A Halloween Birthday Tradition of Spooks and Fun!
By Bruce X. Forey | Photography by David Teran
Some people celebrate their birthday with cake, ice cream, or a nice dinner, but Richard De La Cruz celebrates by hosting something fun and frightening. Born on Halloween, Richard passes on traditional birthday celebrations. Instead, he invites the community to his annual Alamo Heights haunted house.
“If you ask why I do it, it’s because it’s just a big party, and it’s a blast to do,” Richard said.
Fifteen years ago, Richard and his wife, Christina, started the haunted house while living outside of 78209. After moving to Alamo Heights nine years ago, the haunted house grew larger and more elaborate every year. Richard plans the haunted house nearly year-round, starting the day after Halloween.
“I always check out stores that sell Halloween decorations for any closeout deals I can pick up at a discount,” Richard said. “I also drive around the neighborhood throughout the year, looking for items people are throwing away that could work for the haunted house. One year, I found a weird-looking doll.”
He also recycles discarded building materials to replace worn-out siding, lumber, and other construction supplies. In August, Richard begins building the haunted house by digging and setting posts for the frame. Then, he finishes the exterior and interior. Family and friends help when they can, sometimes working right up to the big day.
“I put pressure on myself to finish it, and sometimes it comes down to the wire,” Richard admitted.
Richard tweaks the layout of the haunted house each year, incorporating new items he’s collected to create fresh scenes and new hiding places to scare visitors.
“It’s like a design-build. I get an idea and start doing it. I have everything from a barn and clown area to scarier sections with a cemetery, a jail with Hannibal Lecter, and creepy little demon girls.”
Word about Richard’s Haunted House has spread through the community. Neighbors even block off the street to vehicle traffic. Over four hours, a steady flow of Halloween characters line up, waiting for their turn to get spooked.
“When I see the line to get in, I think, I did it again. I pulled it off,” Richard said. “Seeing the kids smile and have fun just makes me happy.”
The scale of the project and the crowds it draws caught the attention of the city of Alamo Heights. For the first time, Richard must secure a special events permit, which includes inspecting the structure for soundness. As a professional engineer, he feels confident the structure is safe and that he can work with the city to continue hosting the haunted house on his property. “I don’t do it for money. People offer to pay, but I tell them no thanks. This is just a Halloween party I do for a good time.”
After the last trick-or-treater exits the haunted house, Richard takes a moment to reflect on what it took to pull off another Happy Halloween for the neighborhood.
“I have to thank my wife, Christina, for letting me do this craziness. She fights it every year, but in the end, she knows I love it, and she supports me, which I really appreciate,” Richard said.
And lest we forget, October 31 is also Richard’s birthday. During the evening, his family finds time to celebrate.
Richard added, “Family stops by, and we have lots of food, and they sing happy birthday to me, but the real party is the haunted house. It’s just fun to do this every year for the kids and our community.”
The De La Cruz residence is located at 308 Argo, and the haunted house is open on Halloween from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
