Famous Haunted Houses in America
Haunted houses have been a part of America's culture for centuries. Various attractions and naturally creepy hot spots are popping up all over, promising historic hauntings for large groups to enjoy. However, the original houses and hotels built around mystery, intrigue, and rumor fascinate those looking for the real thing.
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History
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In the 1820s, General Andrew Jackson, who became an American president later, went to confirm rumors about the famous Bell Witch of Tennessee. The Bell Witch was believed to be a poltergeist that had plagued the home of John and Luce Bell since 1817. The general's wagon was immobilized before he could get to the house, and he believed it was the poltergeist's doing.
Definition
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A haunting is defined as recurrent paranormal manifestations by psychical researchers, the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research. A haunting is typically linked to a specific place, and not a person.
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Theory
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The Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, theorizes that poltergeist hauntings may be caused by tectonic strain of the earth's crust. The resulting electromagnetic energy could effect the temporal lobe in the brain, and thus produce images.
Cultural Influence
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The Amityville Horror movie and bestselling book are based on the haunted home of the Defoe family. Their son killed six family members, and claimed a demonic force in the house drove him to do it.
Fun Fact
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In 1881, widower Sarah Winchester feared evil spirits were in her home so much that she designed over 100 rooms and staircases to confuse them. Some of the doors and staircases lead to dead ends, giving it name the "Winchester Mystery House".
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