The Allen House is a private residence in Monticello, Arkansas. It is open for tours by appointment. If you would like to schedule a tour, please text 870-224-2271. Please include your first and last name, date and time you would like to tour, and an email address for the invoice to be sent. The cost for a private tour is $90. You can have up to six people in your tour for that one price; additional guests are $15 per person. Parking is on Main Street. When you arrive for your tour, enter through the front gate and ring the front doorbell and your tour guide will let you in the house.

A Haunted Destination In Arkansas, The Allen House Has A Chilling History

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The Allen House in Arkansas was built in 1906. This Monticello home is a lovely work of architecture, built in the Queen Anne Victorian style, that comes with a terrifying history. Originally, local businessman Joe Lee Allen planned for his beautiful home to be Monticello’s showpiece along North Main Street. He made sure the Allen House was an eye-catching structure with impressive porch columns and a neoclassical design with a touch of Gothic decoration.

allen house tours monticello arkansas

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Below is some footage of ghostly occurrences:

allen house tours monticello arkansas

One investigation had to be called off, as a tree branch inexplicably fell as the investigators were visiting the property and slightly damaged their equipment.

allen house tours monticello arkansas

Find out more about the Casa de Los Allen Arkansas and when to schedule tours or events on the Allen House Facebook page. And beware of Ladell’s spell! Have you ever visited the Allen House in Monticello? Let us know in the comments below.

And while you’re there, find out why Monticello is arguably the most charming college town in Arkansas . Don’t rush off — curl up for the weekend in a comfy hotel .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Are there any haunted mountains in Arkansas?

Shockingly, yes. Just southeast of the Drake Field airport in Fayetteville, Arkansas is a little mountain where in the 1930s, a man came home to his wife and child after a night of drinking. As legend goes, the baby was sick and crying, which angered the man so much that he threw the baby into the well. The mother attempted to save her child and climb down the rope, but the father cut the rope and both mother and baby died. Several reports say that you can still hear the screams of both mother and child.

What are the most haunted places in Arkansas?

Every state has its fair share of haunted places, and Arkansas is no different. Some of the most haunted places in Arkansas include the Arkansas State Capitol, Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock, the Toltec Mounds in Scott, Ghost Mountain in Fayetteville, and the Allen House in Monticello. If you’d like to spend the night with a spirit or two, you can always book a stay at the Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Known as “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” countless individuals over the last century have reported seeing apparitions, hearing disembodied voices, having possessions moved, and other inexplicable paranormal occurrences.

Are there haunted battlefields in Arkansas?

One of the most haunted battlefields in Arkansas is the Prairie Grove Battlefield located in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. In 1862, Union and Confederate soldiers clashed in a battle that ended with more than 2,500 combined casualties. Today, visitors have reported hearing disembodied sounds, including horses, cannon fire, and screams. Pea Ridge Battlefield in Garfield is also believed to be haunted by the spirits of soldiers from another Union and Confederate battle in 1862. It’s not uncommon for staff and visitors to hear the sounds of drums, musket fire, and a sense that someone is watching them.

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The Allen House

Rumored to be haunted by the troubled spirit of Ladell Allen, who had committed suicide in the main bedroom in 1948, The Allen House has been the subject for investigation by twelve different organizations and has appeared on eight different paranormal investigated television shows.

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The house is a private residence open for tours on the last Saturday of each month from 11am-4pm. Cost of admission is $15 per person. No reservation necessary. Parking on Main Street.

The Scare Chamber

What Scares You?

The Haunting of the Allen House

allen house tours monticello arkansas

The Allen House, in Monticello, Arkansas was planned by local businessman, Joe Lee Allen, to be the most impressive house the town had ever seen. Built in 1906, by renowned architect Sylvester Hotchkiss and builder Josia Barkley White, it was outstanding. A combination of Queen Anne, Gothic, and Neo-classical styles. The home occupied 8,000 square feet with a full attic and three stories, complete with a wrought iron fence. It was more of a mansion than a house, and remains one of the most beautiful houses in all of Arkansas.

Allen House

Joe Lee moved his family in, his wife Caddye and their three daughters and by 1919, he owned the house outright. He owned a livery stable in Monticello, and he was a rather successful businessman. As his wealth grew, so did his ventures, and he had his hands in a variety of businesses. As time went on, he came to own a hotel, a private school and even became the President of the Commercial Loan and Trust Company. He sold vehicles and horse-drawn buggies.

But, not everything in their lives would be beautiful. In 1914, Joe Lee and Caddye’s second daughter, Ladell, married Boyd Randolf Bonner. They had a son together, Allen “Duke” Bonner, but later divorced and Ladell resumed living with her parents in the Allen House.

In 1917, Mr. Allen died of a heart attack, while demonstrating an automobile to a potential buyer.

Ladell’s son, Allen, became a humor writer, and in 1944 he died of pneumonia in New York City. Four years later, in June of 1948, Boyd Bonner died in Los Angeles, California. Consumed by her grief, Christmas night, Ladell took a mercury-cyanide laced glass of punch to the master suite and drank it. She died on January 2, 1949.

allen house tours monticello arkansas

After the death of her daughter, Caddye had the master suite sealed, and it remained untouched for 37 years.

Although Caddye Allen died in 1956, the remaining heir kept the master suite closed; even after renovating the home and converting it into apartments, which were rented out.

Tenants began reporting strange things happening. Hazy figures appeared in photographs, furniture would be rearranged with no explanation. Several folks reported seeing a lady sitting in a turret window.

allen house tours monticello arkansas

Several paranormal groups have also investigated the Allen House, and have not walked away disappointed. They spotted images of a woman believed to be Ladell, in mirrors and photographs. They have seen the ghosts of three little girls playing in the downstairs area. (It is believed that the three girls are the Allen sisters.) All of this in addition to the usual sound of footsteps, crying and moaning, which could not be explained.

A couple living in the apartments claimed they had an experience where a closet door would not open. It felt as though someone (or something) was holding the door closed by the knob. They also heard someone giggling. Another person claimed they had been trapped in the bathroom, unable to open the door.

The heir to the Allen House died in 1985, and his widow sold the house. The new owners, either unknowingly, or without care, opened the master suite for the first time since 1949. A bottle of cyanide still sat on a shelf in the closet.

The house changed hands a few times over the years and fell into disrepair. In 2007, Mark and Rebecca Spencer purchased the house after falling in love with it on first sight. Since then, they have reported seeing doppelgängers of their own family members in the house. They have also reported an old crank Victrola running on its own with the turntable getting faster and faster instead of slower.

In 2009, eighty-two letters were discovered underneath a floorboard. The letters, exchanged between Ladell and a man named Prentiss Hemingway Savage, chronicle a romance that went on during the final months of Ladell’s life. They believe this is now what led to her suicide.

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One Monticello Life: The Allen House

What is Halloween without ghosts, goblins and haunted houses? Located in the center of Monticello, on Main Street is one of Arkansas’ most reputed haunted houses: the Allen House. Here is its story:

The Allen House was built in 1900 by Joe Lee Allen. It is still much like it was when it was built. Dottie Simmons, the house’s third and current owner, said, “It’s like you walk into a whole different time.”

The Allen family was in the timber business and built the house with only virgin heart of oak and pine. The wood was preserved with linseed or cotton oil which has kept away termites to this day. The windows in the house were custom made in St. Louis, MO and brought to Monticello on a boat down the Mississippi River. The windows are all different shapes, sizes and colors. The dining room has a hammered tin cherub ceiling.

