This Summer, You Can Take Part In A Ghost Tour At Wisconsin's Infamous Summerwind Mansion
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published March 14, 2021
×
Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
Of all the haunts in Wisconsin, none are quite as infamous as Summerwind, a grand mansion that once sat on the shores of Westbay Lake in Vilas County. Today, Summerwind is in ruins; however, that hasn’t put an end to the strange happenings that have plagued the property for decades. But you don’t have to take our word for it. This summer, for two nights only, Fox Valley Ghost Hunters will be hosting a ghost tour at Summerwind! During the tour, you’ll learn the history of the mansion (and its ghosts) and then assist with an actual investigation. Read on for all the details.
In 1916, Robert Patterson Lamont, a former Secretary of Commerce, bought the lodge and transformed it into a grand mansion with over 32 rooms, running water, heat, and electricity.
Tales of strange and paranormal happenings have surrounded Summerwind practically since its construction.
Workers hired by Lamont claimed to see ghosts in the mansion, but he didn’t believe them until he himself encountered a ghost. The story goes that Lamont was sitting down to dinner when, suddenly, the basement door slowly opened and out walked a lady in white with long black hair. Instinctively, he fired his pistol, but the bullets had no effect on the phantom intruder. After the ghostly encounter, Lamont and his family fled the home, never to return.
Advertisement
Ownership of Summerwind has changed several times throughout the decades, and it seems as if every owner had their fair share of scares.
The Keefers purchased Summerwind from the Lamonts in the 1940s and owned it into the 1960s – but not by choice. The Keefers actually sold the house many times, but each time, the buyers couldn’t keep up with the payments, and the Keefers would be forced to repossess the house. And though they owned the home, they never went inside – the refused to enter because it was haunted.
Advertisement
The paranormal activity hit an all-time high in 1970, when the Hinshaw family moved in.
By the time the Hinshaws moved into Summerwind, the mansion was in need of repairs; however, they couldn’t find anyone to work on the home. Workers were constantly being scared off by strange happenings, such as equipment randomly catching fire, tools constantly turning up missing, cars starting on their own, and rooms changing sizes, rendering previous measurements useless.
The Hinshaws were also on the receiving end of the paranormal activity. Members of the family saw full apparitions, heard disembodied voices, and could constantly smell perfume around the house. They also witnessed things like the lights going on and off on their own and windows sporadically opening and closing. Last of all, the family patriarch, Arnold Hinshaw, claimed that the ghosts of the mansion told him to play the organ, which he did at all hours of the night.
Not surprisingly, the feature in Time Life Magazine garnered a lot of attention and it wasn’t long before people were coming from far and wide to visit Summerwind. The increased traffic really took a toll on the property and Summerwind began to fall into ruin.
A couple took ownership of Summerwind in 1986 with the hopes of restoring it.
While construction was being done, the couple lived in a trailer on the property. One night, they decided to inspect Summerwind’s progress and were shocked at what they saw – the home looked like it was breathing in and out, as if it were alive. The couple fled the home and never returned.
In 1988, after sitting vacant for a couple of years, Summerwind was struck by lightning – twice – and burned to the ground.
Fox Valley Ghost Hunters has been performing investigations at Summerwind for 10 years! During their time on the property, the paranormal investigators have come up with some amazing evidence, including shadows and disembodied voices.
Advertisement
Located on private property, Summerwind is closed to the public…for the most part.
Fox Valley Ghost Hunters is the only paranormal team with permission to access the property, and they’re extending that invitation to the public for two nights this summer! On June 19 and July 31, 2021, Fox Valley Ghost Hunters will be hosting ghost tours of Summerwind, giving the public a chance to legally explore the property. In addition to participating in an actual investigation of the ruins of Summerwind, attendees will learn all about the home's history (and its ghosts) while sitting around a bonfire.
Can’t wait until the ghost tour to see Summerwind? Check out the video below to get a closer look at the infamous mansion throughout the years.
So, what do you think? Are you brave enough to tour this infamous haunt? If so, make sure to follow Fox Valley Ghost Hunters on Facebook for up-to-date information regarding the upcoming tour.
