Imagine a 19-room house The Eerie Legacy of John List, was designed in the Prairie School style. It was a National Historic Landmark. Yet, it became known as a tragic family event. This is the story of the John List House in Westfield, New Jersey. On November 9, 1971, John List killed his loved ones. He was an accountant, leaving behind a puzzle of why. How did a place so grand become a symbol of horror for the nation?
The John List House was a gem for those who loved architecture and history. But, in 1971, it saw something terrible. John List’s family was the victim of a horrifying crime. This event marked the beautiful house with a dark legacy. It showed the world that even charming places can hide terrible secrets.
Key Takeaways
- The John List House in Westfield, New Jersey was a historic 19-room mansion designed in the Prairie School architectural style, influenced by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, yet darkened by its association with family killer John List., influenced by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
- On November 9, 1971, the house became the site of a brutal family murder when John List, an accountant and devout Lutheran, killed his wife and three children before fleeing the scene.
- List remained a fugitive for 18 years until he was eventually captured and convicted, shocking the nation with the grisly details of the family massacre.
- The John List House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1972, just a year after the murders, further adding to the haunting legacy of the infamous “murder house.”
- Despite efforts to preserve the site, the John List House was ultimately destroyed by a mysterious fire in 1996, leaving only the property’s foundations and a Tiffany glass skylight as remnants of this chilling piece of history.
History of the John List House
The John List House became famous for a terrible family murder on November 9, 1971. Here, John List, an accountant and Sunday school teacher, killed his family. This included his wife Helen and their three kids – Patricia, John, and Frederick. After the crime, List carefully hid the bodies, turned all the lights on, and ran away.
The crime stayed hidden for a month until neighbors saw the lights always on at the John List House. This was in Westfield, New Jersey. When police arrived, they found the dead bodies. This started a big search for List that only ended in 1989. He got caught, and not long after that, he passed away in prison.
John Emil List was a character John Graff in the family massacre. He was seen as an accountant and a faithful Lutheran. He faced money problems and a lot of personal disappointment. Even though people thought he was a great family man, List killed his family at their Breeze Knoll home. His crime shook the country, leaving a deep mark on the community, still haunted by the memories of the 1971 family tragedy perpetrated by John List.
John List House
The John List House was a 19-room mansion on Hillside Avenue in Westfield, New Jersey. It belonged to John List, his wife, and their three kids. List, a stern Lutheran, and Sunday school teacher, lived there until something shocking happened in 1971. On November 9, 1971, John List did something terrible. He carefully planned and killed his whole family.
John List was a man who followed a detailed plan. After the awful events in 1971, he ran away. For 18 years List hid his real identity before the law caught up with him in 1989. The old List home burned down in 1996. Some believed it was set on fire on purpose. List’s story was covered by ABC News. People were captivated by his escape for nearly two decades.
List faced the public’s fury and was given five life sentences in prison. He died in 2008 at 82. The tragedy at the John List House still deeply affects its community and fans of true crime. Today, the mansion’s Tiffany glass skylight is a sad symbol of what happened there.
Architectural Importance of the List Residence
The John List House was designed in the Prairie School architectural style. This style was inspired by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Its key features include a low-pitched roof, wide eaves, and horizontal lines. These make it a prime example of early 20th-century residential design. A year after the tragic events in the house, it became a National Historic Landmark in 1972.
Frank Lloyd Wright and his peers led the Prairie School design movement. This was an American style that stood out from traditional European designs. The prestige of the John List House, in Oak Park Illinois attractions and famous architectural residences, reveals its modern approach to architecture. It welcomes visitors exploring architectural tours and those interested in prairie-style house museum experiences.
The John List House earned a title as a national historic landmark. This recognition highlights its role in early 20th-century residential design and its connection to Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture. The designation protects the house as a special architectural legacy. This is true even after the terrible events that took place there.
Manhunt for John List
After the murders on November 9, 1971, a nationwide manhunt began for John List. He had started a new life and run away from his home in Westfield, New Jersey. This case caught everyone’s eye across the US. List managed to hide for 18 years until his arrest in Colorado, in 1989. There, he was living as “Robert Clark”.
John List was searched for far and wide after he killed his wife and three kids in their 19-room mansion, called “Breeze Knoll.” He executed his plan with precision and then vanished. The mysteriously burned Victorian mansion was left behind, still holding its Tiffany glass.
Finally, in 1989, after avoiding capture for 19 years, a viewer of “America’s Most Wanted” recognized List. He was found guilty of the terrible murders. At 82, List passed away in prison in 2008.
Exploring the Crime Scene
When the police found the bodies at John List House, it was horrifying. List killed his wife Helen, daughter Patricia, and sons John and Frederick in the home’s ballroom. He then hid the bodies, turned on all lights, and ran away. He assumed a new identity and fled to Colorado.
Before the bodies were found, neighbors saw the lights on for a long time. This tells us List planned everything carefully. He even killed his mother before running. The fire that later destroyed the mansion is still a mystery. This event made the house even more frightening.
The John List House became a reminder of a gruesome act. The list ended the lives of his family in the ballroom. This room, usually for joy, witnessed something horrible.
Neighbors were deeply shocked. A neighbor spotted List on TV news after the murders. This added to the feeling of betrayal and shock in the community. The fire, which burned the house, made the place even scarier. It made people wonder if the house was forever cursed by this sad event.
