:: UrbEx Series : Rispin Mansion pt 2 ::

today we continue (click here for part 1) our journey through the eerie history of an abandoned home known as Rispin Mansion.

The Rispin mansion was also used during the 1970’s as a place for police dog training. It was told by various Santa Cruz natives in stories I read online that the sounds of barking dogs in the house could be heard long after the police training had stopped.

Later in the house’s history a man fell through the rotting floors, became injured and wound up dying of thirst before he was found. Years later these cries for help were also reported by many.

Even if these stories aren’t true, its foreboding presence, and the fact people died at the house, thrown in with the discovery of hidden passages and secret rooms, just provides a rich and spooky history.

the massive column with bay windows that face Soquel Creek

an aerial view from mid-20th century, plus a host of really old images you can see here.

and finally..

In this photo above I want you to focus on the main window above the steps — in this same window, in a 1931 picture appears the ghost of the Lady in Black — Click here for that image and see if you spot her. In that picture people say the Lady in Black is clearly visible with even bible in hand. Stories abound of her ghost roaming halls, unlocking heavily bolted doors and windows. Furthermore, other stories of a man in glasses near the fireplace were also passed down through the years.

Will the current plans for turning this lot into a sparkling Inn & Spa ever materialize? After all the plans have changed over the years a few times, and the length of the project has stretched over the last decade. Now coupled with economic cut backs and recesssion pains in the city, I just wonder at the fate of these ruins.

3 Responses

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If I had $1,000,000,000 bailout I would so rebuild this place. it’s so pretty

Brittany

January 12, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Did capitola ever bump up the security of this place?

John

February 13, 2010 at 11:34 pm
@john – i have no idea

kapshure

February 14, 2010 at 12:30 am

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