Dragon Manor, (so named because of the large, gold dragon-shaped weathervane on the highest gable), is the historical structure at 552 E Palmyra Avenue in Old Towne Orange.Be sure to see (check out) the historical plaque on the iron fence. The manor, now completely cloaked in creeping fig which was planted when the house was built 100 years ago, has been a Halloween hotspot for many decades. This tradition was carried on by the previous owners and was later (more recently) supercharged by the current owners.

Dragon Manor just turned 100 years old in 2025.

A vine called a creeping fig, which we believe was planted by the original owner 100 years ago, now covers the exterior, giving a mysterious, slightly creepy feel to the manor.

Fortunately, the manor house has a very large attic and a small basement. The garage has never housed a car since it, too, is full of whatever we need to cater to the needs of our skeleton guests.

During most of October visitors from all over (near and far) start to visit Dragon Manor and it can be quite busy here, especially on the weekends preceding Halloween. But on October 31 itself, we have to close the street to cars to keep people safe from traffic. The street and sidewalks completely fill up with trick or treaters from about 5 pm until 10 or 11 pm that night.

It varies but generally between 4 thousand and 5 thousand pieces of candy. One to each guest. 

We shop around but generally we spend between $500 to $700 each year on candy.

Yes. Donations are greatly appreciated. Hosting so many annual skeletons for a month plus the thousands of visitors that come every year is something we enjoy doing but find it difficult to do without donations. We do not make a profit from donations. We accept them simply to help defray costs. You’d never know it but skeletons eat a lot!

There is a large, functional golden weathervane on the roof in the shape of. . . What else?  A dragon.

The previous owners loved the original Addams Family television series which aired on ABC from September 18, 1964 until April 8 1966. It was shot in black and white and was aired for two seasons. There was a severed hand that was a character, which the Addams referred to as “Thing”.

What else would you expect skeletons to travel in?

Skeletons love bubbles because they represent the short, ephemeral nature of all human life. The skeletons want to remind everyone to live as good a life as you can because life is short

Smoke and bubbles, along with skulls and dying flowers among others symbolize the inevitability of death. What are the skeletons trying to tell you?

Skeletons have known since the middle ages than nothing says Halloween like scary organ music. Pipe organs actually date back to ancient Greece where they were operated by water. Around 757 AD more traditional pipe organs started showing up in churches and chapels all across Europe. Our skeletons got hooked on pipe organs in medieval France about this time.

Some of the skeletons pack up the hearse and are quick to leave before midnight on
All Hallows Eve to be sure to be gone before the arrival of All Hallows Day on November 1. We believe that some of the older skeletons who have arthritis and other age-related ailments prefer to hibernate somewhere in the recesses of our attic

Possibly! We do hear occasional bumps in the night coming from the attic

The skeletons only speak Latin. They were schooled in this while living in medieval France. They insist that visitors to the manor translate these Latin expressions. They are trying to tell you something. Their two favorite expressions are “Memento Mori” and “Mortui Vivos Docent.” Do you know what they mean?

The first year, the skeletons didn’t travel by hearse.  Since they travel so far, they asked if we could build a hearse to make their travels around America and Europe easier. So, Joel studied the hearses of Abraham Lincoln, Queen Victoria and the one at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion to create a hearse befitting these special guests

The clock, with fast moving hands, symbolizes the how quickly  life passes. Since time really does fly, the skeletons want you to know you should live the best possible life you can, while you can!

Yes, the skeletons insist upon it. They tell Joel and Mark in June or July what the theme of the festivities is to be so they can get busy and do their best to accommodate their wishes. No one wants to be on the bad side of these skeletons.

One year the skeletons insisted on having an indoor séance in the dining room. We learned the hard way that allowing over 900 people into your house on one night is a huge effort. We can’t promise we’ll do that again, but we never know what the skeletons need until they tell us.

The skeletons have already told us but they forbid us to share that ahead of time. In fact, they have told us themes for the next several years.

Yes, we have a team of artists, graphic designers and carpenters and volunteers who help Joel and Mark keep the skeletons happy. No one likes a cranky skeleton.