Haunted America: The Stone Lion Inn Bed & Breakfast in Guthrie, Oklahoma

Mystery, intrigue, a few friendly spirits, and ambiance are what you will find at the Stone Lion Inn Bed & Breakfast, located in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Once the Smith funeral home during the 1920's, the Stone Lion Inn is now a bed & breakfast offering everything from fine dining, to murder mystery weekends, and active ghosts.

The Stone Lion Inn was once a family home that was built in 1907 by F.E.Houghton to offer adequate shelter for his large family. The completion of the mansion came at a cost of $11,900. The 8,000 square foot, 4-level home was the most expensive house built in Guthrie, Oklahoma, but it comfortably fit the twelve Houghton children and their parents. Mr. Houghton had an eight year old daughter named Augusta who became ill with whooping cough and died soon after a nurse gave her the wrong medicine.

Becky Luker purchased the grand estate in 1986, and immediately began renovations, wanting to give the home a feel of its original grace and beauty. However, the spirits had other ideas that seemed to imply that they were happy with the place just as it was.

Soon after the renovations began, so did the unexplainable noises. Loud footsteps could be heard coming from the back staircase in the early morning hours, and various doors open and close at free will. The police department was often summoned to the Luker home, but Becky quickly realized that the intruders in her home were not of the living, and were instead trouble making ghosts that wanted to be acknowledged.

The third floor appears to be a hot spot for visitors from the other side as noises and strange occurrences are a very common event in the Victorian mansion. One of the biggest mysteries surrounds Becky's son and one of the closets in this area. He would neatly put his toys away before going to bed each night, only to wake up the next morning, discovering that the ghosts had scattered them about.

The most intriguing story involves the ghost of a little girl that is believed to be the 8 year old daughter of Mr. Houghton. Augusta is rumored to run through the halls, and visiting with the guests at the Stone Lion Inn.