The Stone House at Manassas National Battlefield Park is a historic landmark with a haunting past. The horrors of war seem to have left the Stone House with layers of trauma, with reports of a dark, foreboding presence haunting the building to this day. Despite its reputation, the resilient structure remains a popular site for history enthusiasts and ghost hunters, bearing witness to the suffering of the past and the restless spirits that refuse to let its legacy be forgotten.
A Storied History
The history of the Stone House are a bit mysterious. Early tax records suggest that the house may have been built in 1828 by a man named John Lee. But recently discovered records suggest that the Stone House may have been built in 1848 by Thomas Otway Clarke. It initially served as a tavern and inn, catering to travelers along the Warrenton Turnpike. Over the years, the building also functioned as a private residence and a school. By 1850, the Stone House and the surrounding land was purchased by Henry P. Matthews and his wife, Jane Matilda Clarke.
The Civil War
But the Stone House’s story took a dramatic turn during the American Civil War. During the First Battle of Manassas in 1861, the house found itself directly in the line of fire, weathering barrages of bullets and cannon blasts. Confederates used the house to take cover as the battle raged towards Henry Hill over near the Henry House. Rather than crumbling, the resilient building remained standing. The Stone House was quickly converted into a makeshift hospital to tend to the flood of wounded soldiers. As the Union was retreating, Confederates used the Stone House to retain captured soldiers.
During the Second Battle of Manassas, the Stone House was once again in a prime area for artillery fire, but it miraculously withstood the bombardment. Just like before, the house was used to house wounded soldiers.
In addition to battle damages, two wounded soldiers of the 5th New York Infantry carved their names into the wooden floor in the upstairs bedrooms. Privates Charles E. Brehm, aged 21, and Eugene P. Geer, aged 17, left their marks. Brehm survived the war while Geer didn’t survive the year. This brings a morbid perspective on the impact of the war.
After the War
In the aftermath of the war, the building fell into disrepair. Henry Matthews and his wife were left devastated after the Civil War and all of the work they put into the house and land was for nothing. The Stone House was heavily damaged and the land was decimated from being an agricultural resource. In 1866, the Matthews sold the home to Gideon and Mary Starbuck.
The Starbucks sold the house in 1879 to a relative by the name of George E. Starbuck. He only kept the house for a few years before he sold it to Benson and Ellen Pridmore in 1881. Benson passed away in 1902. After that, the house was sold to Henry J. and Elvira Ayers, his heirs.
The Ayers made several modifications to the house as well as made minor additions. There were also commercial structures that were going up on the lot. When Henry died, he left the house to his son, George.
The Stone House was acquired by the National Park Service in 1949. After that, NPS started doing stabilization work on the house. In 1961, NPS started a full restoration of the Stone House and bringing it (and the land) back to how the house looked during the Civil War.
Today, the Stone House is a prominent feature of the Manassas National Battlefield Park, educating visitors about the pivotal role it played during the Civil War.
Paranormal Reports
The horrors of war seemed to leave their mark on the Stone House. In 1866, just a year after the conflict ended, the building was already being referred to as the “Haunted House” by locals. A curse is also tied to the Stone House. According to Mark Nesbitt, it is believed that George may have placed artillery shells in the walls where they would have struck during the Battle. It is unknown why he would have done this, but it’s believed it was to attract tourists. After doing that, six members of the Ayers family died within a short amount of time. The conclusion was that because George had placed the artillery shells within the walls, a curse was placed on the family.
Accounts speak of a dark, foreboding presence that lingers within its walls, disturbing visitors and park rangers alike. The house is known for having cold spots as well. One gentleman reported that after passing one of those cold spots, he went to exit the house. As he was going out the door, he was hit so hard that he injured his knee. He could hear voices of men making fun of the fact that he was thrown out of the tavern.
Nesbitt also recounted another story told by fellow park rangers. A group of rangers had entered the house and locked the door behind them (very important ranger rule). After they went down into the basement, they heard footsteps above them. When the rangers went up to investigate, they found that no one was there.
The Disappearing House
Another story, retold by L.B. Taylor in his infamous books about haunted places of Virginia, includes people driving through the battlefield at night. While driving, they see ghostly lights where houses once stood. In a different story, one woman was driving through the battlefield for an appointment and was shocked to see that the Stone House was not standing. After her appointment, the woman drove the same route and was once again shocked. Why? The Stone House was now standing in its spot.
To this day, the Stone House remains a site of fascination for ghost hunters and history buffs alike. Park rangers, though hesitant to publicly validate the paranormal rumors, have their own stories of unexplained phenomena – strange footsteps, unexplained presences, and a building that seems to resist all efforts to tame its haunted past.
The Stone House Today
The Stone House stands as a testament to the horrors of war, a silent witness to the suffering that took place within its walls. And for those brave enough to venture inside, it may also serve as a portal to the restless spirits that refuse to let its history be forgotten.
To learn more about this chilling story and other hauntings in the area, pick up a copy of my book, Haunted Northern Virginia, published by The History Press. Immerse yourself in the ghostly lore and history that still lingers in the region. Available now for purchase on Amazon. (Note: This is an affiliate link. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through it, at no additional cost to you.)
Sources
https://home.nps.gov/mana/learn/historyculture/the-stone-house.htm
https://scenicusa.net/112008.html
https://www.nps.gov/places/stone-house.htm