Tag Archives: haunted

Olivas Adobe

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About Olivas Adobe

Don Raymundo Olivas was granted 4,670 acres by the Mexican governor of California in 1847. Don Raymundo Olivas named his ranch Rancho San Miguel and built a house on the property for his large family. This house was later expanded to be two stories, and is the structure seen today. Don Raymundo raised cattle on the land and profited greatly from the gold rush. Don Raymundo died in 1879 and his land was parceled off to his heirs. The house was sold outside the family in 1899 but some portion of the Rancho remained in family hands until 1968. The adobe was purchased and restored by Max Fleischman in 1927 and gifted to the city of Ventura upon his death and opened as a museum in 1972.

Ghost Stories

The most famous supernatural inhabitant of the Olivas Adobe is the Woman in Black. She has been seen wandering the grounds and passing from room to room at all times of day by numerous people. The most common theory as to her identity is that of Teodora Olivas, Don Raymundo’s wife.

A man’s face has been seen looking in to a second story bedroom window. The window is to the room known as the “children’s room.” The face is said to resemble that of Nicolas Olivas, Don Raymundo’s eldest son. The Lady in Black has been seen looking out of the window onto the courtyard below.

Our Review

Unfortunately the Adobe was closed when we stopped by to visit, so we were unable to conduct a thorough investigation and review of the site.

Landmark No. 78

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About Landmark No. 78

The building that now houses the restaurant Landmark No. 78 was built between 1912 and 1914 by Carlo Hahn on land given to him by his brother-in-law, Giovanni Ferro. Ferro lived next door in the Schiappapietra Mansion. The Hahn house was built to compliment the mansion, and was therefore built in the same architectural style as its more impressive neighbor despite that style, Italianate, being 30 years out of date. The Schiappapietra Mansion was demolished in the 1950s, but the Hahn house remained in use as a private residence until 1971 when it was sold and converted into a restaurant. It was during its conversion that the front porch was enclosed and the addition on the eastern side of the building was constructed. The building is named after the landmark number assigned to it by the city of Ventura.

Ghost Stories

Landmark No. 78 is said to be haunted by the ghost of Rosa, the ghost of an Italian who immigrated to Ventura in the late 1800s with her family. It is said that she was forced into marriage by her father to a man whom she did not love nor loved her. In an attempt to find some happiness in her life, she had an affair. When she became pregnant as a result of this affair, she hanged herself in desperation. It is unclear where she was hanged, but it could not have been in the Carlo Hahn house as it was not yet built. People claim to have seen her staring longingly out of the round window on the second floor, walking down the staircase in a long elegant dress, in the banquet room, and the woman’s restroom.

Our Review

Mission San Bueneventura

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About Mission San Buenaventura

Mission San Buenaventura was founded on Easter Sunday in 1782 by Father Junipero Serra; the last mission founded by the famous monk. The current chapel was built between 1793 and 1809 after the previous church was destroyed by a fire. In 1893 the interior of the church was remodeled and updated to a more contemporary style, and the original artwork and murals were painted over. It was restored to a more traditional mission style in 1957. It still operates as a parish church to this day. All that remains of the mission are the chapel and a small garden. Also on the site is a Catholic School and a small museum and gift shop. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a California Historic Landmark.

Ghost Stories

A ghostly monk is said to appear wandering through the chapel and grounds. In some reports, the monk will only appear to Catholics.

Our Review

It is fair in comparison to the other California Missions that we have visited. The chapel is still a functioning catholic church, and the grounds are beautiful. Most of the mission complex beside the chapel and the courtyard has been razed, which is unfortunate.

Memorial Park

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About Cemetery Memorial Park

In 1862 citizens of Ventura recognizing the need for a cemetery create the town’s first city cemetery. The largest portion of the cemetery is reserved for Catholics with three small sections for protestants; Jews; and Chinese, Indians, and other races. In 1944 the cemetery becomes full, but within five years there are already plans to develop the land. A hedge is built around the perimeter to hide the cemetery, which is in a state of disrepair. The park is frequently vandalized (partially, I assume, because while the hedge hides the decaying cemetery, it also hides the vandals.) In 1963 a plan was adopted, despite protest, to turn the cemetery into a city park. Supposedly, letters were sent to any decedents of people buried in the cemetery informing them of the decision. The tombstones were removed in 1964 and put into storage for family members to pick up if desired. Many relatives claim they were not informed of the decision to remove the headstones. Those buried in crypts and mausoleums are buried below ground. In 1965 the land officially became a city park. Families who had requested it can have a bronze plaque placed on the site of their ancestors grave. In 1972 unclaimed tombstones are ground up and used in a levee. (We also heard that they were thrown into a canyon)

Ghost Stories

It is said that a teenager hung himself from a tree in the park, and his swinging body can still sometimes be seen in the tree. There are also reports of cold spots and a malicious presence.

