Whaley House in San Diego is considered haunted. Located in
Old Town Historic State Park, it
offers tours.
It's no wonder many are skeptical about the claims of ghosts in San
Diego. Throughout the years there have been hundreds of claims that
buildings are haunted, and we have personal knowledge of
embellishment of a ghost report to help garner press at an historic
San Diego building that once sought to increase its sales by adding
an air of mystery to its hallowed halls.
Throughout the years of ghost
talk, one report that the ghost of a playmate of the Whaley children
can be spotted. A little girl allegedly broke her neck on a
low-hanging clothesline in the backyard. There are no records of any
child dying this way at the Whaley House, and some claim the story
was concocted by a former Whaley House employee seeking to add to
the house's mystique.
Even so, anomalous or
unexplained phenomena exist in many of San Diego's haunts, and
within my own family came reports from a relative who worked many
years in Hotel del Coronado that it was truly haunted. Located in
Old Town San Diego, the Whaley House is said to be haunted.
Once a granary, the County Court House, San Diego's first commercial
theater, and Thomas Whaley's own general store, it also was where
Violet Whaley committed suicide in 1885. The mid-nineteenth century
Greek Revival architecture makes the building look quite stately and
the furthest thing from what one would associate with ghost
hauntings.
Yankee Jim, or James Santiago
Robinson hanged on a gallows off the back of a wagon where the
house now stands. Even though Thomas Whaley was a spectator at the
execution, he bought the property for his family home. Phantom
walking noises and windows becoming unlatched and flying open are a
few mysteries. On the upper landing a figure dressed in frock coat
and pantaloons, has turned away and faded from view. A small figure
of a woman with a long skirt, cap on her head, dark hair and hoop
earrings has been observed, then fades from view.
If you think the public isn't
interested in ghosts, you couldn't be more wrong. Volunteers and
docents report over 100,000 people visit the Whaley House annually,
coming from around the globe to satisfy their curiosity.
Programs such as The Travel Channel's America's Most Haunted
have helped perpetuate stories and spur interest. Declaring the
Whaley House the most haunted house in the US, the reach of this
program has significantly contributed to attendance from those
stating they have interest in ghosts. There's nothing new about such
claims, as many places in San Diego such as Hotel del Coronado,
likewise, are said to be haunted. But for those who have seen ghosts
before or experienced unexplained events, your chances for an
encounter is reportedly high at this location. Whaley House, 2476
San Diego Avenue, San Diego, CA. Open daily except Thanksgiving and
Christmas.
Hotels located within historic
Old Town's dining, shopping and tour region include Holiday Inn.
Hotel Circle is nearby and is known for its numerous chain hotels
offering affordable rates. Since parking can be a challenge on busy
weekends at Old Town, having a hotel within walking distance is
quite convenient. Public transportation options and tour buses
pick up at an Old Town location.
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