The first “stop” on our Virtual Haunted Tour is the Paxton Manor in Leesburg, Virginia. During the Civil War the property was the site of nasty battle that should have never happened. The “Battle of Ball’s Bluff” began as a scare tactic but quickly turned into a greusome battle where many Union soldiers lost their lives or went missing. Many years afte the war the 700 acres were purchased by Charles Paxton. The estate served as an orphanage for several years and then was home to an orgazation helping children and teenagers with disapilities. But, are the children still residents of the manor? The Antietam Paranormal Society thinks this is a house worth investigating. Many visitors have reported hearding footsteps when no one is around and seeing shadows of figures that are not there. Some have even reported the feeling of being touched. One visitor reported seeing the figure of a man sitting at the end of a hallway.
Many believe the spirits of the soldiers remained after the battle and still wander the grounds today. Other believe the troubled children from the orphanage or the school still remain in the manor. Wether the children or the soldiers are still there we may never know. If you want a chance to step inside the manor it is open during the Halloween season as a haunted house. The real task is to try to keep your wits about you and seperate the fake scares from the real ones!
The History Museum of Western Virginia 