By Zach Cooper
In last weeks podcast, we talked about a dozen haunted places we have been. Here is information on all of the destinations we talked about.
ALCATRAZ ISLAND:
In its early years, Alcatraz was used as
a military base and a prison. This was during the time of the American Civil
war and also the Spanish American war. To start off the 20th
century, a new cell house was constructed. Until 1933, Alcatraz continued to
house military prisoners. On July 1st, 1934, it became a federal
penitentiary. Alcatraz is said to be haunted by prisoners including Al Capone,
and Robert Stroud. Reports of voices and
music have been heard, along with cold chills. Solitary Confinement cells are also reported haunted, especially 12, and
13. We had a ghostly experience of it ourselves. Even reports of cameras by
other people have stopped working.
QUEEN MARY:
The year is 1930 in Scotland. The Queen Mary is under construction. It was job
#534 for Cunard Line. After time lost due to the Great Depression, the Queen
Mary embarked on its maiden voyage on May 27th, 1936 from
Southampton, England. For 3 years, the ship hosted many famous people like
comedian Bob Hope. In 1939, she became a troopship for World War II. The Queen
Mary was even painted in a darker color. Finally in 1947, the ship began
carrying normal civilians. In 1967, the Queen Mary arrived at her new home in
Long Beach. Over 50 people have died on the ship, some accidents and others in
the ships hospital. In 1966, a fireman named John Pedder died, crushed by a
watertight door (#13). Many have felt or heard a presence of John in the shaft
alley. The Queen Mary 1st and 3rd class pool is also said
to have paranormal activity. A young
girl named Jackie reportedly drowned in the pool. Reports of her singing,
giggling and talking have all been reported and recorded. Another ghost named
Grumpy is also said to haunt the pool, usually under the first class swimming
pool stairs. It is also said he haunts the hallways, known to be a jokester
growling. When we were at the 1st class swimming pool, one of our
team members reportedly felt a strand of her hair yanked from her head. This took place in the hallway. Could this of
been Grumpy? Another ghost is John Henry, who was found by the Green Room,
which is next to the Boiler Room. Many people have also seen shadows of people
and dark figures all around the ship.
HOTEL DEL CORONADO:
In 1888, the Hotel Del Coronado welcomed its first guests. This hotel is
located on the island of Coronado in Downtown San Diego. The Del was created to
host the middle and higher class with many luxuries, since the Del sat next to
the beach. Over the years, the Hotel Del has welcomed many guests like Charlie
Chaplin, President William Taft, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ronald and Nancy Regan,
and even Frank L. Baum, author of the Wizard of OZ. In the early 19 hundreds,
Frank lived at the Del for months at a time. It has been said that Baum
designed the crown chandeliers inside the Del’s Crown Room. In 1958, the movie
“:Some Like it Hot” was filmed at the Hotel Del and in Coronado. The movie
stars Marilyn Monroe, and has been claimed the number one comedy of all time.
Not all Hotel guests were not like us humans. In November of 1892, a “beautiful
stranger” checked in under the false name of Lottie A. Bernard. Her real name
was Kate Morgan. Just 5 days after, there was a wounded Kate on a exterior
hotel staircase. The wound was on her head, caused by a gunshot, which killed
her. Ever since that day, it has seemed like Kate’s presence has never left.
Guests have heard and seen her white figure. People who stay in her hotel room
report running chills and problems with the TV.
WHALEY HOUSE:
In 1857, Thomas Whaley built a large house in what is now Old Town, San Diego,
located minutes from downtown. The 2 story house included man luxuries to brag
about. Thomas even said, “My new house, when completed, will be the handsomest,
most comfortable and convenient place in town or within 150 miles from
here.”The house was built on where Yankee Jim Robertson was hung years earlier. In 1885, Thomas moved in his Whaley family
members. Thomas Whaley came to California in 1949, the start of the Gold Rush.
When his house was built, he opened up a general store at his house. Because
his house was not in a populated area, the store was relocated. Thomas and Anna
had 3 children: Francis Hilton, Anna Amelia and Thomas. Sadly Thomas died when
he was only 18 months old. In 1958, a fire destroyed the Whaley’s offsite
general store, forcing a move to San Francisco. There they then had 3 more
children. Soon after the decided to move back down to San Diego. Thomas decided
to keep the general store at his house. It was really more of a business in the
house as a theatre group had shows upstairs, along with the San Diego County
Courthouse, who rented several rooms to hold records. Daughter Violet Whaley
married in 1882, but divorced in 1884. Violet then suffered depression, later
shooting herself in the heart in 1885. This took place inside the home. Soon
after, that house became vacant for many years, until in 1909, after Thomas’s
passing, Francis Whaley began to restore the place.
EL CAMPO CEMETARY OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO:
Between 1850 and 1880, a small cemetery was in use, just blocks from the Whaley
House. At that time, almost 500 bodies were buried there. If you go today, that
would be hard to believe, since the cemetery is so small. That is because many
graves were paved over to create Old Town streets and sidewalks. There are many
reports of cars not starting if parked by the cemetery grounds. The cemetery
also includes a burial for Yankee Jim Robertson who was hung on the Whaley
House grounds.
LA CASA DE ESTIDILLO OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO:
In
1825, Don Jose Antonio de Estidillo built a home for himself. This adobe house
held 3 generations of his family all the way until 1887. Over many years, this
house was used for many things. This included a church, fort and even a
government office. The mansion holds 13 rooms, some said to hold paranormal
activity. One site claimed that in 1988, a paranormal group did some
investigations inside the casa and met an angry presence, who even broke the
lens of a photographer. Today you can visit the La Casa Se Estidillo, and learn
about its past.
DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS:
You may know the Del Mar Fairgrounds as a large event holder in San Diego,
hosting the Scream Zone in the fall and the San Diego County Fair in the
summer. Along with that are dozens of horse races that take place throughout
the year. The fairgrounds are 370 acres of land, built in 1936. The area full
of paranormal activity was once a VIP or first class club. Many believe the
people who helped start up the grounds are still lurking around.
MISSION INN:
Located in Riverside, California is the Mission Inn. It all began in 1876, when
the lot was a two story adobe house. In 1903, Frank Miller opened up the first
wing of the hotel. He loved all of the California missions, so he decided to
incorporate it into a hotel. He later
added 3 more wings to the hotel, making 238 rooms. Over the years, the Inn has
hosted presidents like William Howard Taft, George W. Bush, John F. Kennedy,
and more. Hollywood has also paid a visit from stars like Harry Houdini, Bob
Hope, and Miss Piggy (Muppets). Frank sadly passed away in 1935, leaving the
hotel up to his family: daughter her husband. They died in the 1950s. Many
believe the Millers haunt the hotel, since they spent so much time working and
creating it. So called “Aunt Alice” Miller and Frank Miller are said to haunt
their formal rooms on the 4th floor. Much paranormal activity has
come from the hallways, especially in Author’s Row.
STAR OF INDIA:
It all began in a shipyard in 1863. After 5 months of building, the Euterpe or
Star of India set sail. Until 1901, the ship was a full rigged wonder on the
sea. The ship went through 2 very hard trips to India, the first having a
collision and the second when she was caught by a cyclone. Not too long after,
the captain died on board. After that, the Euterpe had 4 lucky voyages back
into India carrying cargo. After all these years, the ship has sailed around
the world 21 times. The ship is currently living in downtown San Diego, a part
of the Maritime Museum fleet. The ship was actually turned into an Assassins
Creed last year during San Diego Comic Con, which welcomed aboard many members
of the media and special guests. Yes, the ship is said to be haunted. In the
late 1800’s a young teen named John Campbell was a stowaway on the Star of
India. The crew found him, and instead of making him walk the plank, put him to
work. While high in the rigging, John fell to the ground, crushing his legs.
Three days later he passed away. Many still feel his presence by where he fell.
Many ghost investigators have been brought aboard, and have discovered way more
activity. Another ghost said to still be residing on board is a women by the
name of Suzette, who is said to be murdered. One day, a investigator asked for
the spirit Ben to place his hand on the railings. And that is exactly what they
got, all captured on tape.
DISNEYLAND:
In 1955, Walt Disney opened up Disneyland, an amusement park located in the
rural area of Anaheim. For about the last 12 years of his life, Walt dedicated
himself to building up the park that would never stop building. Tens of
millions of people visit Disneyland Resort annually, so it is no surprise that
there is some paranormal activity. Many believe Walt Disney haunts the area of
Main Street, especially in his apartment above the firehouse. One website
mentions that a caretaker was busting in the room and turned off the light when
her job was finished. When she got back down to the ground, she saw the lights
were on. Then she went back up and turned them off. Looking back, the lights
were on again. Was Walt making his presence known, or maybe he just wanted some
light in the room. New Orleans Square on the west side of Disneyland is said to
also be haunted by Walt and his wife Lillian. Rumor has it that there was a young boy who loved the
Haunted Mansion. He died of young age, and his mother snuck in and scatted his
ashes on the ride. People have heard him especially near the exit of the
attraction. Another boy is said to make an appearance on Pirates of the
Caribbean. It could possibly be the same boy or not. Not too far away is Tom
Sawyer Island, said to be inhabited by ghosts of high schoolers who drowned
swimming to the island. This was during one of the many Grad Night Celebrations
that take place. The Matterhorn is said to be haunted by a mother named Molly,
who died on the ride when she took off her seatbelt to check on her kids. She
fell off when the bobsled made a sharp turn, getting run over by the up and
coming bobsled. Many have seen some strange movements of dolls after hours at
It’s A Small World, with the legend that a mechanic got fired from the park,
but snuck back in and lived there for a few days, before people discovered his
body.
KNOTT’S BERRY FARM:
Since 1940, Knott’s Berry Farm has been
a popular southern California destination. Only 10 minutes from Disneyland is a
160 acre lot of rides, shows and attractions. The park was created by Walter
and Cordelia Knott. Since Disneyland park is only 8 miles away, it is said Walt
Disney and Walter Knott both were friends and visited each other’s park many
times. In the 1950’s and 1960’s many spent time at Disneyland, then in the
evening drove up to Knott’s Berry Farm
for Mrs. Knott’s famous chicken dinner. In 1940, Walter built a Ghost Town,
where he could allow guests to step back into the old Californian times. He
also added a railroad, cable car, and log ride. Walter Knott was a big fan of
Calico Ghost Town, one of the most haunted California destinations. It wasn’t
until 1968 when admission was charged. Many consider it America’s first theme
park. Walter passed away in 1981 at age 91. It is said that the farm does hold
paranormal activity. In the Camp Snoopy section of the park, lights are
automatically turned on and off. An anonymous former employee claims she heard
a child’s laugh before the park opened, along with the shifting of bells and
trash cans. This same employee also saw a ghostly figure around Ghost Rider,
seen by other coworkers too. Knott’s Berry Farm continues to be a popular theme
park, as it is the 12 most visited theme
park in the USA.
