The Haunting of the Benjamin Schenck Mansion

Harrison County, Corydon, Indiana

Photo: Wikipedia

The Benjamin Schenck Mansion, located in Corydon, Indiana, is one of the town’s most historic and quietly intriguing residences. Built in the mid-nineteenth century by Benjamin Schenck, a prominent local businessman and civic figure, the mansion stands as a reflection of Indiana’s early growth and prosperity.

Benjamin Schenck played an important role in Corydon’s development during Indiana’s formative years. His home served as both a private residence and a place where members of the community gathered. Over time, the house witnessed illness, loss, and the natural passing of its occupants, leaving behind a layered emotional history common to many historic homes of its era.

As ownership of the mansion changed through the generations, visitors and residents began reporting unexplained occurrences. These included footsteps heard moving through empty rooms, doors opening or closing without explanation, and the creaking of floors when no one else was present.

Several witnesses have described seeing shadowy figures near the staircase and on the upper floors. These figures are often described as still and observant, disappearing when approached. Some believe these experiences may be tied to former residents or individuals connected to the house’s early history.

Reports of disembodied voices have also surfaced, particularly during quiet moments inside the home. Faint conversations, whispers, or sighs are said to drift through hallways, sometimes accompanied by sudden cold spots or unexplained changes in temperature.

Many visitors describe a strong emotional atmosphere within the mansion. Feelings of unease, sadness, or being watched are commonly reported, especially in older sections of the house. Some experience headaches, dizziness, or an instinctive urge to leave certain rooms.

Paranormal investigators who have visited the property report electronic disturbances, including malfunctioning equipment and rapid battery drain. Audio recordings have captured unexplained sounds such as knocks, footsteps, and faint voices that cannot be attributed to environmental causes.

Despite its preserved condition and historical significance, the mansion does not feel empty to many who enter. Visitors often leave with the impression that the past remains present within its walls, expressed through subtle and unexplained moments rather than dramatic manifestations.

Today, the Benjamin Schenck Mansion stands as both a historic landmark and a site of reported paranormal activity. While it remains a symbol of Corydon’s early history, many believe the house holds more than architectural beauty. It holds memory, emotion, and a quiet sense of continuity between past and present.

The mansion remains an important part of Corydon’s architectural and cultural history.

Visitor Information:
Location: Corydon, Indiana
Note: The Benjamin Schenck Mansion is a historic property. Public access may be limited. Visitors are encouraged to respect the site and surrounding community.

The Haunting of the Museum of Colorado Prisons

Fremont County, Cañon City, Colorado

Photo: Wikipedia

The Museum of Colorado Prisons, located in Cañon City, Colorado, stands on the grounds of one of the most historically brutal prison systems in the American West. Housed in the former women’s prison building, the museum preserves the history of incarceration, punishment, and execution in Colorado. Many believe it also preserves something far less tangible: the lingering presence of those who suffered and died within its walls.

Cañon City has long been synonymous with prisons. At one time, the area housed more prisons per capita than almost anywhere else in the United States. Inmates endured harsh conditions, forced labor, overcrowding, and strict discipline. Executions were carried out nearby at the Colorado State Penitentiary, further cementing the area’s dark legacy.

The building that now serves as the Museum of Colorado Prisons once confined female inmates under rigid and often unforgiving rules. Life inside the prison was isolating and emotionally taxing. Many women were incarcerated for crimes tied to poverty, desperation, or survival, and their stories were often ignored or erased by history.

Almost immediately after the building was converted into a museum, reports of unexplained activity began to surface. Staff members and visitors alike have reported hearing footsteps echoing through empty hallways, doors opening or closing on their own, and the sound of voices when no one else is present.

One of the most commonly reported phenomena is the sound of keys jangling, as though a guard is walking the corridors. Others report hearing cell doors slam shut, even though the cells are no longer in use. These sounds often occur late in the day when the museum is quiet.

Apparitions have been reported throughout the building. Witnesses describe seeing shadow figures standing in doorways or moving through hallways. Some claim to have seen full-bodied apparitions dressed in period clothing, believed to be former inmates or guards still bound to their routines.

