Articles
I Left My Tell-Tale Heart in San Francisco
October 28, 2009 02:20PM
Building 1801: The haunted army hospital in the Presidio, San Francisco.
I recently discovered that the site of the Zodiac killer’s last confirmed victim is in an area fairly close to my current residence in San Francisco. The unknown serial killer terrorized the city in the late 1960’s and claimed his last known victim on the corner of Washington and Cherry in Presidio Heights. In the spirit of Halloween (and because of my own morbid curiosity), I drove to the intersection on a foggy, moonlit night. Although nothing suspicious could be found in this sleepy area of the city, I began to research other haunted locations as autumn descended on the city. Constantly shrouded in fog and full of unique nooks and crannies, there is no greater location to spend a spooky fall night.
Although San Francisco is littered with ghostly abandoned buildings, old churches, and sprawling graveyards, there are a few notable spooky locations worth visiting (aside from Alcatraz). Along the eastern shore of the city, Point Lobos houses the remnants of the Sutro Baths, a once grand locale from the gilded era of San Francisco. Built by Adolf Sutro, a German-born engineering immigrant who became incessantly wealthy by designing a much safer way to mine for silver, the baths were popular until they burned to the ground in 1966 under suspicious circumstances. Nothing is left of this unique landmark except for a low stone wall and some twisted steel supports. In order to get the full effect of this haunted landmark, bring a candle and light it at the end of the underground tunnel ruins. The ghosts that haunt this area will throw it in the water on especially foggy evenings.
From here, head to the abandoned Army Hospital on Park Presidio. This dilapidated building, complete with boarded windows, chain link fences, and overgrown trees, has an eerie feeling as soon as you approach it. The large complex contains old medical equipment left to rust and surgical tables that still have IV tubes surrounding them. It is said that deceased soldiers haunt the halls and white orbs show up in photographs taken here. Be wary of this location, though, as police regularly patrol the area and pass out hefty fines for trespassing.
Another spooky location to visit is the Cameron House on Sacramento Street in Chinatown. This location, now converted to a church, once housed Chinese immigrants seeking refuge from prostitution. As the story goes, Lady Cameron, the owner of the house, sealed off the basement in order to conceal the women from police. Only a small entrance led to and from the basement. One fateful day, Cameron House caught fire killing everyone contained in the locked basement. It is unclear whether the fire was accidental or set by angry locals. Charms adorn the sealed doors to the basement, said to keep the spirits from escaping.
This All Hallows Eve, wander through the streets of your hometown and think about the history, the haunts and the happenings around every corner.
