St. Louis Ghost Tour

1. The Lemp Mansion

St. Louis, MO

Book Now

The Lemp Mansion remains as one of St. Louis’ most well known haunts. The ornate mansion was home to the Lemp family’s brewing ventures, and now, several family members who are long gone, yet refuse to leave. The 33-room Lemp Mansion was constructed in 1868 and purchased by William J. Lemp, a successful brewing mogul. William’s father, Johann Adam Lemp, was a German immigrant who landed in St. Louis, where he established a grocery store with a specialty: home-brewed beer. After his death in the 1860s, William continued on with the family business, and his foresight to expand the business was substantially successful. Enough so that he was able to purchase the mansion at Demenil Place several years later. The exquisite home was modified to include space for a brewery office, beer and wine cellars and expansive vaults used to hold the family’s valuables. But, the home’s unique characteristics aren’t all it’s known for. In 1901, William’s reported favorite son, Frederick; some say of heart failure while others cite mysterious circumstances. Frederick’s death left William a changed man and he became a social recluse. Three years following Frederick’s death, William committed suicide by a shot to the head in one of the home’s bedrooms. William J. Lemp Jr. continued the family’s brewing business, but because of alleged shoddy business management, the Lemp family fortune began to decline. In 1922, William Jr. committed suicide by shooting himself inside the mansion. Nearly two decades later, William Jr.’s son, William III died of heart failure. And, a little-known illegitimate child of William Jr. died around the same time at the family’s home. Although disputed by historians, legend says Zeke was hidden away in the family’s attic due to his diagnosis of Down Syndrome. His death from a fall down the stairs was not the family’s last. Charles Lemp, another of William Sr.’s sons, took residence at the Lemp mansion following his brother’s death. Local lore states that in 1949, the reclusive Charles descended the steps to the mansion’s basement where he shot the family dog before returning upstairs to claim his own life. The dog, wounded yet attempting to follow his master, crawled up the stairs before succumbing to his injuries. Edwin Lemp, the third Lemp brother, reportedly discovered Charles’ body. Soon after, sold the now infamous mansion. Edwin died of natural causes in the 1970s, and many believe escaped a gruesome fate by selling off the home. Upon his death, he requested that many of the family’s personal documents, writings and artwork be burned, never to be possessed by another. Several generations of the Lemp family are said to wander the mansion, stuck in the same unfortunate states in which they died. The basement, several bedrooms, bathrooms and other parts of the home have been hotspots for spiritual activity. Female visitors have reported being gawked at in the bathrooms by William Jr. Employees have witnessed William Sr. and his wife roaming the bedrooms and halls, stuck in Victorian beauty of years past. Zeke Lemp is said to continue playing with toys in the attic. The Lemp mansion now serves as a bed and breakfast and restaurant, where hundreds of visitors have reported interactions with the long-deceased Lemp family members. Photo courtesy Binkle76 on Flickr.