Bit of Haunted House History

Haunted house's exist to scare people. Haunted Houses have been around for quite some time. Spooky stories have been told for centuries as a way to entertain. Haunted houses are closely related to Halloween likewise Halloween would not be the same with out haunted houses. While there are those that may be truly haunted the Halloween haunted houses are often commercially done to raise funds.

The first haunted house that was man made dates back to the 19th century. A group of illusions and attractions in London introduced the public to a new form of entertainment. Marie Tussaud showcased was sculptures of decapitated French figures that included King Louis XVI and his wife Marie as well as many others who had met their death via guillotine. The exhibition in London was known as the "Chamber of Horrors"

A not so distance relative to the haunted houses of today can be dated back to Paris and the Grand Guignol theater where depictions of graphic dismemberment under director Max Maurey. It was a good sign that audiences would always be available for dramatic hauntings.

Halloween themed haunted houses in the Untied States started during the Great Depression. It was parents that looked for ways to distract young tricksters who other wise may be involved in other halloween pranks that could get them into trouble. Trick or treating and commercial haunted houses in the United States came into being around the same time in history.

The first houses were primitive in style. Families would decorate basements and hold "house to house" parties. Kids would travel basement to basement having fun scaring each other. It was Walt Disney who would build a haunted house that would become a cultural icon. The Haunted Mansion which was made to resemble famous haunted places included the Winchester Mystery house. Thousands of people have passed through the Haunted Mansion where a Grand Hall ballroom is also present.

Haunted House Fever would spread across the country. The Jaycees would become famous for raising money through haunted houses. Knott's Berry Farm in California would start hosting halloween night attractions as well. In the 1980s and 1990s when Hollywood was embracing slasher movies haunted houses would adopt such characters as Freddy Krueger, Jason, and others.

In our area there are haunted houses and there are other haunted events. The haunted fair ground, haunted trails, haunted forest so many ways to get your scare on. All are there to have a bit of fun.

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