Address: 9950 E Gateway Dr, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126, USA
Official Website: https://highlandsranchmansion.com/
The Tale Begins
Welcoming you to the heart of Highland Ranch, Colorado, stands an architectural enigma, getting lovelier and more enigmatic with time: The Highland Ranch Mansion. Monarch of the prairie, the mansion is a beautiful testament to history with its stone visage, ornate archways, sprawling manicured gardens, and crisp, quintessential Colorado air. But behind the elegant demeanor, tales of spectral figures and eerie occurrences create an enticingly spine-chilling backdrop. Welcome, dear reader, to an inexplicable journey through the fascinating corners of the mansion that might just be Colorado‘s most undeniably beautiful and perfectly haunted homestead. Grab your night vision goggles because the spectral stage is set, and the curious are invited to delve deeper into the Highland Ranch Mansion‘s otherworldly mysteries.
The History of Highlands Ranch Mansion
Highlands Ranch Mansion is an important structure with great historical significance located in the town of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Built in 1891, the mansion was originally designed as a working ranch by its original owner, Samuel Allen Long.
Long built a grand structure, filling the mansion with various amenities deemed modern for that time period. The original structure was built with 14 rooms, including three large fireplaces. Several rooms were later added by subsequent owners, evolving the mansion into an even grander design with 27 rooms and 11 fireplaces.
After Long’s death, Colonel William Hughes purchased the property in 1920. Hughes added more structures to the ranch, including barns and silos. In 1926, the property was bought by Waite Phillips, a prominent oilman, who added two large wings and renamed it “Highlands Ranch.”
In 1937, Frank E. Kistler bought the mansion, making further improvements that included an expansion of the west wing in a Tudor style, giving the mansion the diverse architectural appearance it has today.
From 1949 and for the next 30 years, Lawrence Phipps Jr owned the mansion. Under Phipps ownership, the property developed from a ranch into a full farming business, with thousands of cattle and acres of crops.
In 1980, the property was purchased by Marvin Davis and later sold to the Mission Viejo Company, who planned the Highlands Ranch residential community. The Mansion was purchased in 2010 by Shea Homes with ownership transferred to Highlands Ranch Metro District, who fully restored the building and opened it up to the public in 2012.
The Highlands Ranch Mansion has evolved over time with each owner adding their own distinct architectural touch, providing a unique blend of historical styles ranging from French Gothic to English Tudor, resulting in a beautiful symbol of Colorado‘s past.
Is it really haunted at Highlands Ranch Mansion?
Highlands Ranch Mansion, located in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, has a rich and storied history; yet official accounts don’t list the mansion as haunted. The mansion, which dates back to the late 1800s, has seen numerous owners and families, which has led to lot of speculations and stories. People who believe in the supernatural claim that places with such a storied past are often sources of paranormal activity. Paranormal believers therefore speculate that the Mansion could be haunted.
However, there are no documented accounts of ghost sightings, ethereal apparitions, or unexplained happenings in the mansion, and no credible evidence to suggest that the mansion is indeed haunted. The mansion’s website also does not acknowledge any paranormal activity.
That said, it’s worth noting that haunted experiences are subjective. What one individual might believe is a ghostly encounter, another might chalk up to the wind, the house settling, or other natural phenomena. This mansion’s history is mostly centered around its historical significance, architectural beauty, and cultural events.
So, as it stands right now, without any credible or widely acknowledged evidence of hauntings, we would have to conclude that Highlands Ranch Mansion is not officially considered haunted.
Wrapping Up
The Highlands Ranch Mansion, located in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, is steeped in history and tales of the supernatural. This remarkable property, built in the late 19th century, has a rich past that spans multiple generations of influential figures.
One of the earliest known owners was John W. Springer, a prominent figure linked to historical events such as the infamous Sand Creek Massacre. He purchased the property in 1897, transforming it from a simple farmhouse to a sprawling mansion. However, stories of hauntings started to proliferate after Springer’s wife Eliza passed away in the home, leading to rumors of her ghostly presence.
The Mansion changed hands multiple times after Springer’s ownership. Its subsequent owners included oil magnate Waite Phillips, prominent cattleman Frank Kistler, and philanthropist Lawrence Phipps Jr. Each left an indelible mark on the Mansion, from architectural renovations to cultural additions that reflected their personal interests and era.
The Highlands Ranch Mansion is also rumored to house several supernatural inhabitants. Apart from Eliza Springer, another prevalent ghost story revolves around a deceased handyman who mysteriously disappeared but supposedly never left the premises. These changes in ownership, combined with unexplained phenomena— including strange sounds, cold drafts, and apparitions—have contributed to the Mansion‘s reputation as a site of paranormal activity.
Despite the eerie stories, the Mansion is now a community treasure that hosts various public and private events. It stands as a testament to the area’s rich history, architectural evolution, and of course, its intriguing ghostly lore.
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