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| Haunted Forepaugh's Restaurant, formerly Forepaugh's Mansion is the scene of love affair between two ghosts from days gone by |
The tragedy began the day that Mrs. Forepaugh found her husband Joseph in bed with Molly. Devastated, she instead of leaving Jospeph, demanded that he end the relationship with the maid. He did so, honoring Mary' wishes. However, soon afterward Molly discovered that she was carrying Joseph's child. She became distraught, knowing that she would not be able to raise the child and being unmarried, suspicions would be raised and she would be known as a common whore. One day she ended it all on the 3rd floor of the mansion by tying a rope to a chandelier and flung herself out a nearby window.
Joseph became distressed, blaming it on poor business. He sold the mansion and moved his family to Europe for a time. The Forepaugh's would later return to St. Paul around 1889 where they would build a new mansion. Shortly afterward, perhaps haunted by the memory of his former lover Molly, Joseph then too, took his own life.
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| The ghostly image of Joseph Forepaugh has been seen strolling through the dining areas of his former home which is now known as Forepaugh's Restaurant |
Eventually, the mansion was renovated and converted into Forepaugh's Restaurant which serves fine French cuisine to this day. Over the years however, there have been a couple of the past residents who are still roaming about the mansion.
The ghostly image of Joseph Forepaugh has been seen strolling through the dining areas of the restaurant. Some says he seems to have smug look about him as if he is happy to be back in his former home. They say he can be distinguished by his late 1800s period clothing. There are times when he cannot be seen, but makes his presence known by turning lights on and off.
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| Another view of the Forepaugh's Restaurant dining area which is said to be haunted by the ghost of Joseph Forepaugh the former owner |
Molly's ghost has also been seen meandering about the mansion in late 1800s period dress as well. Mostly on the 3rd floor where she met her end. Some claim to have heard footsteps on the floors above when the upstairs is entirely empty of people. It is said that she pass through walls in the restaurant. She has even been photographed. After a wedding photo shoot, one of the photos showed an ghostly arm extending outward from the staircase. On one occasion, a customer using the restrooms came out and claimed that he heard a woman singing in the upper levels of the mansion. There was no one around!
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| Forepaugh's Restaurant is haunted by two spirits the Ghost of Molly the Maid and her lover, the former owner Joseph Forepaugh |
As Joseph seems to haunt the lower levels of the mansion and Molly seems to haunt the upper levels, perhaps their afterlife models their real life when they were separated from each other and were unable to see one another. As now, they in the same home, but eternally kept apart.
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| The bar area of haunted Forepaugh's Restaurant, a fine French restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota |
Forepaugh’s Restaurant, can be found at 276 South Exchange Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102.
www.forepaughs.com
I completely respect the beliefs of others, however you should be aware that there is absolutely no historical evidence that "Molly" ever existed, much less that Jospeph Forepaugh had a affair with her. This story is entirely the creation of a bored restaurant waitstaff. Repeating slanderous stories like this seems very disrepectful to the memory of the Forepaugh family. Consider how you would feel if someone repeated a false story about one of your ancestors .
ReplyDeleteMaybe he had all evidence of Molly destroyed as part of a cover-up. Ever think of that?
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