By Mallory Burton
Lizzie Borden and her family lived in a house located on 230 Second Street in the city of Fall River, Massachusetts. This location is known for the notorious 1892 unsolved double murder of Andrew and Abby Borden. This house has operated as a bed and breakfast since 1996 under the ownership of Martha McGuinn who inherited the house. Martha’s grandparents purchased the house on August 4th, 1948. According to Martha, the room where Lizzie’s stepmother Abby Borden was found murdered is the “most requested room” of the bedrooms at the bed and breakfast. Today, the house is just as it was. The furniture retains its rightful place, the decorations have been duplicated, and the original hardware and doors are still intact. Artifacts from the murder case are displayed while memorabilia from that era line shelves and mantel tops. When you visit this place, you are transported back to that morning when a storm of events turns into a double murder.
Courtesy Frank C. Grace/Trig Photography
Andrew Borden and his wife Abby were brutally murdered to death by an ax. Police didn’t know who to blame at first, suspicion soon fell in Andrew’s daughter, Lizzie Borden. Cops struggled to find any other suspects in the murder case, and they couldn’t help but notice that Lizzie’s story kept changing. The young woman never admitted to committing the murders, but her 1893 trial captivated the entire nation. She eventually acquitted; this only deepened the mystery.
Would you want to stay here? People claim there is paranormal activity at this house. A review on TripAdvisor says, “ I was told that if you leave money on the dresser, Andrew Borden will leave you alone at night,” reads the review. “If you select this room and would like to be left alone, I suggest you leave money.” On an episode of “ Ghost Adventures” in 2012, an episode featured a tour guide claiming the ghost Andrew Borden punched her in the back. Some people claim to have heard noises of creaking or footsteps, children’s laughter, and seen a ghostly face appearing wall in the basement. Other people, including other former tour guides, have spent time in the house without incident.
You can stay in one of the rooms and get a tour of the house.. would you be up for the challenge? Be prepared for some ghostly things happening…