The Whaley House in San Diego, California, is considered the most haunted house in America. The house was built by Thomas Whaley in 1857 and has a history of tragedy, including the death of Thomas's 18-month-old son, Thomas Jr., from scarlet fever. The family also experienced the loss of their daughter, Violet, who killed herself in the backyard due to a failed marriage.
The house has been reported to be haunted by various ghosts, including Thomas Jr., Violet, and Thomas and Anna Whaley themselves. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions, hearing strange noises, and experiencing unexplained phenomena. The house also has a ghost dog and a ghost cat, which were pets of the Whaley family.
One of the most feared ghosts is that of Yankee Jim, a man who was hanged on the land where the house was built for attempting to steal a boat. Thomas Whaley was reportedly in attendance at the hanging and later attributed strange occurrences in the house to Yankee Jim's ghost.
The house has been investigated by paranormal investigators, who have captured evidence of the hauntings. Visitors have reported feeling a presence, hearing whispers, and experiencing strange occurrences. The Whaley House is now a museum and receives over 100,000 visitors per year, many of whom report paranormal experiences.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The Whaley House was built by Thomas Whaley in 1857 in Old Town San Diego, California.
2. Thomas Whaley was born in New York City on October 5th, 1823.
3. Thomas Whaley bought land in Old Town San Diego in September 1855.
4. The Whaley House was used as a courtroom and a theater in the late 1800s.
5. Thomas Whaley's son, Thomas Jr., died of scarlet fever in the house at 18 months old.
6. Thomas Whaley's daughter, Violet, killed herself in 1885 by shooting herself in the heart in the backyard.
7. Violet was found dying by Thomas Whaley, who brought her inside the house, where she died 15 minutes later.
8. Over the next 68 years, three members of the Whaley family died inside the house.
9. The Whaley House is said to be haunted by the ghosts of Thomas and Anna Whaley, their children, and a man named Yankee Jim.
10. Yankee Jim was hanged on the land where the Whaley House was built for attempting to steal a boat.
11. Thomas Whaley was reportedly in attendance at Yankee Jim's hanging.
12. The Whaley family heard heavy footsteps in the house, which they attributed to Yankee Jim's ghost.
13. The Whaley House is said to be one of the most haunted houses in America, with over 100,000 visitors per year reporting paranormal experiences.
14. The house was dedicated as a historic house on May 25th, 1960.