Haunted by a Mansion in Ruin
Written by Donna Davies
Wyndclyffe 2009 Courtesy of L. Schnecke
Rhinecliff, NY–In the quaint town of Rhinecliff, New York rests the remains of one of the first grand mansions in the Hudson River Valley known as Wyndclyffe, the former home of Elizabeth Schermerhorn Jones, cousin to the Astors of New York and the spinster Aunt of the Pulitzer Prize wining novelist Edith Wharton.
My journey started with quest to learn more about local legendary hauntings in the Hudson Valley. I had heard that Wyndclyffe was a popular destination for urban explorers and ghost hunters. By comparison, I would not call upstate New York urban, but it is a mecca for exploring ruins of the past and present.
After reading a short chapter about Wyndclyffe in Haunted Houses of the Hudson Valley
The history of this mansion is fascinating. There is a wealth of information about famed novelist Edith Wharton’s relationship to the home which she obviously loathed. However, I was unable to find contradictory information about her Aunt Elizabeth. This home was obviously her vision and she must have loved it dearly. I was able to put the puzzle together from my research and the help of a couple of friends to determine Wyndclyffe’s location, which I will not disclose.
Road Trip…
“Wow!” That was all I could muster when I first saw the grand brick façade come
Courtesy of The Library of Congress
into view. The panoramic views of the Hudson River must have been incredible from the upper floors of the Norman style building. The distinct curves and arches of the brickwork were ornate yet simple, but gothic in design. I have never seen anything like it in my lifetime. The tower stood tall and menacing protruding from the vast green trees to the bright blue sky. I would have loved to explore the interior, but out of respect for the owners and because we value our health, we remained outside the fenced area. The property is rumored to be under construction. There is a dumpster on-site, but I can’t see how this majestic beauty could be restored to its former glory unless you are Donald Trump.
We did not stay at the site long and it was a good thing. We missed the troopers by minutes. I don’t advise that you go in search of Wyndclyffe. If you are haunted by the mystery of this gem in the rough as I was, I would understand. Do not go past the fence. The area is clearly not secure and you are TRESPASSING.
This was a learning experience. I now understand the magnetic attraction that Wyndclyffe holds for explorers of the unknown. I did feel haunted after my visit. Not in the paranormal way. It haunts me that some of the most remarkable architecture of eras gone by is left to fade away until it is reduced to a heap of rubble hidden by brush.
If you venture to Wyndclyffe and get stuck in the middle of a ghostly fox hunt, let me know.
Enjoy the photos.
Cited Sources:
Macken, Lynda Lee (2006). Haunted Houses of the Hudson Valley
Visit these Web sites to learn more about Wyndclyffe:
I have been to Hoyts and went inside a few years back when I was younger (and stupider), before the fence was put up. We went in through a hole on the bottom floor. Nothing out of the ordinary happened on the inside of the building, although I will say that no one should attempt to go into it because it is condemned and very unsafe. It is very easy to fall down onto the ground floor from an upper level- many holes in the floor and the staircase is almost completed dilapidated. Very spooky interior and there was a long skinny staircase leading up to one door at the top floor which was shut which struck me as odd since it was the only door left in the whole structure and it was shut tight-possibly locked even.
On the outside of the building we were sitting down listening to the nightly chorus of tree frogs when something very spooky did happen. A piece of the roof managed to dislodge itself and crash down almost right on top of my friend’s head. Should it have found its mark we would have been making a trip to the hospital for sure. Paranormal? Maybe. Scary? As hell. All in all, Hoyts mansion is a very interesting and exciting place to visit.
any ghost hunters looking to do any safe, legal adventuring please email me at McCabe.Glass@gmail.com