Why old Victorian houses give us the creeps

Why Old Victorian Houses Give Us the Creeps

UTA architecture expert Marisa Gomez explores why these ornate homes became the stuff of Halloween nightmares.

For more than a century, Victorian-era homes have served as the backdrop for ghost stories, haunted houses, and some of Hollywood's scariest movies.

According to Marisa Gomez, an architecture lecturer at The University of Texas at Arlington, it's the combination of history, design, and imagination that makes Victorian houses a timeless symbol of the supernatural and the ultimate haunted house.

Defining a House as "Victorian"

Gomez defines the term "Victorian" as referring to the period of Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901), when many architectural trends emerged and faded.

What is it about the design that oozes eerie instead of cozy?

Author's summary: Victorian houses' design sparks eerie feelings.

more

The University of Texas at Arlington The University of Texas at Arlington — 2025-10-29

More News