Winchester Mystery House

The Winchester Mystery House is one of the genuinely strange buildings in the United States. Sarah Winchester, heir to the Winchester rifle fortune, began construction in 1884 and continued non-stop until her death in 1922, resulting in a sprawling Victorian mansion of 160 rooms with staircases that lead into ceilings, doors that open onto blank walls, and windows built into floors. The architectural quirks were long attributed to Sarah's belief that she was haunted by the victims of the Winchester rifle; more recent interpretations suggest she was simply a wealthy eccentric who loved building.

Tours run throughout the day and take about an hour. The house is atmospheric and the guides are good. There are also flashlight tours on Friday and Saturday evenings for those who want the full gothic experience. Located in the Willow Glen area, southwest of downtown San Jose.

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A story
Sarah Winchester inherited $20 million and a 50% stake in the Winchester Repeating Arms Company when her husband died in 1881. She then spent the next 38 years building and rebuilding her house continuously, never stopping until her own death in 1922. Whether the building campaign was driven by grief, eccentric architectural ambition, or a belief that she was haunted by the souls of those killed by Winchester rifles, no one is certain — and that uncertainty is part of what makes the house so compelling.

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