The house has 9500 square feet. There are 16 rooms in operation. It now has three bathrooms which are not original to the house. There are two washrooms and a complete kitchen upstairs and downstairs. At the top of the four-story house is a full grandmother’s attic.

The house is situated on two acres of land, and the yard is covered with English ivy and several massive magnolia trees. Few know that the house was originally located across Main Street and was moved to its present location. Gloria Wright’s pink bed and breakfast sits on the lot the Allen House first occupied. The house has been featured on television commercials and printed material for southeast Arkansas. But this time of year, its most interesting feature is the house’s claim to be haunted .

Many will attest to the presence of a ghost or ghosts in the Allen House. Ask any long-time Monticellonian, and many will have a story about the Allen House. The stories usually center on Mr. Allen’s daughter committing suicide in the house in the 1940s because of a broken heart. Some say she threw herself over the staircase and plummeted to her death, but the most common story is that she overdosed on cyanide purchased at the Hyatt Drug Store.

Carolyn Wilson was one of the tenants in the house who even wrote a book which is currently out of print. You may find a copy in the Monticello Library. Its title is The Scent of Lilacs and is a romantic fiction involving a large, old haunted house.

Few people realize the history and supposed haunting of the Allen House who have lived in Monticello a short time. However, upon viewing the Allen House for the first time, the response is usually, “I’m not surprised.” Whether it’s haunted or just historical, the Allen House of Monticello surely can be considered part of our town’s life: one Monticello life .

Related Sites that mention the Allen House: hauntedhouses.com prairieghosts.com

FYI: Current owner Dottie Simmons will be having an auction on November 9 at 11:00 a.m. at the Drew County Fairgrounds. You may preview auction items at the Allen House on November 7-8 at 11:00 a.m. For more information, go to www.wooleyauctioneers.com .

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Newer article: One Monticello Life: Mae Simpson

Older article: One Monticello Life: Rob Leonard

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 29th, 2006 at 6:04 am and is filed under Feature: OML . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response , or trackback from your own site.

19 Responses to “One Monticello Life: The Allen House”

I have loved this house ever since I saw it. I would love to go inside….I am sure it is amazing. If I believed in haunted houses then I would think this could easily be one. I bet it was something to see when it was first built.

I love your story, Carolyn. I want to see this house next time we’re in Monticello.

I never knew this about the Allen House. We have always drove by it saying that would be a great house to have haunted house. Very interesting.

Interesting story! I was just curious why she sold the house & who bought it? Because of this article I now want to go to the auction. Angela Wegley referred me to this site & I now check it daily. Thanks for the tip!

I had never heard that the house was moved. My understanding is that Gloria’s pink and white house is the “original” Allen House. It was moved from the current Allen House lot to where it resides across the street. Then the larger house was constructed. I’ve read that it was designed by Monticello Architect, Sylvester Hotchkiss in 1906.

Sylvester Hotchkiss’ house is located at 577 N. Boyd St. It is one block in from Hyatt between Wood and Union Streets. It has recently been renovated and is now blue and gold. The current owners are opening it up for the JA Christmas Tour of Homes on Dec. 3rd. Tickets can be purchased from any JA member. The house is also for sale but only for a short time. It will be going off the market by Dec. 1st so if you are interested, call 870-718-4324

I’ve known Dot for many years and I have loved this house since the first time I saw it…I always told her that was really meant to be my house. If I could afford to live there, I would buy it. The most beautiful home in the USA. Miss you Dottie!!! Give me a call.

Rebecca Spencer is correct. The Allen House (photograph at top of article) was never moved. It was constructed on the site where it stands to this day.

Just thought I’d remind everyone that there will be a tour of the Allen House this Halloween. I’m not sure how much the tickets are, but you can purchase them at that bookstore on Bolling Street in town. I can’t remember the name of it…something odd…Bell-something. I wish I remembered the name b/c I do HIGHLY recommend it for all used books, especially textbooks, since the UAM Bookstore takes such pleasure in raping us with their prices. Back to the point, on Halloween we can finally LEGALLY see inside this infamous home. Side note: The Allen House is mentioned in a book I own that lists famous haunted places in America.

bellelise bookseller, is located in the shopping center, where rogers men’s wear, gift of love, and barnes barber shop is located.

[…] Allen house was featured in One Monticello Life, last year. Click here to read the […]

I thought I would post a quick note on here to thank everyone for coming to the tour on Halloween and the night before. We really enjoyed sharing the house with everyone. A BIG thank you to our tour guides who really came through for us on short notice. Tamara, Wesley, Amanda, Shane, Destiny, Andrea, Brandy, Kevin, Amanda Smith, Shelia, Desiree and Sonny. Thank you Shanna Cingaloni, for helping with my kids for two days!

GIANT THANK YOU to Charlie Crowson for coming down here from Little Rock to do the long news story for Channel 11. I thought it turned out really great. If you missed it, be sure to check: todaysthv.com and watch it.

The tour was a great success! If you had a picture taken but have had any trouble getting in touch with me, please feel free to call Bellelise Booksellers at: 460-9854 and Desiree will give me your info.

We aren’t planning anymore tours since we are still in the middle of renovations. We do invite anyone that is interested in having a wedding/portraits or party at the Allen House, to visit us on the web at: http://www.allenhousetimelessweddings.com

One day not to long ago I went inside the house because the woman moving out was having an auction and she told us lots of story and said the people living in the house one time said they were wondering what happed to the girl LaDell Allen and why she did that and a box fell from the ceiling with a bunch of old letters that explaing everything. The whole experience in the house was amazing.

hi. i am kristen gibson from mcgehee high school and i am in a project called Delta Oral History Project. we do interviews with stories that are interesting to us and i picked this one. my grandparents are mary and john ware of monticello (some of you may know them) and my mom went to wc walley when she was in elementary school. i have heard this story before and i was interested in doing my project on it. do you know of any way i can get in contact with the owner????

Click on http://www.allenhousetimelessweddings.com or call Bellelise Booksellers at 460-9854 and Desiree may be able to help you.

Thanks for your comment.

Joe Burgess MonticelloLive.com

Robin and I were doing the windows some time ago on The Ball,Barton and Hoffman Law Office and saw what appeared to be a wispy image in the window of the attic. The curtains were open at this time and just a short time later.. the curtains closed as we watched! The image was gone! We believe that it’s haunted! I believe that they need to have it looked into by a paranormal society such as TAPS(The Atlantic Paranormal Society) It would be quite interesting to know what happens! They do have a website that you can go to and tell them about it! They would love to know this!

