Urban Fantasist
Menu

URBAN FANTASIST

January 19th, 2013

19/1/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
So, I've been away with the day-job all week on a business trip to see Thomson Reuters at Eagan, which is near the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Minnesota. Now before I went there, I thought the Twin Cities were best known for the singer, songwriter and rock guitarist Prince – and for the Mall of America, a shopping mall so enormous you can apparently window-shop from the International Space Station. What I didn't count on were ghosts.

Ghosts of the New World

Living near Norwich in East Anglia where – if the latest UK census figures are to be believed – there are more Mediaeval churches than regular church-goers, you take it for granted that in such an ancient, history-redolent setting there will be ghosts (or alleged hauntings for the skeptics) but in the New World?

Anyway there we were getting a lift along Saint Paul's Summit and Grand Avenues and I was intrigued by how many of the turreted, domed, stone or timber-clad mansions – all classic examples of Victorian-era, Gothic-revival architecture – looked like sets for a haunted house movie or the original version of Psycho. One house that particularly caught my eye was a red-stone edifice, complete with a large north-facing studio window that would be perfect for an artist.

The next day, over coffee at the business meeting, I happened to comment on the spookiness of the architecture and was told there were so many "unquiet spirits" in Saint Paul that the local Roman Catholic archdiocese (the spectacular Cathedral of St Paul sits at one end of Summit Avenue) employed a full-time exorcist. First chance I had, I Googled "ghosts in Saint Paul, Minn" and discovered just how strong the supernatural connection is in Saint Paul. Forepaughs Restaurant, the Wabasha Street Caves and... the Griggs Mansion – the very building that had caught my eye on the previous day's drive-by.

The Griggs Mansion

Built by wholesale grocery businessman Chauncey Griggs in 1883, the house has the reputation for being the most haunted house in Saint Paul, if not the whole of Minnesota and possibly the entire United States with a total of six – or possibly seven – separate ghosts haunting the building.

Chauncey Griggs only lived in the house for 4 years before moving to the West Coast to expand his business operations and since then the house has been a private residence, divided into separate appartments and, for 25 years, was the home of an art school (hence the studio window). Most recently it was put on the market for $1.8 million in 2009 and eventually sold (despite having the potential to generate a sizeable rental income from self-contained appartments) for $1 million in late 2012.

So who are the ghosts?

There is a American Civil War officer – possibly Chauncey Griggs himself; a teenager called Amy – possibly a student from the building's art school days; a thin man dressed in a black suit and a top hat; a child; a young maid, who in 1915 hung herself off the 4th floor landing while suffering from depression over a failed romance; and a gardener called Charles Wade, apparently a workaholic who would often refer to books in the mansion's library. Various people have reported hearing his unseen presence in the library flipping the pages of books. The seventh and final manifestation is that of an blurred, indistinct man's head.

In the circumstances, perhaps $1 million was a good price after all!

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Charles Christian was an English barrister, Reuters correspondent-turned editor, author, blogger, podcaster, award-winning tech journalist, storyteller, and sometime werewolf hunter, who sadly passed away in 2022.

    Prior to his sudden death he completed one of his largest works to date: The Witches Almanac, the definitive guide on the history of magic and folklore, including 359 of the most important witches and sorcerers in history. 

    This site also has links to Charles' books and the Weird Tales Show videos and podcasts.

    Latest Video Post


    Latest book: The Wold Newton Triangle

    Picture

    Tweets by urbanfantasist

    Virtual Tip Jar

    You can now support Urban Fantasist, its podcasts and its new video channel through our Virtual Tip Jars on PayPal and Patreon, giving you a choice of ad hoc or regular payments.
    Picture
    Picture

    Contact Details

    Email: urbanfantasist@icloud.com
    ​Tel: +44(0)1986 788666
    Tel/Txt: +44(0)7786 738172
    WhatsApp etc: +44(0)7786 738172

    ​Skype: ChristianUncut
    Twitter: @urbanfantasist

    Quote, Unquote

    "The only way to keep folklore alive is to share it" ...comment from viewer on YouTube channel
    ​
    "Charles Christian... a man of paranormality" ...Howard Hughes, Talk Radio UK

    "Cynicism has always been a part of your (very impressive) brand" ...Kirk Fackre

    "Your storytelling set the scene for a fascinating evening of stunning music and terrifying drama" ...Chris Caswell

    "I can't help myself. Yesterday, I went back to this post over and over again and it made me laugh out loud each time. So now I'm bringing it to all my followers with the recommendation to follow Charles Christian because he posts lots of stuff that brightens my day and will brighten yours, too" ...LinkedIn commentator

    "A great witty intelligence in the world. We need more CC and less monkey-brained politicians" ...Julia Bohanna

    ​"I love your posts, always something interesting to read and often funny" ...Karen Morton


    "I was saddened to see you have retired your podcast. I never would have found your books without it. Well if a good story deserves rereading a good podcast demands relistening. Looking forward to your next stage with the time this change will afford you. Happy Trails, Pardner" ...Jonathan Neuhaus

    "You are a great and generous host" ...Patti Negri, The Hollywood Psychic

    "I host a daily morning show in Las Vegas and I like your shows very much. I love the way you pace your voice and thoughts is fantastic and you have a way of making your guest interviews sound more like conversations. Just wanted to let you know" ...Clay Baker

    ​"The ever wonderful Charles Christian and his Weird Tales Show"...Into The Portal Podcast 

    ​"The Master of Mysteries & Folklore" ...Fantasy Radio UK

    "The witty and knowledgeable Charles Christian." 

    ​"We poled our fans on their favorite podcasts and that's how I heard of Weird Tales Show. You are well loved by the geekiverse, and fans of folklore history and monsters!"

    "Charles Christian is really out there cool."
    ​
    ​"Charles Christian defiantly makes my world a brighter, funnier place."

    "The legendary Charles Christian at his eclectic best..."

    "Charles Christian is my inner spirit animal, thank you for making me laugh."

    ​"You always make me laugh! Thank you for brightening my day with your dark humour."

    ​"the funny, wonderful and slightly cantankerous Charles Christian"

    Charles Christian's Books

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087N3NB7M
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B087N3NB7M
    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed


    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
Picture
Copyright © Charles Christian 
& Urbanfantasist Limited 2022


urbanfantasist@icloud.com

Fuelled by Green Tea & Rosé Wine

  • Home
  • * Latest book *
  • Weird Tales Videos
  • Charles Christian Bio
  • Manifestations
  • Books & Reviews
  • Weird Tales Radio
  • Donations
  • Writing: Nonfiction
  • Writing: Fiction
  • Writing: Poetry
  • Old Americana
  • Old Grievous Angel
  • WoldsCover
  • Home
  • * Latest book *
  • Weird Tales Videos
  • Charles Christian Bio
  • Manifestations
  • Books & Reviews
  • Weird Tales Radio
  • Donations
  • Writing: Nonfiction
  • Writing: Fiction
  • Writing: Poetry
  • Old Americana
  • Old Grievous Angel
  • WoldsCover