Haunted Castle Hill, Ipswich, Massachusetts

HAUNTED CASTLE HILL, IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS
Paul Dale Roberts, HPI’s Esoteric Detective
Halo Paranormal Investigations
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Castle Hill at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts is considered haunted according to local New England folklore. The most famous legend surrounding the 59-room Stuart-style Great House points to the spirit of its former owner, Florence Higinbotham Crane, who is said to still watch over the property. Deanna Jaxine Stinson, Psychic Medium picked up on the presence of Florence. When I was conducting EVP sessions inside the castle, Deanna felt that Florence did not want to participate, that she had nothing to prove and felt my EVP session was nonsense. Deanna says that Florence wanted us to stop our meddling and just enjoy the beauty of the castle.

The Ghost of Mrs. Crane
The primary haunting story centers on Florence Crane, who completed the mansion alongside her husband, Richard Teller Crane Jr., in 1928. Staff and visitors to Castle Hill have long reported minor, unexplained occurrences attributed to her spirit. The most common phenomenon is the inexplicable closing of heavy mansion doors on their own, even when there are no drafts. Her spirit is generally described as a peaceful, protective presence rather than a frightening one, behaving as though she is simply checking in on her beloved summer estate. Deanna says that Florence has a strong love for her castle and is very protective of this estate.

Hollywood Ghost Stories
Fittingly, the mansion served as the primary filming location for the 2009 romantic comedy Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, as well as other atmospheric films like The Witches of Eastwick (1987) and Flowers in the Attic (1987)
The story also mentions reports of doors inexplicably closing or becoming locked. These incidents were presented as possible paranormal activity, although the account does not establish what caused them.

Some Tidbits about Florence Crane
Who was Florence Crane, you may ask? Florence Higinbotham Crane lived at the estate with her husband, industrialist Richard T. Crane Jr., and their two children. The present 59-room Great House was completed in 1928. Richard died in 1931, and Florence continued spending time at the estate until her death in 1949. The haunting legend suggests that Florence never entirely left the mansion she once called home.

Possible Debunking
- Heavy doors slamming: Air pressure, drafts, or mechanical issues could potentially explain unexpected door movements.
- A mysterious presence: Visitors may interpret the mansion’s quiet hallways and historic atmosphere as a feeling of being watched.
- The ghost of a former resident: The story of Florence Crane has become part of the estate’s paranormal folklore, but it remains unverified. HPI (Halo Paranormal Investigations) psychic medium Deanna Jaxine Stinson has proven her abilities many times over and Deanna is adamant that the spirit of Florence roams the castle.

Location and Griffins
Castle Hill on the Crane Estate is located at 290 Argilla Road, Ipswich, Massachusetts. The large griffins at Castle Hill are a symbol of gratitude from the employees of Crane Co. to their boss, Richard T. Crane Jr.
When the 59-room Great House at Castle Hill was completed in 1928, 3,600 of Crane’s “old employees” pooled their money to commission and gift the massive, seated bronze Griffin statues to “guard his home.” The Cranes were famously generous and kind employers, and the gift served as a massive thank-you note from their workforce. A visitor to the castle named Ronnie Sanders claims he actually saw a real Griffin land and turn back to stone. Deanna and I, met Ronnie during our tour of the castle. Listening to Ronnie’s story, it sounds like he may have witnessed a tulpa. Ronnie says he has been to the castle many times hoping to see the Griffin one more time, with no luck. Ronnie says he hopes to one day get some photographic evidence to prove his story.

The key highlights behind the statues include:
• The Artist: The Art Deco griffins were sculpted by Paul Manship, the world-renowned American sculptor best known for creating the famous golden Prometheus statue at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
• The Location: They sit prominently behind the mansion, gracing the entrance to the north terrace. They overlook the Atlantic Ocean and the estate’s famous rolling Grand Allée lawn.
• The Inscription: Etched directly between the feet of the griffins is a dedication that reads: “1928 in Affectionate Regard for R. T. Crane, Jr. / 3600 Old Employees of Crane Co. have set up these Griffins to guard his home on Castle Hill / Paul Manship sculptor.”

Today, the statues are an iconic landmark on the property, which is preserved by The Trustees of Reservations and open to the public for tours.