HauntBound archive · catalog record
Reported phenomena — as catalogued
A 19th-century Victorian residence converted to a Thai restaurant and inn, reportedly haunted by the former occupant Mrs. Bagsby, who is said to cut hot water to guests she dislikes.
515 W Frederick St, Staunton, VA 24401
Research updated June 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
$$
Restaurant pricing; overnight rooms range from $165 to $190 per night
Access
Limited Access
Victorian-era building; interior accessibility not confirmed for mobility equipment
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1865 · 19th-century private residence · Former Belle Grae Inn bed-and-breakfast · Victorian architectural preservation in downtown Staunton
The building at 515 West Frederick Street has functioned as a private residence, a bed-and-breakfast inn, and its current incarnation as a Thai restaurant with overnight rooms. The property dates to the 19th century when it served as a private home in what is now Staunton's historic downtown district.
The building gained regional recognition as the Belle Grae Inn, a bed-and-breakfast that drew visitors to Staunton during the late 20th century. Under that name it accumulated a documented local reputation for paranormal activity, centered on the figure of Mrs. Bagsby, described as a former resident whose spirit allegedly remained in the building after her death. The most frequently reported location was Room 7, the former bedroom most associated with her presence.
The property transitioned to its current use as the Ubon Thai Victorian Restaurant Inn under the ownership of Ubon Herlong. The venue continues to offer four overnight rooms in addition to lunch and dinner service seven days a week. The building's Victorian architectural elements remain intact, and the inn's promotional materials describe the experience as entering 'a world 160 years old.'
Sources
The haunting accounts attached to this building center almost entirely on Mrs. Bagsby, described as a spirit who occupied the house during her lifetime and chose not to leave. The Virginia Haunted Houses listing documents specific behaviors attributed to her: unlocking doors without a physical cause, moving rocking chairs, and cutting hot water to rooms of guests she apparently disapproves of. Room 7, which occupies the space of the original bedroom most closely associated with Bagsby, is cited as the primary site of these incidents.
The Virginia Paranormal Investigations group conducted a documented investigation of the Belle Grae Inn during its earlier operation and published findings consistent with the resident haunting narrative. Guests and staff have reported the rocking chair activity across multiple accounts. No claims of visual apparitions appear in the documented record, distinguishing these reports from the full-apparition category common to more heavily promoted haunted venues.
The legend is tied to the building rather than to any verified historical tragedy, and the name 'Mrs. Bagsby' has not been confirmed against public historical records. The story functions as a resident-spirit narrative: an occupant who claimed a domestic space and retained that claim after death.
Notable Entities
The restaurant is open daily 11am–9pm serving authentic Thai cuisine inside a restored Victorian residence. Guests dine in rooms that retain much of the building's 19th-century character.
Four overnight rooms are available, ranging from $165 to $190 per night. Room 7, a former bedroom, is the most frequently cited location for reported paranormal activity attributed to Mrs. Bagsby.
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
Staunton, VA
Built in 1890, this downtown Staunton structure has hosted several businesses over the decades, including a YMCA facility. Three deaths have occurred on the premises: a heart attack, a fatal fall into a coal chute during the YMCA era, and a third-floor suspected suicide.
Winchester, VA
The Philip Williams House on West Piccadilly Street was built around 1820 as a three-story Italianate mansion. After the Third Battle of Winchester on September 19, 1864, it served as a field hospital. Confederate Colonel George S. Patton — mortally wounded in the battle while rallying his brigade — died in the building's second-floor Patton Room on September 25, 1864. Joe's Steakhouse opened in the building in 2013.
St. Charles, MO
The building is a three-story 1890s home with New Orleans-style iron balconies, converted to a restaurant operation on St. Charles's historic Main Street. The structure retains much of its original residential character, including a central staircase with a landing between the first and second floors.