Waterbury Vermont
Old Stagecoach Inn
A wealthy former resident is spending her afterlife here; and doesn’t mind sharing.
Apparently, guests enjoy the warm Vermont hospitality
from not only the living staff but also the spectral hostess.
DESCRIPTION
“An Example of Country Elegance”
The Old Stagecoach Inn is described as being “one of Waterbury Vermont’s most well-known historic Inn.”
Their website states;”We offer comfortable, air-conditioned, and individually decorated guest rooms.”
This Victorian historical gem has three floors.
On the first floor area, there are common rooms for guests: a large, relaxing parlor with original antiques, and a library bar. The rooms throughout the inn also have era antique sofas, easy chairs, organ, tapestries, and oriental carpets.
On the second and third floors, the visitor finds eight uniquely decorated rooms, three modern suites with TV, Cable, eat-in kitchen alcove and private bath. Their website says,”Because the Inn is the restored residence of a 19th century millionaire, no two rooms are exactly alike. All are warm, attractive, comfortable, and spotlessly clean. Most have a private bath, and all have air conditioning. Several are large enough to accommodate families or groups traveling together. All rooms have free WiFi.”
HISTORY
The Old Stagecoach Inn was built in 1826, by a wealthy judge Dan Carpenter and his brother as an investment; building a commercial building and flipping it to a new owner. Head of construction was a Mr. Allen, with his construction crew of two carpenters/joiners:Horace and Henry Atkins. The original architectural style was Federal Style; popular in 1826.
The first owner of this property was a Mr. Palrmalee, who put this property to work; opening up a stagecoach stop, and a tavern for the locals, as well as renting it to local groups for meetings , and as the secret location for the Freemasons. It became a social epicenter for Waterbury, as well as a place for weary travelers to stop and enjoy food and liquid refreshments.
In 1848, the railroad laid tracks through the town, which would be used for tourists heading for the big resorts in Stowe, Vermont; a popular vacation spot. Seeing a business opportunity, the stagecoach stop was remodeled to become The Stagecoach Inn for rail travelers, and later for tourists driving automobiles in the 1930s’. Town folk still held social events here.
The Henry family were the next owners of the property and continued to run the inn and use it as a personal residence as well.
In 1890, one of the Henry’s eight children, Margaret Annette and her husband Albert gained possession of The Stagecoach Inn, closed this commercial enterprise and renovated it into a more pleasing architectural style for the era, turning this Federal structure into a full-blown, no expense spared Victorian Manor; showcasing their wealth and prestige. Margaret had married well indeed. This structure became Margaret’s dream home: A place dear to her heart. it truly was a stellar example of “Country Elegance” with its stunning decor in the parlor and other common rooms like “the cozy library bar.”
When Margaret’s husband died in 1907, Margaret came home to enjoy living in her Waterbury dream home. She remained active in business, despite her hard of hearing up until she died in 1947 at the age of 98!
Mr and Mrs C Norton bought this Victorian beauty from Margaret’s estate in 1947. Mr. Norton ran a business probably on the first floor, and rented out rooms to local folks. Twenty-five years later, Mr. C Norton died in 1972. His widow, Mrs. Norton continued to live there, in this now creaky fixer-upper opportunity. She sold the back lot and some furniture, as well as renting to low rent people, which didn’t leave much ifor the badly needed maintenance. By the time she died, this once gorgeous Victorian Manor. was a funky, run-down fixer-upper in need of a boatload of investment.At first, there were no takers for this property; leaving it empty for a few years.
Then in 1985, an energetic couple;Kim and James Marcotte saw the possibilities in this now dilapitated, sorry-looking fixer-upper opportunity. They restored it to its former beauty with the help of the Waterbury Historical Society. They opened as an inn two years later; The Old Stagecoach Inn.
However, five years later The restored Old Stagecoach Inn was back on the real estate market for a year and a half. Finally, entrepreneur John Barton and John Barton JR. bought The Old Stagecoach Inn and opened it up for business once again, to the cheers of the locals and tourists! A spectral resident is also overjoyed!
HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS
When new owners of a business restore /rebuild a structure to its former glory, former residents/owners/ guests now in spirit form can be very pleased with the outcome of the restoration and outcome. They can be drawn back to enjoy their own memories.
(Geiser Grand Hotel OR( New owners turned a hotel for animals back to its original glory) * Cornerstone Mansion B and B NE( A fixer-upper opportunity turned into a restored b and b)
Buffalo Bill Ranch State Park NE. (The ranch and its out buildings were restored to its former glory) * Eldridge Hotel KS ( this historic hotel has been lovingly restored and renovated.)
Spirit of Margaret Spenser – described as a kindly older lady, wearing a long dress and hair in a bun, showing herself to the living as a real, solid person. She enjoys activities she did while alive.
Sometimes spirits want to help the living owners; such as being the host and hostess, looking out for the owners’ interests, helping to manage the staff, and stepping in when needed to help the living.
Curtis House Inn CT (Past employees and grumpy owners try to help.) * Kelton House Museum OH (Spirit has her standards) *
Bullock Hotel SD (Spirit of Seth is a hard employer, and a wonderful host) * Hueguenot House CT (Past residents in spirit tried to help restore it)
Wealthy socialite, Margaret Spencer loved her forever home. It must of broken her heart to see it become a creaky shell of its former splendid self. Oh Joy! the Marcotte couple restored her beloved residence. However, they were disappointing, because they sold it. Finally, a father and son duo bought it. Here was her chance to have a real active helping role.
MANIFESTATIONS
During the 1920s- ’40s, the Old Stagecoach Inn was the private residence of a wealthy socialite, Margaret Spencer. In 1947, Margaret died at the age of 98, in her beloved home, in her own bedroom, which is now room 2.
As Margaret Spencer loved her home so much, she didn’t go on to the other side, but instead decided to hang around her old bedroom, room 2, appearing to startled guests, wearing a white shawl.
Spirit of Margaret Spenser
She is described as a kindly older lady, wearing a long dress and hair in a bun. Sometimes she wears her favorite white shawl.
She has been seen all over the inn, going about her business; looking like a solid, real person.
She enjoys rocking in rocking chairs, and moves objects around to her liking.
She Finds Ways to be Helpful
She welcomes guests by visiting them in their rooms as a friendly presence.
Couples have awoken to see a friendly, peaceful spirit of Margaret standing by their bed.
She steps in to help the owners in their business, being a business woman herself.
One hectic week during the busy season, the inn had full occupancy. One night, a guest canceled his reservation, leaving one room open. As luck would have it, one party of three people were desperately trying to find a place to stay in the wee hours of the morning. Everyone living was asleep.
A kindly older woman, wearing a long black dress, and her hair in a bun let them in, welcomed them and led them up to the empty unrented room . If she was floating up the stairs, they couldn’t see this because of her long skirt.
The three guests came down for breakfast, much to the surprise of the owner who didn’t even know they had been checked in by a helpful spirit.
She helps the staff with the housekeeping
One housekeeper went up the steps to clean up a guest’s room who had stayed there the night before. The housekeeper saw an indentation on the bed, and left quickly.
When she had her nerve up she reentered the room to find it completely stripped, with the sheets neatly folded.
STILL HAUNTED?
Yes Indeed!
Apparently the spirit of Margaret Spenser has chosen to spend her after-life in her forever home in this world. Housekeepers, guests and owners have all had personal experiences with this spirit.
LOCATION
Old Stagecoach Inn
18 N. Main Street
Waterbury, Vermont 05676
(802) 244-5056
The Old Stagecoach Inn is located near the intersection of Main Street and Winooski Street in the heart of historical Waterbury:WATERBURY VILLAGE!
SOURCES INCLUDE
Haunted Vermont, by Thomas D’Agostino and Arlene Nicholson, Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 2011
HAUNTED PLACES: THE NATIONAL DIRECTORY, BY Dennis William Hauck, Penguin Books, 2002.
The Ghost Hunter’s Field Guide, by Rich Newman, Llewellyn Publications, 2011
VERMONTER.com
OldStageCoach.com
Our Haunted Paranormal Stories are Written by Julie Carr
