Just a mere 12-minute drive from the roar of the Super Bowl crowds at Levi’s Stadium, the eerie Winchester Mystery House in San Jose stands in sharp contrast to the modern spectacle nearby.
The mansion, which boasts Victorian architecture and walls infused with mystery, is known worldwide for its bizarre design and the bone-chilling stories that surround it.
What began as a modest home grew into one of the most puzzling residences in U.S. history, captivating visitors for more than a century.
The house was the personal residence of Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester, the widow of William Wirt Winchester, heir to the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune. After suffering the loss of her husband and child, Sarah relocated from Connecticut to California in the 1880s.
There, she purchased an eight-bedroom farmhouse in San Jose and immediately began transforming it—and never stopped.
Over time, the property expanded into a maze of more than 160 rooms, featuring eccentric layouts that seem to defy logic. They include staircases that lead to ceilings, doors that open into walls, countless windows, fireplaces, and secret passageways—all of which leave visitors disoriented and spooked.
Construction on the property continued for nearly four decades, stopping only when Sarah died in 1922.
Much of the home’s unusual design was mostly due to its continuous construction, often without a plan, and was frequently changed or repaired following earthquakes or other structural changes.
While the architecture alone is enough to draw attention, the home’s enduring infamy comes from its reputation as a “haunted” house.
According to legend, Sarah believed she was haunted by the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles.
It was widely reported that a psychic warned her that she must continue building to appease the restless spirits or her life could be in danger.
Although historians have long debated the veracity of these spooky claims, the legends persist.
Over the years, visitors and staff have reported unsettling experiences, including unexplained cold spots, strange footsteps, doors closing on their own, and the eerie sensation of being watched.
Today, the Winchester Mystery House is a major tourist attraction, offering guided mansion tours that lead guests through 110 rooms over the course of about 65 minutes.
Visitors can even opt for basement and attic access to explore rarely seen areas of the house.
There are also flashlight tours, Victorian gardens, cafes, gift shops, and exhibits on site.
Located just 8 miles from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the mansion is an easy side trip for visitors in town looking for something to do other than cheer on their favorite team.
By car, the drive takes approximately 12 to 15 minutes, while public transportation can take anywhere from 40 minutes to over an hour.
In the shadow of one of the biggest sporting stages in the world, the Winchester Mystery House remains a haunting reminder that some mysteries refuse to stay buried.
The Super Bowl will take place on Feb. 8 and see the New England Patriots go head-to-head with the Seattle Seahawks.
