THE AGNES KEIGH HOUSE,SANDAKAN, SABAH

Perched on a hill overlooking Sandakan Bay in Sabah, Malaysia, the Agnes Keith House (formerly known as Newlands) is one of the region's most famous "haunted" landmarks. While it is officially a museum dedicated to American author Agnes Newton Keith, its reputation for paranormal activity is so ingrained that it is now a pillar of Sabah’s "Dark Tourism" initiative.

The Haunting Legends

What makes this house unique is that the primary source for the hauntings is the author herself. Agnes Keith, despite claiming she didn't believe in ghosts, documented several eerie experiences in her writings.

1. The "Tall Woman" Apparition

Agnes frequently wrote about seeing a tall, gaunt woman in the house. In her book White Man Returns (1951), she described seeing the figure every day:

"I don't believe in ghosts. But every day I see a tall woman saying goodbye to her husband, picking up her baby and going down the street alone, standing at the end of the street and looking back."

2. The Bandaged Figure

After the Keiths left in 1952, the house was occupied by Rosemary Carlson (wife of the next forest conservator). Rosemary reported waking up at dawn to find a pale-faced woman with a white bandage around her head leaning over her bed and staring at her. The encounter was so terrifying that she reportedly passed out.

3. Modern Sightings

Museum staff, security guards, and visitors have reported:

• The Stairs: A female figure seen standing on the wooden staircase or vanishing into corners.
• The Roof & Windows: Locals have claimed to see a lady looking out from the upper windows or even standing on the roof of the house at night.
• Auditory Phenomena: Sounds of doors opening and closing in empty rooms.

Historical Context

The "haunted" nature of the house is often linked to the heavy history of Sandakan during World War II:

• War Trauma: The original house was destroyed during the Japanese occupation. Agnes and her family were held in internment camps (recounted in her famous book Three Came Home).
• The Rebuild: The current timber house was rebuilt in 1946–1947 on the exact same foundation as the destroyed home. Some believe the "energy" of the previous structure remained.
• Discovery of Remains: During her time in the garden, Agnes famously found a human skull grown into her orchids and a rusting sword nearby—grim reminders of the violence that occurred on the grounds.

Visiting Today

The house is now a beautifully restored museum under the Sabah Museum Department. It features colonial-era furniture, Agnes's personal belongings, and a gallery detailing her life.

• Location: Jalan Istana, Sandakan, Sabah.
• Dark Tourism: Recently, the Ministry of Tourism has even considered "night stays" or camping for paranormal enthusiasts who want to experience the atmosphere after hours.

Google Gemini AI

27 January2026:8.01 a.m