Pumpkin Head Design

History of Rustwhick Manor

Rustwhick Manor is an abandoned mansion and surrounding orange grove in the foothills of Southern California. Designed and built by Edward Rustwhick, a rich Texas oil baron for his wife Elizabeth; the mansion was home to many curious oddities including hidden passageways, disappearing walls and winding corridors that forced guests to walk nearly 20 feet to move only 8. The Rustwhicks had only one child, a daughter, and rarely left the house due to her rare medical condition, which made her extremely uncomfortable when exposed to sunlight. Many of the workers on the orange grove remembered the daughter playing at night, running through the trees laughing; this was the only time she was allowed to be a child. Tragedy hit the Rustwhick family in 1912 when an earthquake hit the grounds engulfing half the house in debris. Even worse, Molly, the Rustwhicks daughter wasn't to be found. Presumed dead after an extensive search, the Rustwhicks dedicated a monument in the grove where she played. The Rustwhicks tried and failed to have more children until Elizabeth contracted tuberculosis and passed away. Edward, deep in despair, immediately fired all of his workers and closed the grove, only to be visited twice a month by his niece Diane Costello. Years passed and the orange groves became overgrown and utterly unmanageable. In 1934, on one of her bi monthly visits, Diane found her uncle lying in his bead, dead, clutching a diary, one that none knew he kept. As the soul heir to the Rustwhick Estate, Diane attempted to renovated the house; Work was halted when construction workers reported hearing the laughter of a little girl coming from the ancient groves. Diane fired the workers and rehired. Again work halted, this time due to the workers seeing the image of a woman in a white dress whenever construction moved to the former room of Mrs. Rustwhick. A cycle of firing and hiring continued until there were no workers left willing to venture into what became to be known as “The Haunted Mansion”. Diane had no more options; she gave up renovation, sold off a majority of the orange groves to a real estate developer and moved to Arcadia California. When she passed away in 1989; her grandson saw a business opportunity and inherited the house, now surrounded by tract housing. Her grandson, an avid entrepreneur, saw the pure marketability of the "The Haunted Mansion" and decided to renovate parts of the house in hopes of offering seasonal tours.

Sept 1995, a crew of 7 construction workers disappeared in the renovation of the House.

Oct 1995, Construction Resumed after an unsuccessful manhunt.

February 1999, the bodies of 3 of the construction workers were found in the collapsed catacombs/wine cellar of the mansion.

June 2003, after near completion, a portion of Rustwhick Manor was deemed un-tour able due to dangers out of the owner’s control. Contractors were hired to resolve the problem promptly. They couldn't. This portion of the tour had to be blocked off, resulting in a new "replica" area of the removed section to be built.

October 2005, Replica of the house completed along with movement of furniture and artwork from the ruined house into the new replica museum. The bodies of 3 more of the workers are discovered.

January 2006, Final renovation has been completed and Rustwhick Manor will open to visitors this October, curious souls can visit the website www.rustwhickmanor.com for more information.

February, in a series of press events and sneak previews for friends of the management, 3 people wandered off and are currently listed as missing.

July 2006, Edward Rustwhicks journal, “My Life at Rustwhick Manor” will soon be published on the Tour/Museum’s website.

To our Valued Guests,
Talks with the city to be able to open up a portion of the REAL Rustwhick Manor for a brief period of time on Halloween Night 2006 are in the works . I URGE you to not let this once in a lifetime event pass you by. Never before has such intense paranormal activity been offered to the general public for FREE. Donations for the Rustwhick Historical Society will be accepted during the touring hours. You could not imagine the fantastic surprises that await you.
    Sincerely,
    Patrick Bloom
    President, RHS

.Home.

Please be patient as more of Rustwick Manor online is unburried.

Contact Master Rustwhick HERE!