So what makes a haunted house look haunted?
We went down to the architectural crypt to find out what design features make a house go bump in the night. Then, we went haunted house hunting around North Texas to bring you a grisly, local look — just try not to scream.
There are a few obvious architectural styles on a whole that tingle your spine and widen your eyes, namely Victorian-era styles, Adirondack architecture, and Gothic Revival — but to keep this scary story short, we’ve created a checklist with some skeleton key characteristics to look for this season.
Haunted house checklist:
- Mansard roof + widow’s walk — as seen on the “Beetlejuice” house
- Rustic vibes, like heavy timber, natural stone + large fireplaces — like the Overlook Hotel in “The Shining”
- Ornate gables, asymmetry, pitched roofs — like The Haunted Mansion ride at Disney
- Prominent towers and turrets — as seen on the The Pink Palace from “Coraline”
- Located on a hill and/or with a wraparound porch
- Mimic human faces — like “Monster House” + “The Amityville Horror” house
- Lack domestic features, i.e. void of curves, arches, vaults or domes — think of “House On Haunted Hill”
- Pointed arches, spires, flying buttresses — see Hogwarts castle
- Large and stained glass windows — like Whipstaff Manor in “Casper”
With this list in mind, let’s step through the creaky front doors of these five haunted houses in Cowtown. Watch your head for cobwebs.
10777 Strait Ln., Dallas
While the beautiful exterior of this on-the-market Neoclassical home doesn’t immediately scream “horror movie,” the interior tells a different story. The hanging chandelier and vaulted brick of the wine cellar, in particular, evoke “Cask of Amontillado” vibes.
1105 Palo Pinto St., Weatherford
This Weatherford home’s Victorian elements — like the turret and wraparound porch — give it a spot on the list. Small details throughout like stained glass and intricate wood detailing make this home that’s for sale all the better during spooky season.
Castle of Heron Bay
This eerie stone castle doesn’t just have the look — it’s also got a ghastly tale. The mysterious story of the runaway bride dates back to 1860, when the castle’s builder and then-owner found his fiancée floating dead in the lake. Today, people claim to see a woman in a white dress running from the property to the edge of the lake before vanishing.
Clark Mansion
Also known as the Westbrook House, the rustic vibes of Clark Mansion are reminiscent of details from the Overlook Hotel, and its hilltop location makes the home feel eerie — in addition to its haunting past. In 1953, the home’s owner, William P. Clark, was found murdered inside.
The Ball Eddleman McFarland House
Fort Worth’s famous Victorian home contains all the elements of a horror movie house (especially on a cloudy day): an ornate, gabled roof; wraparound porch; spires; and intricate detailing.
