Sold! Historic Haunted Mansion of Joliet Goes For Hot Price—Thanks to Patch

The historic haunted mansion of Joliet didn't stay on the market long, and the real estate agent selling the paranormal property credited Patch for getting word out about the foreclosure on North Broadway.

"You're responsible for this going viral," agent Maria C. Cronin said, telling how she had 175 people come through a Saturday open house—and that was after she closed the sale of the Hiram Scutt mansion.

The national historic landmark fell into foreclosure and was taken by a bank. Cronin listed the property at $159,900 but said a bidding war drove up the price.

Cronin was keeping the buyer's identity confidential but said he plans to restore the mansion to its past glory.

Civil War veteran and barbed wire magnate Hiram Scutt had the 4,960-square-foot mansion built in 1882. After Scutt's death, the home passed to his son, Frank W. Scutt.

Real estate broker Brian Kearney acquired the mansion in 2004 and planned to turn it into a bed and breakfast. But two years later, Joliet teen Steven Jenkins was shot to death during a party hosted by current and former football players from the University of St. Francis who were living in the mansion. Two players, Donald Motley and Jerod Milian, were convicted of Jenkins' murder and sentenced to prison.

Local historian and John Wilkes Booth impersonator Seth Magosky bought the mansion within a year of Jenkins' murder.

Magosky planned to open the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life & Joliet History in the mansion but died there suddenly in March 2007, less than six months into the endeavor. He was 39.

A Janaury 2013 post on the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life Facebook page said, "It is with great sadness, I have to inform you the museum is closing. if anyone is interested in any of the furniture, books or dolls please let me know." A post three months later said the contents of the house were to be auctioned off.

Various paranormal investigators believe the mansion is haunted. Cronin said she fielded calls from three paranormal groups and allowed two to tour the mansion.

Cronin also said the producer of a reality show reached out to her but it does not appear the program is in development.

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