It is described as an 1863 three story American bracket, post and beam villa; a seaside palace which was the summer country estate used by rich industrialist George Allen and his family and descendants for 83 years. Southerners used to escape the heat in the summer months by going to Cape Cod. George Allen was inspired by southern architecture, and built the ultimate summer home which reflects this southern style. The glorious beige colored mansion sat on a huge land estate, that had beautiful Italian gardens. Nothing but the best was used and the palace was a beautiful summer home.

George Allen's niece, Ester Mercur and her husband were the last of Allen's family to call the mansion home. Ester loved the mansion, and when she died, her husband, Ulysses couldn't bear to be there without her, and sold the whole estate with all the furnishings for only $8,000.

The new owners bought the property with the idea of turning the place into a boarding house, as a income producing property, not becoming someone's cherished family home. They painted the mansion white, and proceeded to convert the mansion into many small rooms, bringing into the community a lower income bracket of clientele. After 50 years, the mansion was in awful condition because little upkeep was done to it and the construction done during the conversion process weakened the structure. The grounds were overgrown and an eyesore. The boarding house license was finally taken away in the 1980's, leaving the owners no way to make an income until they would spend big bucks to make the mansion safe. So, the whole property was put on the real estate market, as a fixer- upper in need of major expensive renovation before the living could call the place home!

In early 1994, the mansion was rescued by the current owners. In just 18 months, the mansion was fully restored and renovated to its former glory days, back to the original architectural design and elements; quite an undertaking. The outside of the mansion was taken down to the bare wood and repainted the original beige color. New I beams replaces the rotting original ones. All five chimneys were rebuilt with the original bricks. Lots of worn out / dilapidated items were replaced, including the slate and tin roofs, copper gutters, porches, trims, moldings and fascia boards.

After going through 130 years of Allen family furnishings and mementos, 25 dumpsters took away the garbage and junk, but the fine things were put back into the house. While they were at it, the gasolier fixtures, walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, doors and windows were all restored to their original glory.

The grounds and Italian gardens were also replanted and whipped into shape, once again beautiful to see as one walks around the vast grounds.

In 1996, people could live there once again! A new south wing was added, with 10 guest suites, 12 bathrooms, a second ballroom, a gallery, verandah, solarium, two grand staircases, all which is built in the original style of the main Southern Mansion structure.

The Southern Mansion is now a high class, glorious Bed and Breakfast, with plenty of space for weddings and receptions, and of course southern hospitality reigns supreme!!

MANIFESTATIONS:

Renovations to old buildings often activate the entities. Ester Mercur who dearly loved her mansion and all the wonderful times she had here with her family, must have been overjoyed when the mansion was rescued from the decay of time!!!! Also other unknown entities also are enjoying the place now, though not much is known about them.

PSYCHIC RESEARCH:

The South Jersey Ghost Research conducted two investigations of this beautiful mansion.

STILL HAUNTED?

Yes indeed; Not only by a very happy entity, Ester, but also by several other entities, who are benign and non-hostile. The mansion has a long history of many people living there, and some are enjoying the fine mansion it has become once again.