intriguing …
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Yes, but I don’t think I would want to be in that house by myself. 😀
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Neither would I!
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I enjoyed the Stephen King miniseries about it. Fictional stuff isn’t nearly as sad. Can you imagine trying to ‘outbuild’ spirits?!
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I was wondering if Rose Red was about this house. It would be very crazy. What was it like for the workmen, to be building stairways up to a ceiling and all?
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It looks like it was designed by M.C. Escher. Kind of a sad story, but interesting.
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It does. I read some of the story on the website about her, and she did give some of her money to hospitals and charities so that it was not all spent on this house.
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I lived in San Jose for 18 years and never made the visit! :::kicks self::: It is a bit of a tourist trap but it is also, as you’ve been writing, a fascinating bit of history and a truly unique situation.
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I know I did not fully appreciate it when I was living in the Bay Area either. 🙂
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