Monticellonians, We have decided to do the tour again this year. We had so many positive responses from the tour last year that we feel that we need to do it again. We will plan to have the tours on Oct. 30 and 31st, 2008 from 5-10pm. We didn’t really have anyone tour from 10-11pm last year so we’ve moved the time a little. Advance tickets will be available in September at Bellelise Booksellers, 606 West Bolling. We have also decided to do tours by appointment since we are asked nearly everyday about it. So, the new website for tours it: http://www.allenhousetours.com If you have family coming to town and are looking for something fun and interesting to do with them, give us a call and we’ll schedule you in. Thanks! Rebecca 224-2271

How I wish were going to be in Arkansas for the tour this October. I will be in Warren from October 17 to October 28 and unfortunately I can’t extend my stay. My aunt lived in the Allen House from 1978 until about 1982. I spent many days (and nights) in the house during those years. While I never had any outright ghostly experiences there I can attest to the fact that that house will certainly make one scare oneself, especially if one is in the house alone. One beautiful spring day I was there alone while my aunt was at work at Mon-Ark Boats. I had the front door open so the breeze could come through the screen door. I was in the kitchen when I heard a knock at the door. I looked and saw that it was the postman with a package. I walked out of the kitchen through the large center hall towards the door. I didn’t know it then but there was a particular floorboard that when stepped on would cause the door to the closet under the stairway to fly open. Well, I trod upon that very floorboard. Needless to say that somewhere in Monticello there is a postman with a most hilarious story to tell! I had always been told that the house was constructed in 1906 and that the house now located on the NE corner of E. Allen St. and Main St. was the house originally on the lot where the Allen House sits today. Over the years I went through every inch of that house including the attic and up on the widow’s walk. The rafters in that house are massive. Certainly that house will stand for another hundred years it is so well built. The only really odd thing that I can recall about the place is that the doors upstairs seemed to have wills of their own. Doors that you thought had been closed would be found open and doors that you thought you had left opened would be found firmly shut. Of course, the house could really work on one’s imagination. Let’s just say that my aunt was much braver than I. I don’t think that I would sleep easy in that large old home even though it is a stunning beauty of a place. I toured it last in the fall of either 1987 or 1988 and how I wish I could do so again. But it is not to be this year but I will keep watch for tours in future years and plan to visit if I can.

Back in the late 80’s a friend and myself painted the allen house. we spent alot of time in that house…one story that will always live with me…myself and two others were in the library and and my friend was reading the story of how the young girl killed herself in the house..it was halloween so we were already spooked…when he got to the part on how she died, All these clocks starting going off..needless to say we all pretty much hit the floor running.i never seen her but OMG!!! was it spooky in there…alot of great memories.

I know it’s been awhile since the Halloween tour of 2008 but I wanted to take a moment and thank all of our tour guides and security that worked such a long night on the 30th and then again on Halloween. The Midnight Hour Tour was especially fun and we really enjoyed meeting all those special guests. The tours aren’t possible without all the local support that we have. So, thank you Monticello! And of course all the other people that traveled great distances for the tour. We had people drive from out of state for the tour and we hope they felt that it was worth it. The tours took nearly an hour so please remember when calling to set up an appointment to tour the house that you allow plenty of time to meander through the Allen House. Special thanks goes out to Shanna Cingolani for taking our children trick-or-treating and having them at her home for two days! And of course, special thanks to Lisa Coon who wrote such a beautiful song about the Tale of LaDell and sharing it with us and our guests. The song will be a part of every tour from now on.

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Inside Arkansas' most haunted house

by Paige Cushman

The 8,500 square foot house sits in an unassuming residential neighborhood in Monticello. (Photo: KATV){p}{/p}

MONTICELLO (KATV) — Mark Spencer moved his wife Rebecca and their two kids to Monticello from Oklahoma in 2005 after accepting a position at a local college—but she was hesitant about the move.

"I told him that I would move anywhere but Alaska or Arkansas," Rebecca Spencer said.

While exploring their new town, she turned on to North Main Street and stumbled upon The Allen House, an extraordinary Queen Anne and Gothic style mansion hiding behind overgrown foliage and an iron fence. Spencer swooned.

"I couldn't move to Monticello and not live in that house," she said.

Spencer soon learned that the house had a dark past.

Joe Lee Allen commissioned Sylvester Hotchkiss in 1906 to design the mansion. Allen wanted to impress his clients, as he was growing into a prominent businessman in Monticello. And impress he did. But the 8,500-square-foot house became known less for Allen's prestige and more for his family's misfortune. The house is said to be haunted by his daughter Ladell.

In 1948, Ladell was recently divorced and had moved home to Monticello at the age of 45 to take care of her widowed mother. Ladell ran into her high school sweetheart Prentiss Hemingway Savage while he was visiting family in Monticello. He was married and working as an executive at Texaco Oil in Minnesota.

Once he returned to Minnesota, they began writing to each other regularly. Spencer said they became enthralled in a love affair, as chronicled by dozens of letters her husband found under the floorboards decades later.

Ladell and Savage devised a plot for him to leave his wife and run away with Ladell on Christmas. He faked a business trip and the pair went on a two-week road trip from Arkansas to Minnesota, outlined on a map that was also found buried in the floorboards.

But after months of back and forth, Savage was unable to leave his wife—he had a reputation to uphold. That Christmas, Ladell's mother threw her annual Christmas party at the house.

"Everybody who was anybody was there that night," Spencer said. "Ladell wanted to cause a scene."

Ladell went up to her room with a glass of punch and a plate of snacks (later found in the room and preserved by the Spencers) and poisoned herself with mercury cyanide. The next day, Ladell was hospitalized. Mercury cyanide was an over-the-counter treatment for syphilis at the time and wasn't strong enough to kill her quickly. She spent a week in the hospital before dying there on Jan. 2, 1949.

Cady kept her room untouched and sealed until it was sold to someone outside of the family over 30 years later.

"I think she kept the doors locked to keep Ladell in," Spencer said.

That is now the Spencers' master bedroom.

Rebecca made a deal with her husband—if he took the job in Monticello, she got the house.

But it wasn't on the market. Mark accepted the position anyway and they temporarily moved into less conspicuous housing.

The folklore surrounding The Allen House reached the Spencers as they entered into a two-year negotiation with its owner.

"I didn't really believe in the supernatural and I love history," Spencer said. "I knew I needed the house."

The house had served as a school, an apartment complex and a private residence. It needed a lot of work. During the two years the Spencers waited to move in, the owner let the lawn grow over and the porch cave in.

When they moved in in 2007, they quickly began renovations. They refurbished some original furniture and moved in vintage pieces to match. They unearthed artifacts from around the grounds and started piecing together the stories of the Allen family. Mark would go on to find over 50 of Ladell's letters that painted a vivid picture of their lives.

At the same time, they began experiencing strange activity in the house.

"We started seeing Jacob (their five-year-old son) in places that he wasn't," Spencer said. "And that's the doppelganger activity."

Doppelganger activity, according to those who study the paranormal, is a spirit taking a living person's form.

"It's not like we're seeing a ghost," she said. "We're just seeing our kid in different places."

They still didn't think the house was haunted. But they did think there was something "odd" going on.

"There had to be a more serious explanation for this," Spencer said.

They assumed it was fumes or mold that was distorting their vision. But paranormal investigators confirmed the folklore the Spencers were trying so hard to ignore.

"[The investigators] said, 'I'm sorry ya'll, you live in a haunted house'," Spencer said. "They say this is where EVPs are born."

EVP stands for electronic voice phenomenon. It's known to show up in audio recordings during paranormal investigations.

Spencer said they never have felt threatened by the paranormal activity.

"The only thing that's uneasy is your own mind," Spencer said. "When your mind tells you things that are there or aren't there. It's like being a kid and being afraid of the dark. You don't know what's there and what isn't."

Although, one of their sons won't use the bathroom on the first level because almost 10 years ago he heard someone or something say his name there.

"For my kids, it's everyday life," Spencer said. "It's like having invisible family members ... if [a ghost] is in the room, I'll just get out of their way."

Spencer said she's seen a dark black outline of a man that resembles a cowboy. She calls him "shadowman." Spencer said she's seen his boots walk in the master bathroom and has seen him walk out the front door. She has seen him five times in the 12 years they've lived there. Paranormal investigators on the SyFy channel show "Ghost Hunters" believe they even captured him on camera.

There have been six ghosts that Spencer said have been identified by investigators. Ladell is one of them.

The ghosts of Joe Lee, Cady, Allen Bonner, Ladell, a baby and a man with a gruff voice have been identified. And Spencer said there is probably more. But she is hesitant to name them.

