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We would like to thank everyone involved at Ripley’s for the opportunity to investigate this wonderfully preserved
historic building.
The building was built in 1887 by William Warden, a winter resident with a family of 16. The family members lived in
the castle until 1925. During the next 16 years it sat vacant except for the vagrants that lived there. In 1941
Norton Baskin and his wife Marjorie Kinnan Rawlins bought the castle and turned it into a fashionable hotel called
Castle Warden hotel. In 1950 it became the first permanent Ripley’s believe it or not! ® Museum. Much of Mr. Ripley’s
never before seen by the public personal collection was put on display here. Unfortunately Mr. Ripley passed away
before he could see his dream of this museum come true.
The most notable story about the castle is the story of the fire.
In April of 1944 a fire broke out but was contained to the 3rd and 4th floor. 2 women, Betty Richeson and Ruth Pickering
both perished in the fire. The didn’t die from the fire but of smoke inhalation from the deadly fumes. The cause of
the fire is still debatable to this day. It may have been a dropped cigarette or it could have been intentionally
started to cover up a double murder. Supposedly there were no suspects and are no records to lead to any conclusion.
- 10:20pm-3:26am
- Scott, Sprout, Lori, Toni and Tom. Guests include Susan, Dave and Matt.
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Music has been heard on several occasions and mainly heard in the room that was once the music room. It has also
been reported being heard in the lobby as a employee was leaving.
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The gift shop is always left in perfect condition when employees leave at night, but sometimes when employees
arrive in the morning, they find many of their items moved around. Example…Clear plastic boxes with toys or candy
have been found a unreasonable distance away turned completely upside down.
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A 4ft tall stick figure that was sitting on the catwalk was found across the store. There is no way this item
could have fallen and landed in the location found.
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A sensitive was going up the stairs from the lobby and she took on the persona of a elderly lady. She was bent
over and had difficulty walking up the stairs.
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Several tour guides and guest have reported the feeling of nausea during the ghost tours. The theater is the main
room that this happens.
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Sometime in the past, a psychic entered the theater and claimed 2 spirits occupy the theater a nice spirit in one
corner and a mean one in the other. Our camera was set up in the corner with the mean one.
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A dark shadow is seen in the circus room.
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The most recent occurrence has to do with the Buddha statue in the lobby. It has been found turned to the side or
even turned around facing the wall.
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A door that goes from the parlor with a push button locking device tends to open on it’s own.
