The Hauntings of McPike Mansion in Alton, Illinois

If you are looking for a place to experience some paranormal activity, you might want to visit the McPike Mansion in Alton, Illinois. This historic house, built in 1869 by Henry Guest McPike, is considered one of the most haunted houses in the United States. It has been featured on several TV shows, such as Ghost Hunters and Scariest Places on Earth, and has attracted many ghost hunters and curious visitors over the years. But what makes this mansion so spooky? Let's take a look at its history and hauntings.

Henry Guest McPike was a prominent businessman and horticulturist in Alton. He owned several acres of land and was famous for developing a new variety of grape called the McPike Grape. He hired architect Lucas Pfeiffenberger to design his dream home, a 16-room Italianate mansion with a wine cellar, a vaulted dome, and ornate fireplaces. The mansion was completed in 1871 and became a symbol of McPike's wealth and status.

McPike lived in the mansion with his wife Mary and their nine children until his death in 1910. His son Paul inherited the property and lived there until 1936. After that, the mansion changed hands several times and fell into disrepair. It was abandoned for decades and suffered from vandalism, fire, and weather damage. In 1994, it was purchased by Sharyn and George Luedke, who have been trying to restore it ever since. They have also opened it to the public for tours and events, such as Halloween parties and overnight campouts.

The mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as a local landmark. However, it is also known for something else: its ghosts.

The Hauntings of McPike Mansion

According to local lore, the McPike Mansion is haunted by several spirits, some of whom are believed to be former residents or servants of the house. The most famous ones are:

Henry McPike, the original owner of the mansion. He is said to appear as a shadowy figure or an orb of light in the wine cellar or near his portrait in the parlor. He is also blamed for moving objects around or making noises in the house.

Paul Laichinger, Henry's son and heir. He is said to appear as a young man in a suit or a tuxedo in the second floor hallway or near the staircase. He is also known for touching or whispering to visitors or playing with their cameras or flashlights.

Sarah Wells, a domestic servant who worked for the McPikes. She is said to appear as a woman in a long dress or a white gown in the attic or near the servants' quarters. She is also known for leaving behind a scent of lilac perfume or flowers.

Other reported paranormal phenomena include:

- Cold spots, hot spots, or temperature fluctuations throughout the house.

- Doors opening or closing by themselves or being locked or unlocked mysteriously.

- Voices, footsteps, laughter, music, or other sounds coming from empty rooms or areas.

- Objects being thrown, dropped, rearranged, or disappearing and reappearing.

- Feelings of being watched, followed, touched, pushed, or grabbed by unseen forces.

- Visions, apparitions, mists, shadows, or lights appearing in photographs or videos that were not visible to the naked eye.

Many people have claimed to witness or experience these phenomena during their visits to the mansion. Some have even captured evidence of them on camera or audio recorder. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there is no denying that there is something strange and mysterious about this old house.

How to Visit McPike Mansion

If you are interested in visiting the McPike Mansion and seeing for yourself if it is haunted, you have several options:

- You can join one of the regular tours that are offered by the owners throughout the year. These tours usually last about an hour and include a brief history of the mansion and its hauntings, as well as a walk through some of its rooms and areas. You can also bring your own equipment to try to capture any paranormal activity.

- You can attend one of the special events that are held at the mansion on occasion, such as Halloween parties, psychic fairs, ghost hunts, or overnight campouts. These events usually involve more interaction with the spirits and more access to different parts of the house. You can also enjoy some entertainment, food, drinks, or souvenirs.

- You can book a private tour or event for yourself or your group. You can customize your visit according to your preferences and needs, such as the date, time, duration, number of people, activities, etc. You can also request a specific guide or medium to accompany you.

To find out more about the tours and events, you can visit the official website of the McPike Mansion at http://www.mcpikemansion.com/ or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/McPikeMansion/. 

The McPike Mansion is located at 2018 Alby Street in Alton, Illinois. It is about 25 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri. The admission fee varies depending on the type of tour or event you choose, but it usually ranges from $10 to $50 per person. The proceeds go towards the restoration and maintenance of the mansion.

If you are looking for a thrilling and unique experience, you should definitely visit the McPike Mansion. You might encounter some ghosts, learn some history, or have some fun. Or maybe all of the above. Just be prepared for anything and keep an open mind. You never know what might happen in this haunted house.