HAUNTED MEMORIES: Ottawa Lake Family Continues Haunted House Tradition in Backyard

By DOUG DONNELLY

Advance Editor

OTTAWA LAKE – Allie Pawson was 7 when her dad, Cal Pawson of Ottawa Lake, had an idea.

“I just wanted to do something for the kids to do for Halloween,” Cal said. “I took our playscape, put a tent in front of it and the kids would zig-zag through it. That was about it.”

To Allie, it was the best thing ever.

“It was so cool,” she said. “I showed all of my friends.”

Now, Allie is 17 and her backyard is still the coolest thing ever. The family, with a little help from some friends, is now 10 years in to putting on a Halloween haunted house, saloon and general store right at the corner of Consear and Whiteford Center Rds. About 1,000 people annually trek their way through the three buildings and come out with the hair raised on the arms and smiles on their faces.

“To have people come through not expecting something like this just in the backyard of someone’s house is great,” Cal said. “They get done and holy Christmas, they tell us, that was good. It surprises everyone. That’s what keeps me going. I keep threatening to tear it down and a build a nice barn, but when people stop and parents keep bringing their kids, it’s really cool.”

The “Mini Manor” was first. Then when Pawson decided to build an addition onto his house, he decided to move the shed that was in the way. He moved it right next to the Mini Manor and created the saloon and general store.

“I love Western movies,” he said. “I’m always watching them. It was kind of my inspiration. I didn’t want it to be a monstrosity for the neighbors. It’s kind of a neat little Western town.”

The family has picked up old signs, iron pots and decorations from thrift stores or garage sales to add to the décor. Friends have donated things like deer hoofs and the tailgate from a Jeep. One neighbor was tearing down a deck and Pawson took the wood to put a porch on the Mini Manor.

“We try not to buy a whole lot,” Pawson said. “People will give us stuff. Everything here has a story. I try to utilize everything I can.”

What’s somewhat ironic is Pawson doesn’t go crazy for Halloween. He just likes to express his imagination.

“It was an escape from the seriousness of my real job,” he said. “I work at a hospital, in the medical field. I just needed an escape. This is creative and fun and I get to use my imagination.”

Inside the displays aren’t gory, but fun. He tries to play with people’s sense of smell and feel in creating the scary scenes. 

“I just want to keep it detailed and fun. Not gory, but kid-friendly,” he said. “I’ve had 2-year-olds who love it and can’t get enough of it. Then you have teenagers who can’t get through it because it’s too scary. We want to startle people more than scare them.

“We don’t want to traumatize anyone. We want it memorable and fun.”

Inside, Allie’s friends take to the different stations. They communicate via walkie-talkies to make sure they are on the same page when patrons come through.

“We have about 50 costumes,” she said. “They just come for the night and pick out a costume and have fun.”

The Pawson’s took some time off of the haunted business around COVID, but Allie and her friends decided last year they wanted to revitalize it. 

“They came in and tore out the ceiling and cleaned it all up,” Pawson said. “Her and Garrett (Schalmo) really were responsible. It took the load off of me and gave me motivation to do it again.”

The Pawson’s do not charge admission, but they do take donations. Last year nearly 1,150 people went through the set-up. 

“I didn’t start it because of money,” he said. “I started it because of memories. The kids that come through here they may not have the opportunity to go through some of the bigger ones, financially or otherwise. What I’m after is the impact that it has on a generation of kids coming through here – in 10 years they might remember this and say, ‘I want to do something like that.

“That is more motivating than money. I enjoy that aspect of it.”

The 2025 display debuted Friday with 34 customers. More than 100 came on Saturday.

“There is no limit,” Pawson said. “You can go through it as many times as you want. Makes no difference for me.”

The Mini Manor, Saloon and General Store will be open from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday for the next two weekends. The last day it will be open is Saturday, Nov. 1.