Haunted Atchison, Kansas

irisheyes · Haunted Atchison, Kansas

Haunted Atchison, Kansas

Glick Mansion, 503 North Second Street - Construction on the Glick Mansion was began in 1873 by George Washington Glick. Glick had moved to Atchison from Fremont, Ohio in the spring of 1859 with his wife Lizzie Ryder Glick, son Frederick H. and daughter with his Jennie. Soon, he established a law practice with the Honorable Judge Alfred G. Otis under the firm name "Otis & Glick". When the war between the states broke out, Glick served as a Union soldier in the 2d Kansas Regiment during the Civil War.

In April, 1873, Glick purchased two lots for $950.00 and razed a structure that was on the property to begin the building of the mansion. First built in the old Gothic Victorian style, construction of the grand structure would continue for the next 39 years.

George Washington Glick

Glick was elected to the Kansas Legislature in 1862 and served 14 of the next 18 years in that post. In 1874, Glick also became active in farming and stock raising on his 600 acre “Shannon Hill” farm, which was well known in the area.

In 1879, Lizzie Glick, George’s wife, purchased two adjoining lots north of their home for $1,000 and another building was raised to make room for expansion of the mansion. It was also during this year, that George Washington Glick would become the 9th governor of Kansas, and the first ever Democratic governor of the state. Though he only remained in office for one term, he continued to remain active in the political arena, as well as being active in local businesses, participating as one of the original founders of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad.

After years of civic service, George Glick was forced to abandon his political career because of a throat infection that nearly destroyed his ability to speak. He continued, however, as an attorney for various railroads. He also managed his farm and served as a charter member and first vice president of the Kansas Historical Society.

In October of 1909, George deeded the Glick Mansion property to his daughter Jennie and her husband James Orr. Just two years later, at the age of 83, George Washington Glick died on April 13, 1911.

In 1912, James and Jennie Orr began to remodel the home, retaining the appearance of the mansion but transforming it from a Victorian style to the current Tudor Revival Manor style. When James Orr died in ebruary, 1927, the mansion was left with Jennie until her death in 1944.

Having no children, the estate was divided among relatives, friends, the First Church of Christ Scientist of Atchison, Kansas and the Atchison, Kansas Public Library. The mansion was then sold by the estate to the local mortician, named William Stanton Jr. in January 1945 for $4,000 dollars. After Mr. Stanton passed away in August, 1962, his wife Amelia sold the property to James M. and Christeen Griffith. It passed through several hands until it was purchased by its current owners Ray and Joyce Barmby, he currently own and operate the beautiful, restored mansion as a Bed and Breakfast Inn.

The Glick Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 26, 1992.

Along with the rest of Atchison, the Glick Mansion is also said to have a ghost of its own rattling around in this century old home. Allegedly, the strange sounds heard in the night are that of a resident benevolent ghost.

The sounds of doors being opened and inexplicably closed by unseen forces is a common occurrence, as well as the sounds of footsteps when no one is around.

Today, guests can enjoy the century old home by sipping English Tea or wine and tasting the lovely d'oeuvres in the parlor.

Contact Information:

Tuck You Inn at Glick Mansion

503 North Second Street

Atchison, Kansas 66002

913-367-9110

McInteer Villa:

This stately mansion, called the McInteer Villa, at 1301 Kansas Avenue was built by Irish Immigrant, John McInteer in 1890. The villa was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 26, 1975 and odd phenomena is reported in the mansion, including lights turning on and off in the tower, which does not have electricity. People walking or driving past the building have often reported seeing figures at the windows when no one is in the house. Figures have often been reported to appear in photographs taken inside the old villa.

Benedictine College:

Located on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River, the 150 year old Benedictine College, is also said to be haunted. Not by evil spirits, this historic college is said to remain home to the spirits of some of the old monks who founded the institution more than a century and a half ago. Continuing to look after and protect the old school, at least one of these spirits is known to be lurking about Ferrell Hall, a campus dormitory.

It all began in 1858, when the monks opened a boarding school with just six students. The following year, St. Benedict’s College was officially opened with 16 students. From there, the college continued to grow into the beautiful 120 acre campus which now serves the educational needs of over 1000 students.

The Benedictine College is said to be haunted by the monks that built this institution more than a century and a half ago.

At another dormitory called Memorial Hall, several eerie things have been known to occur. According to legend, a coed once gave birth to a baby in the closet of her room. Unlike most dormitories, the walk-in closets are very large at Memorial Hall. Alas, the poor girl's baby later died. Today, students in this dorm have often reported the feeling of a child climbing into their beds with them at night.

Another girl who was in her closet changing, when the dresser mysteriously moved in front of the door. When she tried to open the door, it wouldn't budge. Immediately believing her roommate was playing a prank on her, she yelled out "haha, very funny, let me out." However, her roommate wasn't even in the room. It wasn't until she began to scream at the top of her lungs, that someone finally came to her rescue.

Another girl reported that while she was at the mirror in her room, her desk chair began to rock, then suddenly stopped. Frightened she immediately left the room, and was to afraid to return for some time.

While all manner of freakish occurrences have been reported at the college, they are seemingly harmless to the students of Benedictine College.

Reader Update: I am a sophomore at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas and last year, when I was a freshman, I lived in the Memorial Dorm. On my very first night at the dorm, I was awakened at 3:00 a.m. by a noise in my room. When I opened my eyes, I was startled to see someone standing in my closet rifling through my belongings. Exhausted and thinking it might be some kind of prank being played as part of “Recruitment Week,” I said nothing, as the person came and went several times, always returning to the closet. The next morning, my roommate stated that she had also heard the commotion from the night before. Checking the closet the next morning, I found it to be a mess. When I reported the strange event the next morning to the Resident Director, she responded that perhaps someone might have inadvertently gone into the wrong room. However, our door was locked. To this day, both my roommate and I are convinced that we were visited that night by a ghostly spirit. - Maria, October, 2004

Haunted Atchison, courtesy Atchison, Kansas Website

A house is never silent in darkness

to those who listen intently;

there is a whispering in distant chambers,

and earthly hand presses the snib of the window,

the latch rises.

