The Ghost of Claudia Chambers, The Chambers Mansion - San Franciso, California

In 1887, silver tycoon Richard Chambers is said to have built a stately manor featuring two tower like features in the front facade.  Chambers made his mark on Utah gaining wealth from the silver mines, but it would be this new mansion in the Pacific Heights area of San Francisco that would become well known all over the world, in a haunting way.

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.

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.

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The Blue Lady of Half Moon Bay - San Francisco, California

During the 1920s, some of the Hollywood elite would find escape from prohibition along the coast of California at an elite speakeasy known as Frank's Place which was located along Moss Beach on Half Moon Bay near San Francisco.  The club was owned by Frank Torez and although prohibition was in effect, his club would readily serve alcohol. For some reason Frank's Place was never raided by police and some of California's upper class including stars of Hollywood were often seen there.  It seems that one of these regulars however, still call it home.

The Blue Lady haunts Moss Beach on Half Moon Bay near San Francisco, California

In the height of the prohibition era, fishing boats would pick up illegal deliveries from ships waiting out at sea and bring them to Half Moon Bay.   The alchohol would then be brought to Frank's Place which became an illegal distribution center of alchohol. Thus, this night spot became a very popular place.

Frank's Place was a popular speakeasy among Hollywood's elite in the late 1920s

There was a woman known to frequent Frank's Place who would often be seen sitting at the bar. It is said that she always wore a striking blue dress and was believed to be having an affair with the piano player of Frank's. She became known as "The Blue Lady".  Tragically, one morning she was found stabbed to death on the beach.  Her murderer was never discovered.

Moss Beach on Half Moon Bay is a supposed place where "The Blue Lady" roams

Frank's Place still stands today, however, it is now known as the Moss Beach Distillary.  Many people claim to have seen a lady in a blue dress roaming around the distillery after hours.  Many have seen her strolling along the beach below where her body was found.

A boardwalk at Moss Beach on Half Moon Bay near San Francisco, California

Other paranormal activities occur such as chandeliers have been found swinging on their own for hours at a time. Cold spots have been encountered in various parts of the restaurant causing hairs to stand on end.  Mysterious whispy clouds have been seen moving through the bar area on occasion.  Sometimes these mist clouds would linger under the chandelier that moves on it's own accord.  Poltergeist activity has also been reported such as items mysterously disappearing, items floating in mid air, etc.

The Whaley House - San Diego, California

Thomas Whaley came from a family of rich history.  His Grandfather, Alexander Whaley participated in the Boston Tea Party and allowed General George Washington to use his home as headquarters while on Long Island during the Revolutionary War.  Thomas left New York City during the gold rush in the late 1840's.  He prospered selling hardware and mining equipment to those searching for gold and was a prosperous business man along with many others during the gold rush.  He married his love from New York City and built a home in San Diego considered fine for the era in 1853.  It was very sturdy and made of brick.

Thomas Whaley

The Whaley House in the late 1800's

After a while the family moved to San Francisco after suffering some hardships. Then the earthquake of 1868 hit San Francisco and Thomas moved his family back to the brick house in San Diego which he also used as a store.  In 1885 Violet, one of the Whaley daughters, was distraught over her marriage failing and returned to the Whaley home where she committed suicide.

Thomas then moved his family into another home in San Diego and the Whaley house became abandoned and fell into disrepair.  After Thomas Whaley passed away his son Francis restored the home and lived there for a while.  Over the years various Whaleys lived and died in this home.  In time, it was turned into various businesses, public offices, a library, etc.

The Whaley House today

The Whaley house is known as one of the most haunted homes in America.  The torrid history of the land it was built on started long before Thomas Whaley constructed his home on it.  It was once the site of a set of gallows where criminals met their end.  One of the most famous of these outlaws being "Yankee Jim" Robinson.  He was put to death there in 1862.  Witnesses say that Yankee Jim struggled to keep his big boots on the back of the wagon that he was placed on as long as possible until it was pulled far enough out of reach until he met his demise.  While living in the home build over this very spot, the Whaley family claimed to have been able to hear the hear the sounds of heavy footsteps coming from an invisible source on the second floor of the house.  Windows also seemed to unlock and open themselves at will.  When visitors would hear this disturbance, the Whaley's would dismiss it and tell them that it was just Yankee Jim wandering around.

Anna Whaley passed away in this home and some have claimed to see her apparition moving about the house doing her chores. Smells of perfume and baking in the kitchen has been smelled when the days of cooking are long over since the home is now a museum. Even television personality Regis Philbin has claimed to have seen Anna Whaley's apparition while visiting the house.  Others have claimed to have seen Thomas Whaley in the upstairs window smoking his pipe.  Sounds of children laughing and playing have been heard in the house and around the grounds. Even visions of a ghost dog believed to be a fox terrier has been seen roaming the grounds. Women touring the house with bare legs have claimed to have felt a licking sensation on their calves.  The Whaley's owned a fox terrier named Dolly.

Friends of the Whaley's are not to be left out of the hauntings either.  It is said that a young friend of the Whaley children, believed to be Annabel Washburn, has been seen roaming the house.  She died in the kitchen after accidentally getting her neck caught in the clothes line while playing outside in the back yard.

At one time the downstairs of the Whaley house served as a courthouse.  Apparitions have been seen right in the middle of the court room.  One was even caught on film and appears as a shadow figure.  It is believed that this may be the spirit of Mrs. Anna Whaley.

In center left of this photo is believed to be a shadow person

With such a long history and so many ghosts haunting this home, it is easy to see why many consider it "The most haunted house in America".  The house is now open as a tourist attraction. Visit at:

 Whaley House Museum

2476 San Diego Avenue, San Diego, CA

Modern day Whaley House museum

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