Episode 24: The Monte Cristo Homestead
So maybe the rumors hold some truth after all…
Episode Transcript
Reputation—like most aspects of this life—can a fickle thing. I mean from the time that we were kids, we were told to make a good impression, be a team player, and above all else, treat others the way we would like to be treated.
State the obvious: this is all good advice. And of course we all try to the best of our abilities to live our lives by these mantras. But even so, the fact still remains: your reputation will often precede you—for both the good and the bad.
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There is a quote by Abraham Lincoln that likens the content of a person’s character to that of a tall tree. One with an ambiguous shadow that reaches out far beyond its branches.
The tree in this analogy would, of course, be the self—or rather our actions, morals, and values. The shadow on the other hand accounts for how the world around us perceives those qualities.
Now it is true that we are not solely defined by our reputations. However, not unlike the tree’s own shadow, these perceptions often span out far beyond our own reach. And as for character? Well sometimes it can be as haunting as the silhouette that stands behind it.
I’m Courtney Hayes and you’re listening to haunts. Stay Tuned…
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Standing tall at the top of a lone hill, the Monte Cristo Homestead casts its shadow over the town the of Junee in NSW, Australia. Thanks to its ever imposing presence, this architectural gem commands attention, inviting hundreds of guests onto its ground each year.
When you first set foot on the sprawling 1.5 acre property, the homestead likely would appear to be the embodiment of Victorian high society. The Homestead is full of character no doubt about it. But it wasn’t always the luxurious mansion that stands today.
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It was 1876 when Christopher William Crawley acquired two parcels of land on the outskirts of Junee . At the time, Christopher and his wife Elizabeth were far from wealthy. So as an unfortunate result, their first few years living on the homestead were rather toilsome.
For starters, the Crawley family was growing at a rapid pace—with Christopher and Elizabeth welcoming the arrival of ten children throughout their marriage.
Not to mention, the land itself was severely undeveloped. So during those first few years, the bustling Crawley family lived in a small slab hut right there on the homestead’s grounds. All while Christopher scrimped and invested with the hope that he could one day provide his family with a better life.
These high hopes became a reality for the Crawleys in 1878 when the Great Southern Railway Line laid its tracks right through Junee. And with that, a golden opportunity presented itself to Mr. Crawley.
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On the opposite of the tracks from the Junee railway station, Crawley invested his meager finances into building a railway hotel. And as the southern railway line commenced its operations, Mr. Crowley‘s modest hotel became a booming success.
His was truly a rags to riches story. And with this new financial freedom, Crawley was finally able to build his family the home of their dreams.
Completed in 1885, the monte Cristo Homestead has nearly 50 rooms, each of which boasts the refined elegance that Crawley had always dreamed of. During their time at Monte Cristo, the Crawley family enjoyed an expensive courtyard, a wrap around porch with a matching upstairs balcony, a lavish dining hall, and even a library.
Aside from this main house, the property also accommodated several outbuildings, including the family's original slab hut, that functioned as work stations and servants' quarters.
Suffice to say, the Monte Cristo homestead acted a a status symbol for Christopher Crawley’s new found wealth. But as they say, with more money comes even more problems.
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It wasn’t long before the rumors began swirling around Junee. Ones that whispered of a curse that had almost certainly been placed on the homestead at Monte Cristo.
Now I know what it looks like—these rumors are more than likely just a bit of town gossip. And skeptically speaking, maybe that is precisely the case. But it’s worth mentioning that these grapevine murmurs were not solely founded on hearsay.
As a matter of fact, a series of incredibly unfortunate events followed the Crawley Family throughout the lives at Monte Cristo. Causing their neighbors and the surrounding community to believe that there was a dark energy emanating from the property.
On one tragic occasion, for instance, the family’s nanny was carrying Christopher and Elizabeth’s new born daughter down the stairs. It’s something that she had done 1000 times without incident. But but on this, the 1001 time, the poor girl stumbled—dropping the baby down the stairs in the process.
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After this first and very untimely end, tragedy continued to wreak havoc on the homestead. The next incident targeted one of the family’s stable boys, who on this evening in particular, was sleeping on a straw mattress out in the stable. Somehow the mattress caught fire, and being that it was made of straw, it was long before the mattress and the young stable boy were both engulfed in flames.
Then not long after this devastating event transpired, yet another began to unfold. You see, as the time had past, it became quite apparent that Mr. Crawley was not the most faithful of husbands. In fact, he was known for fraternizing with his house maids and soon gained a reputation for being incredibly disloyal to Elizabeth. So it was really only a matter of time before his antics caught up to him.
Let’s just say that Mr. Crawley wasn’t happy when he heard the news. His very single housemaid had somehow become pregnant and as near as she could tell the baby was his.
Now given their close proximity, it wouldn’t be long before Elizabeth would connect the dots. But before she could another tragedy upended the homestead. The pregnant maid was discovered lying on the stone front porch steps, after she had seemingly fallen from the mansion’s second-floor balcony. Although some did speculate that foul play may have been involved.
Which, of course brings us back to this supposed curse. According to the legend, at least, Mr. Crawley once had a disagreement with a local witch. And as a result of the argument, it is said that she cursed the property, proclaiming that the Crawley family would suffer misfortune and tragedy for generations to come.
So perhaps the rumors hold some truth after all. Or maybe this tale is merely just a fragment of local lore. Nevertheless, one certainty remains: these harrowing events have already left their sullied mark, forever staining the tapestry of the homestead’s past.
