The Haunting of The Biltmore Estate — Asheville, North Carolina

Buncombe County, Asheville, North Carolina

Photo: Wikipedia

Standing as the largest privately owned home in America, the Biltmore Estate is more than just a marvel of Gilded Age architecture — it's a haunting relic of wealth, isolation, and loss. Located in the misty Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, this sprawling 175,000-square-foot mansion was built between 1889 and 1895 by George Washington Vanderbilt II, a member of one of America’s wealthiest families. It was intended to be a peaceful retreat — but over time, shadows began to stretch across its elegant halls.

The estate houses 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, a massive library, indoor pool, bowling alley, and servant quarters that hint at the quiet labor force that kept the estate running behind the scenes. While the mansion was a place of grandeur, it was also one of solitude — and soon after George Vanderbilt’s untimely death in 1914, the house began earning a different kind of reputation.

Visitors and staff have long whispered of phantom voices echoing through the library, often described as George and his beloved wife Edith Vanderbilt still speaking in hushed tones. Guests have reported unseen footsteps on grand staircases, the feeling of being watched in empty rooms, and sudden cold drafts with no apparent source. Edith herself is said to still roam the halls, particularly in areas she favored, such as the gardens and the second-floor bedrooms. One staff member even claimed to see her in her favorite chair by the window, watching the sunset over the estate’s rolling hills.

In the basement, where the servants once moved like ghosts themselves, the atmosphere becomes heavier. Disembodied laughter, whispers, and the low hum of old machinery are commonly reported — even when the power is off. The indoor swimming pool, now drained, has given many visitors a sense of dread. Some say they’ve heard splashing, laughter, or even screams — though the room remains eerily empty. Paranormal researchers have speculated that a drowning may have occurred, though no official record confirms it. Still, the stories persist.

The estate also experienced deep family grief. George Vanderbilt died unexpectedly following an emergency appendectomy while aboard a ship in 1914. Edith, devastated, withdrew from public life and later sold portions of the estate’s land to the U.S. government — land that would eventually become part of Pisgah National Forest. Her sorrow is said to be imprinted on the walls of the home she fought to preserve.

Today, while the Biltmore is a popular tourist destination — offering wine tastings, garden tours, and holiday events — it continues to draw ghost hunters and believers from around the world. Many say that behind the polished woodwork and gilded mirrors, the past still lingers... and the house still breathes.

Would you walk its endless halls alone after dark?

True Hauntings of America

The Haunting of Franklin Castle, Cleveland, Ohio

Franklin Castle – Cuyahoga County, Cleveland, Ohio

Photo Wikipedia.Org

Address:

4308 Franklin Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Constructed in 1881 by German immigrant Hannes Tiedemann, Franklin Castle quickly earned a reputation as both an architectural marvel and a house of whispers. Tiedemann, a wealthy banker, spared no expense in creating the four-story Victorian mansion, complete with turrets, gables, and elaborate stonework. Beneath its grandeur, however, ran a darker current — one of loss, secrecy, and death.

In the years following the family’s move into Franklin Castle, tragedy struck the Tiedemanns repeatedly. Hannes and his wife Louise lost multiple children within the home, fueling neighborhood rumors that the mansion was cursed. After Louise’s passing in 1895, the estate’s reputation deepened into infamy. Locals whispered that secret rooms, hidden passageways, and even concealed chambers within the walls had been used for dark purposes — everything from bootlegging to murder has been suggested, though much remains unproven.

By the early 1900s, Franklin Castle had become synonymous with misfortune, and tales of hauntings began to circulate. Witnesses have reported disembodied voices echoing through its long hallways, doors that slam shut on their own, and phantom children crying late into the night. The apparition of a woman dressed in black, believed by many to be Louise Tiedemann herself, has been spotted gazing from windows or drifting across the upper floors.

Other chilling encounters include cold spots in hidden passageways, phantom organ music, and the unnerving sound of footsteps pacing in empty rooms. Some visitors claim the walls themselves seem to hold secrets — as if the mansion remembers.

In modern times, Franklin Castle remains a magnet for the curious and the brave, with visitors and investigators alike sharing stories of EVPs, shadow figures, and unexplained movement throughout the house. Its reputation as one of Ohio’s most haunted homes endures.

The Haunting of Beckett’s Castle

Beckett’s Castle – Cumberland County, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Photograph ©Jeff Kinder

Constructed in 1871, this "castle" proudly stands atop the cliffs of Cape Elizabeth, offering a commanding view of the undulating sea below. Sylvester Beckett, a notable publisher and poet of the 1800s, was the visionary behind this residence, and he resided there until his demise in 1882.