Ghosts were created when the first man

woke in the night.

-- James Matthew Barrie, "The Little Minister"

Atchison is proclaimed to be the most haunted town in Kansas, so much so that a haunted homes tour is available on the Atchison Trolley. This old town once played host to over 1600 wagons per day as settlers made their way west enroute to the gold Fields of California in the 1850’s. Some of these early settlers have apparently chosen to stay in Atchison in a ghostly form. The town is full of stories about ghostly sightings and other paranormal events.

Located in northeast Kansas, Atchison is situated on the bluffs along the Missouri River and is one of one of the most scenic and historic towns in Kansas. Brick streets climb hills and wind along river bluffs, offering sweeping views of the river valley beyond. Grand Victorian homes with carriage houses recall glorious days when wealthy lumber merchants and railroad magnates walked the streets.

The town of Atchison is so haunted that the Travel Channel has done a special segment called Haunted Town that depicts many of the haunted places in Atchison, including Sallie's House, Benedictine College, and more.

The Hauntings

Atchison Street – This road, once known as Ferry Street, travels down a steep hill toward the Missouri River. Long ago locals would board the ferry at the landing at the bottom of the hill. When it was still referred to as Ferry Street, a woman traveling down the road in a buggy lost control of her horses, became unhitched from the animals and plummeted down the street into the freezing river. Trapped inside, her drowned body was never recovered. Today, men walking along the riverbank have heard a woman calling them to join her in the murky water below.

Gargoyle Home, 819 N. 4th Street -- More often referred to as the Waggener House, this turn-of-the-century home was built in 1884-1885 by B.P. Waggener, who was a lawyer and politician in the Atchison area in the late 1800’s. While gargoyles are usually erected to scare off evil spirits, legend has it that Waggener accumulated his wealth through a deal with the devil and the gargoyles were constructed in honor of the pact. It is said that the house is afflicted by an evil curse. One homeowner, who attempted to remove the gargoyles, fell to his death on the staircase. A segement on the Travel Channel reported that Kansas City Ghost Hunters, while visiting the home, picked up the presence of ghosts on their special equipment and reported having felt a presence in the house. This house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 3, 1974 and is located at 819 N. 4th Street.

.

The Globe -- The local newspaper office is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former editor who died under mysterious circumstances. Several staff members, working during the night, report that the locked back door has a tendency to open and close by itself.

Jackson park courtesy Leisure and Sports Review
Jackson Park – A woman by the name of “Molly” is said to haunt this park. Supposedly, moaning and terrifying screams can be heard throughout the park around midnight. According to one legend, Molly was a beautiful young woman who was found dead in the park the day after her prom. She was found hanging by her neck to a park tree in a hollow with her clothes badly torn. Allegedly, she and her date had argued the night before and when Molly exited the car, her date drove off leaving her in the park. It was never determined if her death was by her own hand or was a murder. Though, some suspected that her prom date killed her, no one was ever charged.

Another legend of the park's haunting states that Molly was a black woman who was lynched by a white mob years ago. Rather than the eerie screams of a young prom girl, the cries instead come from the brutal slaying of an African-American Molly. In any case, the area today is known as Molly’s Hollow where couples go to "park." In addition to Molly’s chilling cries, many witnesses also claim to have seen a ghostly figure hanging in the tree where her body was discovered.

North 3rd Street Home – This home was once inhabited by an elderly, single schoolteacher named Nellie Trueblood. Companionless and bereft she died in the house. When the house was sold, the new owners began to make renovations, evidently to Nellie’s chagrin. It is said that when crews are working within the house they report seeing gleaming balls of light measuring 18-24 inches, which hover just out of reach. If approached, the lights quickly move away. Frightened the work crews quickly abandon the project before the restorations are ever completed.

Riverview Drive Home – Several strange occurrences have been reported in this house such as the television and stereo mysteriously turning on at full volume and noises from rooms where no one is occupying. On one such an occasion, the resident thought the noise was her dog and called out to him. However, instead of the dog responding to her call, an elderly woman ghostly spirit entered the room. Wrapped in a shroud, the spirit smoothed a place on the bed and sat next to the resident. Screaming, the resident ran from the room to be answered by the slamming of the attic door behind her. Another strange experience has occurred to several guests who have stayed within the house. Apparently, when guests stay in this home they are instructed to place their luggage at a space at the top of the stairs, which leads to the attic. However, the spirit seemingly doesn’t like the suitcases stored in this area because the luggage is often found tossed to the bottom of the stairs.

Kearny & 5th Street Home – According the former owners of this house, a friendly ghost lingers here. While there are many unexplained events, such as the sounds of someone walking throughout the house, this ghost is seemingly very helpful. At one point, the ghost helped the man of house into his dinner jacket. Thinking his wife had helped him he turned around to thank her, but no one was there. On another occasion, when the couple was returning home from a trip, the wife mentioned that she would love to have a cup of tea when she got home. Upon their arrival home, a teakettle was hissing and a cup, saucer, tea bag, and spoon were sitting on the counter.

Riverview Drive & R Street Home – When this home was purchased by the current owners, it came completely furnished including several paintings on the wall. Making changes to their new home, the new owners removed several of the paintings, wrapped them carefully, then placed them in the basement for storage. However, the very next day, every single painting was back in its original location.