Winchester Mystery House

The Winchester Mystery House is a unique mansion located at 525 Winchester Boulevard in San Jose, California. Its construction began in 1884, and was financed and built by Sarah L. Winchester, the heiress of the man who invented and manufactured the Winchester rifle. Construction continued 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, until her death 38 years later in 1922. This has been estimated to have cost about 5.5 million dollars.

Background

With the death of her husband in 1881, Sarah inherited over $20 million. She also received 48.9 percent of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company resulting in an income of about $1000 per day, none of which was taxable until 1913.

Related Topics:
1881 - Winchester Repeating Arms Company - 1913

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Sarah had lost her husband and also her only child, a daughter, who died in infancy 15 years earlier. Deeply grieved and seeking solace, she consulted a spiritualist on the advice of a friend. Known as the Boston Medium by those who follow this mystery, the medium, among other things, told her that there was a curse upon the Winchester family because of the guns that they manufactured which had taken so many lives. She told Sarah, "Thousands of persons have died because of it and their spirits are now seeking vengeance."

Related Topics:
Husband - Daughter - Spiritualist - Friend

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Although this is disputed, many believe that the Boston Medium told her she needed to travel west, leaving her home in New Haven. The medium did tell her to leave, but it is unknown if he or she told her for certain it was westbound she had to go. Regardless, there she would start a new life, "and build a home for yourself and for the spirits who have fallen from this terrible weapon too. You can never stop building the house. If you continue building, you will live. Stop and you will die."

Related Topics:
West - New Haven

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She moved to Santa Clara County in California in 1884. She was convinced that she was guided by the hand of her late husband.

Related Topics:
Santa Clara County - California - 1884

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The direction from the medium is the reason she built her house in such a haphazard fashion and some believe it was to distract the spirits who were seeking her. She was reported to have slept in a different room each night for some time.

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Many believe that she selected Santa Clara County, California because of the climate. Sarah Winchester suffered from horrible arthritis, and the Mediterranean-like climate is known to help soothe aching joints.

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