Winchester Mystery House at sunset (source)
California Registered Historical Landmark #868
I was thrilled to visit the infamous Winchester Mystery House this past May. I have wanted to see the historical landmark for as long as I can remember! This Victorian Gothic oddity is a must-see for anyone visiting the Bay Area in Northern California.
Portrait of Sarah L. Winchester, 1865 (Source)
Who was Sarah L. Winchester?
Sarah “Sallie” Lockwood Pardee was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1839. She grew up with William Winchester and they were married on September 30, 1862, in their early twenties amidst the Civil War. After three years of marriage, William Winchester co-signed papers of association with the Connecticut State Legislature for the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. He later on became the Secretary for the newly established company.
Table with food*
The Move Out West
After the Civil War ended, gun sales dropped drastically. However, once the Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869, there were prospects of new sales opportunities in the West. William and Sarah investigated these opportunities in San Francisco, California. After much deliberation, they returned to New Haven and bought a mansion there.
The Winchester Repeating Arms Company saw great success and by 1880, the company had a net worth of over 3 million dollars. Unfortunately, tragedy followed this success and Sarah lost her mother, father-in-law, and beloved husband within ten months. Sarah inherited wealth from her family and husband, becoming a fully independent woman. She stayed in Connecticut until her eldest sister died in 1884, then moved to California.
Garden Conservatory*
California Dreamin’
When Sarah relocated, she was in her forties and diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, so she hoped that California’s warmer climate would help alleviate her symptoms. Her sisters Estelle and Belle made the journey with her, along with their older sister Nettie whose husband had accepted the presidency at an academy for young ladies near San Fransisco.
Sarah became entranced with what is now known as the Silicon Valley. Back then it was tranquil, cattle-grazing land. She soon bought a forty-five-acre ranch for sale in the area. The largest town in the valley at the time was San Jose, a self-proclaimed “Garden City” and an old pueblo established in 1777. At the time of Sarah’s arrival, two educational institutions were present in the area: Stanford University and California State Normal School, known today as San Jose State University (my alma mater!).
The Music Room*
Building the Winchester Mansion
Renovations to the farmhouse began almost immediately, and it expanded to twenty-six rooms in six months! She managed the renovations by drawing up plans, instructing builders, and subscribing to journals such as the Architectural Record. Many of the windows are adorned with a spider web design, a recurring theme throughout the mansion.
A rudimentary intercom system was installed to allow communication across the mansion. This was vital since Sarah’s arthritis ailed her often. She had “Easy Riser” steps installed to make travel between the different levels of her home easier. Sarah was seemingly an introvert, preferred the solitude of isolation, and rarely had guests. When she did leave the house, she wore a veil.
Conservatory Hallway*
Speculations & Superstitions
What made Sarah renovate the house so constantly and drastically? It was supposed that Sarah had a fear of bad luck which turned into a paranoia of death. Others speculated that she believed she was being haunted and that the doors and windows leading to nowhere were created to confuse restless spirits. She had yearned to be free of gossip and publicity, which had unfortunately followed her to the West.
It is believed that her refusal to participate in society led to her being misunderstood. Did she want to keep her husband’s memory alive via the never-ending renovations? Did she embrace or reject spiritualism?
During April 1906, a 7.8 earthquake tore apart the Silicon Valley. Sarah was heartbroken by the extensive damage to her beautiful home. She quickly hired a contractor to help clean up the rubble and rebuild.
Sarah’s Bedroom
The Mystery House
After Sarah’s death in September 1922, John Brown bought the house. He would later invent one of the earliest roller coasters. His wife, Mayam Brown, became the first tour guide and the house was visited by famous guests such as Harry Houdini. They offered guests lighted candles to take with them during tours.
The Browns were frequently accused of spreading false information and deceiving others to obtain money. Ignoffo (2022) mentions that Sarah’s supposed obsession with the number 13 and its occurrence throughout the mansion is one of many pieces of information added to enhance the mystery house experience.
Dining Room*
Inaccuracies & Misinformation
In 1996 the house was designated a historic landmark by the city of San Jose and added to the City’s first Historic Resources Inventory. On the designation plaque, it is claimed that renovations went on uninterrupted until Sarah’s death. However, it has been recorded that multiple eyewitnesses saw construction halt several times over the years (Ignoffo, 2022).
Podcaster Brian Dunning also mentions the inaccuracy of the number thirteen and references an interview with longtime carpenter, James Perkins, who stated that “the number 13 in chandeliers, the number of bathrooms, windows, ceiling panels, and other things were certainly put in after Mrs. Winchester died” (Dunning, 2022).
The most glaring falsehood, according to Dunning, is the misrepresentation of the Blue Room, located in the middle of the house. Tour guides claim that the room was used for midnight séances when no journal or memoir by Sarah’s staff mentions this nightly ritual.
Ignoffo (2022) also mentions that modern-day tour guides are provided with carefully written scripts and told not to deviate from them. Guides are also required to sign commitments of confidentiality which state that they may not disclose the identity of the owners or reveal attendance numbers.
Upright Piano & Chairs*
My Thoughts
Initially, I was captivated by the mysterious paranormal charm of the Winchester Mystery House. Having visited, I am saddened to hear of the spreading of misinformation for the sake of making money. I am grateful to historian Mary Jo Ignoffo for having the ambition and courage to challenge the proclaimed truths of the house and Sarah Winchester herself.
I would happily visit again, to view the awe-inspiring architecture and magnificent gardens. I would encourage everyone to go at least once. Just keep in mind that things are not always as they seem.
Sources
Dunning, B. (Host). (2022, March 22). Demystifying the Winchester Mystery House (No. 824) [Audio Podcast Episode]. In Skeptoid. Skeptoid Media Inc. https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4824
Ignoffo, M.J. (2022). Captive of the Labyrinth: Sarah L. Winchester Heiress to the Rifle Fortune (Revised and updated ed.). University of Missouri Press.
Photos with an asterisk * were taken by Kristina Gerhardt