Inside Michigan’s Real Haunted House: The Bruce Mansion
WARNING: This place is currently privately owned. Any trespassers or vandals risk prosecution.
The Bruce Mansion is located at the corner of M-53 and E. Burnside Rd ( M-90) west of Brown City. This Munster-type mansion was built in 1876 by Scotsman John G. Bruce and the name has stuck ever since.
In an area once known as the town of Burnside, the town was basically wiped out by several fires in 1881, but the mansion was spared. Bruce eventually sold the mansion, but the owners kept selling and moving out. There was a total of six owners between 1921-1926.....six in a five-year period, but why? What was forcing these homeowners to move out?
The house was purchased by John Walker in 1926 but only a few months later, his wife left him, and the house went into foreclosure. Distraught over his circumstances, Walker decided to go out for a drive. While out driving he accidentally hit and killed a pedestrian. Afraid of prosecution, he put the body in his car, went home and buried the dead man behind the mansion. His mind and brain swirling, he climbed up into the tower and hung himself.
In the years since then, owners came and went for various reasons: no money, death, and paranormal activities. One mansion owner made an attempt to turn it into a Bed & Breakfast but too many people had ghostly experiences and refused to stay. Disappointed, the owner sold the house.
According to inwanderlust.weebly.com, the paranormal activities included John Walker's apparition walking with a 'long-necked' woman dressed in yellow.....the ghost of an old man with a beard.....human-shaped shadows have been seen looking out the windows and in the cellar coal room.....apparitions of what seem to be "ghost" pets - a dog and cat.....and the usual stuff: The lights would go on and off by themselves, doors opening and closing, moving objects, figures showing up in photographs taken by customers, etc.
Haunted tours were occasionally booked in an effort to raise funds for restoration. This year, they feature 'Haunted Movie Nights'. Go to their website and see what they're doing and offering...activities and availability are constantly changing!
Inside the Bruce Mansion, Brown City
Inside an 1800s 2nd Empire Mansion Hidden in Michigan's Countryside ~ Bruce Mansion Spooky Tour