Outdoor Exploration
Exterior Drive-By / Walk-By
The McCaffary House at 5732 13th Court is an NRHP-listed private residence. Visitors can view the exterior from the public street. Interior access is not available.
- Duration:
- 15 min
True Crime Site
John McCaffary House
Site of an 1850 murder that led Wisconsin to become the first U.S. state to abolish capital punishment
5732 13th Court, Kenosha, WI 53140
Wheelchair Accessible
Research-Backed · 3 sources
Research updated June 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
$
Drive-by / exterior only. Ghost tour tickets available through Lakeshore Pedal Tours.
Access
Wheelchair OK
Residential street, exterior viewing only
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1842 · Wisconsin Capital Punishment Abolition · National Register of Historic Places · 19th Century Criminal Justice History · Kenosha County History
The house at what is now 5732 13th Court dates to around 1842, placing it among the older surviving residential structures in Kenosha County. In July 1850, its occupant John McCaffary murdered his wife Bridget by drowning her in the backyard cistern. The killing was witnessed, McCaffary was arrested, and he was tried and convicted of murder.
McCaffary's execution on August 21, 1851, became one of the most consequential events in Wisconsin legal history. The hanging was badly botched: the rope was too long, the drop insufficient, and McCaffary died by prolonged strangulation rather than the intended broken neck. The process lasted approximately twenty minutes. An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 spectators witnessed the execution.
The public revulsion that followed the botched hanging fed directly into the Wisconsin legislature's debate over capital punishment. In 1853, Wisconsin abolished capital punishment entirely — the first state in the nation to do so. The McCaffary execution is cited in historical analyses of the abolition as a proximate cause.
The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its connection to this turning point in Wisconsin criminal justice history. It remains a private residence.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCaffary_House
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCaffary
- https://www.kenosha.com/2022/10/25/spirited-ride-lakeshore-pedal-tours-ghost-tour-does-not-disappoint/
ApparitionsUnexplained soundsSense of presence
The paranormal reputation of the McCaffary House is rooted in the violent death of Bridget McCaffary at the site in 1850. Local ghost lore attributes activity at the property to her presence: a woman murdered by her husband and left in the backyard cistern, her death a matter of public record that shaped Wisconsin law.
Lakeshore Pedal Tours, which operates a ghost tour through Kenosha, includes the McCaffary site on its route and cites the 'brutal murder of Bridget McCaffrey' as the basis for reported haunting. The tour frames the site within the broader context of Kenosha's documented dark history rather than elaborating specific contemporary accounts.
The house is a private residence and not open for visits. Observed phenomena reported by tour participants have included the general category of presence — feelings of being watched, unexplained sounds near the property — consistent with other residential true-crime sites that attract ghost tourism without controlled-access investigation.
Notable Entities
Bridget McCaffary
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is John McCaffary House family-friendly?
The site involves a documented violent crime and botched execution. The history is suitable for older children and teens; the physical site is just an exterior view of a residential building. Overall family fit: Moderate.
How much does it cost to visit John McCaffary House?
Drive-by / exterior only. Ghost tour tickets available through Lakeshore Pedal Tours.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is John McCaffary House wheelchair accessible?
Yes, John McCaffary House is wheelchair accessible. Terrain: Residential street, exterior viewing only.