Higgins Manor 2015 Recap

Mission Viejo, CA

So... today was supposed to feature an update from this year's Higgins Manor, a home haunt with longtime Westcoaster affiliations.  Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans, and the time I was planning on using to photograph was rained out.  So instead, we're going to do a bit of a "Throwback Tuesday" and look at last year's Higgins Manor, which gives an idea of what's in store for 2016.

The general theme remains the same.  William P. Higgins III was a ruthless, greedy, villainous late 19th century land owner in the area of what is now known as Mission Viejo.  Through a series of unscrupulous deals, hostile takeovers, and sheer violent intimidation and force, he and his immoral henchmen acquired more and more property at the expense of the local population.  During one attack, though, Higgins came upon a local shaman, chanting to protect his sacred land.  In cold blood, Higgins murdered the native spiritual, but not before he placed a curse on Higgins and his family.  In the ensuing years, Higgins began losing family members through tragic and mysterious circumstances.  His wife and his children died in inexplicable ways, and the power-hungry Higgins slowly descended into madness and despair as his very closest were taken away from him.

Higgins died, rich but alone.  But in death, his spirit would not be silenced.  He swore vengeance upon the forces that had claimed his family.  Now, over a century later, Master Higgins still roams the area of South Orange County.  Believing the lands that have now been developed into suburban tract communities to be stolen from him, Higgins and his band of supernatural henchmen return every Halloween to wreck havoc and instill terror upon all who dare venture into the property that once belonged to him.  Master Higgins still believes himself the rightful owner of the land, and he won't hesitate to destroy anyone he believes stands in his way!

Master Higgins welcomes us to his cursed estate.

We'll skip around out of order to preserve a bit of surprise around Higgins Manor.

One of the many scenes last year was the Pink Whiskers Brothel and Saloon.

It comes complete with the Soiled Doves, a pair of brothel workers, shall we say, who love interacting with guests.

These gals were one of last year's big, entertaining hits, their playful innuendo bringing a slightly inappropriate but still fun element to the haunt.

They'd do anything... for a price.

Nearby, the Foreman was on the constant lookout for new henchman candidates.

He was not an easy going foreman either.

On the search.

The Boiler Room provided a close encounter with one of the Higgins children.

Cyril was the younger brother, but don't call him little!
 

Just his presence alone was enough to intimidate many guests.

Talk about a very close encounter...

...and heaven forbid you made him angry.

Another infamous character last year: Uncle Sloppy.

He could be found in the Outhouse.

As one can guess, he was... not clean.

Toilet humor in a maze?  Sure, why not.

The scene certainly made an impression on many visitors.

Continuing on, here's the Hallway into the Parlor.

The bookcase that served as a hidden door in 2014 was more fixed last year, since the surprise factor would have been gone.

Here, Master Higgins greeted incoming guests after they were dropped off by the mouthy Maid.

The Parlor served as the backstory room.

An audio spiel informed guests of the story of William P. Higgins III and his quest for vengeance.

And then a startle scare sent them scurrying on their way.

Over in the Crypt, dark ghoulies lurked.

A fresh body, and possibly a guest to join?

The overgrown Garden held camouflaged secrets that sent many a guest shrieking in fright after a great startle scare.

The Bedroom also returned from previous years.

This was the scene for Master Higgin's youngest daughter.

A petulant girl, she killed her older twin sister because she wouldn't share the toys.

Of course, that meant she needed someone new to play with.

For ever and ever...

...and ever.

A portrait of Master Higgins.

Surprise!

Drop portrait was quite an effective ploy.

And the theming in this room, as throughout the haunted house, was fantastic.

Higgins Manor will be open this upcoming weekend from Friday, October 28 through Halloween night, Monday, October 31.  Hours of operation are 7-10pm for all four nights, and anyone in line before 10pm will be allowed in.  Admission is free, and donations are welcome to support Greendog Foundation, a non-profit animal rescue that helps rehabilitate and find homes for man's best friend.  It's a great cause, and a great haunted house, with plenty of excitement and an experience that is competitive with big-time professional haunts.

We'll follow up this weekend with an update for this year's event (weather permitting photography).  But Higgins Manor is a great neighborhood event that has become a bit of a buzz among home haunts in Orange County.  Go check it out this Halloween weekend!  You might even run into yours truly!