When you think of Fresno, what comes to mind? Raisins? Agriculture? Sure, we’re famous for that. But what if I told you Fresno is also home to some seriously spooky real estate?

Seven miles west of downtown, Kearney Mansion sits like a scene from an old gothic novel, with its French Renaissance architecture and stories that would make even the most hardened skeptic shiver. Originally part of a larger vision by M. Theo Kearney, this estate was supposed to be the jewel of a 225-acre agricultural paradise.

Spoiler alert: Kearney didn’t live to see the dream come true. He kicked the bucket in 1906, leaving behind only the caretaker’s quarters, which we now call Kearney Mansion.

While the mansion is a museum today, the locals and paranormal investigators will tell you it’s not just a static monument to Fresno’s past — it’s got a haunted side. And let’s be honest, what’s an old mansion without a few ghosts?

According to Kimi Lopez, lead investigator from 911 Paranormal Rescue Fresno (and someone who has seen things that would make your average person bolt for the door), Kearney Mansion has earned its haunted reputation.

“We now have Fresno that’s built up, and we have such places as Kearney Mansion that is known to have haunt, whether they like to admit it or not,” Kimi said when she joined us. I mean, how’s that for a welcome?

Kimi shared a few of her personal run-ins with the mansion’s spectral inhabitants. “On a day walkthrough, I walked through with my daughter, and you can see people passing in your peripheral vision. You double back to check who was in that room, and there’s nobody there,” she said. I don’t know about you, but that’s the kind of stuff that makes me clutch my camera a little tighter.

The White Witch

But it’s not just ghostly figures popping up out of nowhere. There’s the White Witch, who is rumored to haunt the railroad tracks nearby. The legend goes that if you lock eyes with her, you’ll meet an untimely end. Thankfully, there doesn’t seem to be a long list of victims for this one — probably because the people who “see her” aren’t around to tell the tale.

And if a murderous ghost witch isn’t enough to raise the hairs on the back of your neck, there’s also the story of a maid, A. Nora S., who is said to wander the mansion, still making sure everything is in order for her long-dead employer. Some have even claimed to spot Mr. Kearney himself, wandering the grounds like a man still hoping to complete his grand vision.

So, is Kearney Mansion really haunted? Or is it just a beautifully creepy slice of Fresno history? That’s up to you to decide. But one thing’s for sure — whether you believe in ghosts or not, Kearney Mansion has a way of making you question what’s real and what’s lurking just out of sight.

For those of you who think you’ve got nerves of steel, I’d recommend visiting the mansion and deciding for yourself. Just don’t be surprised if you leave with more questions than answers. And, if you’re really unlucky, you might catch a glimpse of the White Witch. But hey, you didn’t hear that from me.

About the Author

GV Wire Producer Dean Kirkland is the founder and director of Gas and Gears, an independent film production company that has produced numerous television series and feature films, including the award-winning documentary “Racing Through The Forest” (2014).