As the spooky season is upon us and Halloween approaches, I find it very fitting to give myself a scare.
Apart from scary movies, stories and real life experiences I wondered what other entertaining options are available. Ever been to a haunted house? I personally have not but after doing some research, I did find some locations within a fair distance from Sacramento.
Just a little under one hour from here in the city of Ione lies Preston Castle. Built back in the late 1890´s the building was used as a reform school for young boys that were juvenile offenders or abandoned. Tales say that the tortured spirits of the young boys still call the castle home along with the ghost, a housekeeper who was said to have been beaten down in the basement. During October you can schedule a tour and see for yourself.
Two hours southwest, in San Jose, sits the old home of Sarah Winchester. A historical site said to be haunted by the spirits of the people killed by the rifles and ammunition the Winchester Repeating Arms Company made and sold. The company which her late husband William Winchester owned prior to his death 1881. Allegedly, those spirits have traveled from all around the country to settle in the home that sits on South Winchester Boulevard.
On October 31 haunted houses appeared around the same time as trick or treat. It started in the great depression as a distraction for young kids or people. It was based on a paranormal activity.
Recently people are okay sleeping in haunted houses but they will need an activity which costs around one thousand dollars or to one million dollars. About 25 percent of respondents refused to stay in a haunted house no matter what the reward is.