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 The McPike Mansion perhaps is one of the most well known haunted sites in America given its rich history. But it also was one of the sites I wanted to see when I went to Illinois honestly how could you not? I did not visit this place to look for ghosts but rather to absorb its rich history and share it with my viewers. I am not like other paranormal groups its not all about thrills and frills but more so about being a part of it all. The McPike mansion was built in 1869 for Henry Guest McPike whose family can be traced back to the Scottish Isle. McPike had family members who fought in the Revolutionary War with George Washington who were at Valley Force. Those included Captain Mose Guest McPike of NJ and Captain James McPike. So if you recognize the McPike name in the history books then you know that the McPikes are in it.

James McPike came to Kentucky in 1795 back then the Midwest was primitive as the US was just starting off as a country. He brought with him his sons Richard and John however John had a son which came to Alton in 1847 who he named Henry . The McPikes soon started up business and being involved locally with politics in the Alton area. McPike became active with working in real estate, box manufacturing and even as an insurance executive. He became even the president of the oldest horticultural society in Illinois and its librarian. What he did not get involved with was politics well at least political office. His father was the editor of the Whig newspaper and that Whig party later became The Republicans during Lincoln's presidency. The family was an early advocate of the abolition of slavery and they had an interest in the abolitionist movement. Not many know this but McPike sat on the committee for the Lincoln-Douglass debates in 1858. McPike sat with the 16th president of the United States next to Lincoln as it took place. McPike was well known in Alton his name still is heard of being that he served a couple terms as mayor. 

During the Civil War McPike was called upon to act as a Deputy Provost Marshall which made him a manager within the War Department. After he begin to act as a representative at various conventions and with the city council. Eventually McPike would become a mayor of Alton from 1887 to about 1891. That was about as close as he had gotten to involving himself with politics. The family continued to live and thrive in this mansion even after the death of McPike while serving the local community. The McPike Grape as they called it was patented and well known across the country. They used their grapes to create a high quality pinot grigio type of whine which was in recognition of the Mississippi Valley Growers Association. In 1904 at the Worlds Fair the wine and grapes were some of the greatest of all time. McPikes Grapes won him a medal at the fair something that can go down in history.

The mansion itself was built and designed by architect Lucas Pfeiffeenberger surrounded by at the time 15 acres then called Mount Lookout Park. Being a horticulturist McPike grew grapes then called McPike Grape. The McPike Grape was the main family business and the grapes were grown on the mansions property. The mansion had 11 marble fireplaces and a beautifully carved stairwell banisters which the banisters were stolen during the mansions abandonment. You can still see some carved trim that borders one of the ceilings of the front room. The mansion was very elegant but over the years its also been in peril and over time people have ransacked it. Unfortunately over the years this mansion has came close to being a candidate of the wrecking ball. 

The records about the home have been kept very poorly so all I can tell you is what I know or read about who owned it at the turn of the century. It has been stated the McPike family lived on the estate after the death of Henry McPike. It was said that the family lived in the home till about 1936 but nobody knows for sure. Other records indicate that Paul A. Laichinger purchased the mansion in 1908 and live there till his death around 1930. Some say he lived in the home others say he rented it out to various tenants. I also read that Laichinger lived in the home till 1945 until his death. While prior to that the mansion was home to the Browns Business College perhaps a frat house? While other records indicate that the McPike family lived here until 1936 but nobody knows for sure. Since the 1950's the mansion has not been occupied that is a sure thing. Which has allowed vandals and the elements leading to extensive damage to the home.  The toilets, wooden banisters and furnishings have all been a victim of vandalism or even stolen.

McPike did die in 1910 sad to say so over time the mansion became forgotten despite that factor the mansion is listed in the National Register of Historic Placed. But its also listed on the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in the state of Illinois. Lucky for us the home was not put under the wrecking ball. No less its in bad shape most of the windows are broken, plaster is cracked or destroyed and floors are so deteriorated that they are not even safe to walk on. It also needs a roof which would cost 50k to replace which is why not much work has been done to save it due to the expensive amount of repairs needed to be done. 

In 1994 a Sharyn and George Luedke purchased the mansion at auction their dream would be hopefully to turn it into a bed and breakfast or historical attraction. Its been very slow going however tours especially haunted ones do continue to be given in hopes of raising enough money to restore this beautiful mansion. The home is said to be one of the most haunted structures in all of Illinois and their are quite a few stories circulating about it. Sharyn stated that Paul Laichinger haunts the mansion when she seen him standing up in the window while water some plants. Paul always wore a striped shirt and tie which Sharyn knew it was him because she had a photo of him wearing nearly the same outfit. Their is also another ghosts known as Sarah Wells or at least a book was presented to the Luedke's with her name written inside of it. A man had brought the books on over to them that he removed from the property seventeen years prior to their purchase. Sharyn claims the spirit of Sarah has hugged and touched her while the Luedke's have smelt lilac on the third floor. Then of course you have McPike and the former domestic servant who also haunt the mansion halls. Problem is while it may be very haunted most stories hold no credibility often told by teenagers and thrill seekers. 

Ghost Adventures from the travel channel did a show about the mansion of course they exaggerated the story about their being an evil spirit here. I hate shows like these it must be nice to fake it to make it just for ratings or to further embolden their own wealth. The sad thing is that I could have done a much better job at producing these shows but the only thing others see is my exterior rather then my appreciation for history and the unknown. Its ashamed that people misconstrue the mansions history or its haunts. Its important with each location we do to portray an accurate depiction of its history and the ghost that haunt such a place. For our society its not about thrills nor frills its about the truth something which is a rarity nowadays. Ghost Adventures uses haunted locations for entertainment nothing more nothing less and most of you reading this need to boycott such shows since really its all Hollywood/Acting shame on them. Sharyn claims their is nothing evil that haunts the mansion and that Ghost Adventures overplayed their hand to put it in layman's terms. However, one thing is certain that probably ten to twelve spirits do haunt its halls making it one of the most haunted mansions in Illinois.

Copyright By
Lord Rick aka AngelOfThyNight
Producer, Author, Talk Show Host, Urban Explorer and Paranormal Investigator




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