08/29/2026
What's up everyone for those who don't know, my name is John Minor Jr. I’m 34 years old. I started working in haunted houses when I was 15 years old, beginning at a local fairground attraction. From there, I kept pushing myself, learning everything I could about the haunted attraction industry and working my way toward bigger opportunities. I had the privilege of helping build and create scares at Fear Experience, where I gained experience that would stay with me forever!
As time went on, I continued building and creating haunted attractions alongside friends who became like family to me. I eventually had the opportunity to work my way into other local haunts continuing to learn, create, and chase the dream that had been in my heart since I was a kid.
Eventually, my family and I decided it was time to create something of our own.
We started a small haunted house at our home in Columbia Station. It was completely free to walk through, but the response from the community was incredible. People loved it, and seeing families and friends come together to experience something we had created was something I will never forget.
Unfortunately, our journey took an unexpected turn when our home caught fire. We lost our home and were forced to move away. It was one of the hardest moments our family had ever faced.
But sometimes, when one door closes, another one opens.
After searching for a place for months, we were incredibly fortunate to stay local and were blessed with the opportunity to become a tenant at the Historic Grafton School.
That opportunity changed everything.
What started as a childhood dream slowly became something much bigger. With the support of my family, friends, staff, and the wonderful Grafton community, we transformed that dream into a professional haunted house attraction.
I didn't start with a lot of money. I started with a dream, determination, and a little help from a friend who believed in me enough to loan me the money to get started. From there, we work, learn, built, and kept pushing forward.
And now, here we are.
Our second year of fear.
None of this would be possible without the people who have supported us along the way. Most importantly, my kids, my biggest supporters. They have been there through the entire journey, watching this dream grow from a little home haunt into what it has become today.
I'm incredibly proud of what my family and our entire team have accomplished.
We're not just building a haunted house.
We're building memories. We're building scares. And we're building something our community can be proud of.
To everyone who has supported us, visited us, volunteered, worked alongside us, shared our posts, or simply believed in what we're doing — thank you.
This journey started when I was just 5 years old.
Now, 29 years later, the dream is still alive.
Welcome to Grafton Haunted School House.
Our second year of fear is just beginning.
