Wolfe Manor Haunted House Demolished by City of Clovis, CA. 93612
The City of Clovis has determined that Wolfe Manor the haunted house is to be demolished. They are in the process of removing hazardous waste such as asbestos before the demolition can take place. It definitely sticks out like a sore thumb with its 90 something year old, dilapidated, craftsman style architecture. If you asked me if it was haunted I would have to say yes. Just by the looks of it, even if it wasn't haunted one could imagine tip toeing through the 8,637 sq. ft structure with a flashlight and just freaking yourself out. The surrounding homes in the area are nothing near its size.It is almost ironic that this property is in the news in the month of October. What better month for the local newspaper to run a story about the city starting the demolition process on this old sanitarium, mental hospital, and final phase nursing home.
I do feel sympathy for the current owner David Wolfe as his investment in this place is about to be squashed to the ground as the city has deemed it unsafe for occupancy and they have banned city firefighters from entering the property in the event of a fire. It seems to me like a historical society should have stepped up and either bought this piece of property or helped pay for renovations to make it suitable for occupancy.I was even more surprised when I looked up the address in the MLS to see that it is actively for sale! But only the house is for sale and not the land as it has to be moved or the city will demolish it. I wonder what the price tag to move it would be? It doesn't seem like anyone is willing to step up and save this paranormal mansion as the fight between the city and the owner have gone on for several years now. Here is a little history lesson on Wolfe Manor according to Wikipedia.
Wolfe Manor Haunted House Demolished by City of Clovis, CA. 93612
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Jason, it's SUCH a cool, historic building! I am REALLY sad that it's going to be demolished. Last chance sale, perhaps? Some investor with a soft heart?
I checked out the history...a lot of sad beings still "hanging around" it seems.
I read that the owner was there past the time he was supposed to be out, salvaging whatever he thought was worth keeping. I drove by there last week and it has been leveled and there seems to be a large hole left in what was probaby the basement.
This "manor" was built as a private residence in the 1920's but the original owner had financial problems a few years later that forced him to sell the place. It was never a private residence again & since the 1930's had been used as a sanitarium or old folks home. It was shut down in the early 1990's due to horrible living conditions & mistreatment of the patients. So many people suffered at this place & died every day. Todd Wolfe aquired the place & turned it into a haunted house attraction at Halloween but the place was unsafe & falling apart & he couldn't/wouldn't make the necessary repairs to fix it. The city of Clovis battled with him for years & he was given more than enough time to do something but he didn't. The local historical societies had no interest in it because the building had no historical significance & because of the many alterations made to the structure over the years, it lost any historical integrity it may have had. The place was never associated with anyone of historical importance nor had any historical event ever occurred there. It was an old unsafe building that was an eyesore & an accident waiting to happen. I'm glad it's finally gone... Maybe now the poor souls who suffered & died there can finally rest in peace...