The large two story house located just across the parking lots on Van Ness has been a sanctuary for Fresno City College students wishing to get away from some of the hustle and bustle of classes. It has also provided for some entertaining memories for those that live and visit the house.

This house, known to many as the Metal Mansion, has been an everyday stop for some students before, after, or between classes.

Occasionally, you will find someone new relaxing on the couches. You can also find someone recording or mastering a song onto their computer. The house has not only become a staple to students, but also to those in the local music community.

Many come to relax on the couch outside, use the internet, or play a various amount of vintage video games. Some even enjoy watching episodes of The People’s Court and Matlock, which are favorites in the house.

Some people even manage to get a bit of rest there too. “In between a few of my classes, I would take a nap on the couch outside. Arthur (a resident) would always come out, ask what I was doing, and invite me to sleep inside,” said Braden, an FCC student.

Two of the residents, Arthur Bueno and Mike Adame, are part of a band known as Hand Castles.

FCC students can hear them practicing from an upstairs bedroom every so often as they walk to classes. Depending on the time, you may hear them working on a variety of different projects.

The band has been eagerly working away at writing new material for various upcoming shows. One of these shows just happens to be taking place at the Metal Mansion.

The house has hosted some various get-togethers in which Fresno’s local talents have an audience to play for. Occasionally, the mansion pffers a second chance to bands who are cancelled elsewhere. A few months ago, when a show at local venue Kuppajoe was abruptly cancelled,

the house mates invited everyone over and held the show in their living room. “We posted signs at Kuppajoe telling everyone to come over,” said Adame. “It was tight!” One upcoming event will feature Circle and Circles, Jonah and the Whale, It’s An Icicle, and Tree’s and Vine’s.

The house received the nickname because many people who originally lived in the house were big metal fans. There is still a “Slayer”tagging on one of the walls in the house. Today, it is simply just referred to as The Mansion.

The house also has a bit of history to it. The house only became known as The Mansion roughly about six years ago when a group of friends leased the house. Since then, a variety of people have moved in and out over the last few years.

Many of the residents have found out that the house used= to serve as a halfway house. There are still some bells that are hooked up to some of the rooms that were used during that time.

They have been out of use for quite some time now and no one is sure what purpose they served. However, those who live at The Mansion still see some of the pasts of the house.

A few people haveclaimed to see a few ghosts in the house. One such encounter is narrated by Waldo Escobedo, a resident who said he had a friend over to help take musical equipment upstairs.

When his friend said he saw a figure with long hair standing at the top of the stairs, the figure would walk off, and reappear and then suddenly disappear.

After he shared his story with some people who lived there, they confirmed that they had seen the same figure previously. Other people have claimed to hear pounding against walls while everyone is sleeping, voices, and sounds of people walking up and down the stairs in the middle of the night.

These events have not left people packing their belongings. In fact, they are in the midst of planning renovations that will take place during the summer.

“Waldo just hired a gardener to take care of some of the landscaping,” said Adame. They also plan on doing some in-house renovations that include up-keeping their staircase.

In its various states, the house has always been welcoming to people wishing to stop by. Everyone from music fans to students have found a place to relax when they have some down time.

With its eclectic group of residents, you’re never quite sure what your visit may have in store. Some visit for the friends, the music, or various other reasons. In any case, residents of the mansions are always interested in making