The scariest place in Delphi may be the safest place in town
By Debbie Lowe

Big scare time Cheryl and Dick Hawkins, left, along with friends Jeff and Elaina Jacot, right, prepare this year's Haunted Mansion on Armory Road in Delphi. They have their "eyes" on the crowd for safety and enjoyment. Other scary things can be found waiting for the brave of heart inside the mansion. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe

After 13 consecutive years in Delphi, the haunted house known as "Hawkins Manor" has become a tradition at Halloween. Located on Armory Road across from the high school, the large, classic, dark, looming, albeit temporary, 35 foot by 44 foot black building is being prepared for this year's scare of the season.

Delphi Tri-Township Volunteer Fire Department's Lt. Dick Hawkins and wife Cheryl delight in providing a safe place for children and adults to enjoy the event each Halloween.

Assisted by Jeff and Elaina Jacot, the haunted house is constructed in Hawkins' front yard with an emphasis on safety.

"I cook it up and Jeff builds it," Hawkins said. "The girls offer moral support, plus labor."

But that doesn't mean it's for the weak of heart. There are some mighty scary things in the nine-room horror house that can only be appreciated by a firsthand visit.

When visitors arrive, the wives play the role of guides through the house. They dress in black and carry a light source as they meander through the winding narrow halls, visitors in tow.

"They have carried candelabras in past years," Hawkins said. "But this year, we have a surprise for visitors!"

The project began in 1988 on the south side of Lafayette. Hawkins' children, Rebecca and Jason, came home from school one day talking about how their schools wanted to do a haunted house but they did not know how to make it happen.

The Hawkinses, whose house was already the neighborhood place for local children to visit and play games, decided they could tackle the responsibility. Hawkins said they were concerned

about safety and wanted to control what children were exposed to. The first year the "mansion" consisted of a cardboard maze in their back yard.

When the family moved to Carroll County, the project was located at Canal Park in Delphi for eight years and then moved to the couple's front yard.

"We wanted the kids to have clean and safe fun on Halloween," Cheryl said. "We've got grand babies now and we're still doing it."

Over the years, different themes, such as the Addam's Family house, Construction Zone Massacre and Children of the Corn, were employed to keep it interesting for visitors.

"The cool thing about it," Hawkins said, "is that we still enjoy it every year."

The event draws more than 500 visitors each year according to the couple.

"More and more people get involved every year, both in the building of the mansion and in the visiting," Hawkins said.

This year the mansion will be open for two days, Oct. 27 and 28. The structure will be dismantled on Oct. 29 and the

couple plans to do the traditional passing out of candy on Oct. 31.

"We don't like to do the mansion on a school night," Hawkins said.

Hawkins was unwilling to disclose the contents of the mansion, but did say he does all of the make-up on the "actors."

"People just have to come and see it for themselves," he said. "It's free and takes about 10 minutes to go through."

"I will say that our walls do bleed for our guests," he added. "We've got our "eyes" on the visitors. Pacemakers are welcome for parts."