Colorado's haunted architecture - Briarhurst Manor

October 21, 7:42 PMDenver Architecture ExaminerDavid Goode

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Denver Architecture Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Briarhurst Manor

Colorado possesses some wonderful architecture dating back many years.  Wealthy families built grand residences and buildings to escape the hard, early American West life.  Many of these structures remain and have found new life.  However, there are some old lives who haven’t quite left.

The Briarhurst Manor in Manitou Springs a Tudor, English Country style home is actually the second structure built on the property.  Because the first home built by the Bell family burned down in the 1880's, the replacement home was constructed of sandstone.  William Bell made his fortunes in medicine and ultimately the railroad business. 

Vida Ellison lived in the home for many years in the mid-1900's.  She is best know for her work with Mesa Verde National Park and she stored many artifacts in the home, including Anasazi mummies.

Some of the ghost stories include hearing chimes in the upper floors or in the basement, visitors being bumped or tugged at, and of course apparitions lingering throughout the estate.

The manor's haunted past has gained some national recognition lately.  The SyFy Channel television show Ghost Hunters visited the home for an investigation of paranormal activity.  The episode will air October 28th, 2009.