Haunted Ivy House Inn in Casper, Wyoming – Legends of America
Casper, Wyoming, a city nestled where the vast prairie meets the rugged Rocky Mountains, holds a unique landmark shrouded in intriguing tales and ghostly legends: the Ivy House Inn. Originally built as a private residence in 1916 by Mr. and Mrs. White, this stately Cape Cod-style structure evolved over the years, eventually becoming a beloved bed and breakfast known not only for its charm but also for its purported paranormal activity. While it no longer serves as an inn, its legacy as a site of spectral encounters continues to fascinate locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike.
The story of the Ivy House Inn is steeped in history and mystery. The Whites, who envisioned the house as their dream home, completed the expansive three-story building in 1940 with the addition of two grand front porches, adding to its welcoming facade. However, it is Mrs. White who remains the central figure in the inn’s ghostly narrative. Described as a controlling personality during her lifetime, her spirit is said to linger within the walls of the former inn, maintaining a watchful presence and ensuring that certain behaviors are kept in check.
According to accounts from previous owners and guests, Mrs. White’s spectral activities are not limited to merely discouraging undesirable behaviors like drinking and smoking. Instead, she appears as a more active participant in the daily occurrences within the house. Her presence is felt, seen, and even smelled, creating an atmosphere of both intrigue and unease.
Mrs. White passed away in 1995 at the age of 93. The following year, Tom and Kathy Johnson purchased the property, initially intending to renovate it into a bed and breakfast. Tom, a self-proclaimed skeptic at the time, soon found his beliefs challenged as he began the renovation process. It wasn’t long before he became a believer in the paranormal, thanks to a series of inexplicable events that occurred during the restoration.
One such incident involved a power drill that inexplicably stopped working while Tom was using it. To his astonishment, the plug detached from the wall, hanging in mid-air for several seconds before falling to the floor. On another occasion, a hammer seemed to move on its own, leaving the room without any human intervention. These experiences were enough to convince Tom that he was not alone in the house.
Over time, Tom Johnson’s skepticism transformed into a fascination with the paranormal. He not only embraced the idea that Mrs. White’s spirit resided in the inn but also came to believe that other entities shared the space. Among these were said to be two Siamese cats, spectral felines that have been sighted running through the building. One guest even reported feeling a cat sleeping on the end of the bed, purring contentedly throughout the night.
Adding to the array of ghostly inhabitants is the apparition of a man who is frequently seen in the back parking area. His presence is often accompanied by the triggering of car alarms, leading some to speculate that this may be the spirit of Mr. White. Another eerie encounter involved a guest who awoke to see a male figure standing over her bed, accompanied by a disembodied voice that chillingly asked, "Isn’t it funny how people get lost?"
Further reports from guests who stayed in the downstairs rooms describe a recurring dream featuring a young man wandering back and forth between the sink and the closet. This shared dream experience adds another layer of mystery to the already enigmatic reputation of the Ivy House Inn.
However, it is the controlling presence of Mrs. White that is most frequently noted. Her influence manifests in various ways, often through sensory experiences. Guests have reported sudden, inexplicable smells filling a room, such as the distinct aroma of old menthol cold medications, the comforting scent of baking chocolate, or the acrid odor of a scouring pad on a skillet.
Visual manifestations are also common. Mrs. White’s face has been known to appear in mirrors and windows, and her shadowy figure is often seen walking down the hallways or even passing through walls. Many guests have recounted instances of someone knocking at their door, only to find no one there when they opened it. If the door is not answered quickly enough, the doorknob will begin to twist on its own, as if an impatient spirit is trying to gain entry. Additionally, Mrs. White has reportedly appeared in numerous photographs taken within the inn, further solidifying her spectral presence.
The Ivy House Inn’s reputation for paranormal activity has attracted the attention of numerous paranormal investigators. On nine separate occasions, teams have visited the house to conduct research, hoping to capture evidence of the spirits that are said to reside within its walls. These investigations have undoubtedly contributed to the inn’s enduring legacy as a haunted location.
Despite its storied past as a bed and breakfast, the Ivy House Inn underwent a significant change in 2009. The beautiful building on South Ash Avenue in Casper was sold to the Turning Point Self-Help Center, marking the end of its era as an inn. While it no longer welcomes overnight guests, the legends and tales of its ghostly inhabitants continue to circulate, ensuring that the Ivy House Inn remains a captivating and mysterious landmark in Casper, Wyoming.
The stories and experiences associated with the Ivy House Inn serve as a reminder of the enduring human fascination with the unknown. Whether one believes in ghosts or not, the tales of Mrs. White and the other spectral residents of this historic building offer a glimpse into a world beyond our own, a world where the past and present intertwine, and where the boundaries between the living and the dead become blurred.