Whaley House

 

Above picture courtesy of The San Diego Historical Society

 

We would love to thank all the wonderful people at the Whaley house

The Whaley house is a awesome house to visit. It has a very rich history

and is in a great part of Old Town

If you are interested in the Whaley House and membership please click on the link

and click onto the SOHO site thank you!

www.whaleyhouse.org

History

The Whaley House

The world renowned Whaley House is located is located at Historic Old Town San Diego. The construction of the Whaley house actually began with the building of a granary that later became the courtroom. Thomas Whaley designed and constructed the two- story house and store addition in 1857. It was the first brick two- story house in San Diego built of such nobility. It was constructed and built with bricks made in Thomas Whaley’s own brickyard. Thomas Whaley had the utmost pride in the house and boasted about it greatly. However, he had no idea that the home he built for his family would one day be a museum. That he built a house of such tremendous heritage, the architect and design of present generation; one day destined to become a famous and mid –nineteenth century Historical site.

Thomas Whaley was a predominant San Diego resident, serving as President for the San Diego City Board of Trustees, this being the Mayor position. He was married to Anna Eloise DeLaunay Whaley, and the two would have six children together

After Thomas Whaley completed his home, he established his general store in the residence, and solicited cash customers only. The Whaley’s moved to San Francisco but returned to San Diego in 1868. Whaley family members would live in the house for nearly a century.

From October 1968 to January 1869, the Tanner Troup Theater operated out of the front upstairs bedroom. Besides accommodating a commercial Theater, the upstairs was a used as a meeting room for the County Board. In addition, it served as the San Diego County Courthouse from 1869 until 1870.

Thomas Whaley believed his home to be haunted. Mr. Whaley had knocked down a gallows that had been on his property in order to begin building the house. Four years after the house was finished, Thomas Whaley heard footstep upstairs. He believed the footsteps belonged to a man known as “Yankee Jim” Robinson, a man accused of stealing a schooner in 1858 and brought to jail for the crime. During the trial, Yankee Jim was semi conscious due to a blow to the head he received when arrested. Having received no medical attention for his injuries, and sentenced to hang, Yankee Jim was delirious when executed. September 18th 1852 was the day of the hanging. How sad it is that the executioners had not realized how tall Yankee Jim was, for as he hung, his toes scraped the ground. Instead of a quick death, it took him 45 minutes to die in what was a slow and agonizing death.

Yankee Jim is not the only ghost who haunts. Many people have reported hearing cries, believing to be the 17-month-old son of Thomas and Anna, who died of scarlet fever. There is also the smell of a Cuban cigar that Thomas liked to smoke. Some have reported a flowery perfume smell, which signifies the presence of Anna Whaley. There have been many reported sightings of ghosts throughout the years. The famous Whaley House now stands as the oldest two-story brick building on the West Coast. It is one of the most important Historical Site in San Diego. The United States Commerce Department officially lists this world-renowned Historical Museum as a haunted

 

Investigation #1

September 2, 2004

Time:	10:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Weather Conditions:	Clear
Lunar Phase:
Equipment:	35mm cameras digital cameras EMF Detectors IR Thermometers APS cameras Sony camcorders

Paranormal Pictures

 

Investigation #2

November 2, 2004

In Conjunction with Robert and Anne Wlodarski

of the International Paranormal Research Organization

Time:	10:00 PM - 12:30 AM
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Weather Conditions:	Clear
Lunar Phase:
Equipment:	35mm cameras digital cameras EMF Detectors IR Thermometers APS cameras Sony camcorders

Paranormal Pictures

 

 

Investigation #3

January 15, 2005

In Conjunction with Robert and Anne Wlodarski

of the International Paranormal Research Organization

Time:	10:00 PM - 12:30 AM
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Weather Conditions:	Clear
Lunar Phase:
Equipment:	35mm cameras digital cameras EMF Detectors IR Thermometers DVR APS cameras Sony camcorders

Paranormal Pictures

 

Investigation #4

April 2, 2005

Time:	10:00 PM - 12:30 AM
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Weather Conditions:	Clear
Lunar Phase:
Equipment:	35mm cameras digital cameras EMF Detectors IR Thermometers DVR APS cameras Sony camcorders

Paranormal Pictures