Washington may not be one of the oldest states in the U.S., but it’s still full of fascinating, inspiring, tragic, and downright creepy history. Some of our stories, like these, are well-documented. But there are so many others that rarely get told.

A massive haunted mansion is sitting in an old neighborhood in Washington’s largest city, and most people have no idea.

While West Seattle is technically the oldest part of the city - the first European settlers landed on Alki Point - Georgetown claims the title of Seattle's oldest neighborhood.
Richard Ha / Flickr
The eclectic, industrial neighborhood is known for its hidden gems, from unbelievably delicious restaurants to quirky shops. It also happens to be rich in local history.
Located at 6420 Carleton Ave S., the Gessner Mansion, otherwise known as the Georgetown Castle, is easy to spot.
Seattle Municipal Archives / Flickr
Most homes in Georgetown are simple, older single-story homes, but this is a three-story mansion. The Georgetown Castle looks simple from the outside, but the interior was quite luxurious when it was built. Unfortunately, there were no happy endings at this castle.

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The grand Queen Anne-style home was built in 1902 by Peter Gessner, owner of the Central Tavern in Pioneer Square. Back then, this area was Seattle's red light district, and Gessner ran a brothel and gambling saloon out of the house.
brewbooks / Flickr
But Gessner didn't get to enjoy the mansion for long. A year after it was built, he died by suicide. Foul play was suspected, but it was assumed that he was left broken-hearted after his young wife left him for a chicken farmer. Even after his death, this place functioned as a brothel for quite some time.
Gessner has apparently decided to stick around, because rumor has it he haunts the second floor. And he's not the only ghost who seems to stick around the mansion.
6420 Carleton Ave S / Google
The castle’s second-most famous ghost is said to be a disgruntled former employee, with red hair and a bright white nightgown. There's even a rumor that someone threw a baby out of a window here... a baby whose body might still be buried on the property. Several paranormal investigations have taken place here, and the house was once featured on the Montel Williams Show.
These days, the Georgetown Castle is well-maintained and privately owned, so the public is only allowed to get a glimpse from outside.
sunrisesoup / Flickr
Stop and check it out when you're exploring Georgetown. While Mr. Gessner might be too shy to greet you from the window, it's still fun to see a place with such a sinister history.

Have you ever heard this part of our history?

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6420 Carleton Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108, USA