Our Review

We both felt that the actions of the city towards this cemetery now park are deplorable. The lack of any marker identifying the park’s history, the location of the graves, or even the park’s name is inconceivable. We would urge the city leaders of Ventura to rectify any of these deficiencies as soon as possible. While we were visiting the site people were walking their dogs though the park, and we all know what dogs do on grass.

Victorian Rose B&B

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About the Victorian Rose

One of the most unique inns you are likely to come across, the Victorian Rose Bed & Breakfast is a converted church. Built in 1888, the church features a 96 foot tall steeple and stained glass windows. The building housed two different congregations consecutively (the first moved to a different building) and briefly operated as a wedding chapel and antique store before being converted over a span of two years into a bed and breakfast by its current owners. The decor of the bed and breakfast is very eclectic with a definite religious theme, appropriate considering the building’s history. There are numerous architectural elements and furniture pieces that have been decorated with beautifully done faux finishes and a plethora of cherubs and angels peeking out from almost every nook and cranny.

Ghost Stories

There are many ghost stories surrounding the Victorian Rose. There almost seems to be one ghost per guest room. The most common story is that of a woman who fell to her death from the choir loft (now the emperor’s bedroom). Some guests staying in the Emperor’s Bedroom have heard her singing. In the Timeless Treasures room a spectral minister is said to sometimes tuck the guests into bed at night. If you are staying in the Fleur-de-Lis room you might enjoy a foot massage during the night even though your partner is fast asleep. In the large central room that was once the sanctuary of the church, footsteps can sometimes be heard even though there is no one else in the room. We have some photographs of articles about the Victorian Rose and haunted Ventura on our Victorian Rose Photographs page. One of the articles was written by noted Ventura ghost hunter Richard Senate.

The owner used to be more interested in the supernatural aspects of his place, but now seemed inclined not to discuss it with us. He did however state that his brother-in-law has received a spectral foot massage.

Our Review

She Says:

Walking through the small door on the side, you can smell the age of the place. Then you approach the main room. And what a room! Everywhere you look, another treasure waiting to be discovered.. Antique furniture,books, dolls…
Then there are the bedrooms. The Fleur-de-Lis room has cherubs adorning its walls. To its right, the Wisteria room with its summers tints of light blues and pale yellows. The Victorian Rose room is decorated in red and greens. Across the main room, is the Timeless Treasures room with its beautiful stained glass hues. The best,in my opinion, is the Emperor’s Room, once the old choir loft; however, I have a soft spot for Asian decor…
There is a sense of peace, an aura of calm. It is the kind of place that you feel you can stay up late at night curled up with an old book… Granted, the cherubs and dolls are a bit creepy to me, but I suppose I have watched too many spooky movies…

He Says:

It reminded me a lot of Abigail’s Elegant Victorian in Eureka, Ca–Stuff to look at everywhere. It made me wish that the Victorian Rose had a scrabble game like Abigail’s did. The sheer number of cherubs and dolls could get a bit disturbing, but the decor was beautiful. The innkeeper, Richard, was extremely nice, helpful, and a pleasure to talk with. Unfortunately his wife, Nona, had broken her leg sometime before our visit, so we did not get to meet her. She is the half of the couple mostly responsible for the beautiful faux finishes throughout the inn. and although we were staying in the Fluer-de-Lis room and I could have used one after walking around all day on the hills of Magic Mountain, I did not get a foot massage during our stay. On the first day breakfast was a twice baked potato that was wonderful.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

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About Six Flags Magic Mountain

Six Flags Magic Mountain is an amusement park in southern California just a little north of Los Angeles. It opened in 1971 and has had numerous significant contributions to the science of rollercoasters. Among the parks accomplishments are opening the worlds first looping rollercoaster, the Revolution, in 1976, the first roller coaster to break 100 MPH, Superman: the escape, and the first “4th Dimensional Coaster,” X. The Park has changed hands a few times over the years, and is currently operated by the Six Flags corporation. Recently it was announced that Six Flags was exploring options to sell the park, but nothing concrete has yet been determined about the park’s future.

