The Haunted Heart of Weston: 718 Spring Street’s Ghostly Guests and Holiday Glow

Once home to Boone and Lee descendants, this storied residence proves that in Weston, some guests never leave.

On a Quiet Street in Weston

On a quiet street in Weston, the glow of lanterns once again flickers through the windows of 718 Spring Street. Locals say laughter sometimes echoes when no one’s there — perhaps the lingering guests of a home that’s seen five generations, two centuries, and more than a few mysteries.

Before it became a stop on Weston’s Ghost Tour and a beloved feature of the Historic Holiday Homes Tour, this stately residence was home to descendants of Daniel Boone, Robert E. Lee, and even President Zachary Taylor. Over time, it became a fixture in local lore — a place where history, heritage, and the occasional haunting overlap.

A Labor of Love — and a Few Surprises

Perhaps the house had been waiting for someone like Terry and Mary Beth McKinzie, caretakers willing to peel back decades of dust and neglect. When the McKinzies purchased the home in 2005, they expected hard work — but not the welcome committee they received.

That first Thanksgiving weekend, a tornadic microburst ripped through Weston. The roof gave way, windows shattered, and rain poured in. Terry drove from Overland Park to board up the damage, but as he worked alone in the quiet house, he heard footsteps above him. “I called out, thinking someone had come to help,” he recalls. “No one answered. Then I heard something like wood slats hitting brick — and decided to finish in daylight.”

The McKinzies spent months repairing what weather and time had worn down. In the process, they seemed to awaken more than the house’s beauty.

Footsteps Above, Laughter Beyond

When the freshly restored home joined Weston’s Holiday Homes Tour, visitors began reporting unusual encounters. One young woman paused halfway up the stairs and announced, “You have people upstairs. I’m going up.” No one else had entered.

Another guest, pale but polite, hurried back inside after leaving. “My mother’s a pastor and doesn’t believe in this,” she whispered, “but I saw them — a girl in a chair by a bed, and a man in the dining room.” Moments later, every battery-powered candle in the kitchen flickered out at once. A quick flip of the switches brought them back, but the coincidence lingered.

Later that night, as the family recapped the day’s excitement, Mary Beth heard a man laugh upstairs — followed by the sound of several voices joining in. “Party’s over!” she called up the stairs. The reply: more laughter. Her sisters promptly packed their bags and left.

When History Comes to Call

Among the McKinzies’ heirlooms is a small wall clock handed down through Terry’s family — descendants of President Taylor. The clock hadn’t been wound in decades, and its key sat miles away in Overland Park. Yet when it was placed on a third-floor mantel, it began to chime. Eleven times.

Over the years, visitors have described shimmering reflections, lights gliding up stairways, and a dog barking at thin air before bolting for the car. Even a Weston merchant once claimed to feel a child’s hand brush the back of her neck — a fleeting, electric moment that left her speechless.

Maybe these are tricks of light and imagination. Or maybe the past simply enjoys good company.

The Spirit of the Season

Today, 718 Spring Street stands beautifully renewed — a testament to perseverance, craftsmanship, and the devotion of those who refuse to let history fade. The McKinzies have opened their doors for countless community events, from Weston’s first Ghost Tour to its celebrated Holiday Homes Tour.

This year, the home will once again welcome guests for the 2025 Historic Holiday Homes Tour, Saturday and Sunday, December 6–7. Whether you come for the heritage, the design, or the whisper of something unseen, one thing is certain: 718 Spring Street never fails to leave an impression.

So step inside, take a look around — and if you hear laughter where there shouldn’t be any, just smile. In Weston, even the ghosts are hospitable.

Experience it yourself:

🕯️ Weston Historic Holiday Homes Tour

📅 December 6–7, 2025

🎟️ Tickets available at westonmo.com