US Ghost Adventures buys Atchison's McInteer Villa for restoration

A new owner for McInteer Villa could mean more than a change on the deed for 1301 Kansas Avenue. US Ghost Adventures says it will restore the 1889-1890 Queen Anne brick home to its original Gilded Age appearance, a move that could bring more visitors, more activity, and a stronger preservation commitment to one of Atchison’s most recognizable properties.

The company says the villa will operate as a historic landmark, museum and luxury bed-and-breakfast, with daily historical tours and second-floor bedrooms eventually available for overnight guests. It also says it has already spent $25,000 on immediate structural needs and plans to restore the sealed front entrance and porch, which have reportedly gone unused for more than 50 years. For downtown Atchison, that means the next visible phase is likely to be construction, stabilization work and a gradual reopening of spaces that have been closed off for decades.

McInteer Villa has long mattered in Atchison because it sits at the intersection of history, tourism and the city’s paranormal reputation. Visit Atchison already lists the house among the city’s most popular haunted tours, and tourism materials continue to promote it as one of the area’s major haunted attractions. That makes the sale significant not only for preservationists, but for nearby businesses that benefit when visitors stay longer, walk Kansas Avenue and spend time in the historic district.

The house’s historical case is strong. The National Park Service lists the villa as a property associated with John McInteer, and the Kansas Historical Society describes it as one of the most unusual and picturesque houses built in Atchison, noting its heavy ornamentation in stone, brick, wood and metal. The villa was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 26, 1975.

Stephanie O’Reilly bought the mansion in 2018 and has steered it for nearly a decade. US Ghost Adventures says she will remain involved as the new owner moves ahead, and the company said it has joined the Atchison Historical Society as a lifetime member. That continuity could matter in a town where preservation decisions shape both neighborhood character and tourism dollars.

The plan also suggests the property may finally be headed toward a use that matches its visibility. The company says it intends to preserve the mansion’s character while broadening public access, and that mix of restoration, tours and lodging could help define McInteer Villa’s next chapter well beyond its ghost-story reputation.