Ghost Stories

In speaking with several employees of the park on our summer 2006 visit we got some interesting stories. Most of these stories were from Vickie, an eleven year veteran with the park.

There is a “grey man” that is sometimes seen at the Jet Stream, the “boat ride.” Additionally, sometimes people on the ride and the station will feel their hair being pulled.

On the Psyclone, before there were three clicks on the safety restraints, a “fat woman” was thrown off the ride when the restraint failed. (We have found no reference to this person on any amusement related death list.) Also, the tunnel at Psyclone will have the sound of people walking in it when there isn’t anyone around.

Indians are said to have been seen wandering around Samurai Summit.

Some internet sources claim the following hauntings:

There is supposedly a child in a striped shirt that will run around and through the supports underneath the Colossus at night. Sometimes the chain lift and the anti roll-backs on the lift hill can be heard when the ride is shut down for the night.

The telephone in the Goliath Station is said to receive odd telephone calls from an otherworldly source after the park has closed. Feelings of dread have also been reported.

Cold spots and feelings of sadness and of being watched on the Revolution have been attributed to an employee that was killed on the ride when she stepped onto the track and was dragged by the train.

The apparition of a woman in a white dress has been seen in the area around the magic pagoda at night

Our Review

The best collection of roller coasters west of the Mississippi River, and arguably the best in the United States. “X” is our favorite rollercoaster and the world’s first “4th Dimensional Coaster.” Other impressive rides at the park include Tatsu, Riddler’s Revenge, Scream, and Deja Vu. Anyone with a love of rollercoasters should enjoy this park. The long standing war with Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio has lead to a great many wonderful rides being built at both locations over the past decade. Currently there is uncertainty about the park’s future due to its owners (Six Flags) announcing they were considering selling the park or the real estate under the park to help the company pay off some of its debts. Hopefully the park is able to maintain operation and continue its coaster war with Cedar Point. I doubt, regardless of the conclusion, that the coaster war will continue, unfortunately.

If there is one thing that Magic Mountain is lacking, it is theming. We wish that the themed areas were more consistent.

Wyndham San Jose Airport

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Formerly the La Baron Hotel, the Wyndham San Jose Airport is a hotel in north San Jose. The decor, seemingly stuck in the 70s, eerily reminded me of the “Overlook Hotel” from Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 version of The Shining starring Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall.

Ghost Stories

The Wyndham is haunted by a businessman who is said to have committed suicide in room 538. He is said to appear in hallways on the 4th, 5th, and 6th floors, in room 538, and in the dining room. Cold spots and orbs have also been reported..

Our Review

We have never actually stayed in the hotel, or in room 538. On our only visit we walked through the hallways near the haunted room in hopes of seeing a manifestation. The hotel looked nice enough even if its decor was a little dated.

Horton Grand Hotel

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About The Horton Grand Hotel

The Horton Grand Hotel started as two separate buildings on two separate plots of land in New San Diego (Now downtown San Diego). When the Grand Horton and the Brooklyn Hotels were slated for destruction in the 1970s they were purchased from the city of San Diego for a $1.00 each, dismantled brick by brick, stored in a warehouse, rebuilt and reopened as the combined Horton Grand Hotel in 1986. Wyatt Earp lived in the Brooklyn hotel when he was staying in San Diego. For a more extensive history check out the Horton Grand’s official site.

Ghost Stories

The ghost stories surrounding the Horton Grand Hotel are peculiar, even among ghost stories. Most explanations about who the ghosts are admit that the ghosts never stayed or even visited the current hotel. One of the theories to explain the ghost who is supposed to occupy room 309 admits that he could never have actually stayed in the room. His name is Roger Whitaker and he was either shot and killed in by his soon-to-be-father-in-law or was a gambler shot after cheating at a game of poker. More information on some of these theories can be found at hauntedhouses.com Guests staying in room 309 have reported being awoken in the middle of the night and having objects change location when the guests are asleep or out of the room.

