NRHP-listed 1918 Pikeville manor haunted by the memory of a confined child—Geraldine Creekmore—whose wails locals still claim to hear
209 Elm Street, Pikeville, KY 41501
Research updated June 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Exterior viewing only; private residence—no interior access
Access
Wheelchair OK
Paved street with sidewalk access for exterior viewing
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1918 · National Register of Historic Places · Colonial Revival Architecture · Pike County History
Augusta Dils York, connected to one of Pike County's established families, commissioned the two-and-a-half-story Colonial Revival mansion at 209 Elm Street in 1918. The property's architectural details—its broad front porch, symmetrical facade, and period millwork—made it a landmark on Pikeville's residential hill. The City of Pikeville's NRHP nomination form documents the mansion as the Augusta Dils York Mansion, confirming its historic designation.
The Creekmore family acquired the property in subsequent decades, and the house became known colloquially as the Creekmore Mansion. Local oral tradition records that a child named Geraldine Creekmore was confined to the home due to a disability, largely hidden from the outside world. The historical record on Geraldine is thin—her story circulates primarily in local accounts and paranormal tourism writing, not in verified newspaper or courthouse archives.
The mansion has attracted paranormal investigators and is a regular stop on Pikeville dark-history circuits. Visitors report hearing wailing sounds near the upper floors, attributed in local lore to Geraldine's presence. The NRHP designation ensures the structure itself is documented and preserved; the haunting legend, while popular, rests on community memory rather than corroborated historical record.
Sources
The central legend of the Creekmore Mansion involves Geraldine Creekmore, described in local accounts as a child kept hidden in the house due to a disability. The story, documented in regional paranormal tourism writing, holds that Geraldine's isolation within the mansion's walls left an impression that outlasted her lifetime.
Paranormal investigators and curious visitors report sounds—wailing, footsteps—that they attribute to Geraldine. The kantuckee.com account, which drew on local oral history, describes the upper floors as the primary zone of activity. Cold spots and unexplained sounds are the most commonly reported phenomena.
No corroborating newspaper archives or court records have surfaced to independently establish the details of Geraldine's story, which should be understood as local legend. The mansion's NRHP status draws visitors primarily for its architecture and Pikeville history; the haunting reputation adds a secondary layer of interest for dark tourism travelers.
Notable Entities
The NRHP-listed York House is a documented dark tourism stop on Pikeville's historic walking circuit. Visitors can view the 1918 mansion exterior and its grounds from the public sidewalk. The property is privately owned; no trespassing.
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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