Real Colorado Haunted Houses
Here are some stories of the Real Haunted Houses in Colorado that are the more famously told!
Springer Castle - Highlands Ranch Mansion
John W. Springer was a man of impeccable family and background. His family was of German descent and traceable back to 1089. Reputation was what he strove for his entire life. A scandal involving drugs and promiscuity with his second wife, Isabelle Paterson, must have just about unhinged him. For a complete scenario on this escapade, read Dick Kreck’s book, “Murder at the Brown Palace.”
Regarding the haunting of the Springer Castle, most prominent is the ghost of Julia Kistler, daughter of the fifth owner, whose father abandoned her for his stepsons. There are claims that her figure has been seen silhouetted in her bedroom on days the castle was known to be vacant, and several workers throughout the upper halls have heard her soft, anguished sobs.
Other odd incidences have occurred in the castle. Several years back, the mammoth clock in the great hall was heard to chime during a meeting, although the mechanism has been out of order for years. [MORE]
The Denver Homeopathic Hospital (15th & Humboldt)
Denver has been home to non-traditional health care institutions since its earlier development. The Denver Homeopathic Hospital was established by physicians at the 15th block of Humboldt in Capitol Hill after its Larimer location became too overcrowded. The building is claimed to be built on the highest elevation of Capitol Hill and stood 3 floors high with an impressive appearance.
Due to the struggle of the inception of Homeopathic medicine the hospital failed to gain new patients with the advancements of scientific medicine. The hospital closed down in 1909 and sold to a small private hospital that shortly became The Park Ave Hospital ran by Dr. Howard Lamb and specialized in Osteopathy. Dr. Lamb renamed the clinic after his mother and it became the Lamb Memorial Hospital and osteopath slowly expanded into the 1960's.
Dr. Lamb's clinic didn't always have the best reputation and often served unwed mothers with rumored unethical activities taking place. "Supposedly, pregnant women who entered the hospital would leave no longer pregnant" which at the time, all abortions were illegal. Most child-bearing mothers shied away from Lamb Hospital since its stigma of being an abortion mill.
After the facility consequently shut it's doors in July 1966, the building was demolished and a senior citizen complex, the Park Avenue Baptist Home was built. With several complaints from residents of screaming babies in the midnight hours and doors slamming shut, the thought of ghosts filled the staff's thoughts.
Richthofen Castle (Montclair Neighborhood)
It must have been juicy
gossip when Baron von Richthofen, who sent his wife
away to Europe and then divorced her, quickly married a woman who was not
only a divorcee herself, but dyed her hair. Of course, the person to suffer
was
the woman, Louise. Although the neighbors would not visit, they allowed
their
children to come to the lavish parties the Richthofen’s threw for children.
In the 1970s, the owners
were Dr. Seiden and his family, who reported several
strange occurrences. Lights were seen in the tower one night with no
evidence
of anyone having entered. When investigated, no footprints were found in the
snow at the sole entrance, and the dust in the empty tower was undisturbed.
Other experiences were hearing footsteps in empty passages and attics where
there was no physical trace. The next owners however, have experienced none
of the strange phenomena, and perhaps the spirits have been laid to rest.
(Source: “Castles of Colorado,” Westerberg)
For stories about the "Real" haunted houses in Colorado, check out
Halloween Denver for personal stories, history behind haunted buildings
in Colorado and much much more!
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