#Paranormal Wednesday - #Haunted Properties for Sale

Ever want to buy a haunted town? How about a haunted house? I came across these properties for sale this past week. Let me know if you come up with the money because I think owning either would be awesome. I wouldn't even mind sharing--it might make for good story inspiration.

Photo courtesy of  Rick Harris via Flickr

The 62-acre historic ghost town of Johnsonville, Connecticut

Selling for a mere 2.4 million, this desolate 19th century Victorian mill town is on the market. In the 1960s, Ray Schmitt purchased the town with plans to restore it to its former glory. Notoriously eccentric, the enthusiastic hoarder of Victorian curiosities began to add his collection of curiosities to give Johnsonville an authentic appearance and open a tourist attraction. To compliment the existing homestead and mill, he moved a 19th century Quaker meetinghouse, a Waterford, Connecticut stable and chapel, and a general store onto the property. Mishap after mishap kept the carefully designed would-be tourist destination from reaching Schmitt's idea of its true potential. In the 1970s, lightning struck the mill and burned it down, and in 1994, Schmitt got into a dispute with the local officials. He died in 1998 and his ghost is said to haunt the area.

In 2001, the town was sold to the Meyer Jabara Hotel Group. They originally hoped to turn it into a residential community for adults over 55 but in September 2001, the economy took downfall and the project was delayed. Johnsonville became a ghost town the second time. After selling at auction for $1.9 million in October 2014, the buyer's financing fell through and the town is once again, up for sale.

Photo courtesy of H.L.I.T via Flickr

If an entire town is too big for your tastes, check out the Gustav Mayer house located on Staten Island, New York. 

Up for sale at 2.31 million, this 7,700 sq.ft. 10-bedroom house is undergoing some renovation. The mansion was owned by Gustav A. Mayer, a 19th-century inventor and creator of the Nabisco Nilla sugar-cookie recipe. He died in 1918, but his two daughters, Paula and Emilie, stayed in the mansion until beyond their 100th birthdays. The two women never went outside and sequestered themselves in just two bedrooms for the better part of a century. Developing an elaborate pulley system, they were able to bring in groceries, mail and anything else they needed from outside. Their ghosts are said to roam the hallways. 

Any takers?

Frightening Friday - Hauntings: Old Newgate Copper Mine & Prison

Photo courtesy of  adwriter via Flickr

In East Granby, Connecticut, Old Newgate Prison was originally founded as a copper mine in the early 1700's. In 1773, it was converted into a prison to house Tories and Loyalists during the Revolutionary War and was later utilized for Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. During this time, the holding areas in the mines became known as "Hell," and the prisoners were employed as miners. In 1827, it was closed and the inmates were moved to another facility. It re-opened as a mine for about three decades before finally becoming inactive. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was officially designated as a National Historic Landmark. 

It doesn't come as a surprise that Newgate's history is riddled with fatalities and tragic events. In 1806, an altercation involving 30 men ended with the death of inmate Aaron Goomer. Another event occurred in 1823 and involved over 100 prisoners, two of whom were fatally shot by guards. Along with these altercations, were failed escape attempts. One of the most notorious happened in 1827, when a prisoner fell to his death while trying to escape by climbing up a rope that had been dangling in the well.

As with any location associated with tragic events and history, Newgate Prison has gained a reputation as a haunted spot. Over the years, there have been stories of spirits roaming the grounds and disembodied voices heard within the mine's tunnels. Screams have been reported coming from empty areas of the mine, a ghostly face was spotted in one of the rooms, and an apparition of a man climbing a rope above a shaft, have also been reported. Other stories include inexplicable cold spots, being touched when no one is there, and a general feeling of being watched. One visitor claimed he went into the mine and was shown around by a tour guide dressed in prison clothing. When he left the mine, he thanked one of the other employees for the tour, only to be told that they didn't have anyone working as a tour guide within the mine.

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Intrigued by this historical landmark?
It's one of many places to visit in East Granby, Connecticut.

Check out THE LEGACY OF BUCHANAN'S CROSSING by Rhea Rhodan for her take on the area.
"One of the last magical strongholds on earth."

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