Haunted Roadtrips: Saturday Edition – The Lizzie Borden House (America’s Most Infamous Murder Home)
The hatchet fell in 1892—but the story never ended.
The Cold Open
From the guest room at the top of the stairs comes a muffled sound—a thud, followed by a low groan. You pause, heart pounding. You know the story. This is where Bridget Sullivan found the body of Abby Borden in 1892, face-down, struck multiple times with a hatchet.
The room is empty now—or so it should be. But as you turn, something brushes past your shoulder, icy and fast, like the swing of an unseen blade.
Welcome to the Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Massachusetts, where America’s most infamous axe murders left behind more than just a gruesome legend.
Where Are We Headed?
This week, Haunted Roadtrips takes us to Fall River, Massachusetts, to a modest two-and-a-half-story home on Second Street. Its clapboard siding and simple structure give no hint of the horrors that unfolded here.
On August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally murdered inside their own home. Their daughter, Lizzie Borden, was accused but later acquitted, leaving the crime forever unsolved.
Today, the house operates as both a museum and bed-and-breakfast, welcoming brave visitors who want to spend a night where the infamous murders occurred. Guests come for the history—but stay (awake) for the ghosts.
The Legends of the Lizzie Borden House
The Axe Murders
Andrew Borden was found on the sitting room sofa, his face nearly unrecognizable from the blows. Upstairs, his wife Abby lay in the guest bedroom, her skull split from behind. The brutality shocked the nation.
Though Lizzie was tried, she was acquitted due to lack of evidence. But many believe her spirit—or perhaps the spirits of her parents—still linger, replaying that morning of violence over and over again.
The Guest Room
The guest bedroom, where Abby was killed, is said to be the most haunted room in the house. Guests report hearing heavy thuds, groans, and footsteps pacing when the room is empty. Some wake to see a shadowy woman standing at the foot of the bed, only to watch her vanish.
Andrew’s Restless Spirit
The sitting room sofa where Andrew died is still in the house, though reupholstered. Visitors often feel a sudden wave of dizziness or nausea near it. EVPs have captured a man’s voice muttering, “No,” and “Why?” in this room.
The Nursery Haunting
On the top floor is the nursery, once occupied by Bridget Sullivan, the Borden maid. Guests claim to hear children’s laughter and the sound of small feet running across the floor. Paranormal teams have recorded a young girl’s voice responding during EVP sessions. Some speculate this is not directly tied to the murders but to the land’s earlier history.
Shadow Figures and Whispers
Throughout the house, guests and guides report shadowy figures darting across hallways, sudden cold spots, and whispers that seem to call their names. The house seems alive with echoes—of accusation, denial, and unanswered questions.
Firsthand Chilling Encounters
Modern visitors don’t just come for history—they come away with chilling personal experiences.
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The Woman in the Guest Room – Multiple overnight guests have awakened to see a heavyset woman standing at the foot of the bed in the guest room. Her face is indistinct, but many believe she is Abby Borden. She usually vanishes when noticed.
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The Sitting Room Groan – During a late-night tour, a group heard a loud groan come from the sitting room where Andrew was murdered. When they rushed in, the room was empty—but the faint indentation of someone on the sofa was visible for several minutes.
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Children on the Stairs – Several guests have reported hearing children’s laughter on the steep back stairs late at night. One woman claimed she felt a tug on her skirt as if a child were trying to get her attention.
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The Male Voice – Paranormal investigators recorded a deep male voice on multiple occasions in Andrew’s bedroom, responding “Never” when asked if he forgave his killer.
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The Cold Hand – A guest staying in Lizzie’s old bedroom reported feeling an icy hand grip her wrist as she tried to sleep. When she turned on the light, the room was empty—but the imprint remained on her skin.
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Phantom Axe Sounds – Several groups have heard rhythmic chopping noises in the basement, echoing like the swing of a hatchet on wood. The sounds stop abruptly when investigated.
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Bridget’s Room – Guests who stay in the attic room where Bridget Sullivan once slept often hear sighs, pacing footsteps, and muttered prayers in a brogue accent. Many believe Bridget herself lingers, weary from that day’s trauma.
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Abby’s Final Moments – Some overnight guests say they hear the sound of someone dusting or cleaning in the guest room—followed by a heavy thud, as though a body collapsed onto the floor.
The Real History Behind the Hauntings
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The Family – Andrew Borden was a wealthy but notoriously frugal businessman. Despite his fortune, he refused to install modern plumbing on the main floor, forcing the family to use outdoor privies or upstairs facilities. Lizzie reportedly resented his stinginess and social conservatism.
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Relationship with Abby – Tensions ran especially high between Lizzie and her stepmother, Abby. Lizzie often refused to call her “mother,” referring to her instead as “Mrs. Borden.” She believed Abby had married Andrew for money, and their relationship was cold at best.
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The Crime – On August 4, 1892, Abby was attacked upstairs while cleaning the guest room. Hours later, Andrew was killed while napping in the sitting room. Both were struck repeatedly with a sharp weapon.
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The Legacy – Lizzie lived out her life in Fall River, ostracized by the community, until her death in 1927. She always maintained her innocence.
The Trial and Public Opinion
The trial began on June 5, 1893, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and lasted just over two weeks. It was one of the first American trials to receive massive press coverage. Reporters filled the courthouse, their sensational stories spreading nationwide.
