Family-Owned Haunted Houses: Generational Stories of Scaring America

Each Halloween season, haunted house attractions spring up across the country, ready to thrill and terrify millions of visitors. While many are short-lived pop-ups, others are long-running institutions operated by the same families for generations. These family-owned haunted houses preserve spooky traditions while evolving with the times to deliver screams year after year.

The Origins of Family Haunts

Many family-owned haunted houses trace their origins to the 1970s. Trailblazers like the Hales family opened their first haunted house in a family barn in Pennsylvania in 1973. Along with other early pioneers, they experimented with and established many of the effects, scenes, and scare tactics still used by haunts today.

These founding families were instrumental in the evolution and popularity of the haunted house industry:

DecadeEstimated Number of Haunted Houses in US
1970sLess than 100
1980s500-800
1990s1,500-2,000
2000s2,500-3,500
2010s4,000+

(Source: America Haunts)

Today, there are over 4,000 haunted attractions in the United States, with an increasing number being established, and longstanding family businesses passed down through generations. About 25% of haunted houses have been in operation for over 20 years.

Behind-the-Scenes of Terror

Family-owned haunts are truly a labor of love that requires immense creativity, dedication, and a touch of madness. Building a successful haunted attraction involves much more than throwing up some decorations.

Pro Tip: Crafting an immersive, transformative environment is key. Every detail matters. Sights, sounds, smells, textures work together to create a visceral experience. The best haunts tell a story that the customer travels through.

ProductFeaturesLink
EVP Recorder Ghost Hunting Equipment- Paranormal InvestigationCompact and lightweight with 8GB memory, built-in microphone, and speaker for easy recording on the go. Features a backlit screen for convenient viewing anywhere.Buy On Amazon
Ghost Hunting EquipmentBWOU Ghost Detector alerts to EMF changes with adjustable sensitivity, temperature prompts, and LED alarms—perfect for serious ghost hunting.Buy On Amazon
ACEGMET Thermal CameraThe TR10 thermal camera boasts an enhanced resolution of 192×192, upgraded from a standard 96×96, providing exceptionally clear thermal images.Buy On Amazon
EMF Meter Detector 3-in-1 Digital Electromagnetic Radiation Magnetic Field Reader Tester3-in-1 EMF Detector for MF, EF, and RF fields with high-precision detection, data hold, 3-color alerts, and a versatile application range. Comes with a protective case, batteries, and a one-year warranty for worry-free use.Buy On Amazon
Spirit Hunter Dowsing Copper Rods99.9% Copper, Best dowsing rods are made of copper as copper is the second conductive metal making it very sensitive.durable and not easy to break.Buy On Amazon

Families spend all year planning, building, and preparing. Sets and animatronics are built in on-site workshops. Actors are meticulously cast, costumed, and trained. Timing, pacing, and customer flow is mapped out. New scares, scenes, and storylines are devised annually. It’s a huge undertaking requiring mechanical, technical, theatrical, and business know-how.

RoleResponsibilities
Owners/ManagersFinances, advertising, HR, scheduling
Set Designers/BuildersPlanning/constructing scenes, props, animatronics
Tech CrewLighting, sound, fog, special FX
Make-up Artists/CostumersCreating characters, applying prosthetics
Acting DirectorTraining performers, blocking, pacing
ActorsScaring customers in character
Security/Crowd ControlManaging lines, rules, safety

Pro Tip: Even traditional family haunts have had to embrace technology. Computerized lighting/sound systems, digitally controlled animatronics, and online ticketing are now the norm.

It’s a true family affair with parents, children, cousins, aunts, and uncles often working side-by-side. Kids grow up learning the family trade. Older generations pass down their wisdom but also stay open to youthful ideas.

Keeping the Screams Coming

To stay relevant, family haunts must deliver nostalgic favorites while innovating new frights. Customer expectations keep rising. Haunts have to keep up with slick special effects in movies and video games.

The industry has trended toward more elaborate, immersive environments with higher production values and more interactive experiences. But at the same time, many patrons still crave the comforting classics.

Pro Tip: Finding the right balance is key. Honor the haunt’s legacy and signature scares while sprinkling in fresh surprises each season. Give them the thrills they expect and the ones they don’t.

Example: The Haunted Trail – Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

  • Operated by the Coniglios for 22 years
  • Spans 1 mile trail in Balboa Park transformed with sets
  • Mixes traditional scares with innovative sets/scenes
  • Adds new features yearly – 3D clown attraction, laser swamp, hillbilly caverns
  • Uses online ticketing and social media marketing
  • Employs 115 monsters and staff
  • Attracts 16,000-20,000 visitors per season
  • Ticket price: $25

While haunting is big business (estimated $500 million a year), for family operators, it’s more about tradition than money. Scaring is in their blood. Each generation is driven to preserve their haunt’s legacy while making their own mark. It’s about the indelible memories made, the screams of laughter and terror, the goosebumps felt. That satisfaction of a scare well done gets passed on like a cherished heirloom.

Conclusion

Family-owned haunted houses are the lifeblood of the haunt industry. For many, visiting one is an annual rite of passage, a reliable source of homegrown horror. These haunts connect us to local lore and each other, providing a fun way for a community to celebrate fear. While the shocks change with the times, the spirit remains. And that’s a tradition worth screaming about.

YouTube Video Ideas

  1. Behind-the-Scenes Tours
    • Show the process of designing and building haunted house sets
    • Showcase the technology and special effects used
    • Interview family members about their roles and experiences
  2. Makeup and Costume Tutorials
    • Demonstrate how to apply scary makeup and prosthetics
    • Give tips on creating unique and terrifying costumes
    • Collaborate with popular Halloween makeup artists
  3. Scare Cam Reactions
    • Compile the best scares and reactions from each season
    • Create teaser clips to build anticipation for upcoming events
    • Encourage fans to submit their own reaction videos

Social Media Activities

  1. Facebook
    • Post daily countdown updates leading up to opening night
    • Share spooky images and teasers from inside the haunt
    • Run ticket giveaway contests and promotions
    • Encourage fans to post their photos and reviews
  2. Instagram
    • Showcase the detail and artistry of sets, props, and costumes
    • Feature behind-the-scenes photos and videos of the haunt in action
    • Partner with local influencers to do sponsored posts and takeovers
    • Use haunt-specific hashtags to build community and increase discoverability
  3. Twitter
    • Tweet real-time updates and special offers during events
    • Interact with fans before, during, and after visit
    • Share spooky articles, memes, and industry news
    • Participate in relevant hashtags like #HauntedHouses and #HalloweenCountdown
  4. TikTok
    • Create short, engaging videos showcasing scares, sets, and characters
    • Highlight unique and interactive elements of your haunted houses
    • Hop on popular Halloween trends and challenges
    • Encourage visitors to share their experiences and reactions

Read Our Articles