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This gave her an income of roughly $1,000 per day, the equivalent of about $23,000 a day in 2017. This made her one of the wealthiest women in the world at that time. Her inheritance would easily enable her to buy property and fund ongoing construction. The Tech Museum of Innovation- Family-friendly interactive science and technology center located in the heart of downtown San Jose, California. The first hit of this city’s unmistakable techy-ness starts right off the bat—if you get here by plane. Meet Space Observer, a 26-foot/7.9-meter-high white-and-chrome robot that welcomes you to Terminal B at ultra-modern Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport.
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Unlock the secrets of the Winchester Mystery House and book your tour today. But as Katie Dowd of SFGate points out, there is “scant proof” for this theory. Winchester could have been engaging in an eccentric brand of philanthropy, as she built her home during an economic depression, and the continuous construction project provided jobs for locals. When she died, in fact, the heiress left most of her money to charity.
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The front yard also gives visitors a vantage point of a second-story window, where a translucent bushy-haired female spirit has been spotted. The Hall of Fires called so because of several fireplaces, is also a hotbed for spiritual activity. On one occasion, a man working on a restoration project was on a ladder when he felt a tap on his shoulder. When he returned to his task, he felt a hand pressing hard against his back. When he turned again to find no one, he quickly left the room to find another project to work on. In her determination to build and build, she lived her life in almost complete solitude.
Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California
These self-guided tours give guests the opportunity to roam through the halls of the purportedly haunted Victorian mansion while hearing tales of its former and (possibly current!) inhabitants. Guests will guide themselves through the mansion that is famous for its dizzying floorplan and lack of formal blueprints. Tour Hosts will be stationed throughout the house to ensure guests don’t get lost. Construction lasted for thirty-eight years on the Winchester Mystery House, one of North America’s most unusual and eccentric homes located in the heart of San Jose, California. Through the 160-room labyrinth-style mansion built by Sarah Pardee Winchester, there are many beautiful and extraordinary examples of the Queen-Anne Victorian Style architecture.
The Winchester Mystery House
Her dream home is a contemporary-style house with ample outdoor space. San Pedro Square Market is a lively food hall and entertainment venue in downtown San Jose, featuring a diverse selection of culinary delights, craft beers, and live music. Visitors can savor a variety of cuisines from local vendors and food trucks, creating a vibrant and flavorful dining experience. The home even had an annunciator that allowed Sarah to summon her servants and indicate where she was in the building. After her husband’s death, Sarah Winchester inherited over $20.5 million (equivalent to $496,344,828 in 2016) and nearly 50% ownership of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
Experiences
But even if you don’t get the meet-and-greet from the big guy at the airport, you’ll find plenty of other ways to experience the dramatic rebirth of California’s third largest city as the Silicon Valley’s urban hub. Downtown is packed with worthy destinations, like ultra-hands-on The Tech Museum, and light and airy San Jose Museum of Art. De Anza Hotel is an Art Deco gem, while the SAP Center, which draws headline entertainers and is home to the San Jose Sharks NHL franchise, is a glassy modern palace. In 1881, William died of tuberculosis, leaving Sarah with a $20 million inheritance and ownership in half of the Winchester company, making her one of the wealthiest women in the United States.
Visit the South Bay Haunted House That Inspired Walt Disney and Stephen King - The San Francisco Standard
Visit the South Bay Haunted House That Inspired Walt Disney and Stephen King.
Posted: Tue, 13 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose is a city with a thriving tech scene and a rich cultural heritage. From the iconic Winchester Mystery House to the vibrant downtown area with its trendy restaurants and lively nightlife, there’s always something new to explore in this bustling metropolis. Deeply saddened by the deaths of her daughter Annie in 1866 and her husband in 1881, Sarah consulted a psychic. She was told that there was a curse upon the Winchester family because the guns they made had taken so many lives. The psychic told her that the spirits of those killed were seeking vengeance and that to save her own life, Sarah was to build a home for herself and the spirits that would never be finished. She was also told that the home would be in the west, where the sun sets.
Guide to Winchester Mystery House, San Jose's spooky historic mansion - San Francisco Chronicle
Guide to Winchester Mystery House, San Jose's spooky historic mansion.
Posted: Thu, 29 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Explore More Tour
Legends say that nearby residents heard the bell tower (located outside of the séance room) at midnight and again at 2am. Was this to summon and release spirits to communicate with them? One exit is through the entrance door, another leads to an 8-foot drop into the kitchen below, and the final is a one-way door that resembles a secret passageway. You’ll have to come see for yourself what lies on the other side.
Seasonal Tours
The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, was the personal residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of gun magnate William Winchester. To ward off spirits, Winchester hired laborers to constantly build and renovate the mansion 24 hours a day for 38 years. Today it is renowned for its size and its architectural curiosities.
American-style meat and potatoes get matched with rotating craft beers at local favorite Harry’s Hofbrau. In a city where tech is king, it makes sense that artists here get influenced by edgy new techniques and sounds. Check out the results at June’s SubZERO Festival, with artists, musicians, and other artisans showing their stuff. Young techies flock to September’s C2SV (Creative Convergence Silicon Valley), a showcase for indie bands. Learn about San José’s rich agricultural and impressive ethnic roots at the expansive campus of History San José, on the southeast side of town. Sarah Winchester was born in New Haven, where she was part of East Coast society.
From world class dining to rich history, it’s the perfect place to live, play & explore. Looking to expand your trip beyond Winchester Mystery House®? If you do venture out to eat, it’s not all lukewarm hot dogs and soggy fries. Celebrity chef Michael Mina overseas the stadium’s high-end steak house, which offers inside-the-park tailgate parties throughout the season. For the city’s most luxurious shopping experience, visit this snazzy outdoor mall, a mix between California’s relaxed stylishness and a swanky European village on market day. It’s the kind of place where you can easily while away the hours, sitting on a bench perusing your purchases while nibbling fresh croissants from Cocola.
The San Jose Museum of Art showcases a diverse collection of modern and contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, and multimedia installations. Visitors can explore the museum’s thought-provoking exhibitions and participate in educational programs and events that celebrate artistic expression and creativity. One ghost said to linger is that of a handyman who continues repairing a fireplace in the Grand Ballroom. The black-haired man has often been seen pushing a spectral wheelbarrow or working on the fireplace.
Building upon the foundations of our classic mansion tour, Explore More promises to reveal new dimensions of the mansion’s history, architecture, and intrigue. As we delve into the decades-long construction saga spanning 36 years, guests will witness the evolution of Winchester Mystery House from its humble beginnings to its current iconic status. From Sarah Winchester’s initial visit to San Jose to the present day, every step of the journey unveils a new chapter in the mansion’s rich tapestry of history. With additional unique architectural elements and captivating stories to share, Explore More promises a deeper look into our story like never before. Starting Friday the 13th we will be hosting Flashlight Tours every Friday evening till February 24th.
She then left her home in New Haven, Connecticut, moved out west, and settled in San Jose, California, where she purchased an unfinished eight-room farmhouse from Dr. Caldwell in 1884. She hired builders, carpenters, and laborers who worked on the house day and night until it became a seven-story mansion. She did not use an architect and added to the building haphazardly. Construction continued without interruption from 1884 until her death in September 1922. The cost of this eccentric undertaking has been estimated at $5.5 million.
Take Highway 156 East and connect onto Highway 101 North. Take Mission Blvd. exit in Fremont and connect to I-880 South. Alum Rock Park is a natural oasis in the heart of San Jose, offering hiking trails, picnic areas, and scenic views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
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