Monterey Farmgirl

As the oldest city in California, Monterey enjoys a rich and diverse history.  Indians and explorers, priests and pirates, foreigners and fishermen all left their imprint, both good and bad. Intrigues, swindles, hangings and shipwrecks were all part of this past.  It is not surprising then that the area is home to tales of restless spirits. Whether you believe the souls of the dead linger or just enjoy a little local history along with spine tingling stories, follow along as we visit the eight most haunted places near Monterey.

1. The Stokes Adobe.  A most nightmarish tale surrounds The Stokes Adobe.  It is no surprise that it has previously appeared in America’s Most Haunted Places.  A British Navy deserter, James Stokes had no medical training.  When he arrived in Monterey in 1833 with a stolen medical bag it was clear he was up to no good.  It wasn’t long before the imposter became a successful doctor, despite the fact that many patients under his care began to mysteriously die.  These included the husband of a woman he ended up marrying and also the Mexican governor of Alta California.  The disturbing end came when Stokes committed suicide, reportedly in front of his children after assaulting his daughter.  Fast forward a hundred years, when a wealthy socialite named Hattie Gragg came to purchase the adobe.  She owned the home until she died of natural causes in 1948.  The adobe was then used to house various restaurants until 2017.  Previous employees reported seeing the ghost of Stokes on the stairs where he sometimes shoved them and slammed doors.  Gragg appeared in the bar where she played the piano and called out staff names.  Footsteps, a baby’s cries, the sound of glass breaking and whispering was also heard.  Unexplained cold areas were felt and items, such as wine glasses, were seen moving by themselves.

Location: 500 Hartnell Street, Monterey, California.

2.  The Robert Louis Stevenson House.  Also known as the French Hotel, it is said to be home to a ghostly presence known as the “Lady in Black”.  The “Lady” is said to be the former proprietess, Manuela Perez Giradin, who rented out rooms to boarders.  There was a terrible typhoid epidemic in 1879 and it soon found its way to the French Hotel.  Manuela’s husband died first, and then, after caring for her ailing grandchildren, she succumbed as well.  Madam Giradin’s ghost is said to be most active in December, the month that she died. Most of the paranormal activity is said to occur in the upstairs nursery, where she cared for her sick grandchildren.  Reportedly, books are pulled from shelves, trunks move across the floor, empty rocking chairs begin to rock and there is a strong smell of disinfectant.  I have been inside this building during Christmas in the Adobes in December, and the stairs to the second floor were blocked off to visitors.  Perhaps because the Lady in Black is not to be disturbed?

Location: 530 Houston Street, Monterey, California.

3.  Herrmann Hall.  Built in the late 1800s, the former Del Monte Hotel was the sight of extravagant parties, including one hosted by artist Salvador Dali.  Currently owned by the Naval Postgraduate School, those renting rooms have reported seeing a “Man in Gray”, with a long white beard.  It has been speculated that this man may be a former railroad employee for the Central Pacific Railroad, or else a missing fireman who disappeared in one of the many mysterious blazes that occurred here.  Other reports say the man was a newlywed whose wife was killed on the second floor by a chimney collapse during the 1906 earthquake.  He continues to wander the halls asking for help getting upstairs.  Other sightings include a spectral socialite who surreptitiously taps guests on the shoulder, erratic elevators and lights turning on and off by themselves.

Location: 1 University Circle, Monterey, California.

4.  The Monterey Hotel.  Located near Fisherman’s Wharf, this stately building in downtown Monterey is said to be haunted by three different ghosts.  One, a female in her teens, is often spotted roaming the staircases and upper floors of the hotel.  Another often seen apparition is believed to be a former hotel maintenance worker named Fred.  He is thought to be responsible for mischief with tvs, alarm clocks and other devices, including cell phones.  Finally, the ghost of the Edwardian architect who designed the hotel is reported to appear from time to time in the front lobby mirror.