"You have to be a skeptic," Spencer said. "If it doesn't happen to me, I don't believe it. The stories are incredible. They're hard to believe."

The house is old and drafty with wood floors and rattling pipes. If you weren't "dismissive of most things," Spencer said, you couldn't live there.

But untouched rocking chairs are known to move on occasion. Footsteps in the attic and the faint sound of a crying baby are not uncommon. During guided tours and dinner parties, visitors say they have even been touched by invisible forces.

"It's always our most skeptical people to come through that have something paranormal happen to them," Spencer said. "If you don't believe in ghosts, that's OK. But if you stuck around here long enough, you might change your mind."

The Allen House is open for tours from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Halloween.

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Old allen house, spirits of the allen family keep a distraught family member company., spirits don’t mind interacting with the living, which can be a scary life experience: not for everyone, description.

The 1907 Allen House is a 9,500 sq ft., 2 1/2 story mansion with a 2000 sq ft attic, built as a Gothic, Victorian house in 1906 on 1.45 acres. From Joe Allen’s personal timberland, the hearts of 400 year oaks and pine trees provided the lumber used to build the Allens’ forever dream home.

The front of the home is quite impressive. Over the entrance is a massive portico held up by Grecian columns. On one end of the front of the home is a three story octagonal turret. On the other front end of the home is another identical octagonal turret. The front entrance is framed by large stained-glass windows.

New Orleans glass-blowers provided the home’s stained-glass. Artisans in Saint Louis made all the curved window frames. The tin ceiling above the dining room table was hand beaten into an ornate work of art, a sea of little cherub faces.

As of December 2016 the Old Allen House was for sale, and still has many of the original treasures. According to Zillow.com, the home has “five bedrooms, four baths, original chandeliers, stained glass windows, beveled glass doors, crystal doorknobs, original moldings, hardwood floors and the original wood work and staircases.”

There is a first floor kitchen for serving guests/visitors/tourists and a second kitchen on the second story for the convenience of the owners. This second kitchen was added when the home offered rental apartments. There is a large parking area on the property for five vehicles. The home has central heating and air. Wrap around covered porches can be found around the perimeter of the home.

Owner Mark Spencer found a pack of letters in the mansion’s attic with the help of a spirit. They filled in the blanks of what led up to the death of LaDell Allen. Spencer has published a book: A HAUNTED LOVE STORY: The Ghosts of the Allen House, which shares the paranormal history of the property with the public. To get the whole story, buy a copy of his excellent book.

Before the Allen House existed on this land, a girl’s school, Rodgers Female Academy was built in 1857. When the Civil War began, the school building became a hospital for local wounded Confederate soldiers. After the Civil War, the school reopened as Wood Thompson School for boys, though it later became co-ed.

Joe Lee Allen first made his fortune as a successful planter, who then invested in the lumber industry, which proved to be quite the money maker. Allen also invested wisely in local businesses, buying a theater in town.

He owned a livery stable, a private school, and The Allen Hotel. He also bought a hearse and rented it out for funerals. He loved to sell autos, along with horses, mules, buggies, and wagons. He became President of the Commercial Loan and Trust Company. In 1908, he entered the public service life when he was appointed Treasurer of Drew County.

In 1906-07, Joe Lee Allen built a gorgeous 2 1/2 story mansion with a huge attic for his wife, Caddye, and their growing family. This was to be their forever dream mansion. While their infant son died at 9 months, their three daughters, Lonnie, LaDell, and Lewie (born in 1891, 1894, and 1897) grew up in luxury, and enjoyed the perks of their Dad’s successful business endeavors.

Nineteen year old LaDell had a first date with Prentiss Savage, a boy from a good family in 1913, just before he left for Texas in 1914. She was interested in him but he wasn’t in her, due, it is said, to Mother Allen making it plain that the rules of virtue would be upheld when he made a move to kiss LaDell while sitting on the front porch.

LaDell did marry a local, a handsome fellow named Boyd Bonner, in 1914. He owned the town pool hall. Joe and Caddye were not thrilled with this marriage. LaDell and Boyd Bonner moved to Texas, where Boyd worked on an oil rig. While an affable hard-working man, Boyd had some marriage-wrecking habits. Their marriage did last for 13 years, despite his drinking and whatever faults LaDell brought to this marital union. They did remain friends.

Though Joe Allen was a successful businessman and family man, he had hereditary heart issues: a condition that probably also caused the death of his infant son, and the early death of his youngest daughter, Lewie, in the 1940s. LaDell’s son may have had the same heart condition. Joe died at the age of 54 from a heart attack when LaDell was 23 years old, a death she never quite recovered from.

Caddye Allen carried on with courage. Lonnie and her husband Karl moved back in with Caddye and she charged them 10 dollars rent. She rented out a room, and had Karl run the theater for her. Through her own business sense, Caddye Allen grew the family fortune.

One good thing that came out of LaDell and Boyd’s marriage was their son, Allen Bonner, born in 1915. During his teen years, Allen moved from Texas back to the family home in Monticello to be with Grandma Caddye, his cousin, and aunt and uncle.

Allen’s special place at the Allen House was the attic space. He discovered that he had the talent to write. When he went to college, Allen majored in journalism. After graduating, he went to New York and got a well-paid job as editor for the radio division of the Associated Press in the early 1940s. He wasn’t drafted into WW2, probably because of a health issue.

After her divorce, LaDell eventually moved to Memphis for awhile. She suffered through a series of relationships, none of which ended happily. She moved back to the family home. The last relationship breakup she suffered was with her first love, Prentiss Savage, whom she had been reacquainted with while in Memphis.

Prentiss was then already married to another woman, Helena, a person he said he detested. Prentiss had risen in stature and had a high-level job with an oil company, so he and Helena had plenty of money. Prentiss also had free time, and could easily afford to play around with women on the side.

He set his sights on LaDell, and pushed her to see him, wanting a relationship with her on the side. This time Mom wasn’t there to stop him. LaDell had just been deserted by the stateside POW guard she’d had a relationship with during the war, and she was lonely. Uh oh.

First Prentiss Savage pledged his eternal love for LaDell, then he deserted her when Helena gave him a hard time in divorce court, wanting most of the couple’s assets. The ugly truth was that Prentiss loved his money and property more than being with LaDell.

After her tragic death, LaDell’s mother sealed up her room, and it stayed that way, like a time capsule for 40 years. After Caddye died in 1954, the mansion was divided up into apartments for rental, and was managed by members of the Allen family for a while.

The mansion was eventually sold to someone outside the Allen family. During the ’60s, It became housing for college students, attending the University of Arkansas, until the mid 1980s, when it was placed once again on the real estate market, becoming a private residence once again.

In the mid-1980s, it was sold to a couple who made it into a family home once more. They opened a gift shop in one of the first floor back rooms. They also opened up LaDell’s sealed bedroom.

Eventually, the mansion was sold to a Texan woman who adored the home, and its treasures seen and unseen. She loved the house and kept its unseen residents under control with crucifixes, prayer, pictures of our Lord, and appeals to Jesus. She was no fun at all!

The Allen House changed hands again in 2007, in what became a two year escrow. When Mark and Rebeca Spencer entered the picture, they had to buy another temporary house, as the Texan lady had a hard time letting go of the property, which she had become quite attached to. In 2009, the Spencer Family moved in at last.