The prosecution leaned on circumstantial evidence:
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Lizzie was home at the time of the murders.
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She had a tense relationship with Abby.
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A druggist testified Lizzie tried to buy prussic acid days earlier, claiming it was for cleaning a sealskin cape. The sale was refused.
The defense argued:
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No physical evidence tied Lizzie to the crime.
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No bloodied clothes were ever found.
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The murder weapon was never definitively identified.
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Lizzie was a church-going, respectable woman—unthinkable as an axe murderer in the eyes of many at the time.
Lizzie fainted in court during testimony about Andrew’s wounds. The jury deliberated for just 90 minutes before acquitting her.
Despite the verdict, public opinion was far harsher. To many, Lizzie remained guilty in spirit if not in law, and her reputation never recovered.
Other Suspects
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Bridget Sullivan – The maid was briefly considered but dismissed. She testified she was resting in her attic room when the murders occurred. Though she never openly accused Lizzie, her description of Lizzie’s calmness unsettled many.
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Emma Borden – Lizzie’s older sister was away in Fairhaven at the time, giving her a solid alibi.
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An Intruder – Some suggested an unknown outsider, but the house was locked and there were no signs of forced entry.
Suspicion inevitably circled back to Lizzie—her opportunity, her strained family ties, and her inconsistent statements kept her in the spotlight.
Did Lizzie Do It?
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| Lizzie Borden |
The Case Against Lizzie
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Motive – Years of resentment toward Abby and frustration with her father’s penny-pinching ways. Property transfers to Abby’s family added fuel to the fire.
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Opportunity – Lizzie was home at the time, with no sign of forced entry. Bridget and Emma had solid alibis.
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Behavior – She gave conflicting accounts of her whereabouts, and her calmness after the murders raised suspicion.
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The Dress – Burning a dress days after the murders looked suspicious—some believed it was bloodstained, though Lizzie claimed it was ruined with paint.
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Poison Attempt – Her alleged effort to buy prussic acid days before the murders suggested premeditation, though the court excluded this testimony.
The Case for Lizzie’s Innocence
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No Physical Evidence – No blood was found on Lizzie, and no weapon could be definitively tied to her.
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Tight Timeframe – The murders were savage and bloody. Could Lizzie have committed them, cleaned herself, and composed herself so quickly?
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Reasonable Doubt – The prosecution’s case was entirely circumstantial. The jury, after just 90 minutes, acquitted her.
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Other Possibilities – Bridget was unhappy in the household, and Andrew had business enemies. While unlikely, some theorized an outsider slipped in unnoticed.
The Verdict
In the end, Lizzie was acquitted—but her reputation never recovered. The rhyme and the ghost stories painted her as guilty in the public imagination. Whether she was truly innocent or the perfect criminal remains one of America’s greatest unsolved mysteries.
Want to Visit?
The Lizzie Borden House is open year-round as both a museum and a bed-and-breakfast.
Tours
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Day Tours – Walk through the rooms where the murders occurred, led by guides who recount both history and ghost stories.
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Night Tours – Evening explorations of the house’s darker corners, often incorporating ghost-hunting tools.
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Overnight Stays – Brave guests can book rooms, including the guest bedroom where Abby was killed or Lizzie’s own room.
What to Bring
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A camera—photos sometimes capture orbs, shadows, or faces in mirrors.
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A digital recorder—EVPs are common in the house.
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Courage—sleeping in the murder house is not for the faint of heart.
Fun Facts & Lesser-Known Stories
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The Rhyme – Shortly after the murders, a newspaper vendor penned a catchy rhyme to sell papers. It forever sealed Lizzie’s reputation, even though she was acquitted:
"Lizzie Borden took an axe
And gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done,
She gave her father forty-one."
Though inaccurate (Abby was struck 19 times, Andrew 11), the rhyme entered the public domain and became one of the most infamous verses in American folklore.
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Pop Culture – The case has inspired countless films, books, and even an opera. Christina Ricci starred in a 2014 TV movie about Lizzie.
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Séances – Paranormal groups frequently hold séances in the house, many claiming contact with Abby, Andrew, and Lizzie.
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Emma’s Departure – Lizzie’s sister Emma moved out of the family home after the murders and lived quietly until her death, though some visitors say they’ve sensed her presence in the house alongside Lizzie’s.
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True Crime Meets Paranormal – The house attracts both ghost hunters and true crime enthusiasts, making it one of the rare sites where those worlds overlap.
Pop Culture + Paranormal Cred
The Lizzie Borden House has been featured on:
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Ghost Adventures
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Kindred Spirits
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Most Haunted
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Ghost Hunters
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Multiple true crime documentaries and specials
It remains one of the most famous haunted houses in America, equally known for its unsolved mystery and its ghostly residents.
Spooky Scale
👻👻👻👻👻
5 out of 5 Ghosts
With its violent history, infamous trial, and modern-day ghostly encounters, the Lizzie Borden House is a chilling stop on any haunted roadtrip.
Final Thoughts
The Lizzie Borden House is more than a museum—it’s a time capsule of one of America’s greatest unsolved crimes. The walls still seem to echo with accusation and denial, with footsteps and voices that never left.
Whether you believe Lizzie was guilty or innocent, the energy of that day in 1892 remains trapped in the house. And if you’re brave enough to spend the night, you may hear the axe fall all over again.
Would you dare to sleep in the guest room where Abby Borden died?
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| The Borden House today |
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