MTSing to the Whaley House in San Diego

• By hopping the green train at the Fashion Valley Mall
• and hopping off at Old Town station.
• Casually cross over Congress Street (looking both ways-or at the cross walk)
• head into Old Town and stroll down San Diego Avenue,
• cross over Twiggs and then Harney Street,
• a sign points the way to Whaley House.

The Whaley house is an unimposing 2-story Greek Revival house that was designed by the owner, Thomas Whaley and built in 1857. It is now considered a California Historical landmark maintained by the Save Our Heritage Organization and is designated as an official Haunted House by the U.S. Commerce Department. The Travel Channel debuted the Whaley House on its show, America’s Most Haunted and determined that it is the number one most haunted house in the United States.

The house is interesting because of the history and hauntings so I was really excited to do the tour. There is a “character” employee working the door that is more than happy to impart knowledge of the history and hauntings, and will also direct you as to the best way to view the rooms.

Thomas Whaley was an entrepreneur and interesting man who made and lost his fortune several times. He had several businesses in San Francisco, San Diego and worked as a U.S. Army Commissary Storekeeper. In 1867, Thomas played an active role during the United States’ acquisition of Alaska by helping to establish businesses in Sitka, setting up an American base and serving as a councilman. After, he returned to San Diego with his family to a set up a general store that operated out of his house. He built a granary next to the general store that was eventually turned into a courthouse and rented to the city of San Diego, as well as records storage. Thomas also allowed the Tanner acting troupe to establish and operate a theatre out of an upstairs bedroom.

As I toured, the layout of the house baffled me. Since the house was open to the public and because of the general store, courthouse, and theatre there seemed little privacy for the family. I realize that it was a small town back in the day, and everyone probably knew everyone, but I still can’t envision having people going through my house to conduct their affairs or to be entertained. Especially without an armed guard being present.

Of course I took pictures trying to be mindful of lighting and shadows. The officials are very proud of their haunted status and I wanted to make sure that if I caught anything suspicious that it couldn’t be attributed to such things as sun spots on my lens or catching my shadow as it pops off of a glass window, which of course I did get both and I have the pictures to prove it. Darn it.

A second floor bedroom was leased to Thomas W. Tanner in which he paid $20 in gold coin to Thomas Whaley, where he modified the structure for theatrical productions. Sadly, Mr. Tanner died days after the troupe’s opening performance. The Tanner troupe disbanded after 2 more performances. Since the theatre is touted to be a hot spot for ghosts, I thought I might find a couple or three lurking. But alas, none. Darn it.

Because of their affluence, the rooms are richly decorated albeit a tad worn now, and because I toured in December, the parlor was decorated for Christmas. I paid close attention to the toys on the floor because I deduced that of course, ghosts would be interested in moving them around. If they did, again, it wasn’t while I was there. Darn it.

As in all old homes, families that dwelled there had their tragedies and the Whaley’s certainly had their share; from the loss of their baby, to suicides, natural deaths, arson, and the hanging of the infamous Yankee Jim Robinson prior to Whaley purchasing the property.

Sadly, my tour of the house can neither confirm nor deny the existence of these hauntings. Darn it.