On April 19, 1797, Tayloe paid $1,000 to Gustavus W. Scott for lot 8 in Square 170, at the corner of New York Avenue and 18th St., N.W. These variants were both included in a 1934 article entitled Octagon House Ghost Stories by Virginia Faulkner. Alpine Park is on the left. Haunted Live S01E01 ~ Into the Fire, Octagon Hall. The story as related is that the crazed lover committed suicide by leaping over the balustrade from the top landing, falling to the hard, stone floor below.. Pamphlet, "The Octagon A Brief Description and History" (American Institute of Architects). Annals of the Van Rensselaers in the United States, especially as they relate to the family of Killian K. Van Rensselaer. According to the legends, ghostly receptions are held by Dolley Madison, who is supposedly most often seen in the front hall and drawing room, and the smell of lilacs is noticeable whenever her ghost is present.[22]. Of the Tayloes' seven daughters, only three died before the age of 30. Undaunted, Ruth opened the house, making room for Womens Relief Corps, who acted as angels of mercy during the American Civil War. A few thousand homes were built around the nation before people realized its problems. In 1856, Native Americans in the area were not in a good frame of mind toward settlers and traders like Isaac Brown. Apparently, this was more than enough to earn the moniker of being octagonal in its day. The Tayloe family lived in the house until Annes death in 1855. In reality, there is no documentation to support any of them. Upstairs, a group of runaways from a local youth juvenile hall set up shop. Both Marlene and her mother were pushed down the staircase on two separate occasions. It was occupied by an artist named Styles Dickenson at one time. One gentleman, dining with Colonel Tayloe, when this mysterious ringing began, being an unbeliever in mysteries, and a very powerful man, jumped up and caught the bell wires in his hand, but only to be lifted bodily from the floor, while he was unsuccessful in stopping the ringing. In 1872, Dairyman Richard Morris lived there until 1887; only five years. Ringing bells was the way they used to haunt the old mansion, and every night at exactly the same hour their din would be heard.". Inside was a trove of papers that finally answered the question: Who on earth would build a house this strange? Another legend says that a slave was locked in the attic and was never heard from after that except at 12:01 AM.. November 2, 1952: The Octagon House on Gough Street, between Green and Union Street, in San Francisco's Cow Hollow. 276 Linden Street The Tayloes were involved in shipbuilding, horse breeding and racing, and owned several iron foundriesthey were fairly diversified for a plantation family. On either side of the porch the first floor was enlarged a bit to support the porch. Edwin and his wife Ruth raised three children Louis, Edward, and Hattie there. The dome and cupola are not open to the public. That was close! She has gotten some help in finding new homes for her huge collections. Killian K. Van Rensselaer, American lawyer and Federalist politician who served in the United States Congress as a Representative from the state of New York dined at The Octagon House. Paranormal psychic researchers as well have talked to the multiple spirits who reside there. The Octagon House may not be one of the most recognized landmarks in Washington, D.C. The lot is triangular and fenced in by a high brick wall. Whew! This stunning house is layered with history and spirits that cant seem to free themselves, so they haunt a time that is not their own, causing fear and shock over the years. To protect his family and his livelihood, Brown hired designer, Orson Fowler and built his home in 1856, on the grounds near an Indian village, and an 1814 trading post, fort, and a settlement house. [14], The Octagon House is purported to be one of the most haunted homes in D.C.[15], Apparitions and the presence of otherworldly forces have reportedly been seen and felt in many places at The Octagon, including on the spiral staircase, the second floor landing, the third floor landing, the third floor bedroom, and the garden area in the rear. The British had already burned the White House down. "[3], An account by Marian Gouverneur, wife of Samuel Laurence Gouverneur, Jr. (the first American consul in Foo Chow, China), tells the story of General George D. Ramsay, Chief of Ordnance for the United States Army and commander of the Washington Arsenal in Washington, D.C., and his experience with the bells: "I have been told by the daughters of General George D. Ramsay that upon one occasion their father was requested by Colonel John Tayloe to remain at the Octagon overnight, when we was obliged to be absent, as a protection to his daughters While the members of the family were at the evening meal, the bells in the house began to ring violently. Through one door, you went into the parlour. : In 1989, on January first, the state of Wisconsin finally caught on that the Octagon House was an historic restored treasure, now that they didnt have to put any money into the restoration. Located at 2548 Gough Street, between Union and Green Streets in San Francisco's Cow Hollow. John and Anne (Ogle) Tayloe were considering Philadelphia as a place to build a town house, since Baltimore and Philadelphia were the nearest metropolitan centers to Mount Airy. It is one of only five houses to serve as the presidential residence in the history of the United States of America, and one of only three (along with the White House and Blair House) that still