17. The Whaley House, San Diego, California
Yet another house which has been designated as the most haunted house in America is San Diego’s Whaley House, which was given the appellation by Life Magazine in 2005. The house was built in 1856-57 of bricks manufactured by Thomas Whaley’s own brickyard, and was regarded as the finest home in the town upon its completion. The house is reputed to have been built on land which had once been used as a cemetery, and throughout its history witnessed several deaths, which contribute to its reputation for being haunted, though its original occupant, Thomas Whaley, told of the house being occupied by the ghost of a man who had been hanged on the site for the crime of stealing a boat. Whaley told the San Diego Union of hearing the shade walking heavily on upstairs floors.
Throughout its history, staff have reported seeing the ghosts of Whaley family members who died in the house, stories which have been supported by guests over the years. Staff members of the house as a museum have reported that children often see the ghost of Thomas Whaley when adults cannot. Ghosts reported to have been seen include Thomas Whaley, Anna Whaley, and even at one time a small fox terrier running down a hallway. The Whaley’s owned a fox terrier which they named Dolly Varden. In addition to the spectral occupants the Whaley House was reported through the years to exhibit other forms of paranormal activity, including the opening and closing of windows and doors, and rooms locking and unlocking themselves.