Llanada Villa, or as it is more commonly known - The Winchester Mystery House, began life as a two-story farmhouse in 1886 when Sarah Winchester, who inherited a vast fortune as the heir to the Winchester Repeating Arms stock, purchased it. Between 1890 and 1900 it grew exponentially into a “7 story Victorian giant”.

Although damaged by the earthquake in 1906, building work does not stop there until the death of Sarah on September 5th 1922, ending 36 years of construction. By 1923 the house was sold and opened to the public for tours. However, its reputation as a haunted house caught the attention of one Harry Houdini, who visited it and dubbed it “The Mystery House”. In 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It’s reputation as a historic landmark is just as prominent as the one it has earned as one of America’s most haunted houses.

Sarah Winchester believed the house to be haunted by the spirits of all those killed by Winchester rifles. The resulting construction of the house with its hallways and stairways leading nowhere, and other structural curiosities, were incorporated to confuse the ghosts from finding her.

Visual phenomena include a "huge ball of light" that increases in size and moved around, as well as the apparition of a woman in Victorian era clothing sitting in the dining room.

Reported effects include the sounds of footsteps, piano music and voices; the smell of cooking when nothing is being prepared; cold spots; windows and doors open of their own volition; and feelings of dizziness and nausea.

Some have claimed to have obtained photographic anomalies whilst at the property.

The house is now open to the public as a museum and various tours are available.

Pictured left is the Winchester Mystery House courtesy of Gentgeen.