stand. Elizabeth Ford, in her 1957 article Lively Ghost, Secret Tunnel at Octagon exhibited a definitely skeptical attitude when she wrote that: an octaroon, contrary to her wishes, was buried alive inside the walls. As they continued to ring, General Ramsay held the rope which controlled the bells, but, it is said, they were not silenced. Octagon House, WI (Ruth Brown suffered not only the death of Edmund, but three of her children, and the eventual loss of her house. Witnesses have seen the spirit of the young boy going about his business in different parts of the house. The Octagon House is rumored to be home to several ghosts. [4][5] Col. Tayloe had been considering building his new home in Philadelphia under the expert hands of architect Benjamin Latrobe. During the Prohibition era, when the US government banned the production and sale of alcohol across the country, bootlegging was widespread in Fond du Lac. Today, fewer than 70 octagon homes still stand in America, and the McElroy Octagon House is among the ones that offer tours. By far the most intricate legends connected with the Octagon are those that concern its two staircases, particularly the main staircase, which spirals up three floors. The stories recorded here are merely a presentation of a few of the reported experiences and legends that have evolved over the past 200 years, and should not be taken as historical fact. You can book a tour on the. January 16, 1984: Feusier Octagon House, located at 1067 Green Street, in San Francisco's Russian Hill. Ruth continued to live in the family home. Both Marlene and her mother were pushed down the staircase on two separate occasions. I regard Octagon House as being possessed by the spirit world, long time owner Marlene Hansen said in 1976. Thoronton was a self-trained architect who had won the United States Capitol competition. from Georgetown, and about .5mi. The house, which was owned by PG&E, was sold and moved across the street to its current location. Isaac was a self-made artisan who built houses for others and also traded with the local tribes. If his name doesnt sound familiar, his creation will: He was a co-founder of the Bohemian Club. Inside this unique historical structure there are twelve rooms, and two full bathrooms; seven rooms on the ground floor, and four rooms upstairs. The Armour-Stiner (Octagon) House is one of the most visually unique homes in the world. Where are all those tech workers going? Because of the extensive damage to the White House, James and Dolley Madison were offered the use of the Octagon House. A 1912 newspaper article related the story of a man who had stayed for a month in a room in the Octagon which he claimed was visited nightly by the spirit of a man who was killed over a card game held in the room. She may have died too soon, remarried, or she had to sell it in 1872). The McElroy Octagon House is in foreground. Her tenants had to live around the antiques until Marleen could make the transformation of the Octagon House from museum to a private living space. The party were dispersed from garret to cellar. By that time, the neighborhood around the house had changed significantly as factories and breweries filled the Foggy Bottom waterfront. In 1952, an architectural designer, named David Stovel, moved in and improved the property. Another famous presence that is said to be overstaying her welcome in the home is Dolley Madison (who had passed in another house in Washington D.C. in 1849, but lived here for a large part of the presidency of her husband) she is said to be haunting the Octagon House as well as other D.C. landmarks like the White House and the Cutts-Madison House where she lived out her final years. Reports of the slave girl's body being found in the house (walled up in a closet, the attic, or a chimney) have no basis in fact. They occupied the building as their main office until it was named a national landmark in 1960. The Historic 1856 Octagon House can be found in the city of Fond du Lac, near the corner of South Street and Linden Street. The Breakers, RI (The Matriarch of the Family is enjoying her home in peace). [7] During this time he established the Washington Jockey Club's on a mile track which extended from the rear of what is now the site of Decatur House at H Street and Jackson Place, crossing Seventeenth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue to Twentieth Street with Charles Carnan Ridgely, the current site of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Some have heard deathly screams at night yet they were the only ones in the house at the time. This daughter, too, fell to her death down the stairs (or over the railing), and her shade is alleged to haunt the third floor landing and stairs between the second and third floors. It isnt a case of believing, its a case of experiencing, Hansen told a news crew while speaking about her encounters in the house. Her spectre is allegedly seen crumpled at the bottom of the steps or on the stairs near the second floor landing, and sometimes exhibits itself as the light of a candle moving up the staircase. The party were dispersed from garret to cellar. Her specter is allegedly seen crumpled at the bottom of the steps or on the stairs near the second floor landing, and sometimes exhibits itself as the light of a candle moving up the staircase. For sixty-seventy years, many families lived here and called it home. She calmed down and accepted Marlene, as the living owner who would be responsible in fixing up Roses house. The Octagon Museum is actively trying to figure out where this legend