Rumors and Legends Surrounding the House
After the brutal murders at the John List House, it became a center of ghost story myths and tales. Locals said they saw ghostly figures in the windows and heard strange noises. The mystery deepened when the house burned in 1996 in an unsolved arson case.
Those interested in true crime and the supernatural are often intrigued by this place, especially knowing it was once the residence of family killer John List. Some say they felt the presence of a hidden “watcher” or experienced odd events in the attic closet. The John List House has earned a reputation as a major “murder house” in the U.S.
The Associated Press and Connie Chung have covered the ongoing rumors and myths about the house, making it a landmark in true-crime show history. Even years after the murders and the arson, the List House remains a subject of interest.
Local tales from N.J. speak of odd noises and sightings at night under the glass skylight. Some claim to have seen a “watcher” on the property. This has led to the belief that the ghosts of the List family remain among sleeping bags in the house.
The mystery surrounding the John List House is a mix of reality and legend, all tied to its dark past. It remains a place of fascination for fans of the macabre and the mysterious. Even a month later, after the neighbor recognized List and authorities were called, the mansion still captures people’s interest.
Preservation Efforts and Future Plans
The John List House has a tragic past, but people aim to honor it. The Antieau Gallery in Westfield, New Jersey organized shows about its history. These included the 1971 murders. Sadly, a fire in 1996 destroyed the house. Now, only the foundations and a Tiffany glass skylight remain.
The future of the site is unclear. The property, once home to the 19-room mansion called “Breeze Knoll”, attracts many. Historians, true-crime lovers, and people interested in the dark tale of murderer John List. New Jersey’s history is eager to see what comes next.
Visiting the John List House
The original John List House no longer exists. But, the site of the 1971 murders still attracts many visitors. They come to see its history and design. The mansion was once a top spot for people interested in architectural tours. It showed off a style inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Being a National Historic Landmark, it was special for those into famous architects and historical houses.
1. Tours and Exhibits
In Westfield, New Jersey, there are now chances to discover the John List House. You can learn at the Antieau Gallery. They host events showing the home’s unique prairie-style house museum features.
This design was influenced by places in Oak Park, Illinois. These exhibits make the house and its history come alive.
2. Nearby Attractions and Amenities
Westfield has more to offer beyond the John List House. There are other architectural tours and historic places. The town is close to 431 Hillside Avenue. This is where the mansion used to be.
This closeness lets visitors soak in the area’s deep architectural past. They can also learn more about how famous architects have influenced their looks.
What was the Impact?
The John List House murders have deeply affected true-crime media. These murders have inspired many books, movies, and TV shows. They include a famous episode of “America’s Most Wanted”. This show helped catch List in 1989 after he fled 18 years earlier.
The List family’s tragic story grabbed people’s hearts. The manhunt for their father seemed like a movie plot. The very house where the crimes happened became a chilling symbol. It showed how horror could hide in plain sight.
The interest in the John List House murder hasn’t faded even with time. It keeps true-crime fans hooked and inspires new stories. The tale was shared on ABC News and many true-crime programs. This ‘never-ending story’ continues to grab the attention of people nationwide. List’s cruel acts earned him five life sentences. Because of this, the John List House remains a disturbing part of American true crime.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Westfield, New Jersey |
| House Worth | Purchased for $1.3 million in June 2014 |
| Sale Price | Put up for sale for $1.125 million |
| Rental Price | Rented out for $5,000 a month in 2017 |
| Building Year | Built around 1896 by John Samuel Agustus Wittke |
| Architectural Style | Prairie School architectural style |
| Design Influence | Influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright |
| National Landmark | Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1972 |
| Rooms | 19-room mansion |
| Bedrooms | 6 bedrooms |
| Bathrooms | 4 bathrooms |
| Fireplaces | 4 fireplaces |
| Porches | 2 porches |
| Basement | Finished basement |
| Special Features | Tiffany glass skylight, ballroom with Tiffany glass ceiling |
| Additional Amenities | Large kitchen with butler’s pantry, laundry room |
| Historical Events | Site of mass murder in 1971 |
| Destruction | Destroyed by a mysterious fire in 1996 |
| Current Status | Only the property’s foundations and a Tiffany glass skylight remain |
Conclusion
The John List House in Westfield, New Jersey, is a haunting reminder of the tragic events that unfolded on November 9, 1971. What was once a beautiful 19-room mansion, designed in the Prairie School style and influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, became a symbol of horror and tragedy. The brutal murder of John List’s family, including his wife and three children, sent shockwaves across the nation, and the house became a focal point of the crime. Despite efforts to preserve the site, the house was destroyed by a mysterious fire in 1996, leaving only the foundations and a Tiffany glass skylight as remnants of this dark piece of history.
The story of John List and the murder of his family is a chilling tale of betrayal, deception, and horror. List’s careful planning and execution of the crime, followed by his escape and 18-year evasion of the law, captivated the nation and earned him a reputation as one of the most infamous family killers in American history. The John List House, with its eerie legacy and dark past, continues to fascinate true-crime enthusiasts and architectural buffs alike, serving as a haunting reminder of the horrors that can unfold in the most unexpected places.
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