Hey There

I first discovered the Holliday House 5 years ago, and it never left my mind. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it, though I never thought I could take on something like this. In 2023, after Covid and rising costs made it impossible to stay where I was, I took a leap of faith. I bought the Holliday House—not because I was wealthy, but because I believed in what it could become. Honestly, I think the house chose me long before I chose it.

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When I purchased the home at 55, I knew it would not be easy. My health has suffered from the long days and sleepless nights, and the stress has only made it worse. I worked nearly around the clock in the beginning, often until 3 or 4 a.m., to make the house safe and ready for the public in just three months. I knew I would never see the house fully restored in my lifetime, but my son—also an owner—would continue the work.

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When I opened the Holliday House, my goal was simple: to share a piece of Marion’s history—a home that has stood for over 130 years—with the community. I spent countless hours researching its past so its story could be preserved and shared.

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My vision was to create a welcoming place for everyone. I dreamed of family-friendly events like Halloween festivals with games, prizes, and costumes… Christmas celebrations with Santa, cake walks, and activities… and for adults, fun evenings like murder mysteries, escape rooms, and Valentine’s gatherings. I even pictured a cozy café-style setting where people could bring laptops, sip coffee, enjoy pastries, or simply relax. I was working toward adding a library space too—for those who just wanted a quiet corner to read.

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I didn’t buy this house because I thought it was haunted. I’ve always loved older homes—they carry so much history and character. After moving in, I realized some of the former residents still remain, and that’s when I chose to open the home for paranormal research and investigations. As a seasoned investigator, I wanted to give southern investigators a place to explore without having to travel so far north or west, since true haunted locations in the South are so rare. I hoped the Holliday House would become a home base for all of us.

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But it hasn’t been easy. Between my declining health, lack of money, people who offered help but never followed through, toxic “friends” who only used me, and the lack of real community support, it has been an uphill battle. All I wanted was to save this property, share its history, and help local businesses by drawing people to Marion. The guests who would have come here would need places to stay, eat, and shop—bringing revenue back to the city. But instead, I’ve come to feel unnoticed and unappreciated. Don’t get me wrong—there are a handful of wonderful supporters, and I thank them dearly. I just thought there would be more.

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And here’s the thing: I’m not even from Marion. I’m originally from North Carolina and moved to Myrtle Beach in 2015. Yet I know more about Marion’s history than I do my own hometown. For example, many people have always believed this house was a funeral home since 1903. That’s simply not true. It served as a private residence until the 1940s, when the Smith Brothers purchased it and turned it into a funeral home.

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I worked hard to uncover these stories—layers of wealthy, influential families, their secrets, tragedies, and misfortunes. History that many locals never even knew existed. If I am forced to sell, I fear this history will be lost forever.

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At this point, I am just worn out—tired of the struggle. I don’t want to kill myself working so hard to fix it up without help and with so little funding. This is my last attempt to keep the Holliday House alive. I am still meeting with the realtor regarding my options and have even found several other locations (outside of this area) that don’t require as much work. Maybe those towns and cities will be more supportive and appreciate what I am trying to accomplish. Or maybe, I will choose to find a place and simply call it home—no more events, investigations, or tours. Just focus on myself, travel, and enjoy the years I have left.

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I haven’t decided yet. The truth is, I’ve put so much time, passion, and love into the Holliday House—it’s my baby, something I created from the ground up—and letting go feels impossible. But I guess we will just have to wait and see what the next couple of weeks bring.

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Thank you to those who have believed in me and supported this dream.