Morbid Real Estate: February Edition

635 1st St., Lancaster

In every town there seems to be a house that always has a "for sale" sign on it. Have you ever stopped to think about these "orphan homes" and the people who once lived inside of them? What is it about these buildings that make owners pack up and leave shortly after moving in? And why do so many seemingly lovely homes sit on the market, unsold, after weeks and months?

For some of these homes, it could be a matter of bad plumbing, faulty wiring, or poor location. Sometimes owners are forced to sell for financial reasons, or maybe the seller has to move for a new job. But many times, the explanation is darker. Many times, the house just has bad vibes attached to it-- a negative energy that transcends time and generations, something that can't be obliterated by a fresh coat of paint or new carpeting. 

Today, I present five homes which may or may not fit that description... but they certainly are fine candidates. These homes all come with a tragic history, and if walls really could talk, there is no doubt they would tell some hair-raising tales.

635 1st St., Lancaster

635 First Street, Lancaster (Lancaster County). Price: $196,000

This 3-bedroom townhouse on the west side of Lancaster promises "comfort, convenience, and coziness", which, in realtor-speak, means that there's probably not much room to stretch out your legs. With a kitchen reminiscent of a Golden Girls set, there's plenty of opportunity for modernization, or late night cheesecake-eating sessions with Rose and Dorothy.

635 1st St., Lancaster

This home boasts three bedrooms, two of which are located on the second floor, while a third bedroom can be found in the attic. Oh, but about that bedroom...

The room where John Miller took his life

In the early 1900s, this property was the home of John W. Miller, an engineer at a local ball bearing plant. In January of 1916, John, who was 65 at the time, was compelled to quit his job because of poor health. On the morning of January 24, John went to have his hair cut at his son's barbershop before going up into the attic of his home and hanging himself. Sadly it was his own son who found the body.

 

638 High St., Lancaster

638 High Street, Lancaster (Lancaster County). Price: $210,000

Just a few blocks from the above property stands this 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom detached single-family home in the heart of the city's east side. The first floor features a convenient laundry area inside the bathroom (which has evidently been remodeled in the early 80s by the same company who designs mall restrooms), while the finished basement provides extra space for storage or recreational activities. Plus, there's a fenced in yard.

638 High St.

Actually, that's pretty much it. Perhaps the most exciting this about this property is that it was once the scene of an unfortunate family drama which resulted in a father fatally stabbing his own daughter.

638 High St.

On November 20, 1940, 63-year-old Joseph Klos stabbed his daughter, Teresa, in the abdomen during an argument at their home. The incident occurred in the kitchen, after a disagreement over Mr. Klos signing over the property to his daughter. A friend who was present during the argument rushed Teresa to the hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. However, she died two days later. Klos, who admitted to being drunk at the time, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to just 5-10 years at the county jail. But, as is so often the case, fate decided to intervene, dealing Klos a life sentence. On May 1, 1941, Joseph Klos died in the county jail from a heart attack.

4019 Powelton Ave., Philadelphia

4019 Powelton Avenue, Philadelphia. Price: $699,999

Next, we have this two-unit duplex in the heart of historic Powelton. Advertised as an excellent investment opportunity (aren't they all?), this property features one rental unit with 2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, and another unit with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. That's a lot of toilets!

It's evident that this property has been well maintained, which in itself is quite a rarity in Philadelphia. And with its RM-1 zoning, there's a possibility to earn extra revenue by subdividing the larger rental rental unit into smaller apartments. However, this home has had more than a few unfortunate tenants over the years, some of whom died under curious circumstances, so the buyer just might get a little more paranormal excitement than they bargained for.

4019 Powelton Ave.

In the 1920s, this home was owned by Mrs. Gladys Ritchie, who gave birth to a daughter in 1924. To care for her daughter, Gladys hired a middle-aged nursemaid named Annie Mercedes. On February 7, 1926, Anna walked past the kitchen stove and accidentally ignited her clothing. Two policemen who were nearby were attracted by Annie's screams. They rushed into the home and smothered the flames with their overcoats, but Annie was beyond salvation. She died a few hours later at Presbyterian Hospital.

4019 Powelton Ave.

A little more than a year later, on May 2, 1927, Mrs. Ritchie discovered one of her boarders, 55-year-old William Wilson, dead inside his bedroom with a heavy blanket wrapped around his head. The gas had been turned on, and Wilson's death was ruled a suicide. Oddly, physicians who examined the body stated that Wilson had been dead for at least three days. The Ritchies would divorce in 1934 and sell the house a short time later.

2154 E. Orleans St., Philadelphia

2154 East Orleans Street, Philadelphia. Price: $179,000

Up next is a recently-renovated 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom townhouse in the Kensington/Port Richmond area of Philadelphia. Though modest in size at just under 800 square feet, this cozy property packs a lot of punch, from a contemporary eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances to a new central air system and a finished basement.

2154 E. Orleans St.

This home also comes with a mysterious backstory. In the early 20th century, this home was occupied by 79-year-old Minna Mohl, who lived in loneliness for fourteen years because her husband, John Henry Mohl, was locked away in the Norristown Insane Asylum. The reason for this was because in 1908, while the Mohls resided on Belgrade Street, John became so annoyed with a neighbor, Susan Stephenson, that he shot her (fortunately, Mrs. Stephenson survived). John then attempted to take his own life by shooting himself. 

2154 E. Orleans St.

On February 1, 1922, through the efforts of well-meaning friends, John was granted his release from the asylum and went to live with his wife at 2154 East Orleans Street. But if Minna Mohl was expecting a happy reunion, she was in for an unpleasant surprise.

 

After several days passed without neighbors seeing the Mohls leave their home, police entered the property and them both deceased. John was in his bed, while Minna was found on the floor, with blood flowing from her mouth. The gas jets were turned on, but detectives were never able to determine just what had happened. Were there deaths the result of a suicide pact? Or did John murder his wife before taking his own life? The truth will never be known... unless you happen to attend an open house for this property armed with a Ouija board.

314 W. Olive St., Mt. Carmel

 314 West Olive Street, Mount Carmel (Northumberland County) Price: $130,000

Ideally located between two venerable Coal Region institutions-- Vine Street Sandwich Shop and Mattucci's-- this 3-bedroom single family home features newly-upgraded flooring, appliances and countertops. In addition to a gorgeous shower and other tasteful interior improvements, this home also includes a fenced-in yard. And, at just $130k, it's a budget-friendly solution for first-time buyers and small families. Best of all, it's within easy walking distance to Dorko's Cafe, home to some of the friendliest staff you'll ever meet, and Mattucci's, home of the best chicken marsala around.

314 W. Olive St.

One thing to be mindful of, however, is that a few of this home's previous inhabitants did pass away under unusual circumstances. On the morning of October 18, 1916, three-year-old Helen Hadrick ignited her nightgown after playing with matches. Badly burned, the unfortunate youngster died less than two hours later at the Fountain Springs Hospital. 

314 W. Olive St.

314 W. Olive St.

Stranger still is the death of 31-year-old Joseph Bresadola in 1929. On August 17, Joseph's headless body was discovered in a nearby railyard. His decapitation was apparently caused by rail cars backing up into the yard; thirty of the cars' wheels were splattered with blood. As railcars generally back up at a painfully slow rate of speed, this led some people to wonder if he had been murdered and his body placed on the tracks to make the young man's death look like an accident or a suicide.