Beautifully Eerie Abandoned Mansions That Were Probably Once Worth Millions
There is something eerily beautiful about abandoned mansions. It might be the ivy growing on the walls, the cracked foundation, or the creepy tales surrounding the property, but more so the fact that once upon a time, these places were worth a nice chunk of change.
From the creepy Lynnewood Hall to the ruins of Ha Ha Tonka Mansion, these upcoming abandoned mansions were probably once worth millions.
Villa de Vecchi
Villa de Vecchi, the "House of Witches," dates back to 1854-1857. Built as a summer home for Count Felix De Vecchi and his family, the mansion has a spooky history.
After tragedy struck the family, the mansion was vacated in the 1960s. Then a 2002 avalanche took out each home in the area, except this one!
Elda Castle
Located in Ossining, New York, Elda Castle was built in the 1920s for David T. Abercrombie, co-founder of the apparel store Abercrombie & Fitch. Designed by his wife, Lucy Abbott Cate, the castle name, Elda, was an acronym for their children, Elizabeth, Lucy, David, and Abbott.
The castle was sold various times throughout the years. As of 2021, it is on the market for $3.2 million.
Ashlar Hall
The mock castle Ashlar Hall was completed in 1896 for real estate developer Robert Brinkley Snowden. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the mansion was handed over and used by various restaurants throughout the 1950s.
While the mansion is currently abandoned, it was used in 2019 as a venue for the production "Rites of Spring."
Bannerman's Castle
In 1900, Francis Bannerman VI purchased Pollepel island off the coast of New York to expand his ever-growing military surplus business. While building the store, Bannerman also constructed a castle on the island as a personal residence.
In 1969, a fire ravished the castle, and the island was deemed unsafe to the public.
Lui Family Mansion
The Lui Family Mansion is an example of traditional Chinese garden architecture in Taiwan. Located in the Banqiao District, New Taipei City, Taiwan, the mansion was originally constructed by the Lin Ben Yuan family as a private residence.
Located on 4.9 acres of land, the mansion and its four surrounding gardens are open to the public for guided tours.
The Outlaw House
Dating back to 1914, the Outlaw House was an example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, something not commonly seen in Alabama. According to Abandoned Southeast, the mansion was bought by George Outlaw in 1925, the owner of the restaurant chain Morrison's Cafeteria.
While the mansion lay vacant, as of 2021, it is technically still owned by the Outlaw family.
Casa Sperimentale
Casa Sperimentale, also known as the Casa Albero, Treehouse, was constructed between 1968 and 1975 in the pine forests of Fregene, Italy. Designed as an experimental villa, the treehouse is suspended above the ground with reinforced concrete frames.
There is even a pool and spa located on the ground level!
Ha Ha Tonka Mansion
Located just outside of Camdenton, Missouri, Ha Ha Tonka State Park houses the ruins of Ha Ha Tonka Mansion. Once upon a time, the 20th century stone mansion looked like a castle, as it was designed after 16th-century European castles.
Sadly, the mansion was destroyed by a fire in the 1930s.
Lennox Castle
Located in Lennoxtown, Glasgow, Scotland, the Lennox Castle was built by David Hamilton in 1837. The three-story building was first was constructed over four years and was first owned by John Lennox Kincaid.
During World War I, the castle was converted into a military hospital before being repurposed into a psychiatric facility. By 2002, the hospital was completely shut down, with only the original castle standing by the end of 2004.
The Page Mansion
Located in Aberdeen, North Carolina, the Page Mansion sat vacant for over 40 years! Built in 1913, the mansion features six bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a grand staircase in the center.
The mansion was on the market in 2017 and was only accepting cash offers. A young family actually purchased the home, and it underwent major renovations,
Lynnewood Hall
Lynnewood Hall is considered the largest surviving Gilded Age mansion in the Philadelphia area. Located in Elkins Park, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Lynnewood Hall was built between 1897 and 190 for industrialist Peter A. B. Widener.
Once upon a time, the mansion housed one of the most important Gilded Age private art collections in the world. The estate has been vacant since 1952.
Hegeler Carus Mansion
The seven-floor Hegeler Carus Mansion is located in La Salle, Illinois, and was originally built for Henry. C. Hegeler, a zinc manufacturer and publisher, and his family. They occupied the huge estate until 2001.
After being completely abandoned, the state decided to restore the mansion and make it into a museum.
The Los Feliz House
This particular home in Los Angeles, California's neighborhood of Los Feliz has a very dark past that has resulted in the residence being abandoned numerous times throughout the years.
Originally lived in by Dr. Harold Perelson and his family, a terrible incident in 1959 occurred that left the place perpetually on the market.
Swingers Tiki Palace
The Swingers Tiki Palace in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a solid 5,600-square-foot home with three bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms and was originally built to throw huge parties.
The biggest fixture in the mansion was a Playboy bunny-shaped pool with secret swim tunnels and a 12-person Jacuzzi. Abandoned for years, the property was demolished in 2017.
Mudhouse Mansion
The thing about Mudhouse Mansion is that no one can seem to agree when it was actually constructed. While some say between 1840–1850, others say the 1870s or even the 1900s.
Either way, the last residence to live here was Lulu Hartman-Mast. Since the mansion was unoccupied since the 1930s, it was actually demolished in 2015. As of 2021, Hartman-Mast's relative still owns the property.
The Carleton Island Villa
Built back in 1895, the Carleton Island Villa sits on a whopping 6.9 acres of land and boasts 50 rooms. The mansion was built on Cape Vincent, New York, a small island, for businessman William O. Wyckoff.
He lived in the private residence until 1927. Since then, the large mansion has remained vacant.
Derelict Palazzo
Located in the city of Żebbuġ, Malta, the Derelict Palazzo is hauntingly beautiful. The property has been left untouched for years and, according to relators, would cost over $5 million to purchase.
The mansion was 5,382 square feet of living space, a beautiful walled-in garden with 300 orange trees, and nine wells.
Selma Mansion
Dating back to 1700, the Selma Mansion sits on 212 acres of land and is located in Leesburg, Virginia. The 20-room home was rebuilt in 1902 and featured one of America's first intercom systems.
In 1999, the property switched owners and was obtained by Dutch businessman Peter J ter Maaten, who abandoned the mansion in the 2000s.
Thomas-Clay House
Located in Augusta, Georgia, the Thomas-Clay House is a sprawling six-bedroom estate with an amazing history. The mansion is said to have been the location of many parties in which the 27th President of the United States, William Howard Taft, attended.
The last owner of the mansion abandoned it in 2009, leaving it to the elements for the next seven years until it was purchased and restored.
John List House
The New Jersey-located John List House has a creepy history. In November of 1971, List took out his family, fleeing the scene and taking up residence in Denver under a false name.
A few years later, the home was burnt to the ground by a suspected arsonist, and a new home was constructed on the property (one that looks eerily similar to the original).