Cold spots are frequently reported, particularly near former cells and isolation areas. Visitors describe sudden temperature drops accompanied by feelings of sadness, anxiety, or unease. Some report feeling watched or followed as they move through the exhibits.

Paranormal investigators have documented unexplained voices, whispers, and knocking sounds during investigations. Electronic equipment often malfunctions, with batteries draining rapidly and cameras failing without warning. Audio recordings have captured voices that cannot be attributed to any living source.

Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of the museum is its emotional atmosphere. Many visitors describe an overwhelming sense of heaviness, as though the building remembers every moment of fear, punishment, and despair experienced within its walls. Some report feeling physically ill or emotionally drained after spending time inside.

Despite now serving as an educational space, the Museum of Colorado Prisons does not feel dormant. The routines of incarceration seem to echo through the halls, replaying fragments of the past. For some, the experience is deeply moving. For others, it is profoundly unsettling.

Today, the Museum of Colorado Prisons stands as both a historical archive and a site of reported paranormal activity. While its exhibits tell the story of Colorado’s prison system, countless visitors believe the building also tells a quieter story, one whispered through footsteps, shadows, and unseen presences that never truly left.

Visitor Information:
Address: 201 North 1st Street
Cañon City, CO 81212
Note: The Museum of Colorado Prisons is open to the public as a historic museum. Visitors should follow all posted rules and respect the property.

The Haunting of Farrar Schoolhouse

Polk County, Farrar, Iowa

The Farrar Schoolhouse, located in the small community of Farrar, Iowa, is widely considered one of the most haunted schoolhouses in the Midwest. Built in 1871, the two-story brick building served as a school for local children for decades before eventually closing its doors. While the classrooms fell silent, many believe the spirits tied to the school never left.

During its years of operation, the Farrar Schoolhouse was the center of education and community life for the area. Children of all ages attended classes there, often walking long distances to reach the building. Discipline was strict, conditions were sometimes harsh, and illnesses were common in an era when medical care was limited. Several accounts suggest that not all students survived their time connected to the school.

Local legend speaks of a young girl named Virginia, believed to have died either within the schoolhouse or shortly after attending it. While official records are unclear, her name has become closely associated with the reported paranormal activity. Many believe Virginia’s spirit remains inside the building, along with other former students and staff.

Reports of strange activity began circulating long after the school closed. Visitors and investigators frequently report hearing children laughing, whispering, and running through the halls when no one else is present. Footsteps are commonly heard on the stairs and upper floor, often stopping abruptly when followed.

One of the most unsettling features of the Farrar Schoolhouse is the chalkboard on the second floor. Witnesses claim that messages appear on the board without explanation, including children’s names, words, or simple drawings. Some report seeing chalk move on its own or hearing the sound of writing when the room is empty.

Objects are said to move throughout the building. Desks shift positions, doors open and close on their own, and small items disappear only to reappear later in different locations. Cold spots are frequently reported, particularly in the upstairs classrooms and near the stairwell.

Many visitors describe intense emotional reactions upon entering the schoolhouse. Feelings of sadness, anxiety, or unease are common, especially on the upper floor. Some report sudden headaches, nausea, or a strong urge to leave the building, as though the atmosphere itself is oppressive.

Paranormal investigators have documented unexplained voices, knocking sounds, and shadow figures during investigations. Electronic devices often malfunction, batteries drain rapidly, and audio recordings capture whispers and childlike voices that cannot be explained.

Despite its quiet rural setting, the Farrar Schoolhouse feels anything but peaceful to those who enter. The building carries a heavy, watchful presence, as though the spirits within are aware of visitors and choose when to reveal themselves.

Today, the Farrar Schoolhouse remains a well-known location for paranormal investigation. Though it stands as a preserved piece of local history, many believe the building is still used as a classroom of sorts — one where the lessons never ended and the students never truly went home.

Visitor Information:
Address: Near NE 56th Street and NE 78th Avenue
Farrar, IA 50039
Note: The Farrar Schoolhouse is privately owned. Access is limited and typically restricted to scheduled paranormal investigations.