The Bruce Mansion was built in 1876 by Scottish immigrant John G. Bruce in Brown City, Michigan.
This Victorian-era mansion is not just a marvel of its time but also a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts because of its hub of ghostly legends.
It has served as both a home and a funeral parlor and has been the place of death for several of its owners. Ghost stories in the house followed these deaths.
Architectural Splendor
The Bruce Mansion is a stunning example of Victorian Second Empire architecture.
It features classic bay and dormer windows, elaborate moldings, and exterior brackets.
Inside, the grand mahogany staircase, along with most of the wood trim, moldings, and flooring, remain original, offering a glimpse into the craftsmanship of the late 19th century.
The mansion has three floors and a cellar, which once housed a coal room and a large cement cistern for water collection.
The attic provides access to the home’s prominent tower cupola, adding to its majestic exterior.
Surviving the Town Fire
In 1881, a devastating fire swept through Brown City, destroying much of the town. Remarkably, the Bruce Mansion still stood.
John Bruce later sold the mansion to Cynthia Smith, who lived there until her death in 1921.
The house changed hands several times before being bought by John Walker in the 1920s. Walker’s tenure marked the beginning of the mansion’s eerie tales.
Local legends suggest that Walker’s wife left him and he died mysteriously in 1926, with rumors hinting at a tragic suicide in the tower.
“This is the tower that you see outside, the rumor has it that he climbed up in there with a rope and hung himself up in that tower,” said investigator David Owens.
Another story said that one day while driving, John Walker accidentally hit a pedestrian. In shock and panic, he took the body back to the mansion and buried it there. Overwhelmed with guilt, he later climbed up to the tower and hung himself.
Ghostly Encounters
Investigators have reported various ghostly encounters, including sightings of shadowy figures and strange noises, in the mansion.
According to Owens, funerals were often held in homes in the early 1900s, and the Bruce Mansion, being the most extravagant in town, was a common venue.
“Back in the day people used to have funerals in their homes, this being the most extravagant home, this is where the funerals were held,” Owens explained.
One ghost, known as a prankster, is said to jostle the doorknob of the powder room next to the parlor, especially when men are using the restroom.
“They will hear the doorknob jiggle and then no one is there,” said investigator Suzette Parling.
Another frequently reported apparition is the ghost of a cat, often seen darting across the first floor.
“I was standing here and I looked and saw something run along the floor, I let it go. Second time I was over here about an hour later, saw it again,” said Chris Bailey, research director at Grimstone.
“Apparently a lot of people see this cat, it always seems to run into that room.”
Private Residence
Despite its allure, the Bruce Mansion is now a private residence and public tours are no longer available. The current owners are dedicated to restoring the mansion while preserving its historical and paranormal legacy.