The Window That Never Needs Cleaning

The lone window overlooking the driveway, which never needed cleaning, even when the rest of the house was covered in dirt and grime.

The history of the haunted Schweppe Mansion - The Schweppe Mansion stands in all its glory, as a palace fit for a princess. In 1917 this beautiful English Tudor, was a gift from John G. Shedd (president of Marshall Field and Company and founder of the Shedd Aquarium) and his wife to their daughter Laura Shedd. It was a wedding present for Laura and her newly wedded husband, Charles Schweppe (the drink dynasty).

The Schweppe Mansion became the home for Laura, Charles and their children. Its beautiful, breathtaking interior and exterior would soon be darkened by tragedy. According to findagrave.com, Laura Schweppe lost her life due to a heart attack in 1937. Laura was only 58 years old. But this devastating death would not be the last that the Schweppe Mansion would experience.

In 1941 relayed by strangeusa.com, servants entered Charles Schweppe’s bedroom and found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Charles Schweppe was only 60 years old. The only clue left by Charles as to why he took his own life was a note found on his dresser that simply read, “I’ve been awake all night. It’s terrible.”

There are several theories as to why Charles Schweppe committed suicide. When Laura Schweppe passed she had amassed a fortune of over 10 million dollars, of which a mere 200 thousand dollars was bequeathed to her husband Charles. The remainder of her fortune was given to their children. At the time of his death Charles’ health was rumored to be riddled with sleepless nights, deteriorating health and mental status. Could it be that Charles was so disappointed with his inheritance, or that sleep deprivation and or ill health created enough turmoil within his soul, that he believed death was the only way to escape his pain? One will never know the true reasons behind Charles’ desperate act. The spirit of Charles Schweppe will forever hold the secret.

After the death of Charles Schweppe the Schweppe Mansion remained lifeless and empty for 46 years. During that time it was reported that Laura and Charles’ ghost haunted the mansion’s bedrooms. Ghostly servants were also rumored to roam the halls of the majestic Tudor. In addition, a single window in the master bedroom reportedly remained free of debris and dust, while the other mansion windows collected the cobwebs of time passing. The ghost of original owner, Charles Schweppe, has been seen keeping watch over visitors to the house through a window overlooking the front driveway.

Of particular interest to psi-searchers is a window overlooking the driveway. According to ongoing testimony, this lone pane has never needed cleaning, even when the house has been otherwise covered in grime.

In 1987 the Schweppe Mansion experienced a new beginning. According to Dennis Rodkin author of the Deal Estate blog, a couple purchased the home and extensive renovations were performed. The Schweppe Mansion, recondition to her original glory, once again stands tall amongst the houses on Mayflower Road, in Lake Forest, Illinois. No comments by the current owners could be found, regarding the haunting of the grand Schweppe Mansion.

The Schweppe Mansion is currently up for sale. The included video is a Deal Estate tour of the historical mansion from Chicago Magazine and Dennis Rodkin. According to realtor.com the list price is 15 million dollars. A reduction from the previous 18 million dollar price tag. The ghost of original owner, Charles Schweppe, has been seen keeping watch over visitors to the house through a window overlooking the front driveway.