A Texas home built in 1861 ranked third among America’s haunted destinations; visitors report seeing a woman in white |

A historic Texas home built in 1861 has secured the third spot on a national list of America’s haunted destinations, drawing attention to its centuries-old architecture and stories of unexplained encounters. Known as The Grove, the property stands in Jefferson, Texas. According to a report by MySA, the house featured in USA Today’s 10Best roundup of haunted destinations. Visitors and people associated with the property have claimed to see a woman dressed in white, a mysterious figure walking through the garden and other unusual occurrences. While these accounts have contributed to The Grove’s reputation, the reported paranormal experiences have not been scientifically verified.

Inside the 1861 Texas home ranked among America’s most haunted destinations

The Grove, also known as the Stilley–Young House, is located at 405 East Moseley Street in Jefferson, Texas. It was built in 1861 by Frank and Minerva Stilley and is recognised for its historic architecture and reported paranormal activity.USA Today’s 10Best roundup ranked The Grove third among America’s haunted destinations, according to MySA. The first two places went to Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Indiana State Sanatorium in Rockville, Indiana.Unlike purpose-built haunted attractions, The Grove is a historic residence that offers guided tours exploring its architecture, history and stories of reported supernatural encounters. Its combination of historical significance and local folklore has helped attract visitors interested in both history and the paranormal.

The woman in white and other reported apparitions

The most famous ghost story associated with The Grove centres on a woman dressed in white, often referred to as the Lady in White. According to the property’s official website, a female figure has reportedly been seen following a recurring route through the house. The website associates the apparition with Minerva Fox Stilley, the wife of Frank Stilley, who built the house in 1861.According to the property’s account, the woman appears to pass through a wall. The website suggests that this detail may relate to the building’s earlier layout, when a doorway and porch occupied the area before alterations were made. In 1870, a room was added to connect the previously detached kitchen to the main house. Although this architectural history provides context for the legend, it does not establish that the reported apparition exists.Two other figures feature in The Grove’s paranormal folklore. One is a man reportedly seen striding through the garden’s lily beds as though he is hurrying somewhere. The other is described as a mischievous presence in the den, with some accounts portraying it as flirtatious towards women. These stories extend the reported encounters beyond the Lady in White and contribute to the house’s reputation among visitors interested in paranormal folklore.

A Texas home’s haunted reputation dates back to the 19th century

According to The Grove’s official website, one of the earliest stories associated with the house dates to 1882, when a man named T.C. Burke reportedly bought the property and moved his family into it. The account says the family left soon afterwards, with the explanation recorded as: “We can’t live there…” The website does not establish why the family departed, and independent corroboration of the episode has not been established.More recent accounts describe unusual experiences reported by the property’s owners after they moved into the house in March 2002. A passage reproduced on The Grove’s official tour page from Texas Monthly recounts claims that bedsheets were pulled away at night, the deadbolt on a kitchen door locked by itself and a dining-room mirror became covered in condensation. The accounts do not establish what caused these incidents.The tour page also recounts an incident involving a visitor who reportedly held out a tape recorder and invited any presence in the house to speak. Although no response was reportedly heard at the time, an old man’s voice allegedly saying, “I miss my family,” was heard during playback. The recording has not been independently authenticated, so the account remains an anecdote rather than verified evidence of a supernatural voice.Other stories reproduced on the property’s website describe objects being moved and mirrors coming off walls. The accounts, alongside the stories of the Lady in White and the other reported figures, have helped sustain interest in The Grove over the years. However, these experiences remain attributed claims and local legends, not independently established evidence of paranormal activity.

The historic house has undergone several changes

Although The Grove dates to 1861, the building has undergone alterations over the years. According to its official website, a room was added in 1870 to connect the previously detached kitchen to the main house.Further changes followed in the 1930s, when an indoor bathroom was installed and the side porch was enclosed. The property’s history identifies these changes as part of the building’s evolution while retaining its 19th-century character.Its historic designation provides a documented basis for its significance beyond its reputation as a haunted destination.The Grove is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Records maintained by the US National Park Service identify the Stilley–Young House as a historic property in Jefferson and document Greek Revival architectural influences.

The Grove remains open for guided tours

Despite its reputation, The Grove is not an abandoned building. It remains a private residence that welcomes visitors for scheduled guided tours.The property’s official website describes an approximately one-hour experience covering the home’s history and stories associated with its reported apparitions. The published schedule lists usual tour times of 2 pm on Saturdays and 11 am on Sundays, although schedules may change. Advance reservations are required, and visitors should confirm the latest timings directly with the property before travelling.Located in Jefferson, Texas, the house offers visitors an opportunity to explore a historic 19th-century building while hearing the accounts that have made it a destination for paranormal enthusiasts.