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.

Defining a Victorian House

Gomez defines a house as "Victorian" based on the period of Queen Victoria's reign (1837–1901), when many architectural trends emerged and faded.

The term Victorian refers to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901), when many architectural trends emerged and faded.

Author's summary: Marisa Gomez explains the eerie appeal of Victorian houses.

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

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