McPike Mansion

McPike Mansion, or Mount Lookout, is a mansion in Alton, which is part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area in Southern Illinois, USA. Built in 1869 by Henry Guest McPike (1825–1910), it is situated on Alby Street on a site of 15 acres, one of the highest points in Alton, which was called Mount Lookout. The structure appeared in the series Scariest Places on Earth. It was also featured on Season 1, Episode 7 of Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files. The mansion itself has been deemed the most haunted house in the midwest.  In1925, the mansion was purchased by Paul A. Laichinger who lived there until his death in 1945. While the house was abandoned for years thereafter, there was some interest in demolishing it and converting the land into a shopping center, though this fell through due to zoning issues. In the meantime, the house was ransacked for what was left behind, including its furnishings, wooden banisters and even the toilets, becoming a victim of vandalism and negligence. The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 17, 1980 but was left derelict for many years, before being purchased by Sharyn and George Luedke in an auction in 1994. They had intended to convert it into a hotel, but contrary to earlier assurances at auction, they were unable to secure restoration grant money from any federal, state, or local agencies. According to the owner, the mansion is allegedly haunted by the ghost of a former owner and a former domestic servant. The mansion was completed in 1871. It is a three-story red brick and white building, with white pillars supporting the porch. It contains 16 rooms and a vaulted wine cellar. Situated on Alby Street on a site of 15 acres, one of the highest points in Alton, McPike named the estate Mount Lookout. McPike was an avid horticulturalist and added extensive gardens with orchards, shrubs and rare trees. Only 4.4 acres of the original estate remain of Mt. Lookout.