Mystery Houses of the US

From tormented spirits to hidden dungeons to murderous legacies, these mystery homes are made up of much more than wood, brick and mortar.

Photo By: Paul Hawthorne/Staff via Getty Images

Winchester House, San Jose, CA

This eccentrically designed house is nothing if not a labyrinth of secret passages, sealed rooms, and stairs to nowhere. Legend has it that Winchester Rifles heiress Sarah Winchester spent decades constructing the non-sensical residence to "confuse" the angry spirits of those who fell victim to her late-husband's rifles who now haunt the grounds.

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Photo: C. Flanagan/Getty

Villisca Axe Murder House, Villisca, IA

This creepy murder house is the site of a horrific unsolved crime. In 1912, an entire family and their two house guests were slain with an axe. Their spirits are said to still haunt the grounds.

Watch Ghost Adventures - Vllisca Axe Murder House now on discovery+

Photo: Associated Press

Stanley Hotel. Estes Park, CO

This haunted hotel is most renowned for inspiring the Stephen King novel "The Shining". Often called one of the "most haunted places in America", it is said to be home to ghosts of past owners as well as children and even pets.

Watch Ghost Adventures - Stanly Hotel now on discovery+

Photo: Helen H. Richardson/Getty

Franklin Castle/Tiedemann House, Cleveland, OH

Rumors swirl around this Victorian home that has seen its fair share of tragedy since it was built in the 1880s. Owner Hannes Tiedemann lost four children and his mother while residing in the castle, and unsubstantiated claims speculate Tiedemann had a hand in their deaths. In the past few decades, reports have surfaced of unexplained sights and sounds within the walls of Franklin Castle.

Watch Ghost Adventures - Franklin Castle now on discovery+

Image taken from Ghost Adventures

Whaley House, San Diego, CA

This historic house is said to be haunted by the vengeful spirit of "Yankee Jim" Robinson, who was hanged in gallows that stood on the property before the house was built.

Watch Ghost Adventures - Whaley House now on discovery+

Image taken from GHost Adventures

LaLaurie Mansion, New Orleans, LA

Located in the French Quarter, this haunted home was occupied by Madame Delphine LaLaurie. A fire exposed LaLaurie's evil doings when a torture chamber for slaves was uncovered on the property. Her victims's spirits are said to still haunt the grounds and passerbys have claimed to hear their screams and moans.

Watch Portals To Hell - LaLaurie Mansion now on discovery+

Photo: Steven Wagner/Getty

Kehoe House, Savannah, GA

After housing the Kehoe family, this residence was transformed into a funeral home before being converted to a bed-and-breakfast. Former guests claim they heard the sounds of playing children during their stay.

Photo: Buyenlarge/Getty

Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, MA

This now-museum and bed-and-breakfast is infamous for being the site of Lizzie Borden's parent's gruesome death. Guests have said they can still hear Lizzie laughing and her murdered parents roaming around the estate.

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Photo: Chicago Tribune/Getty

Mystery Castle, Phoenix, AZ

A real-life sandcastle, this home was a gift from an adoring father to his beloved daughter. The castle has 18 rooms and 13 fireplaces, along with a wedding chapel and dungeon.

Photo: Stephen Osman/Getty

Amityville Horror House, Amityville, NY

A reported hotbed for paranormal activity, this house belonged to Ronald Defeo Jr. when he shot his family in 1974. The following residents, tormented by mysterious slamming doors and disembodied voices, lasted 26 days in the haunted house before moving out.

Watch Amityville Horror House now on discovery+

Photo: Paul Hawthorne/Getty

Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC

Within the walls of this mansion are secret passageways and hidden doors along with some paranormal residents. Guests to the estate say they've heard a woman calling out and some even say they've seen apparitions.

Photo: George Rose/Getty

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