It doesn't take long, walking down the quiet, tree-lined West 10th Street in Greenwich Village, to feel like you've stepped into another era. The brownstones are stately, the shadows stretch just a little longer, and the air feels heavy with stories. But among all the homes in this historic New York City neighborhood, one address is whispered more than most: 14 West 10th Street.
Nicknamed the "House of Death," 14 West 10th Street has earned a reputation as one of the most haunted buildings in Manhattan—if not the entire country. With tales of tragedy, celebrity, and dozens of restless spirits, it has become a dark legend nestled in the heart of the Village. If you're curious about the sinister side of Greenwich Village, this is where your journey begins.
A Storied Beginning
Constructed in the late 1850s, 14 West 10th Street is a classic Greek Revival brownstone—a style typical of the time and neighborhood. Its understated elegance fits right into the row of 19th-century homes, but behind that brick facade, the building holds a deeply troubled past.
Originally a private residence for a well-to-do family, the house has changed hands many times over the decades. It has been home to writers, professors, actors, and ordinary New Yorkers. But ordinary, this home is not.
Perhaps its most famous former resident was author Mark Twain. In 1900, Twain (real name Samuel Clemens) lived at the address for about a year. At the time, he was struggling financially and hoped the calm atmosphere of Greenwich Village would inspire a fresh chapter in his life. Instead, he reportedly experienced unsettling events during his stay—and some say he never truly left.
The House of Death: A Reputation is Born
The nickname "House of Death" isn't just a ghost hunter's exaggeration. It stems from a long series of unfortunate events that plagued the building. Over the years, more than 20 deaths have been associated with the home, including suicides, murders, and tragic accidents.
One of the most horrifying stories occurred in 1987, when prominent attorney Joel Steinberg lived at the address. In a case that shocked the nation, Steinberg and his partner Hedda Nussbaum were arrested for abusing their illegally adopted daughter, Lisa. The little girl died from her injuries, and the incident left an indelible mark on the house's dark legacy. From that moment on, the already haunted reputation of 14 West 10th Street took on an even more disturbing weight.
Ghosts of the Past
So who exactly haunts this haunted house?
Residents over the years have reported a staggering number of ghostly encounters. Psychics who have visited the house claim that more than 20 spirits call the address home. Among them is said to be the ghost of a woman dressed in white, seen gliding up and down the staircase. Others have reported the sounds of disembodied footsteps, doors opening and closing on their own, and cold spots in rooms with no draft.
Mark Twain himself is thought to be one of the lingering presences. According to some accounts, his apparition has been seen in a white suit, standing near the staircase. One resident even claimed to have encountered Twain's ghost, who gruffly told her he had "no reason to be here," before vanishing into thin air.
Another spirit believed to haunt the home is that of a young girl. Could this be the restless ghost of Lisa Steinberg? Paranormal investigators have reported a child's laughter echoing through the halls, and some visitors have claimed to feel the presence of a child brushing past them.
Some believe the house acts like a beacon or magnet for paranormal energy, drawing lost souls and residual hauntings to its walls. Given the sheer number of reported experiences, it's easy to understand why ghost hunters and skeptics alike are fascinated by this property.
Haunted Encounters
The stories from 14 West 10th Street go far beyond creaky floorboards and cold breezes. In one chilling account, a woman claimed she was pushed down the stairs by an unseen force. In another, a couple reported waking up to find all the lights in the house turned on—despite knowing they turned them off before bed.
One former tenant shared a particularly disturbing experience: she awoke in the middle of the night to find a shadowy figure standing at the foot of her bed. When she turned on the lamp, the figure disappeared, but a child's handprint remained on the mirror for days afterward, despite repeated attempts to clean it.
Neighbors and passersby have also reported feeling watched or chilled as they walk past the house. Some even cross the street to avoid getting too close.
Why So Haunted?
What makes 14 West 10th Street such a hotbed for hauntings? Some paranormal experts suggest that the house's history of violence and death has created a "psychic imprint" on the location. Every traumatic event leaves behind energy, and over time, these energies can become active and intelligent.
Another theory is that certain locations act as spiritual nexuses—points on the map where the veil between worlds is thinner. Greenwich Village, with its long and layered history, may be filled with such spots, and 14 West 10th Street could be one of the strongest among them.
It's also worth noting that the Village itself has a unique energy. As a historic neighborhood shaped by artists, radicals, and dreamers, Greenwich Village has always marched to the beat of its own drum. Perhaps that energy leaves behind echoes, or perhaps the people drawn to the area are more in tune with what lingers in the shadows.
Today: A Quiet Facade Hiding a Haunted Legacy
From the outside, 14 West 10th Street looks like just another charming brownstone. There's no plaque advertising its infamous reputation, no ghost tour sign in the window. The house is privately owned, and current residents are understandably tight-lipped about any paranormal goings-on.
Still, the stories persist. Ghost tours often pause across the street, where guides recount the tales of Twain, Lisa Steinberg, and the countless other spirits said to wander the halls. Paranormal researchers continue to speculate about what forces might be at play inside.
Whether you're a believer in the supernatural or simply fascinated by spooky stories, there's no denying the allure of 14 West 10th Street. It's a home where history and haunting collide—a place that reminds us just how many stories a single building can hold.
So next time you find yourself in Greenwich Village, take a walk down West 10th Street. Pause in front of the brownstone with the black iron fence. Listen closely. And if you feel the hair on your neck stand up, don't say we didn't warn you.
The spirit of Charlotte Belmont continues to play on the grand staircase
Marguerite Delacroix eternally waits for her lost love
The melancholy spirit of Mark Twain in his writing room
Thomas Whitmore continues his eternal service to the household