Another ghost that is said to haunt the Horton is that of Ida Bailey, the madame of a brothel that occupied the spot on which the reformed Horton Grand was rebuilt. The hotel’s restaurant is named after her.

While we were on our tour of the building as part of the 2005 Ghost Trackers Ghost Hunter conference, The open area by the stairs on the fourth floor, there was a noise as if the door to either room 435 or 436 closed, but there was no one around. Near the armoire in the same area there was a thumping noise and it felt like the floor moved.

Another oddity was explained to us by another group at the conference. The couple that comprised Casper Paranormal Investigations were staying in room 309. They played poker one night and left the cards on the table. When they awoke in the morning, the 4 of spades was propped up in the bathroom.

We spoke to some women at the William Heath Davies house nearby, and they told us some interesting ghost stories about the Horton Grand Theater. Tricia Donaldson, who worked there as a Theater Manager, took her grandson to the stage to play. When they arrived only the ghost light was on, as is usual. Zach played the piano for a little while but soon got bored. He began to dance across the stage when the stagelights came on. Upon investigation they found that no one was there and the tech booth was locked. They heard a voice say thank you for playing. Afterwards, the lights turned off but the booth was still locked. On other occasions, Tricia would experience the sound of footsteps and the lights flickering in the hallway.

Our Review

The Horton Grand Hotel is fair among boutique hotels. There charge for WiFi was rather excessive, but they did have it. Our room was nice, if a bit on the small side, but the hotel is conveniently located to numerous attractions and the Gaslamp District. There are a lot of nice historical pictures and signs providing insight to the buildings storied past. The lobby is a pleasant place to relax and talk. Parking in the area can be a little difficult, and we recommend parking your car using the hotel’s valet service.  We stayed here while participating in the 2005 GhostTrackers conference.

Casa de Estudillo

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About La Casa de Estudillo

The Casa de Estudillo was completed in 1829 by commander of the Presidio of San Diego, Captain Jose Maria de Estudillo. He only lived in the house for a year before he died, and the house passed on to his son, Jose Antonio Estudillo. He served in many positions under Mexican and then Spanish rule. His family lived there until 1887. It was restored in 1910 and donated to the state. The house is currently operated as a museum.

Ghost Stories

Employees have reported seeing faces appear in mirrors when there was no one else in the room. There are reports of shadow apparitions, cold spots, and flashing red lights in some of the rooms, and the apparition of a monk has been seen near the room which served as a chapel. The ghosts of La Casa de Estudillo have also played music with no discernible source.

Our Review

He Says: A fairly well done museum of its type. Seems to have a lot more going on and more accessibility than the similar Olivas Adobe in Ventura, Ca. We were unable to interview any of the employees of the museum on our visit as their was a school group touring the house while we were there. Although, there are a fair amount of mirrors in the house as well as numerous pianos (although I do not know if they are functional) which could account for the stories of the ghosts playing music.

El Campo Santo Cemetery

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El Campo Santo Cemetery

El Campo Santo cemetery has a long and unfortunate history. After the rise of New San Diego and the decline of Old Town, the cemetery was no longer maintained. Just two years after the last body was buried there, a streetcar line was built through the cemetery over some existing graves. Preservationists began their campaign in 1937 by restoring some of the grave-markers and building a short wall around a small portion of the cemetery. At some point the streetcar line was converted into San Diego avenue, and paved over in the 1940s. The city was repeatedly petitioned to acknowledge that their were desecrated graves under the street. In 1993 the city sent a team with ground piercing radar to the sight and discovered at least 18 bodies buried beneath the street. The city first painted white crosses on the street to mark the graves, and eventually installed simple brass markers.

Ghost Stories

The most widely seen apparitions in El Campo Santo cemetery are an Indian or Hispanic man in 19th century clothing, and a woman also dressed in period. The man is said to float above the ground. Other times it is said that cars which are parked upon the graves have their alarms sometimes go on, even though no one is in sight of the vehicle.

Our Review

We both found it sad, and a little creepy, that there are graves underneath the street in front of the cemetery. We did not, however, see anything supernatural in our night time tour of the quaint graveyard.