Winchester Mystery House is a historic house in San Jose. The still unfinished mansion is full of strange hallways, hidden rooms, and supposedly various ghosts. The Guy and I took a tour there while on our San Jose Staycation a few weeks back.
The house is so beautiful, yet so very strange. A woman residing in Connecticut, had quite the untimely death of her 6 week old daughter, and husband shortly after.
Never getting over the grieving period and mourning of her loved ones, she moved out to California after given the advice from someone she trusted. Apparently she was so superstitious that she needed to keep building and building her home in California. She continued to build for 38 years straight. Contentiously. Could you imagine? Every day. Building.
When she died, all building of her home stopped. Her house belongings were sold at auction and took 8 truck loads per day for 6.5 weeks to move all the furniture out. MAN! For one person!
I’m not one to feel claustrophobic but holy smokes due to the small rooms, narrow switch back staircases, we were on a tour with a group of about 20 people in total, with kids included. A 65 minute tour of the strange house was definitely long enough for me! The Guy couldn’t get enough of it though — he loved it. I mean, I did too, but I felt so strange being in there.
I definitely got an eerie vibe from the house. I definitely wouldn’t want to go trick-or-treating there or get lost inside. I’d never be found, haha! If you really want to get spooked, do a flashlight tour, which happens every Friday 13th.
Mrs. Winchester loved her home, and built it so architecturally sound that it withstood many earthquakes. However, the mansion was 7 stories high at one point, up until the large 1906 San Francisco earthquake which took the home down to four stories.
 Fun facts about the Winchester Mystery House I learned on the tour:
- 160 rooms in the home.
- 40 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, yet one shower.
- The design of the house was so strange. Doors opening into walls. Staircases to go nowhere, or a ceiling
- Her séance room had 1 entrance yet 3 exists.
I don’t want to ruin anything for you guys in case you decide to do the tour yourself one day. So I’ll leave it at that, and finish it up with photos of the grounds. We weren’t allowed to take any photographs inside.
I would say it’s definitely worth touring the house at least once if you visit San Jose, even if you’re not totally interested. I had absolutely no idea what we were getting into on the tour. And I’m still thinking about it a month later. I’m seriously fascinated by it all.
525 South Winchester Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95128
408.247.2101
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14 Comments
I went there on a tour with my parents when I was a kid and all I remember was keeping my eyes closed for about 1/3 of it, JUST IN CASE something or someone popped out of nowhere. My cousin and her family live on Santana Row, so I pass by it every time I visit them and I’m really tempted to go back one of these days!
@Sheena: I can imagine! I felt the same way being inside that house too. But no one seemed as creeped out/scared as I was, so I had to brave it, haha.
Nancy recently posted..A catch up + Newfoundland bloggers
This is a remarkable home. I love how many unique aspects it has to it. Thanks for sharing so many details about it with us.
Miranda Myrabev recently posted..{GBU} THE HAPPENING ~ WEEK SIX
@Miranda Myrabev: Glad you enjoyed it!!
Nancy recently posted..A catch up + Newfoundland bloggers
I’ve always been interested in this house for years! I’ve did so much research about it, watched so many documentaries….even did a speech on it for a college public speaking class. I NEED TO SEE IT FOR MYSELF!
Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Bloglovin’
Connie recently posted..Review: FURminator Dual Brush from Chewy.com
@Connie: No way! That’s awesome – I hadn’t heard about the place til we moved here!
Nancy recently posted..Staying at the Fairmont, San Jose
The grounds of this home are amazing! I love the style of these house they always hold so much character and look beautiful on the inside as well! What a great place to visit, only one shower though how odd.
tammilee Tips recently posted..Packing tips and real life advice from my Mom
@tammilee Tips: I guess back then they all bathed instead of showered, so she was a bit of ahead of the times in that regard – but yes still a little odd right?!
Nancy recently posted..A catch up + Newfoundland bloggers
Visiting a mystery house is very interesting as I think this kind of house only exists in movies we watch. It’s great to know about hidden rooms but I’m also afraid to feel the presence or see ghosts. 160 rooms in a home is unbelievable! It’s like a mansion!
@rochkirstin: I know, I’d rather not think of the presence of ghosts. I don’t really believe, but in that house – hoo wee. Kinda felt a little eerie!
Nancy recently posted..A catch up + Newfoundland bloggers
Ah this is so cool and spoooky :) It looks so enormous even now I can’t imagine how grande it must have looked when it was 7 stories high!
Megan Joy recently posted..Sephora Exclusive: Nudestix Lip/Cheek Dual Pencils
@Megan Joy: I know! And without anything really built up around the city at that point, it must’ve been huge.
Nancy recently posted..A catch up + Newfoundland bloggers
How about that yard!? Don’t you wish you had a maze in your front yard?
Kelly – A Side of Sweet recently posted..Greek Yogurt Buttermilk Biscuits
@Kelly – A Side of Sweet: I’m cool with all those palm trees in my yard for sure.
Nancy recently posted..A catch up + Newfoundland bloggers