The Houghton Mansion - North Adams, Massachusetts
Albert Charles Houghton was the President of Arnold Print Works and the first Mayor of North Adams. A.C. Houghton built the Houghton Mansion in the 1890's after his term as Mayor expired. The mansion was the most extravagant of Houghton's three homes in North Adams and the formal garden was used for fund-raising parties for the North Adams Hospital. Houghton lived in the mansion with his wife Cordelia and daughter Mary. Mary Houghton was devoted to caring for her father and never married.
The Houghtons purchased their first car, a seven passenger Pierce Arrow touring car, in the spring of 1914. On August 1, 1914 A.C., Mary and Dr. and Mrs. Robert Hutton headed out on a pleasure ride to Bennington, Vermont. The family's chauffeur, John Widders was driving. While in Pownal, Vermont they encountered a team of horses parked on the right side of what is now Oak Hill Road. Widders attempted to go around the horses on the left hand side but the car tilted on the left shoulder and rolled down an embankment. Everybody in the car with the exception of Mary Houghton was ejected from the vehicle. A.C. Houghton and Dr. Hutton were not seriously injured, but Mrs. Hutton was killed when the car rolled over her. Mary Houghton was severely injured and succumbed to her injuries later that day. Despite being exonerated of any fault by the state investigator John Widders held himself responsible for the accident. At 4:00 am. on the morning of August 2, 1914, John Widders shot himself in the head in the basement of the Houghton Barn. A.C. Hougton died nine days later.
One of Houghton's surviving daughters Florence and her husband William Gallup moved into the Mansion following his death. They remained in the home until 1926, when they sold the mansion to the Masons. The Mason built their lodge building on the former site of the formal garden.
The Mansion is reported to be haunted by A.C. Houghton, Mary Houghton and John Widders.We also heard reports of a female child who does seem to be related the Houghtons but may have been a resident of a house formerly of the property. People have reported feeling watched, cold spots, lights going on and off, hearing footsteps, female voices, knocking on walls and slamming doors. People have also reported being touched in the basement.
We did not have any personal experiences at the mansion and we were unable to document any data related to any of the claims. We still had a great time on our investigation and the Houghton Mansion is a fascinating place. For more information on the mansion please visit the Berkshire Paranormal Group.
The Houghtons purchased their first car, a seven passenger Pierce Arrow touring car, in the spring of 1914. On August 1, 1914 A.C., Mary and Dr. and Mrs. Robert Hutton headed out on a pleasure ride to Bennington, Vermont. The family's chauffeur, John Widders was driving. While in Pownal, Vermont they encountered a team of horses parked on the right side of what is now Oak Hill Road. Widders attempted to go around the horses on the left hand side but the car tilted on the left shoulder and rolled down an embankment. Everybody in the car with the exception of Mary Houghton was ejected from the vehicle. A.C. Houghton and Dr. Hutton were not seriously injured, but Mrs. Hutton was killed when the car rolled over her. Mary Houghton was severely injured and succumbed to her injuries later that day. Despite being exonerated of any fault by the state investigator John Widders held himself responsible for the accident. At 4:00 am. on the morning of August 2, 1914, John Widders shot himself in the head in the basement of the Houghton Barn. A.C. Hougton died nine days later.
One of Houghton's surviving daughters Florence and her husband William Gallup moved into the Mansion following his death. They remained in the home until 1926, when they sold the mansion to the Masons. The Mason built their lodge building on the former site of the formal garden.
The Mansion is reported to be haunted by A.C. Houghton, Mary Houghton and John Widders.We also heard reports of a female child who does seem to be related the Houghtons but may have been a resident of a house formerly of the property. People have reported feeling watched, cold spots, lights going on and off, hearing footsteps, female voices, knocking on walls and slamming doors. People have also reported being touched in the basement.
We did not have any personal experiences at the mansion and we were unable to document any data related to any of the claims. We still had a great time on our investigation and the Houghton Mansion is a fascinating place. For more information on the mansion please visit the Berkshire Paranormal Group.
