Comments on: The Whaley House: Government ‘authentication’ of ghosts?

By: Cherlyn Gardner Strong

Cherlyn Gardner Strong — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:04:17 +0000

That’s wonderful that you were able to debunk one of The Whaley House claims. I never heard of that one about the curtain. Likely, because you debunked it.

Over the last several years, I have found the root cause for just a couple of the things I personally experienced in that house. One of those things was the still touted claim by the tour guides about ”cigar smoke”. There was a cigar shop not too far from The Whaley House at one time. I wouldn’t put any weight on that claim, anyway, since Old Town is a very busy area and who knows who’s smoking around the corner. Yet, there are other things that happened to me at that house, that are unique to me. I just haven’t found an explanation for those things. Those things remain unexplained and paranormal to me. I’m not trying to get people to believe that the place is haunted. That’s my personal belief. I am just trying to figure out if there’s a list of “authenticated” haunted houses published by the government. I think not, and think it’s time to debunk that particular claim.

By: RyanP

RyanP — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:36:40 +0000

Historical landmark? Absolutely. Haunted? Well… About 20 years ago when I was in elementary school, part of fifth grade included a week long series of field trips to Old Town San Diego. The Whaley House being one of the sites to visit. At that time (I could not say for currently. It has been some time since I have visited) one of the claims of validity for haunting was a curtain in the doorway to one of the upstairs closets. Visitors have stated that when they enter the viewing nook of the room, the curtain for the closet doorway is swaying as if someone had just entered the closet moments before. Sure enough, the curtain was swaying on my visit.
Yet something about it did not seem right to me. Then a 10 year old school child. I waited and observed the curtain for some time. It repeated its performance, often. After some more time, I observed that it would sway every time a person would enter or exit the room. Having found that it was just a trick, I boldly stated as such and shared with my classmates. We ended up leaving shortly after.
Some years later in High School, I visited again with friends. The claim for the curtain was still being made. Remembering my findings from fifth grade I went up to look again. Same effect. Only this time I was more learned of cause and effect, and even more observant. The mystery closet is a pass through, connecting two rooms. When a person enters one of the two rooms, the curtain would sway away from that room. Or into the room should they exit. The cause being the pressure differential one causes in the two rooms by entering or exiting one. I was able to prove the point by having my friends walk in and out through the doorways. If two were to enter, one to each room, at the same time. The curtain did not move.
Claims of haunting are rather thin if a simple 10 year old can prove them wrong.

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:56:47 +0000

We visited the Whaley House this summer. People, dont waste your money! I had my 4 kids with me and couldnt wait to leave. The tour guide was horrible and seemed everything she was saying was all just read over and over. I bet she repeats it all throughout the day even when she is home. My neighbors house is more haunted than that! Bottom line,Rip Off.
I wasnt expecting to see any ghosts or to get scared but the story is just plain boring.

By: | Dogs World News

| Dogs World News — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:33:09 +0000

[...] The Whaley House: Government ‘authentication’ of ghosts? – Tucson CitizenOne of my favorite “haunted” locations is The Whaley House Museum in Old Town San Diego, touted as The Most Haunted House in America. The Whaley House Museum generates a healthy amount of money from their entrance fees. The museum revenue is [...]

By: Federal Tax Form, Federal Tax Forms - The Whaley House: Government ‘authentication’ of ghosts? - Tucson Citizen « Federal Tax Form

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:50:15 +0000

By: Cherlyn Gardner Strong

Cherlyn Gardner Strong — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:33:35 +0000

You are absolutely correct, Ana. I sometimes refer to my great great grandfather as one of the earliest “anglo” pioneers/settlers in Southern Arizona. He went to Mexico first from his home in New York, then married a Mexican woman of Mayo Indian descent – my great great grandmother.

Yes, Southern Arizona, (as well as San Diego/Southern Cal, etc.) was inhabited before the Euro/Anglos arrived.

I was too focused on the rant about the idea of the government “authenticating” haunted houses to preface Thomas Whaley as an early “anglo” settler.

Thanks for pointing that out.

By: Ana

Ana — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:47:42 +0000

Early San Diego Settler & late 1800′s seem like kind of an oxymoron to me. It’s hilarious how we dismiss any pre-Euro/Anglo invasion, civilization from “history”.

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:55:25 +0000

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