The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose California

Located in San Jose, California, the Winchester Mystery House is one of the city’s most iconic and intriguing attractions. The mansion was originally the personal residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of William Wirt Winchester of the famous Winchester Repeating Arms Company. After her husband’s death in 1881, Sarah consulted a medium who told her that she must continuously build onto her home in order to appease the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles. As a result, the Winchester House morphed into a massive, twisting labyrinth of architectural oddities.

Construction began in 1884 and continued 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until Sarah passed away in 1922. The Victorian house started as an 8-room farmhouse but grew into a sprawling mansion with 160 rooms, 40 bedrooms, 47 fireplaces, over 10,000 window panes, 17 chimneys, 2 basements, and 3 elevators. The home follows no logical design plan with stairs leading to dead ends, doors opening to sheer drops, and a window built into the floor.

Some of the home’s quirky features include a staircase with 42 steps, chandeliers anchored in place to accommodate seismic shifts, and a séance room. There are also strangely repeating motifs like the number 13 incorporated throughout, including 13 bathrooms. The overall design reflects Sarah’s desire to mislead and confuse any restless spirits haunting her home.

Today, the Winchester Mystery House operates as a tourist attraction where visitors can tour 110 of the 160 rooms. It has been designated as a California State Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This one-of-a-kind mansion provides a glimpse into the life of the eccentric heiress Sarah Winchester while exploring the supernatural mysteries that lurk within its walls. It’s one of the top attractions in San Jose.