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All the United States New Hampshire Gilmanton Birthplace of H.H. Holmes
Birthplace of H.H. Holmes is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

AO Edited

Birthplace of H.H. Holmes

Birthplace of America's first documented serial killer.

Gilmanton, New Hampshire

Added By
J.W. Ocker
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H.H. Holmes House   http://www.OddThingsIveSeen.com
School where H.H. Holmes attended   http://www.OddThingsIveSeen.com
Front on 4. 23.21   kimtobash / Atlas Obscura User
Backside   kimtobash / Atlas Obscura User
July, 2017. New owners renovating.   Somefierce / Atlas Obscura User
Birthplace as of November 2020.   ickaimp / Atlas Obscura User
October 2023  
Gilmanton Academy, now town offices.   ickaimp / Atlas Obscura User
4.23.21   kimtobash / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Herman Webster Mudgett—or H.H. Holmes as he styled himself, was born in Gilmanton, NH, and is generally acknowledged as America’s first documented serial killer. He was possibly also the country’s most prolific, with final tallies varying widely into the triple digits due to his infamous Murder Castle, which was basically a death factory under the guise of a hotel in 1890s Chicago. He was eventually captured and executed in 1896 at the age of 36 in Philadelphia, PA.

Today, the home of his birth still stands. The tall, white-paneled house is set prominently in the center of the town. According to a shingle tacked to the outside wall of the private residence, the house was built in 1825. Across the street sits a pair of similarly white-paneled and historic buildings. One of those is Gilmanton Academy, where Holmes attended school before leaving the area for medical college and marriage. It now houses town offices and the local historical society museum. The other is Gilmanton Community Church.

Adapted with Permission from The New England Grimpendium by J.W. Ocker

Related Tags

Crime And Punishment Architectural Oddities Eccentric Homes Architecture Homes

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Added By

JWOcker

Edited By

Davidicus Disraeli, Blindcolour, kimtobash, ickaimp...

  • Davidicus Disraeli
  • Blindcolour
  • kimtobash
  • ickaimp
  • Somefierce
  • RCooper

Published

June 4, 2012

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  • The New England Grimpendium: http://www.amazon.com/New-England-Grimpendium-J-Ocker/dp/0881509191/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279457058&sr=8-1
  • Herman Mudgett's childhood home via Google Maps Street View: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.425196,-71.414356,3a,75y,272.82h,94.49t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sxnJRms-mpxfcDtTLfHXT6A!2e0
Birthplace of H.H. Holmes
500 Province Road
Gilmanton, New Hampshire, 03218
United States
43.337323, -71.318946
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