The perfect man, the perfect dress, what more could Anna Baker ask for? How about her father’s approval…
In 1836, Elias Baker and his cousin Roland Diller bought the Allegheny Furnace in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania. This iron furnace would help them amass a fortune from the rich iron deposits in the area.
Elias moved his wife, Hetty, and their two sons, David Woods and Sylvester, from Lancaster County all the way to Altoona, into a mansion near the furnace. Shortly thereafter, Hetty bore a daughter, Anna, and another girl, Margaretta, in 1839. Unfortunately, Margaretta died after just two short years.
In 1844, Elias bought out his cousin’s share in the furnace, and then in 1845, construction began on his new home – The Baker Mansion, which was completed in 1849.
Elias was a very proud man, and ruled his family with an iron fist. Little did he know his only daughter, Anna, had fallen in love with one of his employee’s, a lowly steelworker. She and the steelworker planned to marry in secret, she even had the dress. But her father discovered their hidden love affair, and he forbade her to marry him.
Taking after her father, Anna was stubborn and fought long and hard. She didn’t care about the comforts money brought her. She did not care about fine clothing or jewelry. She didn’t need a big fancy home. Her mother, Hetty, fought for her daughter, praising the man Anna wished to marry. Unfortunately, Elias would not listen. It was then that Anna made the decision to remain single for the rest of her life.
Elias didn’t give up though, and he brought her suitor after suitor. She denied them all, letting her anger win over any chance at happiness..
The dress Anna had purchased had once belonged to Elizabeth Bell, the daughter of another iron master in the area. Elizabeth mocked Anna for never being married.
By the time Elias Baker died, in 1848, it was too late, and Anna’s love had moved on. She remained alone in the house, angry and bitter. But there were those occasions when the servants of the household would spot her wearing her wedding dress and dancing under the moonlight until she died in 1914.
It is widely known that The Baker Mansion is haunted. The county purchased the mansion in 1941 and turned it into a museum. Anna’s wedding dress was put on display in what used to be her bedroom. Staff at the museum have noticed the dress moving within its glass case. When the moon is full, the dress would strike violently on the glass case. Some believe that the movement of the wedding dress and the glass case can be attributed to old historical floorboards being weak or loose. Others say it’s nothing more than drafts.
A study was conducted to find out the real reason behind the movement of the dress. Camera’s were aimed at the glass case, and when no one was present in the museum, the dress could still be seen moving. It must be Anna’s spirit, living within the dress, or trying to get to it.
Those same cameras also captured spectral forms and images of a bitter old woman in front of the mirror.
Furniture has been spotted moving, and the sound of footsteps have also been heard. A music box left in one of the rooms could be heard playing, ,when no one was present inside the room. The spirit of Elias has been spotted in the dining room while a woman in a black dress, believed to be Hettie, has been spotted on the third floor.
Anna’s brother, David Baker, was killed in the steamboat accident in 1852. His body was stored in one of the rooms until the frozen ground had thawed enough for him to have a proper burial. People have reported hearing screams coming from that very room.
Today, the Baker Mansion is still open to the public, however Anna Baker’s wedding dress is no longer on permanent display, due to deterioration caused by exposure to light and air borne pollutants. You can take a tour, either on your own, or book a scheduled tour to learn even more.
Haunted wedding dress. Doesn’t seem so scary, especially if you don’t plan to wear one. But what about a haunted bed?