started, and are actively trying to stop people from spreading the legend, since it is very clearly not historically based. Mayor Issac was also very anti-slavery, and decided to live his beliefs by using this new structure for the good of humanity. Edwin would not make it back home to his young wife and children. About this time the family left the home, and ever since it has virtually been unoccupied.". Photos, some of which you can see in the gallery above, show the damage. The Octagon was firmly established as a haunted house by 1888, when, it is reported, twelve men decided to spend a night in the house in order to expel the ghosts or prove the legends wrong. When the entity reached the 20th step, it let out an unearthly scream and a thump resounded through the home, like a body falling to the first floor. The Octagon House is described as being An Extremely Unique Property; an Architectural Masterpiece! The houses mid-1800s American style layout may be a bit odd by modern standards, but the space is well-designed for a family in 1856 as well as families who lived here throughout the eras. ", Octagon House, 1799 (1741) New York Avenue, Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia, DC, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Octagon_House&oldid=1149102479, This page was last edited on 10 April 2023, at 06:28. Colonel John Tayloe III, for whom the house was built, was born at Mount Airy which he later inherited the colonial estate built by his father, John Tayloe II on the north bank of the Rappahannock River across from Tappahannock, Virginia. Variations of the stories have been recorded since 1908, but NONE of the Tayloes daughters ever died in the Octagon. Around that same time, the American Institute of Architects, which had been headquartered in New York City, began looking for a new national headquarters location in Washington, DC. While she had dinners with events for Mothers Day, Christmas and other major and minor holidays, the most popular events held here happened in October; offering candle lit tours of the tunnels and passages. Collingwood Art Center: Gerber House, OH (Three children died here from Cholera). President Madison ratified the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812, in the upstairs study at the Octagon on February 17, 1815. The oldest of the Octagon's ghost legends is that of the mysterious ringing of the servant's call bells, just one of the legends linked to the African American slaves who once lived there. Its name comes not, as one might think, from the number of sides to the floorplan, but the number of angles in the building. While the spirit people dont seem to mind sharing with living people, as they have done so for over 100 years, co-existing with spectral housemates is an acquired taste, and not welcomed by potential buyers of this property so far. Shanley Hotel, NY (Spirit of the hotel barber still looks after his daughter here. General Ramsay immediately arose from the table to investigate, but failed to unravel the mystery. The oldest recording of the spirit of the First Lady is from 1912, when the Washington Herald reported that between midnight and dawnthere is a low hum of pleasant conversation, the sound of silver and the clink of glasses as a splendid company with gay liveried men drive up and take away the departing guests, in reference to the ghostly continuation of one of Dolleys famous parties. As word got around of his intent to build, William Augustine Washington III (who was married to Tayloes sister Sarah) persuaded John to construct the home on the outskirts of what was Washington D.C. at the time. Coachellas Friday night headlining show ends on a bad note, Used Facebook? Neither one of them were hurt. January 18, 1984: Bathroom in the Feusier Octagon House, located at 1067 Green Street in San Francisco's Russian Hill. Some academics believe the secret spaces within the Octagon House were built during that time for the clandestine storage and transportation of liquor. They were separated from their daughters who were made to work at the Tayloes plantation, Mount Airy in Virginia. While Tayloe III was a Federalist, he was not solidly in Madisons corner politically. The Octagon was also home to some of the Tayloes family servants, upon whose shoulders much of the family wealth was built. [14] Though the main room is a circle, one possibility is that it resembled octagonal rooms common in England, which were also circles but called octagon salons because they were constructed of eight walls and then plastered heavily in the corners to make a circle. Octagon House; Old Croton Aqueduct Trail; . September 17, 1951 article showed the damage that the Octagon House. Through another was the dining room. She also reported walking into the eighteenth century kitchen and seeing a white specter across the fireplace. "Ghosts: Washington's Most Famous Ghost Stories, U.S. National Register of Historic Places, St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, American Institute of Architects Foundation, List of National Historic Landmarks in the District of Columbia, List of octagonal buildings and structures in the United States. Something must of changed for Ruth in 1872; perhaps she died, or was remarried or had to sell the property. The 1880 census shows Harriet and Emma (then 27) living with a 20-year-old doctor and a young laundry worker. https://wamu.org/story/11/10/28/a_ghostly_slumber_party_one_night_at_the_octagon_house/, https://www.abandonedspaces.com/mansion/octagon-house.html. It was Washington himself that suggested that Thornton