Is Biltmore haunted? North Carolina’s most prominent and beloved attraction, located in Asheville, receives more than a million visitors yearly. This family-owned estate inspires people as the tour allows an escape from everyday life. Since 1895, the family has welcomed guests to its 8,000 sprawling acres with breathtaking views of the mountains and the distinguished house and gardens. Let’s take a look at some of the paranormal activity reported in the firsthand accounts of visitors to our beloved Biltmore, one of the most haunted places in North Carolina—and the country, for that matter. Let’s dive into the Biltmore Estate’s chilling history.
First, a little background. The Biltmore Estate in North Carolina was constructed from 1889 to 1895 by William Henry Vanderbilt II. In his early twenties, Vanderbilt accompanied his mother to Asheville on a visit. He fell in love with the area, of course, and decided to build a modest summer home. His modest little summer home would reportedly use up much of his Vanderbilt inheritance. He ended up getting married, having a daughter, and living at Biltmore until his death in 1914.
Biltmore has 178,926 square feet of floor space. That’s the equivalent of four acres inside the main house alone. But lots of rooms and luxury aren’t the only things you might discover on a tour. Visitors touring the estate have reported many paranormal experiences, ranging from apparitions, cold spots, sensations of being pushed by something otherworldly, and strange smells—among other things.
The staircase is a common place for spotting ghosts and experiencing the haunted activity at the Biltmore Estate. Many paranormal enthusiasts believe staircases are spiritual vortexes, attracting ascending (and descending!) spirits. At Biltmore, visitor accounts of odd occurrences on the stairs soar in firsthand accounts detailed in online reports and comments.
It doesn’t help matters that many of the 250 rooms found at Biltmore have faceless mannequins dressed in period clothing. We’re sure it only serves to confuse the unconscious mind that sees something that really isn’t there.
Many people have reported seeing George Vanderbilt II in his library. Apparently, one of Vanderbilt’s favorite rooms in the estate was his library. He could be found here, admiring and reading books found in his vast collection. He’s often seen browsing the books along the shelves or sitting quietly and reading.
The indoor swimming pool, located in the basement, was a popular spot for visitors to Biltmore during Vanderbilt’s day. Today, however, it’s not popular at all. Soaring numbers of firsthand accounts say they had an overwhelming feeling of uneasiness when touring the pool, the site of the supposed Biltmore Estate pool drowning. Some go on to say they clearly felt pure terror in the presence of someone who may have drowned during one of the parties the Vanderbilts were known to throw. I have to admit that when I toured Biltmore a few years ago, I too felt strangely uneasy seeing this indoor swimming area. There’s something eerie about seeing a pool without water in it…