The spectral activity within the castle is solely attributed to Mr. Sylvester Beckett. Since Beckett's passing, numerous paranormal incidents have been reported. Witnesses describe encountering an apparition that manifests as a luminous blue sphere. This ghostly presence is known to induce cold spots throughout the residence, disrupt meticulously made beds by yanking off blankets, and unceremoniously remove pictures from the walls. A peculiar phenomenon surrounds the door leading to the tower, which refuses to stay closed; attempts to secure it, including nailing it shut, have proven futile as it inexplicably reopens.

Important note: The once haunted hotspot is now privately owned, and trespassing is strictly prohibited.

Address:
1 Singles Road
Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107

The Haunting of Sauer Castle

Sauer Castle – Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas

Photograph ©Historic Elmwood Cemetery

History Unveiled: The Enigmatic Sauer Castle

A testament to the bygone era, the Sauer Castle stands as an enduring relic of the eighteen-hundreds, a masterpiece crafted by the hands of Anton Sauer. Steeped in generational legacy, this stately abode has witnessed the comings and goings of five successive generations of the Sauer family. Remarkably, the mantle of ownership still rests in the hands of a direct descendant of its visionary creator, Anton Sauer.

As with any dwelling that has weathered the passage of time, the Sauer Castle bears witness to the ebb and flow of life, accompanied by the inevitable partings. Among the notable occurrences within its hallowed halls, several family members, including the venerable Anton Sauer and his second wife, drew their final breaths. The house also cradled the somber echoes of a reported suicide, the untimely demise of an infant, and the tragic accidental drowning of a young child.

Whispers from Beyond: Unveiling Paranormal Enigma

Beyond its historical tapestry, the Sauer Castle is veiled in paranormal mystique, where ethereal tales unfold.

Witnesses have reported ethereal lights meandering through the heights of the lookout tower and dancing across the expansive estate. Unexplainable noises punctuate the stillness, ranging from plaintive cries and boisterous shouts to joyous laughter, mysterious singing, and enigmatic voices from unseen entities.

In the eerie solitude of the "widow's walk" and the lookout tower, the full-bodied apparition of a woman materializes, her spectral presence weaving through the threads of time. Another spectral duo, a male and female, have been purportedly glimpsed within the tower's confines. Adding to the spectral ensemble, the apparition of a young boy frolics in and around the mansion, a silent but poignant reminder of lives once lived.

Even in contemporary times, the vicinity of the Sauer Castle is not exempt from tales of unexplained sightings and ethereal sounds. Neighbors and casual passersby occasionally contribute to the enduring lore of this enigmatic residence.

Cautionary Note: While the allure of the Sauer Castle is undeniable, it remains private property. Trespassers are sternly warned of prosecution. The family's commitment to privacy is underscored by the absence of guided tours. Those eager to catch a glimpse of this historic mansion are urged to show respect by remaining outside the fence and off the property.

 
Address:
935 Shawnee Road
Kansas City, Kansas 66103

The Haunting of Squire’s Castle

Squire’s Castle – Cuyahoga County, Cleveland, Ohio

Photograph ©geekgrrl++

The Squire Castle was actually intended to be a chalet when Feargus B. Squire decided he wanted to build an English castle in the wilderness of Cleveland, Ohio. Feargus came to the United States from his homeland in England, bringing his wife with him. Apparently Mrs. Squire was not at all happy out in the woods and while temporarily living in the chalet, she lost her mind. Mrs. Squire’s death, however, remains a mystery; some say she died in the chalet, while others disagree.

After his wife’s death, Feargus Squire decided that he no longer wished to build on his 525 acre estate in Cleveland and sold the property in 1922. In 1925 the estate was purchased by the state of Ohio and was then turned into the Metroparks that it is today.

When acquired by the state, Squire’s Castle was in complete ruins. The state fixed what they could; however, the castle is now only walls. The second and third floors are gone now, leaving the castle but a shell and the basement was filled in with concrete long ago.

In addition to the mysterious death of Mrs. Squire, others have reportedly died in the castle and in the surrounding wooded area. Many of these tragic deaths were self inflicted. Also, many strange activities have taken place in the area; devil worship, animal sacrifices and such and those activities, as well as, the suicides may account for most of the activity there.

Paranormal activity has been reported at Squire’s castle for decades and continues on today. Many have claimed to see the apparition of a woman walking past the second floor windows while she carried a lantern to light her way. What’s so odd about that? There is no second floor, the castle is gutted. Also, it is believed that this same apparition is responsible for the screaming that has been heard by many at night, when no other living person could be seen.

Several other apparitions have been spotted roaming the grounds and the surrounding wooded area and many people have photographed numerous orbs about the place.

No one knows for sure if the female apparition is truly Mrs. Squire’s spirit or not, but one thing is for certain, she has no intention of leaving anytime soon; her spirit continues to haunt the old gate house and many still claim to catch a glimpse of her every now and again.

Address:
North Chagrin Reservation
Cleveland Metroparks
4101 Fulton Parkway
Cleveland, Ohio 44144
(216) 635-3200
Website