The Haunted House
Circa 1950 – 1970
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This time for the house was a sad one. She sat empty, alone, without a family filling her with love for two decades. There are few photos available – certainly none from within her walls (believe me, I’ve looked!). Those photos I have found tell a story of utter sadness, gossip, and an emptiness that nothing can fill.
It was December of 1924 when the Ochs family bought the house. Although Mrs. Ochs owned it until 1970, she fled the house in the 1950’s. You see, in May of 1939 Harry Ochs, the owner of the milk and coal delivery service for Lebanon, passed away in their beautiful house. His funeral was held within these walls where he took his last breath – his widow and son remained – until they didn’t.
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After Harry’s son graduated college, his widow would eventually leave the house. Her only child was off to war, and all remaining here were the memories of a much happier time. Eventually she left – buying a farm and starting her life over. However, she never stopped visiting the house. She knew teens were sneaking in and out of the house, as kids will do. This was the place to party, prove how brave you were, or weren’t. She would periodically drive to the house, walking through with a candle or flashlight to see what damage had been done, or who she might catch. She wouldn’t sell the house. She had been so happy living here with Harry and her son, how could she let it go? Her son took his first steps in the living room, Harry had drawn his last breath in their bedroom, no, she couldn’t just let anyone have it. So it sat empty, she visited her memories of happier times, and the kids partied.
One day in 1970, after Mrs. Ochs had spent years fighting the city each time they tried to condemn and demolish the house, she found the family to trust her memories to. Another young couple, just as she and Harry had been when they first bought the house. The house started a new chapter in her life. One filled with love.
Now that you’ve read this story – can you imagine the others?
Riggin-Pesold House 