GARNETT HOUSE
Built by D.W. Houston in 1858 in the heart of Garnett, Kansas, the Garnett House was originally intended as a family home. However, after Mrs. Houston became unsettled by its peculiar nighttime ‘swaying,’ it was quickly transformed into a 15-room hotel. Over the years, it has been known by many names, including The Lighthouse Hotel, for its brilliant rooftop lantern visible for miles. But beneath its welcoming glow, shadows of darker tales lingered.
The hotel became a crucial station on the Underground Railroad, its attic providing refuge to escaped slaves under the guidance of abolitionist John Brown. Yet, this historic sanctuary also bore witness to darker events. It became a temporary jail for Sarah Potter, a woman accused of poisoning her husband just weeks after their wedding. Held here for four months, her sudden and unexplained disappearance from the property only deepens the mystery surrounding the Garnett House.
In 1864, the brutal axe murder of a local widow, Mrs. Adeline Duren, cast a dark shadow over the community, this horrendous crime led directly back to the Garnett house attic, where, a man named John Warren was discovered with bloodied clothes. His subsequent confession and hanging added yet another grim chapter to the property’s history.
This building has worn many masks over the decades: a hotel hosting infamous figures like Wyatt Earp and Jesse James, a makeshift schoolhouse, a brothel and a doctor’s office where life, death and experimental treatments are said to have unfolded. Each transformation left its mark, contributing to the energy that now draws paranormal investigators and history buffs through its doors.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY AT THE GARNETT HOUSE
Visitors frequently report unsettling sounds that defy explanation. Heavy boots can be heard pacing the floors of the upper levels and disembodied voices carry on conversations in empty rooms. It’s not uncommon for guests to catch a flicker of movement in their peripheral vision, like a dark shape darting through a doorway only to vanish when they turn to look. Inside the old laboratory, the heavy door has been known to swing open on its own, perhaps a silent invitation from an unseen presence.
The auditory phenomena captured within the house is particularly chilling. The distinct sound of a little girl’s voice coupled with the sounds of laughter often echo through the halls. Investigators have recorded many inexplicable sounds on audio and video equipment. Their recordings have captured everything from stomping feet and bouncing balls to splashes of water and the rattling of chains. Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) sessions have captured intelligent responses, providing compelling evidence, making it an ideal location for investigators to use the Ghost Tube EVP app to delve deeper into its mysteries.
The attic is known for a particularly oppressive and dark atmosphere. Many who venture into this space report an overwhelming sense of dread and unease. Psychics and sensitive individuals have picked up on a malevolent energy, often attributing it to the lingering spirit of John Warren, the man accused of a brutal murder who was found hiding there. This feeling is often accompanied by sightings of a dark shadow figure lurking in the attic’s corners, a silent, menacing presence that deepens the Garnett House’s chilling reputation as a truly haunted location.
VISITING GARNETT HOUSE
From its foundations laid by D.W. Houston to the secrets held within its attic, the Garnett House is more than just a historic building. Its halls have welcomed heroes of the Old West and sheltered fugitives. The property has witnessed everything from the quiet desperation of the Underground Railroad to the grim aftermath of a brutal murder and the strange tale of Sarah Potter. Each chapter, as a hotel, a doctor’s office and a makeshift jail, has layered the building with an energy that seems to linger long after the guests have checked out. If you want to experience the tumultuous history of the Garnett House for yourself there are overnight stays available for those brave enough to visit.
If you found the strange paranormal activity at the Garnett House fascinating you may also enjoy reading about the hauntings of the Jennie Wade House a location stained by courage and tragedy.
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