Why Old Victorian Houses Give Us the Creeps
UTA architecture expert Marisa Gomez explores why these ornate homes became the stuff of Halloween nightmares.
For more than a century, Victorian-era homes have served as the backdrop for ghost stories, haunted houses, and some of Hollywood's scariest movies.
According to Marisa Gomez, an architecture lecturer at The University of Texas at Arlington, it's the combination of history, design, and imagination that makes Victorian houses a timeless symbol of the supernatural and the ultimate haunted house.
The term Victorian refers to the period of Queen Victoria's reign (1837–1901), when many architectural trends emerged and faded.
Gomez notes that the design of these grand old houses, with asymmetrical towers, creaky floors, and shadowy corners, gives off spooky vibes instead of cozy ones.
Author's summary: Victorian houses are spooky due to their unique design and history.