Hamden haunted house will bring the fright on Halloween night

What was once a normal house on 1801 Whitney Ave. has now become a haunted attraction, with 51 tombstones engraved with the names of neighbors that all read “died on Oct. 31.”

Eric Andrewsen has been preparing for Halloween a year in advance for the past six years. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of people still chose to come to his haunted house despite the risk.

“Over COVID year I had over 400 trick-or-treaters,” Andrewsen said. “I usually get between 600 to 800 trick-or-treaters, but everyone was nervous about COVID, except for the people who wanted to have a good time.”

Andrewsen was inspired to create his haunted house to make people feel the same fright and excitement he felt when he went trick-or-treating when he was 8 years old.

“I was scared to death of this one house and they did something like this, not to this extent, but I actually shat my pants,” Andrewsen said. “I decided when I get older to give back with the memory that I had at 8 years old, then I will do it.”

Since his house was on a state highway, no one had come to Andrewsen’s first haunted house due to the risk of crossing the road.  It wasn’t until the second year when Andrewsen decided to add fog and music to attract more people.

“I had between 50 and 60 that year,” Andrewsen said. “I was like ‘oh okay, that’s cool. Now I’m going to up it.’ And every year it gets bigger and bigger.”

Andrewsen made all of his props by hand. He started creating the props in May, making sure he didn’t remake the same props from the year before. He made sure that each year was different and more grand from the last.

In September, Andrewsen had put up tombstones of 51 of his neighbors.

“I had asked people in this neighborhood, ‘I’m planning a surprise in the fall, can I use your full name,’” Andrewsen said. “[And] my gift to them is the stone when Halloween is over because they said yes. I’m using mine as a headboard.”

Many people that have come to his haunted house have been grateful for his effort, enough so that they sent Andrewsen fan mail. Even though they didn’t know his name, people would send him mail through his address.

“One woman four years ago, she said ‘you don’t know me, but my mother had cancer for three years, and when she was strong enough she asked me to get her in the car so she could drive by the house,’” Andrewsen said. “That was one of the most touching cards/letters I’ve ever gotten from a complete stranger.”

Andrewsen would not reveal any secrets about the haunted house, or how many actors or police will be taking part in the event, to avoid spoiling anything for anyone wanting to come for a fright.

“I don’t want to reveal any surprises,” Andrewsen said. “It’s like going to a movie and knowing what’s going to happen like the Titanic. Why would anyone want to go to the Titanic when you know the ship is going to sink?”

The haunted house is open on Halloween night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. depending on how many people plan on attending. 

“I can guarantee that this Halloween here, you won’t find this trick-or-treating going anywhere else,” Andrewsen said. “I can guarantee it.”