THE STORY
Reported Haunting
Holliday House, often called the House of the Dead, is associated with generations of local ghost stories and unexplained activity. Visitors have reported apparitions, mysterious footsteps, unexplained voices, and shadow figures throughout the historic home. Its tragic history has made it one of the area's most talked-about haunted houses.
Built in the late 1800s as the home of Jesse Gray Holliday, the Victorian residence later became Marion's first funeral home under Charles L. Pace. It continued operating as Smith Brothers Funeral Home and later Smith-Collins Funeral Home for more than 100 years before closing in 2015. During its years of abandonment, the building's decaying funeral parlors, embalming room, caskets, hearse, and other artifacts fueled its eerie reputation and earned it the nickname "House of the Dead." Paranormal enthusiasts have reported unexplained noises, shadowy figures, strange feelings, and other unusual experiences within the historic structure. The property was restored in 2024 and is now a private residence.