The Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis
"A house is never silent in darkness to those who listen intently; there is a whispering in distant chambers, an unearthly hand presses the snib of the window, and the latch rises. Ghosts were created when the first man woke in the night." – James Matthew Barrie, "The Little Minister"
Nestled in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, stands the Lemp Mansion, a stately edifice steeped in history and shadowed by tragedy. Reputed to be one of the most haunted locations in the United States, the mansion continues to whisper tales of the Lemp family, whose fortunes and misfortunes are inextricably linked to its very foundations. The Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis is more than just a building; it’s a repository of echoes, a place where the past refuses to remain silent.
From its origins as the opulent residence of brewing magnates to its subsequent transformations into office spaces, a decaying boarding house, and finally, its restoration as a distinguished dinner theater, restaurant, and bed and breakfast, the Lemp Mansion has witnessed a dramatic evolution. Each chapter of its existence has seemingly left an indelible mark, contributing to the layers of paranormal phenomena that have captivated ghost hunters and history enthusiasts alike. The imposing structure of the Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis serves as a constant reminder of the Lemp family’s legacy.
The story of the Lemp family begins with Johann Adam Lemp, an enterprising immigrant who arrived in St. Louis from Eschwege, Germany, in 1838. Establishing a modest grocery store, Lemp initially sold everyday household goods, groceries, and, most notably, his own homemade beer. This light, golden lager, a refreshing departure from the darker beers prevalent at the time, quickly gained popularity. The recipe, a cherished inheritance from his father, proved so successful that within two years, Lemp abandoned the grocery business to focus solely on brewing. In 1840, he erected a small brewery near the present-day Gateway Arch, laying the foundation for what would become a brewing empire. The tale of the Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis is also the story of the Lemp family’s rise to prominence.
Lemp initially served his beer in a pub connected to the brewery, introducing St. Louis to its first taste of lager. As demand grew, the original brewery proved insufficient to handle production and storage. Lemp ingeniously located a limestone cave south of the city limits, near the intersection of Cherokee and De Menil Place. By harvesting ice from the nearby Mississippi River and depositing it within the cave, he created a naturally cool environment ideal for the lagering process. Lemp’s Western Brewing Co. flourished, becoming one of the largest breweries in St. Louis by the 1850s. In 1858, the brewery’s beer received first place at the annual St. Louis fair, solidifying its reputation for quality. The Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis would become a symbol of the family’s success.
By the time of his death in 1862, Adam Lemp was a millionaire. His son, William Lemp, Sr., inherited the brewery and embarked on a significant expansion. William purchased a five-block area surrounding the storage house on Cherokee, above the lagering caves. In 1864, a new, larger plant was completed at Cherokee Street and Carondolet Avenue. Through continuous expansion to meet growing consumer demand, the brewery eventually encompassed five city blocks, a testament to its remarkable success. The influence of the Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis grew with the Lemp family.
The 1870s marked the zenith of the Lemp family’s power and influence. The Lemp Brewery dominated the St. Louis beer market, a position it maintained until the advent of Prohibition. Their wealth and status were undeniable, making them prominent figures in the city’s social and economic landscape. The history of the Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis is intertwined with the history of beer in America.
In 1868, Jacob Feickert, William Lemp’s father-in-law, constructed a house a short distance from the Lemp Brewery. William Lemp purchased the property in 1876 for his family, using it as both a residence and an auxiliary office. Although the house was already impressive, Lemp immediately initiated extensive renovations and expansions, transforming the 33-room structure into a Victorian showplace. This opulent residence became the famed Lemp Mansion, the epicenter of the family’s life and, later, the focus of countless ghost stories. The Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis is now a landmark, a place of mystery and intrigue.
From the mansion’s basement, a tunnel was constructed that led through the caves to the brewery. With the advent of mechanical refrigeration, parts of the cave were repurposed, creating unique spaces such as a natural auditorium and a theater. This subterranean oasis eventually included a large concrete swimming pool, heated by water piped in from the brewery’s boiling house, and a bowling alley. At one time, the theater was accessible via a spiral staircase from Cherokee Street, providing a direct link between the brewery’s entertainment facilities and the outside world. The Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis conceals secrets beneath its foundations.
By the mid-1890s, the Lemp Brewery had achieved national recognition with the introduction of its popular "Falstaff" beer, a brand that continues to be brewed today by another company. The Lemp Western Brewery was the first to establish coast-to-coast distribution of its beer, solidifying its place as a pioneer in the industry. In addition to building his own business empire, William Lemp Sr. also played a role in the early development of other brewing giants, such as Pabst, Anheuser, and Busch. The Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis witnessed the birth of an industry.
However, amidst this remarkable success, the Lemp family experienced the first of a series of devastating tragedies. In 1901, Frederick Lemp, William Sr.’s favorite son and heir apparent, died at the young age of 28. Frederick, who had always been in delicate health, succumbed to heart failure. William Lemp was inconsolable, and his spirit was broken. He began a slow withdrawal from public life, rarely seen after his son’s death. On January 1, 1904, the death of his close friend, Frederick Pabst, further deepened his despair, leaving him indifferent to the daily operations of the brewery. Although he continued to visit the office, he was increasingly anxious and unsettled. His physical and mental health deteriorated rapidly, culminating in his suicide on February 13, 1904, when he shot himself in the head with a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson. The Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis became a stage for tragedy.
In November 1904, William Lemp, Jr., assumed the presidency of the William J. Lemp Brewing Company. Inheriting both the family business and a substantial fortune, he and his wife, Lillian, embarked on a lavish spending spree. Filling the house with servants, they spent vast sums on carriages, clothing, and art, indulging in a lifestyle of extravagant luxury. The Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis reflected their opulence.
Lillian, a beautiful woman from a wealthy family, married William Lemp, Jr., in 1899, and their son, William J. Lemp, III, was born on September 26, 1900. Lillian soon became known as the "Lavender Lady" due to her unwavering fondness for the color. Her attire, accessories, and even the harnesses for her carriage horses were all dyed lavender, showcasing her unique and extravagant taste. Initially, Will enjoyed flaunting his "trophy wife," but he was a notorious philanderer. Having been born into wealth and privilege, he was accustomed to doing as he pleased, without regard for societal norms or the feelings of others. The Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis was a stage for their drama.
When William began to tire of his beautiful wife, he demanded that she spend her time shopping, allotting her $1,000 a day with the ultimatum that she would receive no more if she failed to spend it all. Meanwhile, Will continued to manage the brewery during the day while engaging in a variety of decadent activities at night. He hosted lavish parties in the caves beneath the mansion, providing prostitutes for the "entertainment" of his friends. These extravagant events, complete with the swimming pool, bowling alley, and free-flowing beer, were legendary for their hedonistic atmosphere. The Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis held secrets in its depths.
William’s indiscretions eventually resulted in the birth of a son with a woman other than his wife. While official documentation of this child’s existence is lacking, rumors have persisted over the years that the boy was hidden in the mansion attic for his entire life. According to St. Louis historian Joe Gibbons, interviews with a former nanny and chauffeur who worked at the mansion confirmed the boy’s existence and his confinement to the servant’s quarters in the attic. The boy, allegedly born with Down syndrome, was considered a source of shame for the family and was hidden away from the world to conceal the Lemp’s perceived disgrace. Known today as the "Monkey Face Boy," this unfortunate soul is believed to be one of the mansion’s most active and poignant spirits. The Haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis guards the secrets of the "Monkey Face Boy."