Your mileage may vary when it comes to believing there are, in fact, spirits lurking in the corridors of the Winchester Mystery House. Believe it or not, this ghost-packed film could be the closest mainstream audiences come to understanding that Winchester was far from just a “crazy” lady who built a crazy house. Part historical preserve, part spooky theme park oddity, the Winchester Mystery House has now inspired a new horror movie, Winchester, starring Helen Mirren as the titular, reclusive heir to a massive rifle fortune. There have been over 12 million visitors to the house since its mysterious architect died in 1922. Picking up on some popular nicknames of the day, Houdini dubbed the building “Winchester Mystery House” after the late Sarah Winchester, the secretive woman who built and lived in it. The massive estate, partially demolished by the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906, had a reputation for being haunted-and not even Houdini himself could shake the sense that something inside those walls was wrong. Though a magician by trade, Houdini was devoted, at this time in his life, to debunking what he considered a scourge of fake spiritualists and mediums. You have to take the time to see the Mystery Castle when you’re in Phoenix.In 1924, Harry Houdini visited a rambling architectural oddity in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley. And they clearly excited because they know the next surprise that’s around the corner. The docents who lead the tours are wonderful and loaded with stories and seem to be just as amazed by what they are showing you as you are seeing it. And around every corner is another story. Where Saguaro furniture is next to huge native baskets and fine German porcelain dishes. That is literally the definition of ‘man made.’ Or ‘labor of love.’ It’s amazing to be looking out over the vastness of Phoenix from a place where every surface is covered in a mosaic of river rock, glass, tiles, and other desert objects. ![]() That still only partially has plumbing and electricity. That was built entirely by hand using found, used, and rejected materials. That was built by a father with tuberculosis to fulfill his daughter’s dreams. Who knew that, after driving thru the vast somewhat anonymous south Phoenix suburbs you’d find a castle that is this distinct. This was an excellent way to spend a cool, cloudy Arizona day, and well worth the drive from northern to southern Phoenix. This is the kind of place where you think you've see it, yet when you look in the next room or walk through the same room, there is something new/different each time. ![]() Our tour guide provided a wealth of interesting stories. What's remarkable is when you actually realize that what you're looking at was a lived-in home and that it was made out of things collected or given to the builder and his daughter. There is a little bit of everything from furniture to art to.junk. Nice job! The insides are almost indescribable regarding their themes. ![]() After a short amount of time at each stop along the way, he re-gathered the touring guests and moved to the next area of the venue. Our tour guide provided background information on how the Castle was created, and was very casual about letting everyone look around. Our group was quite large, but the Castle can accommodate a larger group. Our tour guide was friendly, upbeat, and knowledgeable. What we saw on the tour, however, was so much more than online words and pictures can provide. We had heard about and read online about the Mystery Castle.
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