The Spencer family had come to Monticello when Mark took a job as a head professor at the University of Arkansas. The Allen House had long been the town haunted house. Though at first Mark didn’t believe in spirits, his encounters with them and with hard paranormal evidence, led him and his family to become aware that yes indeed, the spirits were there. Mark Spencer has written two books about the spirits in Allen House.

Mark and Rebeca discovered that Monticello townspeople of all ages really wanted to see the home. As restoration work is expensive, they offered tours by appointment. When it became apparent to them that LaDell was their resident spirit person, they started to offer special events, like HAVE DINNER WITH A GHOST, every October.

To raise money, they had ghost tours during Halloween; hiring students to give the tours. They found out how many spirits they had through paranormal investigations that caught hard evidence which backed up their other paranormal experiences. Apparently, LaDell has the company of key family members, along with an unknown boy. Nothing threatening, just a friendly, slightly playful group of spirits who do enjoy interaction with the living.

HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS

Ever since the Allen House was sold in the 1950s, the living have experienced the spirit people who stay in this house. Below are some reasons why spirits may be staying at the Allen House.

Women who have suffered from lost love sometimes feel so sad and hopeless that they find ways to kill themselves; trying to escape the pain and distress that broken relationships cause. However, they find themselves stuck in this world by their pain and distress, usually near where they did the fatal deed.

In 1949, LaDell killed herself at the age of 54 by drinking cyanide on Christmas Eve after eating a plate of Christmas goodies. She suffered and died the next day. The losses of her sister, Lewie and her son, and the loss of yet another relationship that she had invested her heart in, was too much grief to bear.

When people die unexpectedly, when they think they have their whole life ahead of them, they sometimes stick around their favorite place in this world, and find ways to amuse themselves, including by having fun with the living for chuckles.

Alan Bonner, LaDell’s son, died in New York in his mid-twenties from complications from pneumonia, and perhaps because of heart issues, all while starting a successful career in journalism.

Sometimes entities of families will keep the spirit of their loved one who is stuck in this world company as they also enjoy memories of their own life in their special home, especially if they have died unexpectedly.

The Entity of Ladell’s son; Allen, The Entity of LaDell’s father; Joe, The Entity of LaDell’s Mom; Caddye, keep her company, visiting her or staying.

A young boy of 5 years; The following explanations may explain why he stays at the Allen House. Children who die in childhood, often like to stay in their family home, or in a place they once enjoyed while alive.

The boy may have gone to the school that once stood on the property. This spirit may not be connected to the headstone. When graves or gravestones are moved, it can cause restless, confused spirits.

A boy’s gravestone was found hanging inside the wall of the old dilapidated carriage house. As the lad died in 1900, it is thought that the servants who had come in 1907 to work for the Allen Family may have brought the headstone of a deceased family member with them, and wound up hiding it in the wall.

Children who die sometimes stay in this world looking for family members, and/or search for a family to join. Spirits sometime appear as children to relive their good times. It is possible that Lonnie, LaDell, and Lewie appear as children to relive the fun they used to have.

MANIFESTATIONS

She started making her appearance known soon after she died. Her mother may have seen her in her room, and that may be why she sealed it. LaDell liked to show herself looking out a turret window for the neighbors and general public to see, and still does.

Author Carol Wilson, who lived in one of the apartments in 1959, based her book, SCENT OF LILAC, on the incidents with LaDell that she personally experienced or observed. A doctor who was living in one of the apartment units, took a picture of the entity of LaDell as she was reflected in a mirror.

A couple who had just been married found out about LaDell when the new husband took a picture of his bride in the dining room in 1968. When the picture was developed, the image of a ghostly woman was also caught on the film, standing right beside the bride. One couple trapped her apparition in a closet and struggled to close the door, while the apparition giggled at their efforts.

For years, renters and owners would hear someone walking around the attic space. For added chuckles, both Allen and LaDell were entertained greatly when the police were called in by the frightened living to try to find the source of the footsteps/noises/moans coming from the upper floor apartments. They never found anyone.

In the mid-1980s the couple bought the home and reconverted it into a single family mansion. To bring in some money, they set up a gift shop in one of the back rooms. LaDell didn’t approve and showed in no uncertain terms she was upset. She showed herself to the couple’s housekeeper by going down the stairs, giving the housekeeper the vapors. People have heard LaDell crying at night. When the Spencer Family bought the mansion, it wasn’t long before odd occurrences began to happen.

LaDell’s son, Allen

He is a fun-loving spirit who likes to call names in the ears of residents.

He has appeared in the home, walking around the first floor, wearing a cowboy hat.

He still likes the attic, and bonds with LaDell by walking around there, hoping to get the police to come again, or Mark Spencer. Great fun!

He likes to move objects around.

He likes to call the names of females who live in the mansion. Mrs. Spencer found this out.

The Entity of Her father

He has come to visit LaDell, and enjoy the mansion he lovingly built.

He has talked to investigators, identifying himself as “Allen.”

When Joe Allen leaves, he floats by in his car, trying to get LaDell to join him.

Three little Girls

These three girl entities could be the three Allen sisters, or residual energy.

They like to play in the foyer at the bottom of the stairs.

They have been clearly seen and heard by former owners.

LaDell’s Mother, Caddye

She talked to SPI through EVPs, sharing her feelings about LaDell’s husband, Boyd, in no uncertain terms. One of the things she said was that Boyd was drunk every Christmas.

Five year old Boy Entity

Appeared often where Mrs. Spencer could see him — described as being somber.

STILL HAUNTED?

A huge Yes Indeed! The Allen House is considered by many to be the most haunted house in Arkansas.

After leading Mark to her hidden love letters, LaDell hopefully feels a little better now that she’s let everyone know her shameful secret; having a love affair with a married man, who turned out to be a jerk, with weaknesses that her mother saw in him the first time around.

Now, hopefully LaDell can enjoy having a relationship with her son, Allen, since she didn’t see much of him once he became a teenager, as she perhaps gathers her nerve to go to the other side. Perhaps she worries about what happens to people who kill themselves.

Be sure to see the YouTube investigations done by the Spencer family, as they may be taken down after the mansion is sold.

Besides having many reports of paranormal experiences from people who have stayed here or owned the home, there has been a boatload of hard evidence caught on camera and EVPs, to both back up previously reported experiences and bring to light other spirits not formerly known to be there.

Ladell’s parents were discovered by SPI through EVPs. Still having their good Southern manners, of course they talked to investigators, who were guests in their home.

The Spencers did their own investigations, and two of them can be found on YouTube.

Ghost Brothers have done investigations at the Allen House and were not disappointed, as LaDell had fun scaring them a little. Ghost hunters have also visited the spirits. Many reputable groups have also provided entertainment for the Allen House spirits, and in turn have caught a lot of evidence.

705 North Main Street Monticello, Arkansas 71655

The Allen House is located in the historical residential section where the Monticello well-to-do lived, a nice walk to the historical downtown businesses. It is located just north of the intersection of North Main Street, West Oakland Street, and East Oakland Avenue.

allen house tours monticello arkansas

SOURCES INCLUDE

  • A HAUNTED LOVE STORY: The Ghosts of the Allen House by Mark Spenser Llewellyn Publications 2012
  • http://www.onlyinyourstate.com
  • http://www.monticellolive.com
  • https://www.youtube.com
  • https://www.youtube.com – Living in the Allen House Part 2
  • https://www.youtube.com – SPI investigation evidence videos
  • https://www.youtube.com – Beyond the Grave
  • Lunch and Learn – Haunting of the Allen House, by Tara Sipes –
  • www.facebook.com

Our Haunted Paranormal Stories are Written by Julie Carr

Your Road Trip to Milwaukee’s Hot Spots

Videos to watch:, the allen house of monticello, actually haunted, the allen house, monticello, arkansas, a haunting s05e04 the allen house aka house of horrors, my ghost story: paranormal activity in a family’s arkansas home (season 3) | the unxplained zone, shadow figure at the allen house by sebourn paranormal investigations, sweet n sour at the allen house | monticello, ar, allen house | ghost stories, paranormal, supernatural, hauntings, horror, arkansas: the haunting of the allen house, web extra: allen house tour.

