Morbid Real Estate: October Edition

1000 N. 6th St., Harrisburg

 

For those of us with a fascination with the macabre, October is the best month of the year. While many folks celebrate the season with pumpkin spice, others prefer the more sublime flavors of murder, mystery and tragedy. Not only are they every bit as delicious; there's no empty calories. If you happen to be searching for a new home during this spooky season, here are three finds that are sure to tingle your spine. If you've grown tired of the run-of-the-mill Halloween attractions and waiting in line for the haunted house, consider buying one of the following homes-- they just may turn out to be the real thing!

1000 N. 6th St.

 

1000 North Sixth St., Harrisburg (Dauphin County) Price: $525,000

This well-maintained five bedroom, 3454 square foot multi-family property features granite countertops, in-unit laundry and stainless steel appliances, as well as a two car garage, a whole building sprinkler system and a large basement ideal for storing corpses.

1000 N. 6th St.

 

Okay, well that might not be much of a selling point in 2025, but it was almost a century ago when this property was purchased by Charles W. Curtis. A native of West Virginia, mortician Charles Curtis established an undertaking parlor at this location in 1938, which he operated until his unexpected death in 1943 after a three day illness. His widow, Marie, continued to operate the Curtis Funeral Home until her retirement in 1962.

337 S. Orange St., Mount Carmel

 

337 S. Orange St., Mount Carmel (Northumberland County). Price: $19,995 

There are plenty of reasons why a house might sell for under $20k. It might have an outdated kitchen with cabinet doors falling off the hinges, carpeting that hasn't been cleaned since Saturday Night Live was funny, a drop ceiling missing tiles, or bedroom walls whose color could only be described as spackle. It could be situated in a cheerless, run-down mining town which hasn't thrived economically since the days of the steam locomotive, or it could be a house where someone made the regrettable decision to unalive themself. If you're looking for such a place to call your own, this next property checks all those boxes!

337 S. Orange St.

 

This 3 bedroom, one bathroom duplex, situated in Mount Carmel, may boast a mere 936 square feet of living space, but you'd be amazed at just how many handyman projects you'll be able to squeeze into such a small property. Why, it will keep you busy for years! So if you're one of those do-it-yourselfers who prefer to spend their weekends fixing leaky pipes, catching basement rats, and making frequent trips to Home Depot, you'll be tickled pink. 

337 S. Orange St.

337 S. Orange St.

 

And if you're not the handy type, just do what everyone else does in the Coal Region-- put absolutely no work into the property, rent it out for five times its worth, sit back, and watch those slumlord dollars trickle in. If you've ever seen a paunchy, middle-aged Lebanese man rolling through Dooleyville in a Lexus and thought, "Gee, how can I ever become a greedy absentee Coal Region landlord?", well, here's your chance. Act now, before Mahmoud beats you to it.

337 S. Orange St.

 

And, and you're not yet charmed off your feet, there's also the fact that this very house was once home to the Rowe family, who lived here during the 1930s. On Friday, November 22, 1936, Margaret Rowe, the 17-year-old daughter of Charlotte and George Rowe, died tragically as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after shooting herself in the chest with a revolver in her mother's bedroom. Although she was rushed to Fountain Springs Hospital for an emergency operation, her life could not be saved. No explanation for the girl's tragic act was ever determined.

126 Greenwich St., Philadelphia

 

126 Greenwich St., Philadelphia. Price: $349,000

Built in 1920, this 2 bedroom, 2 bath home showcases a lovely balance of modern conveniences and early 20th century craftsmanship. This home features a modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and breakfast bar, while a master bedroom with a stylishly remodeled bathroom occupies the entire third floor. 

126 Greenwich St.

 

 

There's also a laundry nook, a loft which can be utilized as an office, and a fully finished basement perfect for an family room or a man cave. With its abundance of exposed brick and wood accents, this property retains its historic charm, while its location in Pennsport provides easy access to shopping, parks and sporting events.

And, if you're a lover of history, you'll appreciate that this lovely home sits on the site of one of Philadelphia's most notorious brothels. During the Civil War era, Michael Hoey owned a "house of ill repute" where this home now stands, and, in 1866, this brothel was the scene of a tragic murder. On October 1, 1866, a cook named Mary Pinckney was beaten to death by Hoey and one of his bartenders, a man named John Clanssen. According to the Philadelphia Evening Telegraph, the two men "beat and kicked her about the head, body, and abdomen until she was almost insensible". The prostitutes who occupied the rooms above the bar carried her upstairs and put her in bed before summoning a doctor, who tended to the unfortunate woman, but to no avail. Mary died a few hours later.

Philadelphia Evening Telegraph, Oct. 1, 1866.