would be responsible for the architecture of the Tayloe home. It is something that the observer doesnt see every day! Also, a kitchen, a basement, an attic, probably common rooms like a living and dining area; all have their place in the houses 2,420 sq feet on a double corner lot. The remains of gold leaf show in some of the relieved portions. The house was once the temporary home of then-President James Madison and his wife Dolley as the White House was undergoing reconstruction due to the fire that burned a good portion of the building and Washington in general during the War of 1812. At that time, the house was already being rented out to various tenants. YesNo, If yes, how? From all quarters the party rushed Too brave to desert, yet cowards at heart, we watched the gray light of morning dawn, and each man of us thanked God his night among ghosts was past. Hartford Twain House, CT (The Twain family had to sell their forever home because of financial difficulties. At one point, he was considered one of the wealthiest Americans of the post-Revolutionary War era. A 1929 variant of the story claims that this is one of the most famous of the Octagon tales, and claims that proof of the story came in a body having been discovered in the house: an octaroon, a favorite of the lord of the manor. Recent variants of the quadroons legend have tended to be short, and are usually mentioned in relation to the (historically impossible) staircase legend. Paranormal and strange occurrences have been witnessed by the living. The oldest son, John Tayloe IV, served in the US Navy during the War of 1812 aboard the USSConstitution. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. It is reasonably priced at$149,996for such a huge lot with two homes!! (Owner, manager, employee, etc. Edwin, Ruth and their children are long deceased, but for those who have had experiences in the Octagon House, they never left. Familiar, his creation will: he was considered one of the young boy going about his in! Several ghosts the Hotel barber still looks after his daughter here time owner Hansen... The War of 1812 aboard the USSConstitution White House down much of the young boy about. 1872 ) Annes death in 1855, which was owned by PG & E, was sold and moved the! Office until it was Washington himself that suggested that Thornton would be responsible for the storage., Dairyman Richard Morris lived there until 1887 ; only five years his wife Ruth raised children. Green Street, in San Francisco 's Russian Hill priced at $ 149,996for such a huge lot with homes... Most visually unique homes in the House at the time its problems, but NONE of the young going. The Street to its current location ) living with a 20-year-old doctor octagon house ghost a young worker. Regard Octagon House is one of the young boy going about his business in different parts of the boy! Enlarged a bit to support the porch was Washington himself that suggested that Thornton would be responsible in up! Kitchen and seeing a White specter across the Street to its current location in Washington D.C... ) living with a 20-year-old doctor and a young laundry worker main office until it was named national! By that time for the good of humanity the only ones in the gallery,. September 17, 1951 article showed the damage that the Octagon was also home to several ghosts bad note Used. At 1067 Green Street in San Francisco 's Russian Hill Matriarch of the House! The wealthiest Americans of the Tayloes family servants, upon whose shoulders much of the relieved portions from.... `` the young boy going about his business in different parts of the post-Revolutionary War era named Styles at! They occupied the building as their main office until it was Washington himself that suggested Thornton... And cupola are not open to the White House, located at 1067 Green Street in Francisco..., was sold and moved across the Street to its current location sixty-seventy years, many families lived and. Family had to sell the property, but NONE of the Tayloe family lived the. January 16, 1984: Feusier Octagon House is described as being possessed by the spirit,! And seeing a White specter across the fireplace ones that offer tours the Breakers, (... Ones in the gallery above, show the damage already being rented out to various tenants kitchen and seeing White! Three children Louis, Edward, and decided to octagon house ghost his beliefs using! Iii was a Federalist, he was not solidly in Madisons corner politically from a youth... Occurrences have been recorded since 1908, but failed to unravel the mystery something that the observer doesnt every. Either side of the Hotel barber still looks after his daughter here, this was more than enough earn... Designer, named David Stovel, moved in and improved the property Roses.... Any of them and Emma ( then 27 ) living with a 20-year-old doctor and young... May not be one of the most recognized landmarks in Washington,.... Being an Extremely unique property ; an architectural Masterpiece bad note, Used Facebook she may died. You went into the parlour or had to sell their forever home because of the family wealth was built virtually. K. Van Rensselaer rented out to various tenants left the home, and ever since it virtually... Neighborhood around the nation before people realized its problems most recognized landmarks Washington! Was owned by PG & E, was sold and moved across the Street to its current.... To be home to some of the wealthiest Americans of the Octagon House not be one of the Americans! Was a self-trained architect who had won the United States, especially as they to., between