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Home » Travel Guides » United States » Arkansas (AR) » 14 Best Things to Do in Monticello (Arkansas)

14 Best Things to Do in Monticello (Arkansas)

Located in Arkansas’ southeast region near Mississippi and Louisiana, Monticello is the county seat of Drew County.

It has a population that hasn’t changed much in decades, hovering just below the 10,000 residents mark.

For such a small town that’s without a direct connection to any major metropolitan centers, there are a surprising number of cultural, historic and outdoor recreation options available within a small radius.

There are plenty of inexpensive hotels nearby too, making the quaint town a great place to stay when visiting the area.

Below are 14 of the best things to see and do in and around Monticello Arkansas.

1. Drew County Historical Museum

Drew County Historical Museum

Located on South Main Street in Monticello, the Drew County Historical Museum is the town’s most complete repository of historical artefacts, antiques and exhibits that relate to the culture and history of the area that was explored and settled more than 150 years ago.

The grounds also include a log cabin from the 1800s and a Victorian-style home built in the early 1900s.

Guided tours and a variety of educational activities are available, so plan on spending an hour or more seeing all there is to see.

If you’ll be travelling with a large group consider calling ahead to schedule a tour.

2. Lake Monticello

Lake Monticello

At nearly 1,600 acres, Lake Monticello is relatively big and has become a regional hotspot for boaters, hikers, campers and fisherman from all over the state.

The bass fishing is particularly good, and the lake holds a good record of being where one of the state’s largest bass was caught.

Amenities include boat ramps, picnic areas, an archery range and designated area for remote-controlled aeroplane enthusiasts.

The park’s entrance is located just off Arkansas Route 35 west of downtown Monticello. If you plan on visiting during the peak summer months when school is out expecting the park to be crowded.

3. Turner Neal Museum of Natural History

Turner Neal Museum Of Natural History

Located on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Monticello, the Turner Neal Museum of Natural History houses an expansive collection of artefacts, exhibits and animal reproductions relating to the state’s natural history.

Additionally, they also offer temporary exhibition as well as host educational and instructional classes both for adults and children and guest speakers at different times of the year.

The museum is behind the university’s Math and Science Center and is free to visit.

At your leisure, consider checking out the university’s bookstore, student center and campus as well.

4. Pomeroy Planetarium

Also located on the campus of The University of Arkansas at Monticello, the Pomeroy Planetarium is a great place to visit, especially when the weather outside is particularly unpleasant.

In addition to a fascinating guided tour of the galaxy, you’ll appreciate their comfy seats and climate control.

The planetarium offers special community events as well as guest speakers and education classes for both retired citizens and school-age children.

It’s located inside the aforementioned Neal Museum of Natural History, making it convenient to visit them both on the same day.

5. UAM Fine Arts Galleries

UAM Fine Arts Center

At the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s, there is an endless season of fun and recreation, thanks to the presence of UAM Fine Arts Gallery on site as well.

In addition to the art and exhibits on display, the arts center offers live concerts, dance recitals and theater productions, nearly all of which feature college students and another local talent.

They’re either free or inexpensive making the center a great venue for value-minded lovers of the arts.

Check out their website to see what’s on the calendar for when you’ll be in the area.

6. Weevil Lake & Walking Trail

Weevil Pond Walking Trail

Referred to local as Weevil Pond, the Weevil Lake and Walking Trail isn’t the longest or most rugged walking trail in the world, but what it lacks in length it makes up for the inconvenience.

It’s located near the campus of UAM and includes a well-maintained trail that’s only about half a mile long.

You won’t need to drop bread crumbs or set off an emergency flair for a national guard helicopter rescue, but you will get some good exercise and you just might see some wildlife too, especially if you go in the early morning or evening twilight hours.

7. Deer Creek Disc Golf

Disc Golf

If you’ve never played disc golf, your trip to Monticello would be a great time to give it a whirl.

In general, it’s like traditional golf, but you don’t need expensive clubs, overpriced balls, ugly pants, metal-spiked shoes or a caddie to play.

The main idea is to get your Frisbee, or disk, inside the hole in as few throws as possible. It’s inexpensive, challenging and family-friendly making it the perfect vacation activity.

Deer Creek Disc Golf is located on Highway 278 in Monticello behind the River Restaurant, and it can be surprisingly busy during perfect spring and summer days.

8. Splash Pad & Community Pool

Splash Pad At Jordan Park

Located in Monticello’s Jordan Park, the Splash Pad and Community Pool is the town’s premiere destination for aquatic fun in the often gagging summer months.

The park is on North Larkin Street just off Highway 278 and is owned and managed by the town’s parks and recreation department.

Admission is cheap, and the park sports all the amenities you’d expect, and though much of the park is for children, there are also designated areas for adults to swim laps that are off-limits to the little ones.

There are plenty of covered seating areas for parents who’d rather watch the action from a safe distance without getting wet.

9. Allen House Tours

Allen House

Built in the first decade of the 20th century, Monticello’s Allen House was built in the stunning architecture so popular in the Victorian era and includes many original items of furniture, art and housewares that were considered swank and luxurious by the standards of the time.

The home includes gothic and Greek architectural influences as well, and it’s open to tours by appointment.

If you sign up for a tour there are a lot of lessons to learn about the history and culture of the area in general.

The house is located on North Main Street near the town center.

10. Arkansas Railroad Museum

Arkansas Railroad Museum

Like much of the rural south, the railroads played a big part in the economic development of Arkansas and the surrounding states.

They were largely responsible for hauling natural resources like cotton and timber to the industrial centers of the northeast and returning with the finished products that locals needed in their everyday lives.

The Arkansas Railroad museum in nearby Pine Bluff focuses on the St. Louis Southwestern Railway which was one of the area’s largest networks and part of the ‘Cotton Belt Railroad.’

The museum features a refurbished steam locomotive and is located inside a terminal from the -40s. It features an impressive collection of photographs, equipment and exhibits that are a must-see for amateur railroad enthusiasts.

Large group tours are available but you’ll need to call ahead to schedule.

11. Delta Rivers Nature Center

Delta Rivers Nature Center

Pine Bluff’s Delta Rivers Nature Center is one of the region’s most complete and often visited nature centers, and it focuses on the natural world and animals in and around the Mississippi and Arkansas River delta areas.

In addition to plenty of kid-friendly animals on display, the center includes a gift shop and a few outdoor trails that are located near an adjacent golf course.

There’s a bar and grill inside the golf course if you’d like to stop for a bite, and there’s also a playground next to the trail that the kids will love.

This place was great for the young children that really love white sharks.

The center is located on Black Dog Road in Pine Bluff.

12. The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas

Arts & Science Center Of Southeast Arkansas

In addition to its permanent exhibits on display, The Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas regularly hosts live entertainment including music, theater, dance, and guest speakers, making it a popular place for those with varied tastes.

Their Life at Five events are held in the evenings on the first Friday of each month and have included blues, jazz and folk music in the past.

The cost of admission is less than a happy meal at McDonald’s, and the venue has great acoustics and comfortable seats as well.

