Louisville Kentucky

Pink Palace

Is home to a male protective spirit who saved a life and gives life-saving warnings.

DESCRIPTION/HISTORY

This large, pink-colored, three story brick Victorian Mansion has architecture with Eclectic with Chateauesque details. Inspired by French Chateau’s designs, it features a spiked, steeply rounded turret roof, which sits upon a rounded section in the front. This section has three long observation windows on each floor, giving a glorious view of the neighborhood and park. Besides having parquet floors and lovely original woodwork, this old dame has lots of nice touches in the Victorian decor and antique style furnishings. The grand staircase is framed with double arches and connects to all floors.

pink-palace-paranormal

Today, the Pink Palace has five bedrooms (one King, three Queen, one Full), two and a half baths, a full kitchen, a sitting room, living room and a beautiful pool with a surrounding garden.

The current owners rent out The Pink Palace for special weekends, such as Derby Week, and the Ryder Cup 2008 (which takes place at Valhalla about 20 minutes away).

The mansion began its history as a Gentleman’s Club and Casino, not as a gambling joint, but as a place for male residents of St. James Court and Belgravia Court to relax and unwind from the stress of the world. They enjoyed a good cigar, brandy, stimulating conversation and cards, as well as other past times. During the evening hours, it is thought that the very large closets, on the upper floors, which were big enough to fit a small bed inside, were used by ladies of the night to service some of the men who visited this club.

The Gentleman’s Club was in existence for only a few years before it was sold to a private family, who lived there until 1910. The local chapter of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union then bought this mansion, to be used as their headquarters and were the ones to paint this red brick structure pink. After that, a parade of families owned The Pink Palace. One noteworthy owner was George H “Eardrum” Wilson, who invented early hearing devices.

MANIFESTATIONS

David Domine, in his book, Phantoms of Old Louisville, conducted a dinner interview with the current owners and others who have lived in The Pink Palace. To read the whole story all its and exciting details, I recommend you buy the book.

The Pink Palace seems to be the home of at least one spirit, Avery, who is a friendly, protecting presence, watching out for the people who live in his mansion. Avery and his family were the first private owners of The Pink Palace, after buying it from The Gentleman’s club and Casino owners.

The Entity of Avery

Has been described as an older southern gentleman, clean shaven with white hair, wearing an older era duck suit, with a string tie. His see through apparition was 6 ft tall, and has appeared to residents about to face danger of some kind.

During the 1970s and ’80s, parts of the Pink Palace were turned into apartments.

A single woman, who lived in a basement apartment was taking a bath, when Avery appeared. She was filled with dread, and jumped out of the tub, just in time to avoid contact with a huge potentially lethal, cement block which had been thrown through the window just above the bath tub by two crooks trying to break in. Avery had saved her life.

He has appeared to other residents in the kitchen, one time just moments before a fire broke out because of faulty wiring (which is a common problem in older homes).

STILL HAUNTED?

It appears to be.

Avery has appeared every time right before a resident has faced an unknown danger, giving them warning for their benefit.

louisville

LOCATION

1473 St. James Court
Louisville, Kentucky 40208

St. James Court is located in an area between South 6th and 4th Streets, just south of Central Park, which is on the west side of South 4th Street. Running west/east is West Hill Street, which intersects South 6th and South 4th. A small section of South 5th connects Saint James Court to West Hill Street, becoming a southern entrance onto Saint James Court. At the intersection of South 5th and Saint James Court, one can see the Pink Palace sitting grandly just to the right.

The Pink Palace can be found on the southern end of the lovely St. James Court Street, a street which is home to many lovely Victorian mansions. Constructed originally for the well-to-do owners of these homes, Saint James Court Street. has a long, beautiful rectangular park area, running down the middle of this street. The end of this park strip is oval at each end of St. James Court. In the middle of this delightful greenery is a lovely fountain. Weddings and other events can be held here.