He bought the property, along with the two houses on it three years ago, and wasn't sure what to do with it.

Then, the contractor, who also sells pumpkins, Christmas trees and fireworks, depending on the time of year, had a thought.

Why not embark on another seasonal venture, and turn the already spooky looking place into an official haunted house?

"It's just another venture," says Smith.

"We were trying to think of another use for the property, and it wasn't really good for anything else."

In the time that the Horror Zone has been open, Smith has only added to the experience. A corn maze spans the back yard, and a kid's play area offers something a little less scary for the younger ones.

While Smith utilized the old house's resident charm, he also added other elements to maximize the scare that patrons get. It is complete with a Lizzie Borden Room, a graveyard and a vortex (a spinning machine that throws off your center of balance).

But, some things can't be done with props.

"The darkness is your friend," he says. "The darker, the better."