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In 1882, Violet and Anna Whaley married George T. Bertolacci and John T. Whaley, respectively. But just two weeks in Violet’s marriage, she awoke one morning during their extended honeymoon to find that her husband had left. Completion on the house was finalized at the end of 1868, and all was well with the Whaleys. Sadly, any happiness that was to be found proved to be short-lived, for in 1885, one of their six children, Violet, took her own life.
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Others have seen curtains moving even though all the windows in the home have been sealed shut. The sounds of children running up and down the stairs can be heard without anyone being seen. Footsteps, cold spots, the appearance and disappearance of shadows have all been seen, felt and heard by guests. Self-guided tours through the Whaley House during the daytime generally take about 30 minutes. The Whaley House Museum offers a youth docent program, where kids ages can get involved with the museum and learn more about its history.
A Brief History of The Whaley House
Today, the Whaley House, billed as “America’s most haunted house,” is managed by Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego, which runs haunted tours. The property’s history as a site for executions, along with tragedies suffered by the Whaley family, have fueled rumors that the house is haunted. The fears date back to 1857, when Whaley’s wife Anna wrote of “being startled out of my sleep in the night” by sounds and footsteps, though no one else was home.
San Diego County to Experiences Multiple Freeway Lane, Ramp Closures
From 1869 through 1871, the Whaley House became the gathering place for the entire San Diego community. The San Diego County government had been renting a portion of Whaley House for its offices and records. The museum includes restored rooms that represent how the house would have looked from 1868, shortly after the Whaley family moved to New Town and constructed the house, to about 1871. During this time period, the Whaley house served as a county courthouse, a town theater, and the Whaley and Crosthwaite General Store. Recognized as America’s Most Haunted House® and shrouded in mystery, ghost-hunters flock to the iconic Whaley House, grounds of the original Old Town gallows site.
Even if you don’t believe in the supernatural, a visit to the Whaley House is a great look into the past. Please note that this tour requires going up and down stairs, and traversing over uneven grounds. For those guests who are unable to take the stairs, we are happy to provide a tablet with an audio/visual presentation of the second floor of the Whaley House. From its rich Greek Revival architecture style and authentic decor to its mysterious and chilling past, it’s no wonder why this home attracts visitors from all over the world. Journey through the famed Whaley House and learn all about its illustrious past.
Annual Halloween Events
After moving in, Francis set about restoring the property and entertaining tourists by playing his guitar and telling stories about the house’s background. In the years that followed, most members of the Whaley family returned to live and eventually die in their original family home, including Francis who passed away one year after his mother Anna, in 1913. It wasn’t long after the Whaley family moved into the home that sadness and despair were thrust upon them. First, their young son Thomas, who was only 18 months old, died of scarlet fever inside the house. And the house, which was the first brick building in California, was a beautiful example of Greek Revival architecture.
Some visitors have even reported Mr. Whaley blowing smoke right into their faces. She was so full of grief that she decided that she simply couldn’t live on. Now, people claim to see a woman looking very sad wandering around the second floor. Actually, I believe I encountered her on my most recent visit to the Whaley House. After moving into the finished house, their first son was stricken with scarlet fever and died at 18 months. Many of our guests have reported unusual experiences in the Whaley House.
History meets paranormal activity at the iconic Whaley House - CBS News 8
History meets paranormal activity at the iconic Whaley House.
Posted: Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Paranormal Guided Tours
Baby Thomas, who’d been the first in the family to pass away, had always stayed close by, as reported by many who have visited the home. They could hear tiny footsteps, the sounds of him crying, even giggling when no one was in sight. In 1871, when Thomas was away on a business trip, a group of armed men held Anna Whaley at gunpoint as they seized the courthouse records from the home.
Despite what literally everyone told him, he bought the land anyways and built on it. The last ghost with a very specific presence is none other than Thomas Whaley himself. She married a man who watched an execution then decided to build his home on that very land, and she outlived 3 of her children and her husband. Mrs. Whaley grieved of attracting the spirits in the house a lot. Perhaps it’s fitting that in the afterlife she provides a comforting presence rather than a malicious one.
With his affairs in order, he and the family moved back to San Diego to attempt to repair what had been ruined by the fire those many years prior. While it’s true that his home was indeed handsome, the horrors that followed were anything but. Shortly after the birth of the Whaley’s son, Thomas Junior, they were met with tragedy.
Remember to bring your camera… you never know what might appear in your photos. In fall 2022, the district recommended closing six neighborhood elementary schools, and Bryantt at the time cited “insufficient and unstable” state funding along with the dropping enrollment numbers. The announcement came just before a gubernatorial election, and sent shockwaves through the communities with schools slated for closure. Administrators said this week that they planned to collect additional community input before choosing which schools to close.
Be sure to include time to explore the restaurants and shopping in the area. If you’re considering staying in the area, check our list of best Old Town San Diego hotels. Additionally, the house is a well-preserved example of mid-19th-century architecture and offers a glimpse into the lives of one of California’s pioneer families.
The first and most well-known ghost that lingered within the house and on the grounds was that of Yankee Jim Robinson – as he had died right on the spot where the home was built. Come discover what many believe to be the most haunted house in America! Overwhelmingly praised as the first of its kind and the finest home in Southern California, the Whaley House in Old Town was a central pillar of the 19th Century Old Town community.
Thomas’ father, Thomas Whaley, carried on the family gunsmith business, and served in the New York Militia during the War of 1812. He married Rachel Pye, whose father, William, manufactured locks in Brooklyn. The Whaley House is one of Southern California’s most beautiful historic homes. Mahogany and Rosewood accent the home, and Brussels carpeting and elegant Damask drapes conceal the darker past within.
This helped them financially recover from the hardship of the earthquake and the damage it did to the house. It is a historic house museum constructed in the style of Greek Revival architecture from the mid-nineteenth century. The museum has been in operation for over 60 years, and it typically sees over 100,000 guests each year from all around the world. In another room was a general store where patrons could purchase anything from tobacco to shavers. Each room has been restored to its former glory so visitors can soak in the history.
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