Atchison Kansas -- The Most Haunted City in Kansas

Haunted Atchison - Page 3

Glick Mansion, 503 North Second Street - Construction on the Glick Mansion was began in 1873 by George Washington Glick. Glick had moved to Atchison from Fremont, Ohio in the spring of 1859 with his wife Lizzie Ryder Glick, son Frederick H. and daughter with his Jennie. Soon, he established a law practice with the Honorable Judge Alfred G. Otis under the firm name "Otis & Glick". When the war between the states broke out, Glick served as a Union soldier in the 2d Kansas Regiment during the Civil War.

In April, 1873, Glick purchased two lots for $950.00 and razed a structure that was on the property to begin the building of the mansion. First built in the old Gothic Victorian style, construction of the grand structure would continue for the next 39 years.

The Click Mansion prior to the time it was remodeled in 1912

George Washington Glick Glick was elected to the Kansas Legislature in 1862 and served 14 of the next 18 years in that post. In 1874, Glick also became active in farming and stock raising on his 600 acre "Shannon Hill” farm, which was well known in the area.

In 1879, Lizzie Glick, George’s wife, purchased two adjoining lots north of their home for $1,000 and another building was raised to make room for expansion of the mansion. It was also during this year, that George Washington Glick would become the 9^th governor of Kansas, and the first ever Democratic governor of the state. Though he only remained in office for one term, he continued to remain active in the political arena, as well as being active in local businesses, participating as one of the original founders of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.

After years of civic service, George Glick was forced to abandon his political career because of a throat infection that nearly destroyed his ability to speak. He continued, however, as an attorney for various railroads. He also managed his farm and served as a charter member and first vice president of the Kansas Historical Society.

In October of 1909, George deeded the Glick Mansion property to his daughter Jennie and her husband James Orr. Just two years later, at the age of 83, George Washington Glick died on April 13, 1911.

In 1912, James and Jennie Orr began to remodel the home, retaining the appearance of the mansion but transforming it from a Victorian style to the current Tudor Revival Manor style. When James Orr died in February, 1927, the mansion was left with Jennie until her death in 1944.

Having no children, the estate was divided among relatives, friends, the First Church of Christ Scientist of Atchison, Kansas and the Atchison, Kansas Public Library. The mansion was then sold by the estate to the local mortician, named William Stanton Jr. in January 1945 for $4,000 dollars. After Mr. Stanton passed away in August, 1962, his wife Amelia sold the property to James M. and Christeen Griffith. It passed through several hands until it was purchased by its current owners Ray and Joyce Barmby, he currently own and operate the beautiful, restored mansion as a Bed and Breakfast Inn.

The Glick Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 26, 1992.

Along with the rest of Atchison, the Glick Mansion is also said to have a ghost of its own rattling around in this century old home. Allegedly, the strange sounds heard in the night are that of a resident benevolent ghost. The sounds of doors being opened and inexplicably closed by unseen forces is a common occurrence, as well as the sounds of footsteps when no one is around.

Today, guests can enjoy the century old home by sipping English Tea or wine and tasting the lovely d'oeuvres in the parlor.

Contact Information:

Tuck You Inn at Glick Mansion

503 North Second Street

Atchison, Kansas 66002

913-367-9110

The Glick Mansion today serves as a fine Bed and

Breakfast Inn, Kathy Weiser, 2004.

The McInteer Villa, November, 2004, Kathy Weiser.

McInteer Villa - This stately mansion, called the McInteer Villa, at 1301 Kansas Avenue was built by Irish Immigrant, John McInteer in 1890. The villa was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 26, 1975 and odd phenomena is reported in the mansion, including lights turning on and off in the tower, which does not have electricity. People walking or driving past the building have often reported seeing figures at the windows when no one is in the house. Figures have often been reported to appear in photographs taken inside the old villa.

Benedictine College - Located on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River, the 150 year old Benedictine College, is also said to be haunted. Not by evil spirits, this historic college is said to remain home to the spirits of some of the old monks who founded the institution more than a century and a half ago. Continuing to look after and protect the old school, at least one of these spirits is known to be lurking about Ferrell Hall, a campus dormitory.

It all began in 1858, when the monks opened a boarding school with just six students. The following year, St. Benedict’s College was officially opened with 16 students.

From there, the college continued to grow into the beautiful 120 acre campus which now serves the educational needs of over 1000 students.

At another dormitory called Memorial Hall, several eerie things have been known to occur. According to legend, a coed once gave birth to a baby in the closet of her room. Unlike most dormitories, the walk-in closets are very large at Memorial Hall. Alas, the poor girl's baby later died. Today, students in this dorm have often reported the feeling of a child climbing into their beds with them at night.

The Benedictine College is said to be haunted by the

monks that built this institution more than a century and

a half ago. Kathy Weiser, May, 2010.

St. Benedicts Abbey, Atchison, Kansas, Kathy Weiser, May, 2010.

Another girl who was in her closet changing, when the dresser mysteriously moved in front of the door. When she tried to open the door, it wouldn't budge. Immediately believing her roommate was playing a prank on her, she yelled out "haha, very funny, let me out." However, her roommate wasn't even in the room. It wasn't until she began to scream at the top of her lungs, that someone finally came to her rescue.

Another girl reported that while she was at the mirror in her room, her desk chair began to rock, then suddenly stopped. Frightened she immediately left the room, and was to afraid to return for some time.

While all manner of freakish occurrences have been reported at the college, they are seemingly harmless to the students of Benedictine College.

Reader Update: I am a sophomore at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas and last year, when I was a freshman, I lived in the Memorial Dorm. On my very first night at the dorm, I was awakened at 3:00 a.m. by a noise in my room. When I opened my eyes, I was startled to see someone standing in my closet rifling through my belongings. Exhausted and thinking it might be some kind of prank being played as part of "Recruitment Week,” I said nothing, as the person came and went several times, always returning to the closet. The next morning, my roommate stated that she had also heard the commotion from the night before. Checking the closet the next morning, I found it to be a mess. When I reported the strange event the next morning to the Resident Director, she responded that perhaps someone might have inadvertently gone into the wrong room. However, our door was locked. To this day, both my roommate and I are convinced that we were visited that night by a ghostly spirit. - Maria, October, 2004

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