The Clayton Mansion: Henry Frick’s Family Home

Posted: 10.20.2025 | Updated: 10.18.2025

Many times, hauntings linger around the most improbable locations. Spirits lock onto something specific, something precious, perhaps something emotionally charged with the moment of their passing. 

Whether an object they held dear or a location that held special meaning to them. That is definitely the case with the Clayton Mansion and the associated spirits who have chosen to remain the guardians of the property. Gentle though they may seem, make no mistake about it, they are the keepers of secrets and family lore and frown upon anyone seeking to sully their good name.

There are those who claim brick and stone can have memory. If one were to subscribe to that notion, the twenty-three-room, Italian-style Clayton Mansion would have a rich and storied memory of more than a century. 

These memories play out night after night, beneath the whisper-quiet of night. Filled with longing, heartbreak, and tragedy, the stories of the Frick household are enough to make even the stoutest of hearts tremble in the presence of the powerful spirits still lingering. 

If you’re a brave soul, looking to tempt the fates, seeking answers only spirits hold, why not find out more about Pittsburgh area hauntings by booking one of our Pittsburgh Ghosts tours? No reason to be scared…or is there? 

Is the Clayton Mansion haunted?

Between tales shared by visitors and staff, the answer is a definite yes. Sounds of a female spirit’s tentative footsteps can be heard throughout the mansion, and quite frequently, the spirit of a young boy can be seen roaming the parlor as if lost. 

What might he be searching for? Is he lost? The third floor is to be avoided, save for the bravest souls. Even then, it is suggested to never sit on one of the made beds alone. 

Harken to the Days of Yore

There is no hiding the massive mansion behind the gated perimeter. The imposing structure harkens back to a time near the dawn of the 20^th century, when one’s home was a statement of position and influence. Sitting comfortably on a 4-acres of well-maintained land, it’s easy to hear the clinking of champagne glasses among the general reverie of celebration and joy.

Unfortunately, those times were fleeting for the Frick family.

Our tale begins in 1880 with a love-stricken Henry Clay Frick asking Adelaide Howard Childs for her hand in marriage. Readily accepting, they purchased the mansion—which only had eleven rooms at the time—for the tidy sum of $25,000. Resting on an acre and a half of property, their family began to grow, though not without heart-wrenching circumstances. 

Only two of their four children survived.

Childs was their firstborn son, who lived into his 80s; however, his brother Henry Clay Jr. was not so lucky, perishing shortly after his birth in 1892. 

The Frick daughters didn’t escape tragedy either. While Helen Clay Frick lived well into her 90s, her younger sister, Martha, died in 1891 at the age of six. 

Following Henry Clay Jr.’s death in 1892, the family left the mansion for the hustle and bustle of burgeoning New York City, leaving their possessions behind. Apparently, Henry’s death was a wound that simply would not heal. 

Is it Any Wonder?

Charged with tragedy, the property reverberates with its own devastating history. Are the tales of roaming footsteps, a lost child looking for their mother’s loving embrace? 

And what of the impressions which always return to freshly made beds as if someone were lying in repose? Is the feeling of their bed beneath them comforting? Does it let them feel closer to our waking world?

The Lady of the Manor

Ever the consummate host, Adelaide Frick still clings to the home she loved so much. Entertaining guests and providing memorable experiences for all who attended, Adelaide is still ensuring her guests are taken care of. 

When guests check into their rooms and rest their weary bones on the beds, though no one is there, they are not alone. Frequently, when they rise from the bed, more than one impression is left on the bed. It’s Adelaide making sure every guest has a restful slumber in her mansion. 

The Lost Little Boy

Frequently seen in the parlor, the apparition of a small boy has been noticed by visitors and staff countless times. Following his death in 1892, his wake was held in the parlor. Could he be drawn there, looking for his loved ones, amid the overwhelming scent of dying flowers?

Tentative Footsteps

The third is where much of the activity occurs. This is where Adelaide and Helen’s bedrooms were located. The steps are pensive and unsure, but they are unmistakable. 

They echo with the light step of a woman, leading many to surmise it’s Helen and Adelaide making the rounds to ensure their beautiful mansion is still well kept and the guests are taken care of. Their spirits are polite and gentile, ever the women of standing they were when alive.

Helen Clay Frick

When on the third floor, it is said the spirit of Helen can be seen moving along the hallways. In period clothing, she always moves with purpose, her steps steady and sure. Is she checking on guests or searching for something more?

Haunted Pittsburgh

When considering the possibility of the Clayton Mansion being haunted, there should be no doubt. There, spirits remain, filled with the pride of heritage and the subtlety of stature and class. With a history intermingled with tragedy and loss, the spirits of Adelaide, Helen, and Henry Clay Jr. will continue to remind us of a forgotten time in this beautiful place.

For those looking to find out more about other Pittsburgh area hauntings, why not book one of our Pittsburgh Ghosts walking ghost tours? The spirits won’t bite, thought the nip of fear has been known to come calling.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real Pittsburgh hauntings.

Sources:

• https://hauntedhouses.com/pennsylvania/frick-house/
• https://foxlanehomes.com/haunted-pittsburgh-history/
• https://www.tripsavvy.com/ghosts-of-pittsburgh-and-western-pennsylvania-2708103
• https://madeinpgh.com/pittsburgh-arts-culture/top-haunted-places-pittsburgh/