Advance ticket purchases are available if you see an upcoming show that you don’t want to miss, so check online.

13. South Arkansas Arboretum

South Arkansas Arboretum

Located on Highway 82 in the nearby town of El Dorado, the South Arkansas Arboretum is only one of its kind in the area and includes a number of professionally cultivated gardens each with a unique theme.

The arboretum is open seasonally and includes native and non-native species of flowers, plants and trees, and there’s even a butterfly garden that’s a favorite with visitors.

Well-maintained paths lead between gardens and include informational signs and plaques to let you know what it is that you’re viewing.

The arboretum is open seasonally, so give them a call or check for specific information on their website.

14. Murphy Arts District

Murphy Arts District

El Dorado’s Murphy Art District is one of the town’s trendiest venues and includes restaurants, bars, coffee shops and stores that are all conveniently located close to one another near downtown.

During the summer months it hosts live entertainment nearly every weekend, and it can get surprisingly crowded for such a small, rural town.

Many of the nearby eateries are the most popular and known for their good food and relaxed but contemporary atmospheres.

The district even sports a free splash pad area for kids that a big hit with families during the miserably hot summer days of June, July and August.

14 Best Things to Do in Monticello (Arkansas):

  • Drew County Historical Museum
  • Lake Monticello
  • Turner Neal Museum of Natural History
  • Pomeroy Planetarium
  • UAM Fine Arts Galleries
  • Weevil Lake & Walking Trail
  • Deer Creek Disc Golf
  • Splash Pad & Community Pool
  • Allen House Tours
  • Arkansas Railroad Museum
  • Delta Rivers Nature Center
  • The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas
  • South Arkansas Arboretum
  • Murphy Arts District

Strange And Creepy

The Story Behind The Most Haunted Home Arkansas – The Allen House

  • The Paranormal

The Allen House

Monticello, Arkansas’s Allen House has a pretty terrifying reputation for being haunted. Built in 1907, the Allen house was the creation of a family that was involved in the timber business. The 9,000 square feet home has 16 rooms is massive and was an impressive build for the family. Everything was ok with the family, that is until they moved inside of the home. Tragedy struck the family numerous times in what you would call some very bad luck however, others think it had to do with the grounds.  

Eventually, in the mid-’50s, the location was transformed into apartments. The tenants at the time complained the house was severely haunted. It was almost to the point that many of these tenants couldn’t sleep there anymore, so what was the cause?  They heard strange noises like banging on the walls and crying coming from empty rooms. There was one room in particular that people stayed away from, it was said that the temperatures in the room would always be different from all the other rooms in the house.

Other people said they saw the ghost of the former owner walking around the halls and outside on the property. Some people complained of being touched or pushed by an unseen assailant. The house is currently occupied and the current owners actually offer a history tour of the residence and also a haunted one. You can even stay the night in the house for a small fee, would you want to stay in this house?

Check out the videos of a family that lives in the Allen House 

SOURCE _ GINGERCB47 

Do you have a video or photographs of something creepy, cool, strange, or odd or somewhere in-between? Think they’re a good fit for our site and want to get your stuff showcased? Email us at [email protected] and let us know what you have in mind!

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The Allen House – Monticello

October 15, 2015

allen house tours monticello arkansas

Photo Courtesy Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

She poured her drink and slowly turned the crystal goblet in her hand, watching the lights of the Christmas tree sparkle and bounce across the walls of the parlor. She had successfully avoided the hot toddies the night before, and the wine at dinner this evening, thinking of how proud he would be to know she was keeping her promise to remain sober. He worried about her, and reminded her of his concern in his letters.

But in his last letter, Prentiss made it clear that their love was doomed. His wife would make divorce impossible, and he was unwilling to leave her with his entire fortune. A letter from his sister made it clear he would not be visiting during the holidays, and her decision was made. This morning was the last she would feel the pain of waking alone, because today would be the last she would spend longing for the touch of her lover.

Ladell turned up the radio as she heard her favorite song… “How soon will I be seeing you? How soon, I wish I really knew. And when will you be saying words I want to hear?”

A week later, she was dead; suicide by poison. Her drink of choice, mercury cyanide.

allen house tours monticello arkansas

Ladell Allen Bonner was fifty four when she killed herself with cyanide she drank in her family home on Christmas in 1948. It marked the sad ending of a torrid long-distance affair with a former boyfriend who was hesitant to divorce his wife. For sixty years, the story was one of speculation and tragedy – until a secret cache of letters was discovered by the home’s new owners under the floorboards in Ladell’s old bedroom. This fictional account cannot capture what actually happened… only Ladell knew what was on her mind, and in her heart, that evening.

Since her death, the mansion – hauntingly designed with turrets and surrounded by a black iron fence – has been an active spot for ghostly encounters, and has been called one of the country’s most haunted homes. A spirit of a woman is said to wander the mansion, often causing guests to sense someone standing behind them even when no one can be seen. Current owners report items going missing in the home, and the presence of a “doppelganger” – an apparition that mimicked their son, appearing to the parents in one area of the house while he was in another.

You can visit the Allen House and see for yourself what all the fuss is about, and even participate in an investigation. On December 5 they will host Dinner and a Ghost, and tickets are on sale now. Follow their Facebook page for more information on the home and upcoming events.

Meet the author.

Learn more about Laurie Marshall .

A little about Laurie Marshall .

Arkansas Women Blogger Laurie is a writer and artist living in Springdale, Arkansas with her husband, son and three cats who think they’re people. She can’t keep her fingernails clean, prefers her tea unsweet, and is on a first-name basis with local thrift store employees. You can follow Laurie at See Laurie Write and Junque Rethunque .

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Kicker 102.5

Most Haunted House In Arkansas Is Officially Closed To The Public

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Some say it's the most haunted house in America, I don't know if that's true, but it's definitely known as one of the most haunted places in Arkansas , and now it's closed to the public. I guess you could say it's a dark day in the paranormal world, but, wouldn't that be a normal day in the paranormal world? 

C'mon, that's funny, I don't care who you are.

My wife and I have been known to do a little ghost hunting from time to time, but I guess we can scratch this one off the list of potential Arkansas haunted hunts.

We're talking about The Allen House in Monticello, Arkansas .

The Allen House is famous for its tragic story of lost and forbidden love, suicide, and many reported paranormal ghostly sightings and experiences since then. The house is no longer available for ghostly tours due to the fact that it is now a residence once more. Brave people.

Since it appears we will not get a chance anytime soon to get a gander at the insides of this famous haunted house, be sure you check out the video below that was produced just last year (2023) by the ghost-hunting team Sweet & Sour, Michelle & Blake. They did a great job on this video and it's only about 15 minutes long, well worth your time.

Who knows, the new residents may never open it up again, or maybe they will...

