The Hodgens Ryan Mansion in Butte, Montana, was built in two main stages by two prominent figures of the Industrial Period in Butte. Located at 105 N Excelsior Avenue in the Butte National Landmark District, the mansion reflects the grandeur of the era.
Initial construction (1899) Built for Thomas Hodgens: The original front half of the mansion was constructed for Thomas Hodgens, who served as the Head Cashier for the State Savings Bank.
John D. Ryan’s ownership (1905)
Purchased by John D. Ryan: In 1905, Hodgens sold the house to John D. Ryan, a powerful industrialist who was the President of the Montana Power Company. Mansion doubled in size: Ryan significantly expanded the home by adding the back portion, which doubled its size.
According to ghost hunters and local accounts, the Hodgens Ryan Mansion in Butte, Montana, is the site of several reported paranormal events. Witnesses describe encountering a ghostly figure on the mansion’s staircase and hearing disembodied voices, unexplained footsteps, and strange noises from vacant rooms.
Reported paranormal activity at the Hodgens Ryan Mansion includes:
A spectral female figure. The most frequent report is the sighting of a woman in white on the grand staircase. Visitors and staff have seen her figure and believe she is a former resident.
Auditory phenomena. Unexplained footsteps, whispers, and other sounds have been heard from unoccupied rooms and hallways. Some have also reported hearing a woman singing. Paranormal investigations. The mansion was featured in an episode of the paranormal reality television series Ghost Adventures, where investigators allegedly captured compelling evidence of paranormal activity.
While these reports are intriguing, no scientific evidence has been presented to substantiate them.