Opened in 1895 by George Vanderbilt II, Biltmore House was a magnificent chateau that was home to a terrifying labrynth of mazes, air-tight vaults disguised as guest rooms, and false walls, floors, and doors. A research team commissioned by The History Bluff believes that in a space of twenty years almost 400 visitors of the estate were murdered by Vanderbilt in his mansion’s traps.
Biltmore House remains a breathtaking tourist attraction in Asheville, NC, hosting elaborate Christmas candlelight events. The usually introverted Old Man Vanderbilt opened his house to guests on Christmas Eve in 1895, an event attended by several hundred. At night’s end no one realized that twenty-one people never made it home – or even to the dessert table for that matter. Those first victims had fallen prey to Vanderbilt when they entered a guest room at his request. All twenty-one guests were locked into the room and gassed.
Old Man Vanderbilt died in 1914 due to a heart attack after an appendectomy. His personal journals and other documents were found soon after his death, and the horrifying secret he had hidden was soon unlocked. Government officials learned of the misdoings but, because of his legacy in the community, decided to lay all charges to rest along with his body.
A middle-aged George Washington Vanderbilt II
With the passing years, the memories of George Vanderbilt II and his villainous deeds have faded. The descendants of the Vanderbilt family have sealed off the traps and have converted the vaults into livable guest rooms. Tour guides will never mention the unfortunate events, and information booklets will not satisfy the curiosity of inquiring minds. Until this report, the first chapter in the history book about Biltmore House had been rewritten.
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The boys at Digital DriveBy also report on this story:
Caren
1 year ago
I can never tell with you guys. Too funny. I researched the story and learned a lot! I had never even heard of Biltmore!
Katie
1 year ago
Interesting! I always love a good mystery…whether fact OR fiction.
Will
1 year ago
I can't believe no one has ever uncovered this before! It's good to know that this sort of thing couldn't happen these days, but it sure is sad for the family of all those people. Not to mention those people.
Rob
1 year ago
I'm sure that Amy Vanderbilt was horrified at such displays of lack of etiquette by members of her extended family!
TheHistoryBluff
1 year ago
Rob,
She may very well have been horrified. Unfortunately she was not able to be reached for comment for this report.
Jay
1 year ago
The actual acreage of the house is 4 acres. When you take the tour, you don't even see 1/4 of the house. The original agreage of the land was 125,000, then around 85000 was sold to the government for the Pisgah National Forest. Remaining land is 8000 acres.
Bryanna
1 year ago
OMG! I would've never guessed that that actually happened I mean I've heard legends about it but never believed them but now I do!
Lily
1 year ago
oops, Interesting
Lily
1 year ago
Bryanna,
just keep reading the history bluff stories, and you will find stories you never even knew happened. For instance, the story about Helen Keller's unknown sister Beatrice. Read it, it's very intersting.