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| The Chambers Mansion (The Mansions Hotel) in San Francisco is said to be haunted by the spirit of Claudia Chambers who died in the home in the years before it was a hotel. Photo credit: http://www.noehill.com/sf/landmarks/sf119.asp |
Chambers' two neices lived with him during his time at the new San Franciso mansion. It was no secret that the two nieces did not get along well. When Richard died in 1901, the two women split the property. One stayed in the mansion and the other built one right next to it. At some point during this time period, Claudia Chambers who lived in original mansion, was found brutally murdered in the home. It is rumored that her body was almost completely hacked in half and her head nearly decapitated. She received countless stab wounds. The family attempted to cover it up as an accident of sorts, but everyone knew it was no such thing.
Time passed and the home became empty. It was purchased and converted to a hotel in the 1970s. The two mansions previously occupied by the Chambers women were joined together into what became known as "The Mansions Hotel". During The Mansions' hotel days many unexplained experiences were reported by the guests that stayed within it's walls. Many say that their sheets were pulled off in the night by some unseen hand. A shadowy figure moving about was reported by others as well as cold spots throughout the hotel. Eerie, unexplained noises could be heard at night.
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| The Chambers Mansion in it's hey day as The Mansions Hotel, San Francisco, California. |
Seances were held at the hotel by several groups to try and determine what was causing all of the untorrid acts within the mansion. During one seance, the participants claimed to have summoned the ghost of Claudia Chambers and the even took photographs which were put on display in the hotel. In the 1990s, paranormal experts did studies on the structure and confirm that something is very active within it's walls. A gallery was setup in the hotel so that guests could see photos and read stories of other's ghostly encounters. What is uncanny is that the adjoining structure which is newer than the original mansion, has not shown any paranormal activity at all.
The hotel prospered for over 30 years, playing host to the Ghost of Claudia Chambers. Then in 2002, the hotel at 2220 Sacramento Street was partitioned back into two private homes. Today the home is a registered landmark and it is unknown as to whether or not the new occupants of The Chambers Mansion have had and brushes of the "ghostly" kind.
My husband and I lived there in the late 90's. We were in the adjoining Mansion. Because of the history of the houses, we just held a respect for the Claudia and we felt that she accepted us as house guests. However we did witness something that was enough confirmation for us, that she was still thriving in what her father called their home.
ReplyDeleteWe had 2 cats. My husband and I were watching television and we noticed both of the cats sat next to one another just looking up towards the ceiling, and their tails were moving, fixated on a spot there for at least 3 to 4 minutes. We watched them and their being so still was amazing and that we saw nothing. All of a sudden we heard low purrs or meows from them both and they just carried on behaving as cats do. Animals are said to see things we cannot, so it would be no surprise if Claudia was there with Niko and Ms.Boo Boo.
I am very surprised that I have read no mention of the hundreds of trinkets that were virtually in every room of the house. I am to understand that they had pigs, or she liked them, that there was a porcelain figurine, picture or pillow of a pig in almost any direction you may look. Not in an overbearing manor, but just so Claudia knew she was thought of.
My husband and I loved living there and the decor was beautiful.
I hope that if Claudia is still living in HER home, that the new house guests,(owners), understand the treasure they have found, in the home, and in knowing even when they are away, there is always someone looking over the house!