• San Jose, California: Winchester Mystery House

      by
      Dennis Goza
      Published on 12-02-2010 12:12 AM
      2 Comments Comments
      house
      Photo by iStockPhoto.com (c) Carrie Winegarden
      Sarah Winchester, heiress of the Winchester Rifle empire, was a very rich woman, and the house she had constructed shows it. She was also a bit eccentric, and after a psychic reputedly informed her that she'd die if construction on the house ever stopped, she took the advice to heart and used her fortune to finance round-the-clock construction beginning in 1884.

      If you go:
      The grand tour that takes you to parts of the house normally off limits to the public. There is also a free fireworks museum on the premises. Tours are not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers. If you have an RV, you can park in the theater lot across the street. Winchester Mystery House is open daily year-round except Christmas Day. Evening flashlight tours are offered during the Halloween season and on Friday the 13th.

      Links:




      525 S. Winchester Blvd.
      San Jose, California 95128 USA


      Phone Numbers:

      Visitor Information
      +1 (408) 247-2101

      Comments 2 Comments
      1. Lifemagician's Avatar
        Lifemagician - 04-17-2011, 09:53 PM
        Great place this.

        Even strolling around the gardens gives one a great perspective of the quirkyness of this place. Just seeing a door at the second level without a balcony or staircase leading up to it. One hopes it is always locked.

        The many outbuildings also give a great sense of the history of this property, and the well maintained gardens extend the house mystery.

        Admission to the property is free, only admission to the house needs to be paid for. Frankly, it was not worth $24 in 2007.... now more than $30.
      1. Mark Sedenquist's Avatar
        Mark Sedenquist - 09-21-2011, 07:53 AM
        Whoa, $30 to see the house? That does seem a bit excessive! Mark