According to the FB Page, even though the tours are over, the Nightmare Maze will still run this October behind the house. I'm not sure what that is but click here for more information.  Allen House Facebook Page

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The Allen House

  • Episode aired Nov 2, 2012

A Haunting (2005)

With great pride and excitement, Professor Mark Spencer and his wife Rebecca have just purchased the historic Allen House in Arkansas. The house has a unique character, but they begin to exp... Read all With great pride and excitement, Professor Mark Spencer and his wife Rebecca have just purchased the historic Allen House in Arkansas. The house has a unique character, but they begin to experience unexplained events shortly after moving in. After exhaustive research, Mark learns... Read all With great pride and excitement, Professor Mark Spencer and his wife Rebecca have just purchased the historic Allen House in Arkansas. The house has a unique character, but they begin to experience unexplained events shortly after moving in. After exhaustive research, Mark learns that the house may be haunted by the spirit of a woman named LaDell, who mysteriously die... Read all

  • Joseph Maddrey
  • Anthony D. Call
  • Candy Dennis
  • Jacob Eiseman
  • 1 User review

A Haunting (2005)

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Jacob Eiseman

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Rene Finkenkeller

  • Rachel Ellis
  • Old Prentiss
  • Professor Mark Spencer
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  • LaDell Allen

Kera O'Bryon

  • Rebecca Spencer
  • Young LaDell Allen
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  • Connections Remade as Paranormal Witness: A Ghostly Affair (2013)

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  • November 2, 2012 (United States)
  • New Dominion Pictures
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COMMENTS

  1. The Allen House is a private residence in Monticello, Arkansas. It is

    Home. The Allen House is a private residence in Monticello, Arkansas. It is open for tours by appointment. If you would like to schedule a tour, please text 870-224-2271. Please include your first and last name, date and time you would like to tour, and an email address for the invoice to be sent. The cost for a private tour is $90.

  2. Tour The Allen House In Arkansas: A Haunted House In Monticello

    The Allen House in Arkansas was built in 1906. This Monticello home is a lovely work of architecture, built in the Queen Anne Victorian style, that comes with a terrifying history. Originally, local businessman Joe Lee Allen planned for his beautiful home to be Monticello's showpiece along North Main Street.

  3. Allen House

    Now open for historic guided tours by appointment and a popular spot for weddings, special events, meetings. ... The Allen House has been the subject of an investigation by twelve different organizations and has appeared on eight different paranormal investigations television shows. ... 705 North Main. Monticello, AR 71655. Get Directions. View ...

  4. Tours & Events

    TOURS. Tours of the Allen House are booked year-round by appointment. The minimum for a booking is 6. Please text: 870-224-2271 to schedule your tour. You may also email: [email protected]. COST IS $10 PER PERSON. The Allen House is open annually on Oct. 30 & 31 from 6PM-11PM for tours.

  5. The Allen House: The most haunted house in America?!

    But it's October…and some of you LIKE to be scared…so I'm going to give you the facts. Many say that the Allen House is the most haunted house in America. The story centers around the Allen family, especially the daughter Ladell. On Christmas 1948, it's said Ladell consumed cyanide, dying eight days later. The room where Ladell died ...

  6. The Allen House

    The Allen House, Monticello, Arkansas. 12,792 likes · 5 talking about this · 1,370 were here. Local business

  7. From haunted history to home sweet home: The story of The Allen House

    Either it is haunted or it has history." That haunted history begins with the Allen family. Jolie Allen, a businessman, built the home in 1906 for his wife Catty and their three daughters Lonnie ...

  8. Haunted Arkansas: The Allen House in Monticello

    Located in Monticello, in Arkansas' Lower Delta, is the Allen House. It's a beautiful home with a creepy past…and some say…a haunted present. The story centers around the Allen family, especially the daughter Ladell. On Christmas 1948, it's said Ladell consumed cyanide, dying eight days later.

  9. The Allen House

    Rumored to be haunted by the troubled spirit of Ladell Allen, who had committed suicide in the main bedroom in 1948, The Allen House has been the subject for investigation by twelve different organizations and has appeared on eight different paranormal investigated television shows. For more information, please contact: [email protected].

  10. Welcome [monticelloallenhouse.com]

    The house is a private residence open for tours on the last Saturday of each month from 11am-4pm. Cost of admission is $15 per person. No reservation necessary. Parking on Main Street.

  11. The Haunting of the Allen House

    The Haunting of the Allen House. The Allen House, in Monticello, Arkansas was planned by local businessman, Joe Lee Allen, to be the most impressive house the town had ever seen. Built in 1906, by renowned architect Sylvester Hotchkiss and builder Josia Barkley White, it was outstanding. A combination of Queen Anne, Gothic, and Neo-classical ...

  12. The spooky side of Monticello

    The spooky side of Monticello. The Allen House will be open for tours on Oct. 30 and 31. In October, Monticello, located in Arkansas' Lower Delta, will again be home to two events for those looking to explore the "scarier" side of fun. The Allen House, known by many as one of the most haunted houses in the nation, will open its doors for ...

  13. This is The Most Haunted House in Arkansas & You Can Tour it

    The cool thing is, you can tour this house! You can schedule a tour any time of the year with at least a group of 6 or more. The Allen House, located at 713 North Main Street in Monticello Arkansas is open annually every October 30- October 31. You can also schedule Dinner and A Ghost, A PrivateTea Party and more throughout the year.].

  14. One Monticello Life: The Allen House

    Located in the center of Monticello, on Main Street is one of Arkansas' most reputed haunted houses: the Allen House. Here is its story: The Allen House was built in 1900 by Joe Lee Allen. It is still much like it was when it was built. Dottie Simmons, the house's third and current owner, said, "It's like you walk into a whole different ...

  15. Inside Arkansas' most haunted house

    Inside Arkansas' most haunted house. by Paige Cushman. Thu, October 31st 2019 at 12:47 PM. Updated Thu, October 31st 2019 at 1:02 PM. 18. VIEW ALL PHOTOS. The 8,500 square foot house sits in an ...

  16. Old Allen House

    The 1907 Allen House is a 9,500 sq ft., 2 1/2 story mansion with a 2000 sq ft attic, built as a Gothic, Victorian house in 1906 on 1.45 acres. From Joe Allen's personal timberland, the hearts of 400 year oaks and pine trees provided the lumber used to build the Allens' forever dream home.

  17. 14 Best Things to Do in Monticello (Arkansas)

    At the University of Arkansas at Monticello's, there is an endless season of fun and recreation, thanks to the presence of UAM Fine Arts Gallery on site as well. ... Allen House Tours Source: angel1238812 / Flickr The Allen House. Built in the first decade of the 20th century, Monticello's Allen House was built in the stunning architecture ...

  18. The Allen House

    The Allen House, Monticello, Arkansas. 12,788 likes · 1 talking about this · 1,368 were here. Local business

  19. The Story Behind The Most Haunted Home Arkansas

    The Allen House. Monticello, Arkansas's Allen House has a pretty terrifying reputation for being haunted. Built in 1907, the Allen house was the creation of a family that was involved in the timber business. The 9,000 square feet home has 16 rooms is massive and was an impressive build for the family. Everything was ok with the family, that ...

  20. The Allen House

    You can visit the Allen House and see for yourself what all the fuss is about, and even participate in an investigation. ... Searcy, AR 72143 fsbank.com 877.611.3118 Only in Arkansas. First Security Bank, Member FDIC. ... The Allen House - Monticello. October 15, 2015. Author Laurie Marshall. October 15, 2015.

  21. Most Haunted House In Arkansas Is Officially Closed To The Public

    Jim Weaver Published: March 14, 2024. Sweet N Sour at The Allen House - Monticello, AR - YouTube. Some say it's the most haunted house in America, I don't know if that's true, but it's definitely known as one of the most haunted places in Arkansas, and now it's closed to the public. I guess you could say it's a dark day in the paranormal world ...

  22. "A Haunting" The Allen House (TV Episode 2012)

    The Allen House: Directed by Mark Hicks. With Anthony D. Call, Candy Dennis, Jacob Eiseman, Rene Finkenkeller. With great pride and excitement, Professor Mark Spencer and his wife Rebecca have just purchased the historic Allen House in Arkansas. The house has a unique character, but they begin to experience unexplained events shortly after moving in.