Thursday, May 19, 2016

The Kehoe House


This historic home in Savannah, Georgia was designed by DeWitt Bruyn, and built at the cost of $25,000 for the William Kehoe family.

William Kehoe immigrated to America in 1842, at the age of 10 with his family from Ireland. 

The Kehoe family settled in the Old Fort District of Savannah—an area with many Irish families.

William was apprenticed to an iron foundry and worked his way up to foreman. His hard work paid off, for he eventually bought the plant. He became one of Savannah’s leading businessmen.

William Kehoe
After being married for several years, he and his wife, Anne and their ten children moved into their new Queen Anne style mansion in 1892. His heirs sold the home in 1930.

After this, it was used as a funeral home for 47 years (1930-1977). Then the New York Jets football star, Joe Namath owned the house until 1990. It then underwent renovations and opened as a Bed and Breakfast.

Today it is run by HLC Hotels and is a Boutique Inn. It has a 4-star rating.

One constant in the home during these years has been the ongoing presence of several deceased Kehoe family members. Four members of the 1st generation of the Kehoe family, who died in the house, haunt it.

Mrs. Anne Kehoe is known as the Lady in White. Toward the end of her life, she suffered crippling arthritis and was confined to the second floor. It is here where her ghost is seen the most.

She is spotted writing at a desk, and she often abruptly awakens guests with her presence. She is seen sitting on the edge of their beds. At other times she is seen on the 3rd floor. This is where she would visit her grandchildren while alive.

William Kehoe’s ghost is seen throughout the home. On one occasion, he opened all the locked doors on the ground floor, at the same time.

It is reported that the couple had twin sons that died in the house. But actually, it was two young daughters, Anne, and Mary who died of Roseola, within 3 days of each other. The girls are mistaken for twins because they were close in age.

Their distinctive features identify them. They both have blonde hair and blue eyes. They are playful spirits, who are often heard running on the top floors.

Haunted guest room.
They giggle and whisper into each other’s ears. They are seen standing at the foot of guest beds. One female guest reported feeling her face stroked. The girls also like to turn doorknobs.

Today it is said rooms 201 and 203 are the most active. Besides the ghosts seen, lights are turned on and off when these rooms are empty.

The doorbell in the home also chimes when no one is outside.

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