The Hiram B. Scutt Mansion, also known as Barb Villa, is a historic residence in Joliet, Illinois. Despite reports of being haunted, and that has witnessed two mystery deaths, this large red-brick residence has reportedly sold in a week in a bidding war. The mansion with a history as a stigmatized property was listed for $159,900, but it reportedly snagged a higher sale price in a bidding war, according to the Zillow Blog. An elegant suburban Chicago mini-mansion was built in 1882 by Hiram Scutt, a Civil War veteran who later became a barbed-wire magnate.
After Scutt died in 1889, his son, Frank, took over and the home was eventually sold to Daniel Watson, who allowed a variety of women’s schools, such as the Business Woman’s Club House, to operate in mansion. The mansion held such classes until 1977, when it again became solely a single-family residence. Recently, the house has been opened to the public as a banquet hall. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 5, 2003.
It has been determined that two murders have taken place in the estate, as well as the death of (at least) three of the home’s owners in the house.[citation needed] Many paranormal investigation groups to have conducted investigation events in the home have also claimed the spirits of children and other entities remain in the house.
The three-story home spans an area of 4,960 square feet and is reportedly perfect for a bed and breakfast, private weddings, corporate meetings, private parties, church groups, and as a movie location. The giant Victorian home has hardwood flooring and high ceilings. There is a doll-room, filled with dolls that depict the Victorian life. The room happens to be the creepiest of all with cold-spots being felt there.
Listing agent Maria Cronin is still planning to hold an open house this weekend — mainly to accommodate ghost hunters who are traveling in to view the property and try to contact the spirits that reportedly dwell in the home.
“I didn’t know what I was getting into when I took this listing,” Cronin said.
