Overview
Designated one of the most haunted houses in America by the US Commerce Department, this 1857 Greek Revival home was built on the site of a public gallows where Yankee Jim Robinson was hanged in 1852. Robinson's spirit is reportedly heard walking through the house, and the apparition of Thomas Whaley himself has been seen in the courtroom wing. Visitors describe cold spots, the sound of boots on the stairs and the scent of a Havana cigar in rooms that have been empty for over a century.
Attributed paranormal accounts
These are reported experiences and local accounts, not independently verified events.
Visitors and staff report heavy footsteps, cold spots, apparitions and the sound of boots on the stairs. Some also describe smelling cigar smoke in empty rooms and sightings of Thomas Whaley or a figure believed to be Yankee Jim Robinson.
History & background
Built in 1857, the Whaley House was constructed on the site of a former public gallows where Yankee Jim Robinson was executed in 1852. Today, it operates as a museum and is widely regarded as one of America's most famous allegedly haunted historic homes.