Location: 407 Calle Principal, Monterey, California.

5. The Lara-Soto Adobe.  Legend has it that when the son of Manuel Soto and his wife Dona Feliciana Lara was born he was strangely malformed.  People at this time were extremely superstitious, and believed the child was a devil baby.  Even though the child had been baptized as a Catholic, when he died suddenly and mysteriously at age three, grief-stricken Manuel Soto did not bury him in the San Carlos Cemetery.  Instead, he dug a hole and buried him in the front yard.  He planted a cypress tree above the grave.  This act led to a curse on the home which the Spanish and Mexican people called “mal paso” or “evil path”.  It wasn’t long before the adobe became abandoned and drunks, squatters and outlaws began to use it.  No taxes were paid on the adobe for nearly a century, until 1940, when an artist bought it and renovated it.  The author John Steinbeck bought it from her four years later, after having a priest exorcise it.  He wrote “The Pearl” while living there, which ironically is a story about a couple who lose their son over a cursed pearl.  After the Steinbeck family left, it was purchased by a doctor who began hearing voices, laughter and footsteps in the adobe at night.  Middlebury Institute of International Studies is now the owner of the adobe.  Several years ago, the tree roots of the cypress tree started to cause upheaval of the brick walkway.  The bones of a child were reportedly found under the bricks but were reburied.  The huge cypress tree in front of the home has been cut down.

Location: Middlebury Institute of International Studies Admissions Office, 460 Pierce Street, Monterey, California.

6.  The Carmel Mission.  The Carmel Mission was founded and built by Father Junipero Sero in 1771 using slave labor provided by indigenous people.  Beware visiting the mission at nightfall.  Candles are reported to have been seen floating in the air.  Father Serra is said to pace the church and cemetery in his brown robes only to vanish when approached. Other sightings include a waifish Native American boy wandering the grounds outside the church.  A petrifying phantom on a headless white horse has also been reportedly seen during the witching hour.

Location: 3080 Rio Road, Carmel, California.

7.  Tor House.  Built of craggy granite, eerie Tor House lies on a windswept knoll overlooking the sea.  Home to poet Robinson Jeffers and his wife Una in the early 1900s,  it it said to be haunted.  Jeffers alluded to this in his poem “Ghost”.  The home has been featured on the TV show Ghost Adventures.  During filming, the crew captured an image they believe to be not Jeffers, but rather, Una.  An employee at the home also reported that a book about Una flew off a bookshelf by itself repeatedly.  Creepiest of all, when the ghost hunters spilled some ink on a paper on the desk where Jeffers wrote his poetry, it formed into a small devil figure with horns, which you can check out here.

Location: 26304 Ocean View Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.

8.  Point Sur Lighthouse.  Isolated above crashing waves in remote Big Sur, Point Sur is said to be one of the most haunted lighthouses in America. The Point Sur lighthouse has stood duty for over 100 years, warning ships approaching the treacherous coastline. Nonetheless, many lost their lives in shipwrecks here.  When I toured Point Sur several years ago, one of the homes was closed to visitors.  We weren’t told why it was closed but it was said to be haunted by one of the lightkeeper’s wives who had died.  It was an old Victorian home with dark gaping windows and it gave off some pretty creepy vibes.  The lighthouse itself is said to be haunted by a man wearing dark blue clothing dating from the 1800s.  According to local ghost hunters, there are actually at least 20 active ghosts at Point Sur.  If you want to check it out yourself, guided tours are available.  Check availability here.

Location: 19 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel, at mile marker 54.

For more information on haunted places in the Monterey area, you may like to read Haunted Monterey County by Patrick Whitehurst or check out Jeff Dwyer’s Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Monterey and California’s Central Coast.  Thank you for visiting my blog.  You may also like Eight Fall Fun Activities in Monterey County and Fifteen Fabulous Pumpkin Designs For Halloween.  Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & a very happy Halloween!