Littlefield House

Built in 1893 by Major George Washington Littlefield, a Confederate Army veteran and successful businessman, this architectural masterpiece represents the epitome of Victorian Gothic design with its distinctive turrets, intricate woodwork, and wraparound veranda. The house, however, is much more than just a stunning example of 19th-century architecture – it’s a focal point for some of Austin’s most enduring ghost stories.

Alice Littlefield, the Major’s wife, is said to be the primary supernatural resident of the house. During her lifetime, Alice suffered from severe mental illness that reportedly kept her confined to the upper floors of the mansion. According to numerous accounts, her spirit continues to maintain a presence in her former home. University staff and students regularly report seeing her ghostly figure gazing out from the upstairs windows or hearing the sound of her rocking chair creaking back and forth in what was once her bedroom.

One of the most frequently reported phenomena involves the mansion’s piano, which allegedly plays by itself late at night. Security guards and maintenance workers have described hearing classical music drifting through the empty building, only to find the piano room vacant upon investigation. Some believe it’s Alice’s spirit continuing her love of music, as she was an accomplished pianist during her lifetime.

The house’s grand staircase is another hotspot for paranormal activity. Witnesses have reported hearing the rustle of Victorian-era dresses and the distinct sound of footsteps ascending and descending the stairs when no one else is present. Some have even claimed to feel an invisible presence brush past them while climbing the stairs, accompanied by sudden drops in temperature.

Major Littlefield himself is said to make occasional appearances, particularly in his former study. Staff members have reported smelling cigar smoke – the Major’s well-known habit – wafting through the air despite the building’s strict no-smoking policy. Others have described seeing a distinguished gentleman in period clothing sitting at the desk, only to vanish when approached.

The basement of the house, which once housed the servants’ quarters, is reportedly home to more unsettling phenomena. Maintenance workers have reported tools mysteriously moving locations overnight and hearing voices engaged in hushed conversations in empty rooms. Some have even claimed to see shadow figures darting through the narrow corridors.

Today, the Littlefield House serves as an administrative building for the University of Texas, but its ghostly residents seem undeterred by the modern activity around them. During renovation projects, construction workers have reported numerous unexplained incidents, including power tools turning on and off by themselves and the frequent disappearance and reappearance of their equipment.

Perhaps most intriguing are the accounts from university photographers and film crews who have attempted to document the building. Many report inexplicable equipment malfunctions, mysterious orbs appearing in photos, and batteries draining inexplicably fast – common occurrences in locations with high paranormal activity.

While the University of Texas maintains the house’s historic integrity with careful preservation, they also acknowledge its reputation as one of Austin’s most haunted locations. Although not open for public ghost tours, the building’s supernatural legacy lives on through the countless stories shared by those who have experienced its mysterious phenomena firsthand.