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Last week, I had the pleasure of turning over the keys to the new homeowner in Knights Landing at the Snowball Mansion.
Yes, Snowball Mansion is reported to be HAUNTED.
Be sure to check back here on Friday, and watch the short video and meet the new owner of the Snowball Mansion.
I’ll let you know on Friday if the homebuyer saw any ghosts on his first night at the Snowball Mansion…stay tuned.
There were a lot of issues to this bank owned property that needed to be resolved before the home buyer could close last week.
There was a strawbuyer (little did I know when I wrote about Fraud and Strawbuyers back in 2006, I would represent a buyer who would purchase a property that was part of a previous scam) and southern CA based real estate and escrow agency, Silvernet Properties and Bellasi Escrow who now faces 40 years in Federal prison.
It didn’t end there, the bank foreclosed and a Deed that had the wrong description. Read about this money laundering, fraud and scam by the Department of Justice and what led up to the house stealing scam at Consumer Affairs.
But, finally we closed last Friday and the home buyer who happens to be an Englishman received his keys and I unlocked the gate.
The Snowball Mansion has quite a history behind it. Located just on a slight rise above a curve of the Sacramento River, is a gleaming white brick mansion with graceful columns and porches.
It needs a lot of work since the Snowball Mansion has been abandoned for so long but this Englishman buyer plans on bringing it back to statehood.
An Englishman named John Wells Snowball had the Snowball Mansion built in 1877 for his beloved wife, Lucy Ann Knight.
Lucy was the daughter of William Knight, the founder of Knights Landing which is the oldest town in Yolo County.
It is said that John Wells Snowball commissioned the same architect, Seth Babson who designed the Crocker Museum in Sacramento for the Snowball Mansion since he was a noted Victorian and Italianate style architect.
Although John Wells Snowball was from England, he arrived in Folsom and lived on the American River where he successfully mined for gold in 1853 and when he moved to Knights Landing he established its first store and served as Supervisor from 1853 till 1855.
John Wells Snowball served as Associate Justice of the Court of Sessions and was a stock raiser and land investor who died on February 5, 1906.
It is said that Judge Snowball held court under the huge sycamore tree that majestically still stands in front of the Snowball Mansion.
Yes, there is documentation on the Internet that the Snowball Mansion is haunted. Lucy Snowball lost a child here at the Snowball Mansion and those that have stayed at the mansion have heard windows rattle, and some have seen Lucy Snowball traveling through the wall on her way to the nursery. I’ve been told that a cold chill comes about those who speak of the Snowballs when sitting in one of the sitting rooms.
The true test will be what the new homeowner and his family will witness in the mansion…the ghostly sounds and aberrations. I must say, it is my first haunted house and what a thrill it has been! Not your typical real estate …
If you are interested in reading about other Sacramento Haunted Hot Spots be sure to check out a compilation by Dennis William Hauck which includes Antelope, Roseville, La Riviera Drive, the Pocket, Downtown Sacramento, East Sacramento and many more.
Here are a few more photos of the 7,800 square foot Snowball Mansion below. I have an invitation to return at Christmas to see how the new homeowner has brought this Haunted Mansion back to life.
The Snowball Mansion Ballroom Buyer’s wife will use as Artist Studio
Snowball Mansion on 6.44 acres Backside view of Snowball Mansion
Are you interested in looking at other mansions? Click the links below to see what mansions are for sale.
Placer County mansions for sale
El Dorado County mansions for sale
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Hi, did you ever hear back from the new owner of the snowball mansion as to whether or not he saw ghosts of Lucy.
No ghosts seen at this point.
I just wanted to let you know that if they find some type of activities of the paranormal I would be more then willing to bring our crew and do a full investigation for them free of charge. I can be reached at 530-501-6650 or 530-988-9022
Thank you again,
myrna arens
Chico Paranormal Investigations
Did you ever find out if the new owner saw Lucy.
What they did share with me is hearing furniture being moved during the night. But, that’s all at this point.
Would they be interested in a paranormal investigation? I own a group and we would be interested in doing it and keeping it quiet if they prefer.
The owners of the Snowball Mansion have had a couple of paranormal groups connected them and have been very receptive. You may contact me by email with your contact information and I’ll be happy to connect the two of you.
I know First hand that the house is haunted
Would you like to tell us all how you know? Sounds interesting…
I lived at the mansion from1991 to1992 while my uncles Frank Gill and Raymond Neeley owned it and I can say it is definitely haunted. You could here strange and Erie sounds and especially the downstairs portion you always had a cold feeling as is someone else was there. I HAD NEVER BELIEVED IN GHOSTS UNTIL THIS HOUSE. When my uncle had purchased the house it had been empty for some time from previous owner Bert
. Upon moving in the fireplaces had lit up all by themselves. It’s true it’s haunted
Love to hear more!
I heard that the Snowball Mansion is now in foreclosure! Is this true. If so, how sad to have had this happen again.
Mary, whoever told you that is very much mistaken. The owners of the Snowball Mansion cannot loose this house to foreclosure. It’s paid for! So rest easy knowing that the new owners are doing just fine and so is the Snowball Mansion.
Thank you so much. I was heart sick when I heard this gossip and I was determined to get to the bottom of it. So now with your information I can set people straight. Thanks again
Glad to hear that you will squelch this unfounded rumors.
I am going out to the Snowball Mansion on Tuesday night to hear about the ghostly findings…be sure to come back for an update on the Snowball Mansion…
You are a very articulate writer. This is a good website.
Thank you.
I love the Snowball Mansion, I think it’s a terrific place and I wish I owned it.
i would like to see this house will the owners let you take a tour of the house and grounds?
I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. They are very nice folks.