Kleinschmidt House
This historic Montana mansion may still be haunted by a family of Kleinschmidt phantoms
Paranormal Claims at
Kleinschmidt House
- Ghostly footsteps have been reported
- A woman’s apparition is sometimes spotted lingering the house
- A ghostly boy’s figure has been seen around the house
- Sounds of the ghost boy playing can sometimes be heard
Kleinschmidt House’s Historic Family
On a quiet residential block of Highland Street in Helena, Montana, there is one house that towers high above the rest. Surrounded by blocks of newer homes is Kleinschmidt House, a three-story Queen Anne-style mansion.
Along with being much larger than the other homes on the block, Kleinschmidt also has a longer history than many Helena homes.
It started life as the home to successful Helena residents, and the Kleinschmidt House today may still be hosting the spirits of its original family.
Timeline of Kleinschmidt House's History
Swipe or use timeline points to see Kleinschmidt House through the years
1892
Prussian immigrant T.H. Kleinschmidt landed in Montana in the early 1860s. He hoped to strike it rich in a regional gold rush. And while he wasn’t an overnight success, Kleinschmidt made the right connections. He soon went into the banking business in Helena. Through the 1870s to the 1890s, Kleinschmidt grew into one of the community’s most reliable financiers.
Over time, he invested in utilities, mines, farms, and even some other banks. In 1892, after many years of success, Kleinschmidt built a fine manor for his family.
1904
By the time T.H. built the house, his family had grown well into needing it. The three-story Queen Anne manor was imposingly large for the time. But Kleinschmidt, his wife Mary, and their six children did well filling up every room. For the remainder of the century, the Kleinschmidt clan would grow and work around the house.
When Mary Kleinschmidt died in 1904, the family held her funeral at the home, a fitting end to T.H.’s relationship with the woman he had built the mansion for.
1913
T.H., who had retired in the late 1890s, spent the rest of his life at Kleinschmidt House after his wife’s death. He saw his surviving children off into adulthood, and then he too passed away in Helena in 1913. And while he left a legacy in Helena, the family ended up scattered, and the mansion was sold to different owners. Countless ownership changes have occurred over the years.
But, there have long been whispers that the Kleinschmidt clan never really left the mansion behind. Some swear the home is still haunted by the family’s specters.
Is Kleinschmidt House Haunted?
The most commonly referenced spirit around the mansion is supposedly the phantom of Mary Kleinschmidt. The home was built for her, and her funeral was held within its walls, after all. Perhaps it shouldn’t be too surprising that Mary’s ghost supposedly sticks around.
What is interesting though, is her lack of interest in the living.
Many past residents have claimed to see Mary’s white, misty apparition wandering the house. But she never seems to pay anyone any mind.
Rather, her apparition is purportedly quite distracted with chores around the house. Perhaps for some people, not even death can keep them from their to-do list.
Phantom Footsteps Wander the House
Along with appearing as a ghostly figure, Mary Kleinschmidt’s heavy footsteps might also be heard treading through the house. Likely her just off to get more of the daily chores done.
But the sound of Mary’s busy footsteps aren’t the only ghostly sounds you might hear from the corridors of Kleinschmidt House. Other, much different noises can be heard, like those of a small child playing just out of sight. And if you were to go looking for the source of those playful sounds, you would likely run into the home’s other spirit.
The Home’s Little Boy Ghost
The ghost of a young boy, purportedly a Kleinschmidt son who died at a young age, is keeping Mary company in the house. Similarly to Mary, the young boy’s ghost doesn’t seem to pay much attention to the living folks around the house. Instead, he seems enamored with whatever he happens to be playing with at a given time.
All those who have seen him describe him the same way: A young boy with blond hair, dressed in notably dated children’s clothes, likely from the late 1800s era. His spirit is said to be most common in the home’s bedrooms, but is known to wander just about anywhere he wants.
Kleinschmidt House:
Historic & Haunting
The Kleinschmidt House today is a private residence and not open to the public. But the home’s history of ghost stories and paranormal encounters remains a well-known part of Helena’s haunted lore.
Whether it’s the mystery of Mary, or the legend of the little boy, there’s good reason to consider Kleinschmidt as one of Helena’s most haunted places.
Though you’re unlikely to get a ghost tour of the Kleinschmidt, maybe the home’s phantoms might offer a wave from the window if you’re passing by.
