It’s no secret that St. Louis is one of my favorite cities, and it makes my heart incredibly happy any time I can spend an afternoon at Busch Stadium watching the Cards do what they do best. Any time I make it to STL, whether it be for a baseball game or not, I know I can count on a few things: good pizza, plenty of Cardinal red, and some fantastic haunted places in the heart of a vibrant city. Since the Lou is celebrating its 250th birthday, I thought it would be nice to take a closer look at one of the most well-known haunts: Lemp Mansion.
The Lemp family built its wealth as beer brewers in St. Louis in the mid-1800s. When patriarch Adam Lemp settled in the city, he became one of the first to brew German lager, and used a cave below the Lemp brewery as natural refrigeration. The family prospered as their Western Brewery became the largest in St. Louis, and ultimately became the William J. Lemp Brewing Company. Lemp Mansion was completed in 1868, and was (and still is) an impressive Victorian structure.
Lemp Brewery
However, the family endured its share of tragedy within the mansion’s walls, as fortunes declined and Prohibition neared. Frederick Lemp, who was being primed to someday take over the business passed away from mysterious causes in 1901. This was emotionally devastating for his father, William J. Lemp. Unable to overcome his sorrow, William J. Lemp committed suicide three years later. William’s sister Elsa committed suicide in 1920, then William J. Lemp, Jr. did the same eighteen years after his father’s death in the same building. Charles Lemp, William J. Lemp, Jr.’s brother, remained reclusively residing in the home, but eventually shot himself in the head.
Lemp Mansion still stands in Benton Park, and operates as an inn and restaurant, and also hosts tours and special events regularly. To this day, employees, guests and visitors claim to experience paranormal phenomenon, especially in the William Lemp Suite. Apparitions have also been seen in the dining room where William J. Lemp shot himself, and unexplained aromas of men’s cologne are also experienced at times.
Lemp Mansion
A few years ago, I got the chance to stay overnight in the Frederick Lemp suite, which is on the third floor and used to be servants’ quarters. While I didn’t personally experience anything I would classify as paranormal, I can say that the mansion is gorgeous and its history is palpable. If you get a chance to stay the night, eat in the restaurant, take a tour, or just swing by Demenil Place for some pictures, I highly recommend it!
Originally published here
The Helpful Haunt 