Summerwind Mansion: A Haunting Legacy on West Bay Lake
Nestled on a private island in West Bay Lake, Wisconsin, the Summerwind Mansion, also known as the Lamont Mansion, holds a storied history of paranormal encounters and unexplained phenomena. Originally built as a fishing lodge in the early 1900s, the mansion underwent renovations after being purchased by Robert Lamont in 1916. However, Lamont and subsequent owners, including Arnold and Ginger Hinshaw, experienced a series of disturbing events that ultimately led to the mansion’s abandonment. Today, Summerwind Mansion stands in ruins, serving as a chilling reminder of its haunted past.
The History of the Summerwind Mansion
The origins of Summerwind Mansion trace back to its construction as a fishing lodge in the early 1900s. In 1916, it caught the attention of Robert Lamont, who purchased the property and embarked on an extensive renovation project. Lamont enlisted the services of two architects from Chicago to transform the lodge into a grand mansion, where he and his family planned to reside.
However, Lamont’s experience in the mansion took a terrifying turn when he claimed to encounter a ghost. Filled with fear, Lamont fired his pistol at the alleged apparition, an incident that shook him to his core. Subsequently, Lamont and his family promptly abandoned the mansion, leaving it shrouded in mystery and whispers of the supernatural.
The property was later acquired by Arnold and Ginger Hinshaw. Ginger’s father, Raymond Bober, resided in a trailer on the premises. Tragically, the Hinshaws’ time at Summerwind Mansion was plagued by misfortune. Arnold experienced a severe nervous breakdown, while Ginger herself attempted suicide. These distressing events compelled the Hinshaws to vacate the mansion, leaving it deserted for many years.
Is the Summerwind Mansion Haunted?
The reputation of Summerwind Mansion as a haunted location largely stems from the experiences and accounts of the Hinshaws and Raymond Bober. Following their departure from the mansion, Raymond Bober, under the pen name ‘Wolfgang von Bober,’ published a book titled *The Carver Effect: A Paranormal Experience*. In the book, Bober described the mansion as Summerwind and claimed that it was haunted by the spirit of Jonathan Carver, an explorer.
According to Bober, the mansion’s rooms had the ability to change shape, and workers were reluctant to enter the property for remodeling projects. He attributed Arnold Hinshaw’s mental distress to the relentless haunting occurrences that plagued the mansion. Reports suggest that the Hinshaws heard disembodied voices and witnessed the apparition of a woman. Some even claim that they discovered a hidden compartment in a closet containing a corpse, which allegedly contributed to Arnold’s descent into madness.
In 1985, Summerwind Mansion suffered significant damage in a fire, believed to have been caused by a nearby lightning strike. However, some speculate that the fire may have been the result of arson orchestrated by town officials who were attempting to address the ongoing vandalism and parties that plagued the property.
Today, Summerwind Mansion stands in ruins, a haunting reminder of its tumultuous past. Despite its dilapidated state, curious visitors still make their way to the island, hoping to catch a glimpse of the spirits said to linger within its decaying walls.
Summerwind Mansion, once a picturesque fishing lodge turned grand mansion, carries a reputation as one of Wisconsin’s most haunted locations. The tales of its former owners, the Lamonts and the Hinshaws, as well as Raymond Bober’s accounts, paint a vivid picture of paranormal encounters and unsettling phenomena within the mansion’s confines. Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, the mystique surrounding Summerwind Mansion continues to captivate the imagination of those intrigued by the realm of the unknown.
Sources:
1. Prairie Ghosts. “Summerwind Mansion.” https://www.americanhauntingsink.com/
2. Ghosts of America. “Summerwind Mansion – West Bay Lake, Wisconsin.”
3. Sonderegger Research Center. “Summerwind Mansion.” https://www.sonderegger.org/summerwind-mansion
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