AMERICAN HAUNTINGS GHOST HUNTS
NIGHT AT THE LEBOLD MANSION
ABILENE, KANSAS
NEXT AVAILABLE DATE: April 20, 2024
8:00 PM - 2:00 AM
$46 PER PERSON
SOLD OUT!
Join American Hauntings for a chilling night at one of the most haunted house in the Wild West town of Abilene, Kansas! Delve into the rich history of the legendary town and spend a night among the spirits of the past and present within the walls of his amazing mansion!
This Kansas limestone mansion was not the first home built at this site. In 1857, Tim and Eliza Hersey – founders of Abilene – constructed a stone dugout that was eventually incorporated into the tower of the mansion that took its place. The mansion was constructed in 1880 for banker, Conrad Lebold.
His occupancy in the house turned out to be relatively short. Lebold went bankrupt in 1889 and the house was abandoned for years. It seemed to attract a number of owners who followed in Leopold’s footsteps – losing their fortunes and abandoning the house over and over again. For most of its existence, it was converted into multiple apartment rooms for tenants, including a "Girls Club" for single female telephone operators and a boys' orphanage.
As scores of people passed through its doors over the years, it seemed that many of them have left a bit of themselves behind. As we’ll soon see…
ABILENE AND THE WILD WEST
Abilene has long been reputed to be the most haunted town in Kansas. Given its long and turbulent history, it's not hard to understand why. Many hearts have been broken, fortunes ruined, and lives lost since the early settlers braved the harsh wilderness to settle in the area known as Mud Creek. As a place where cattle drives ended for decades, it was a place that many cowhands, outlaws, prostitutes, and gamblers called home – at least for a little while.
More than a few of those cowboys are said to roam the streets of Old Abilene Town forever, possibly after being killed in a gunfight or after being caught cheating in a card game.
The first town marshal, Thomas James "Bear River" Smith, was killed in the line of duty -- shot, hit in the head with the butt of a rifle, and then his head chopped with an axe. The next marshal was James “Wild Bill” Hickok, the notorious gunslinger who sent more than a few lawbreakers to the undertaker when he wasn't playing poker in the local saloon.
And he wasn’t the only western legend who passed through town and left a story behind. Perhaps the most famous was John Wesley Hardin, one of the most prolific killers in Kansas history.
Is it any wonder that Abilene has a history for hauntings?
THE LEBOLD MANSION
The Lebold Mansion continued to be used as an apartment building until 1970. Soon after, it was added to the National Historic Register and turned into a museum, starting in 1973. It remained a museum until it was sold to owner, Joseph Tatner, who has used his experience with Ritz-Carlton hotels to restore and retain the classic feel of this historic – and often eerie – mansion.
The hauntings here date back many years. One previous owner – who insisted the house was haunted – was sent away to an insane asylum while living here.
No one suspected the ghosts were the product of his troubled mind, though. They had experienced the spirits for themselves!
Over the years, literally hundreds of people have lived in the house – and many of them died within its walls. One young lady spent the night and reported doors opening and slamming for no reason, and her blanket was ripped off of her at midnight when no one was around. A large piano was moved when no one was in the room. The piano bench has tended to roam around the house, as well.
During the time when the property was an apartment for female telephone operators, one of them died here – and has never left.
A caretaker who tended to the property between owners passed away while sleeping in the maid’s quarters. He still looks after the house today.
In recent years, scores of visitors have come to the house for parties and events – and to look for ghosts. In most cases, they find them!
The spirits seem to be very protective of the mansion. They don't like anything broken or disturbed, so be careful. No respectful visitor has ever felt threatened. During one visit, two ladies stood in the foyer, chatting about the house. Inexplicably, both felt the need to move at the same time. As soon as they did, the chandelier they had been standing under crashed to the floor on the very spot they had just left. Whether the spirits were being protective or playful, no one was hurt, and disaster was averted--except for the broken chandelier.
There have been many reports of strange happenings – footsteps, voices, unexplained sounds, cold spots, and overwhelming feelings of emotion, where visitors begin to cry and have trouble breathing, for no apparent reason at all.
Don’t miss your chance to experience this historically haunted mansion and perhaps come face-to-face with the residents of the past. Join America’s Original Ghost Hunt company for a night you won’t soon forget!