Hoffman Mansion...Ghosts...Murder...Mystery

[Gypsy Heart]

Hoffmans Mansion - Located on the Oklahoma/Missouri boarder. The mansion has burned down and all that stands is the caretakers house and the cemetary. The cemetary has a large amount of childrens graves. There are many stories surrounding this mansion. One legend recounts a murderous "Hoffman" who's servant and children mysteriously disappeared. There have been reports of an apparition of a small girl swining on a swing tied to a large tree in the cemetary. Other reports have been unexplained fires on and around the property.

Peoria is named after the Peoria Indian tribe. It was once a small mining town with over 10,000 people living there, but when mining shut down, the little town rapidly went downhill. Another factor that has caused Peoria to decline is isolation. Peoria lies in an area surrounded by many large and rolling hills and is hidden by many dense trees. The nearest town is Seneca, MO, about 7 miles to the southeast. Also, the nearest main raod (U.S. Highway 10) is about 5 miles away. Peoria is also near two of Ottawa county's most famous haunted areas; the Hoffman Mansion site and the Spooksville Ghost Light(or just Spooklight.)

Truth or fiction......Hoffman Mansion - Around the 1920's, A man named Hoffman took several boys into his home. Hoffman later went into a rage and killed all of the boys and then took his own life. The boys and Hoffman are buried in a cemetery on the property. Several instances of hearing someone running through the woods, voices, and footsteps in the mansion. The Mansion was condemned and bulldozed late 1998. The cemetery remains as well as some haunting spirits.

[Gypsy Heart]