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By now, it should come at no surprise when I say that the Monte Cristo homestead has a reputation for being one of the most haunted houses in all of Australia. And standing at the forefront of all its eerie haunts is none other than Elizabeth Crawley herself.
It was 1910 when her husband passed away. And, despite his infidelity, Elizabeth was profoundly devastated by Mr. Crawley’s demise. Overwhelmed with grief, she withdrew from the outside world and secluded herself within the mansion’s walls.
over the next 23 years, Elizabeth spent her days confined within the grand estate. Being a devout Catholic, she had a small attic renovated into a chapel where she sought solace, dedicating most of her time to prayer and reading the Bible.
Elizabeth Crawley only left the homestead on two occasions before she too passed away in 1933. Although, if the rumors are true, she’s continued with her self-imposed seclusion even now in her afterlife.
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Picture this startling scene: Elizabeth, dressed entirely in a flowing black gown, holding a silver crucifix tightly in her hands. The locals of Junee and the visitors who dare to explore the homestead know her spirit as the lady in black. True to her nature, the lady in black remains reclusive and far from welcoming to the living guests who encounter her presence.
Beyond her mournful appearance, the lady in black is notorious for her aggression. Tourists and various guests who visit the Monte Cristo Homestead often find themselves unexpectedly pushed out of rooms, as if an invisible force outwardly opposes their presence.
And while we’re on the topic, it’s worth mentioning that pushing is one of the most common reports coming out of the Monte Cristo Homestead. Even back in the days when the Crawley’s lived on the property, the family and their staff would often complain of being unexplainably shoved and pushed.
And if that wasn’t eerie enough, then you should know that a number of the tragedies we touched on earlier, were allegedly caused by this peculiar phenomenon. Specifically, the incidents on the staircase and out second floor balcony were thought to have been the result of foul play. In fact, even the nanny claimed that she had been pushed on an otherwise empty staircase.
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Even in spite of her unwelcoming demeanor, the lady in black is not alone in her afterlife. Along side his wife, Christopher William Crawley is also seen and felt at Monte Cristo—specifically in the room where he passed.
And then there’s the spirit of baby Ethel who supposedly haunts the very same staircase where she lost her young life. But if the stories are true baby Ethel’s presence is more often felt than it is seen.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, young children seem to be the most affected by Ethel’s spirit—becoming more fussy and even agitated as they approach the staircase. The children’s parents on the other hand, often feel the icy grip of a very small hand wrapping around their fingers as they walk up the stairs—almost as if Ethel is trying to warn them of the dangers that may be lurking under foot.
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Now the Crawley’s, of course, are not the only spirits haunting the halls of the Monte Cristo Homestead. In fact, a few other key residents still remain on the property.
Harold Steel, for instance, spent his childhood at the homestead with his mother, who served as a housemaid to the Crawleys. And while he had no relation to the Crawley Family, Harold, too, fell prey to the elusive curse.
During his teenage years, Harold suffered a dreadful carriage accident, leaving him with various injuries, including a severe blow to his head. And while it seemed he had recovered physically, there was a disturbing change within him. The once amiable Harold began to exhibit a violent disposition.
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It was for his own protection, his mother likely told herself, as she watched them wrap the chains around his body. He was then escorted into the dairy behind the main house where his shackles were strung up to the wall.
For thirty long years, Harold endured his agonizing existence within the confines of the dairy, his screams of torment piercing the air as he struggled against the weight of his metal restraints.
When he was finally freed from this makeshift prison, he found that this mother had passed away. Then to add insult to injury, Harold was swiftly whisked away to an institution, hidden from the world once more. Yet, this would not be the last time Monte Cristo heard from Harold Steel.
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Even to this day, those who dare venture into the dairy may hear the haunting sound of chains scraping against the cold ground. And if you were to listen closely you might just catch the echoes of Harold’s Steel’s anguished screams.
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It was 1963, when Reginald and Olive Ryan purchased the expansive Monte Cristo Homestead. And over the last 60 years, they invested a great deal of time and energy restoring the property to its former glory.
You see, in the years prior, the homestead fell into disrepair. And following suit, even more tragedies began to unfold at Monte Cristo.
Between petty vandalism, the elements, and even one grisly murder, the property continued to live up to its cursed reputation. So it didn’t really come as a shock when the Ryans began to notice strange occurrences around the homestead.
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The most notable of their experiences revolve around what the Ryan’s described as strange lights that will appear around homestead after the sun has set. I know, when you put it that way it sounds like a scene straight out of Signs. But trust me when I say that this activity is far more peculiar then this classic sci-fi film.
You see, on two separate occasions, the Ryan‘s have returned to the property late into the evening. And to their surprise, they discover that the mansion fully lit up from the inside out.
Now I’m sure you must being thinking that they just left the lights on. No big deal, right? Well at any other house, that would be a valid point. But as we all know, by now, Monte Cristo Homestead is no ordinary home.
So in light of that, I will leave you with this unsettling thought: the main house and surrounding buildings were built without electricity. And true to that form there are no lights inside the mansion.
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Sources
https://www.expatriatehealthcare.com/5-haunted-locations-world/
https://realparanormalexperiences.com/the-monte-cristo-homestead-ghosts/
https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/monte-cristo-homestead/
https://propj.com.au/residential/australias-most-haunted-house/
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Crawley-331
https://kidbucketlist.com.au/2022/10/02/australias-most-haunted-house-monte-cristo-homestead/
https://www.thescarechamber.com/the-haunting-of-the-monte-cristo-homestead/