America’s Most Officially Haunted House

The Whaley House in San Diego was built on a former gallows site and has been officially recognized as haunted by the U.S. Commerce Department. Multiple generations of the Whaley family lived and died here, and their spirits remain.

The Location

Old Town San Diego:

• 2476 San Diego Avenue
• Historic district
• Former execution site
• California landmark
• Museum today

The Gallows

Prior history:

• Public executions here
• Yankee Jim Robinson
• Hanged 1852
• Before house built
• Spirit remained

Thomas Whaley

The builder:

• Built house 1857
• Knew history
• Heard footsteps
• Attributed to Yankee Jim
• Documented awareness

The Whaley Family

Who lived there:

• Thomas and Anna Whaley
• Six children
• Multiple tragedies
• Suicides
• Deaths at home

Family Tragedies

Sorrows included:

• Baby Thomas died
• Violet Whaley suicide
• Various deaths
• Heartbreak
• Accumulated grief

Official Recognition

Government designation:

• U.S. Commerce Department
• Officially haunted
• California designation
• Rare recognition
• Historic status

Yankee Jim

Executed man:

• James Robinson
• Horse theft
• Botched hanging
• Strangled slowly
• Angry spirit

His Presence

Activity reported:

• Heavy footsteps
• Second floor
• Thomas heard them
• Continuing today
• Consistent location

Anna Whaley

Family matriarch:

• Seen in garden
• Floral perfume
• Appears in photographs
• Gentle presence
• Most photographed ghost

The Children

Young spirits:

• Baby Thomas
• Cries heard
• Second floor
• Sad presence
• Documented

Violet’s Ghost

Tragic daughter:

• Shot herself
• Unhappy marriage
• Seen throughout
• Sad figure
• Multiple witnesses

Modern Evidence

Investigation finds:

• Numerous photos
• EVP recordings
• Cold spots
• Apparitions
• Highly active

Visitor Experiences

Guests report:

• Seeing figures
• Smelling perfume
• Feeling watched
• Being touched
• Overwhelming presence

Tours Available

Access offered:

• Day tours
• Night tours
• Ghost hunts
• Special events
• Popular attraction

Significance

Officially designated haunted with over 150 years of documented activity and thousands of witnesses.

Legacy

The Whaley House represents official recognition of the paranormal—a government-designated haunted house where generations of spirits share their home with the living.