Most Haunted Places in America: Stickney Mansion
Over the years, Crystal Lake has become a haven for Chicagoans that are looking forward to moving to the sleepy suburb just northwest of the city limits. There has been an abundance of growth and homes in the area quickly sell with the exception of one. Just north of Crystal Lake in the small town of Bull Valley, there is a huge and strange looking house known as the Stickney Mansion.
Built in 1849 by George Stickney, the house is known for its corner less walls and outside structure. It’s been told that they design of the home was based on the Stickney’s belief in Spiritualism due to the yearning to communicate with their deceased children. For many years, the wealthy came to the Stickney’s from all over the Midwest to participate in their séance’s which took place on the second floor of the house.
The Stickney Mansion was also known to house Federal Soldiers during the Civil War and the Stickney’s had the first piano in McHenry County Illinois. However, these events are not the reason why the Stickney Mansion became a legend in its own right.
Stickney Mansion was built to exactly two stories tall. The top floor was turned into a ballroom which was the size of the entire upstairs! However, all of the corners of the home with the exception of one were rounded instead of at 90 degrees.
In Spiritualistic religion, they believe that corners trap the spirits they call upon, which can anger them and cause grave danger to anyone that is in its path. It’s been stated that corners also can attract the evil spirits that may be upon them. This held true, because George Stickney was found dead by the only corner in the house. He had a frightened look on his face with his hands wrapped around his throat. The exact cause of death is unknown.
After the death of George, Sylvia had become a well known medium, which had turned the ballroom into a séance chamber. People from all over came to the out of the way home to contact their loved ones and relatives from beyond the grave. Sylvia had also said that she could keep in contact with her deceased husband and their children.
For several years, owners would occupy and then abruptly leave the Stickney Mansion due to paranormal activity. There have been claims of objects moving, strange sounds, human voices other than their own, and footsteps coming from the upstairs ballroom. One even came face to face with an apparition of George Stickney’s father-in-law. In 1979, the National Registry of Historic Places had made the Stickney Mansion into a historic landmark.
Finally, in 1985, the city of Bull Valley purchased the historic home and turned it into their town hall and police department. Some officers have made claims about the strange activities that have happened in the Stickney Mansion, which as supposedly caused two officers to quit their jobs because of the haunting’s there.
The Stickney Mansion has been a landmark for many years not only for the age of the home but for its scary and unique design. However, the story behind the home may only be a myth; this is something that you should check out yourself if you dare visit one of the most haunted places in America.
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