Own the Real Haunted Mansion
Disney fans take note: the house that was the inspiration behind the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is up for sale. The Harry Packer Mansion was built in 1874 and is in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, a town that is known for its appreciation of Victorian architecture. Despite appearances (and the fact that it is currently used to host Murder Mystery Weekends), the current owners assure prospective buyers that the interior "is anything but spooky," with high ceilings, Tiffany stained glass windows, marble fireplaces, period antiques and fabrics. The mansion is about 4,500-sq. ft. and is priced at $1.75 million.
[the disney blog via boing boing]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Lisa Sep 28th 2006 5:44PM
I've actually visitd this home, and although it's beautiful inside, it's the proverbial Money Pit. The city of Jim Thorpe (and old coal mining, steel and rail roading town) is quaint though. If you buy this home, plan to spend no less than $1 MIL in renovations! Jim Thorpe is built on the side of a mountain, and although it's named after Jim Thorpe, an Olympic decathalon winner, the man never set FOOT into the city borders! Just some trivia for you! hee hee :)
Nicole Sep 29th 2006 1:33PM
I was wondering how it could be any less than $2 million!
Sherry Oct 5th 2006 8:43PM
It's haunted! I'll take it!
Bobbie Oct 5th 2006 9:03PM
This place is a bed and breakfast - Im absolutely sure that no one is falling through the floors. I know this because I've been there. This house is absolutely magnificent, and at 1.75 mil - it's a steal. (By the way, it definitely IS haunted, ask the sellers WHAT pushed WHO down the basement stairs)....by the way, Jim Thorpe is BURIED in Jim Thorpe, so obviously, he DID step foot into the city borders. This is THE best house in THE best little town in the whole entire country.
Wayne Baxter Denbow Oct 5th 2006 9:29PM
The HAUNTED MANSION at Disneyland architecturally is based on the "Homewood" estate in Natchez, Mississippi.
It was built in the "Greek Revival" style.
The house you feature in your article is a type of Victorian architecture called "Second Empire".
I'm curious what realionship you are trying to make between the two.
It appears the owners are trying to cash in the Disney name.
John Burns Oct 5th 2006 9:29PM
This house looks more like the original Haunted Mansion at Disneyland, in Anaheim, than the one at Walt Disney World in Florida.
Danielle Oct 5th 2006 10:06PM
Who cares?! It's a beautiful house. If you're not buying it then just bask in its beauty.
Jen Oct 5th 2006 10:07PM
My house was haunted. We had 4 ghosts hanging out here. One liked to throw mirrors across the bathroom, 2 liked to watch over my daughter and 1 little boy ghost liked to play with my little one's electronic toys at night. We had ghost hunters ask them to leave but they still come to visit from time to time. If you want the real deal you can move into my house.
Mars Oct 5th 2006 10:17PM
I think you have your disneys mized up. The California Disneyland is a Greek Revival home . This house, however, was at least partially the basis for the Orlando Disneyworld Haunted mansion.
Wayne Baxter Denbow Oct 5th 2006 10:25PM
It is a very beautiful home.
It can stand on it's own without making claims that it inspired a classic Disneyland attraction.
Wayne Baxter Denbow Oct 5th 2006 10:24PM
The HAUNTED MANSION in The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World (in Florida) appears to be Gothic Revival with Jacobian influences.
Kat Oct 5th 2006 10:35PM
there is no such thing as ghosts or the tooth fairy (sorry to burst bubbles)
kris Oct 5th 2006 10:46PM
GET A LIFE PEOPLE!So what if these people are cashing in on Disney if they can do it,great for them it's about time that real people get what is coming to them.Is it haunted ? Who cares.Do you want it then buy it.That's the way life is,people get over it.
Laura Oct 8th 2006 4:47PM
No such thing as ghosts? How can you be so sure???
wbd Oct 5th 2006 10:55PM
Equating folklore with an opinion on subjective concepts of the afterlife is idiotic thinking and has nothing to do with someone trying to dupe the public with claims that an old house in Pennsylvania was the inspiration for a classic theme park attraction.
Sgt. Jerre Hurst Oct 5th 2006 11:25PM
People, get a life! Who gives a damn about a house that "Real People" like my fellow soldiers who are dying for this country, could never afford! This just goes to show you how screwed up peoples priorities really are.....
James Oct 5th 2006 11:19PM
It is a beautiful house and I would like to visit it in person. Sorry Kat, We don't call them Ghost. But there are Spirits that roam this world. We have saw several in and around our home.
Jim
jullina Oct 5th 2006 11:19PM
it is a beautiful Mansion and if i had the money i would buy it and i would not care how much it would cost to fix it up.
Dea Oct 5th 2006 11:21PM
Hi Jen,
Really? Are you on the east coast? Would love to know more about it!
Deana
faith Oct 5th 2006 11:39PM
let's finalize the argument on which house was which influence: take a look at http://www.betterhaunts.com/hmfaq/ - "MYSTERY" solved!