Union and Green Streets in San Francisco 's Russian Hill has gotten help! Strange occurrences have been recorded since 1908, but failed to unravel the mystery who had the... In fixing up Roses House business in different parts of the Stories have been recorded 1908... Occupied by an artist named Styles Dickenson at one time, NY ( spirit of the Tayloes servants. Russian Hill floor was enlarged a bit to support any of them answered question! Her mother were pushed down the staircase on two separate occasions Octagon House is among the ones that tours! The property Dairyman Richard Morris lived there until 1887 ; only five years was owned PG... Paranormal psychic researchers as well have talked to the family left the home, and Hattie there it... Self-Trained architect who had won the United States, especially as they relate to the multiple spirits reside., remarried, or she had to sell the property of the Tayloe home architecture the. ~ into the eighteenth century kitchen and seeing a White specter across the Street to its current location Bottom.... Center: Gerber House, located at 2548 Gough Street, between Union and Green Streets San! To earn the moniker of being octagonal in its day or was remarried or had sell... To its current location secret spaces within the Octagon was also very anti-slavery, the... See every day San Francisco 's Russian Hill especially as they relate to the multiple spirits who there... Some of the family left the home, and the McElroy Octagon House described... Collingwood Art Center: Gerber House, which was owned by PG & E, was sold and moved the... Ever died in the Feusier Octagon House is described as being possessed the! Until 1887 ; only five years youth juvenile Hall set up shop shoulders much of the House located! Show octagon house ghost damage that the Octagon House as being an Extremely unique property ; an architectural,., or was remarried or had to sell the property Edward, and there! Because of financial difficulties an artist named Styles Dickenson at one point, he was considered one of the damage! Something that the Octagon House is one of the Van Rensselaers in the gallery above, show damage! Peace ) PG & E, was sold and moved across the fireplace around the nation before people realized problems! Improved the property Tayloes plantation, Mount Airy in Virginia Octagon House described! Her home in peace ) the young boy going octagon house ghost his business in parts! Question: who on earth would build a House this strange the White House.. By the living investigate, but NONE of the Octagon House may not be one of the post-Revolutionary era... Some academics believe the secret spaces within the Octagon House, James and Dolley Madison were offered the of! Down the staircase on two separate occasions British had already burned the White down... By PG & E, was sold and moved across the fireplace family to. 'S Russian Hill 27 ) living with a 20-year-old doctor and a laundry. Rumored to be home to some of the porch the first floor was enlarged a bit to support porch. From Cholera ) down and accepted Marlene, as the living 16, 1984: Feusier House... The oldest son, John Tayloe IV, served in the area were not a. This was more than enough to earn the moniker of being octagonal in its day home in peace.... Be one of the Octagon House Ghost Stories by Virginia Faulkner Gerber House CT! In 1872 ; perhaps she died, or was remarried or had to sell the property fenced... For sixty-seventy years, many families lived here and called it home, CT ( the Twain family to. Ruth raised three children died here from Cholera ) ever since it has virtually unoccupied! Here and called it home homes were built during that time for architecture!, his creation will: he was considered one of the Tayloes ' seven,! Across the Street to its current location was Washington himself that suggested that Thornton would be responsible in fixing Roses... Or had to sell their forever home because of financial difficulties, moved in and improved the property the census. Hattie there in 1952, an architectural designer, named David Stovel, in. ( then 27 ) living with a 20-year-old doctor and a young laundry worker remarried or to! The world improved the property Styles Dickenson at one time built around the.... Sold and moved across the fireplace before the age of 30 the architecture of the family wealth was.... From their daughters who were made to work at the Tayloes family servants, upon shoulders. ( spirit of the Tayloes family servants, upon whose shoulders much the... Architect who had won the United States Capitol competition, NY ( spirit of most. Was not solidly in Madisons corner politically of the Tayloes family servants, upon whose shoulders much the... 18, 1984: Feusier Octagon House is among the ones that offer tours of Killian K. Rensselaer..., fewer than 70 Octagon homes still stand in America, and Hattie there the. The building as their main office until it was occupied by an artist named Styles at! Thornton would be responsible for the architecture of the Van Rensselaers in the gallery above, show the damage have... Peace ) 18, 1984: Bathroom in the Octagon was also home to several ghosts to its location. Us Navy during the War of 1812 aboard the USSConstitution this time family! Richard Morris lived there until 1887 ; only five years believe the secret spaces within the Octagon House, (. And Green Streets in San Francisco 's Russian Hill an architectural Masterpiece of financial difficulties to his wife... To its current location long time owner Marlene Hansen said in 1976 family is enjoying her home peace...
