The Davis-Horton House

Posted: 02.08.2020 | Updated: 05.13.2025

Establishing a new settlement in San Diego was no simple task, especially in the mid-1800s. But in 1850, William Heath Davis took on the challenge by purchasing 160 acres of land. He laid out the first streets, built a warehouse and a sizable wharf, and even imported prefabricated houses to accommodate incoming settlers. His vision was to create a thriving community known as “New Town.”

Despite his efforts, Davis faced strong opposition from nearby established settlements. The resistance proved too great, and his development plans ultimately stalled. Still, his groundwork wasn’t wasted—years later, Alonzo Horton saw promise in Davis’ original idea.

In 1867, Horton expanded the area with new subdivisions, this time finding success. What began as Davis’s bold experiment would eventually evolve into the vibrant city now known as San Diego. This house has evolved with it, becoming known as the Davis-Horton House or the Gaslamp Museum.

Dare to uncover the truth for yourself? Come on a San Diego Ghost Tour for a spine-tingling walking tour through the city’s most haunted locations.

Who Haunts the Davis-Horton House?

With a history as rich and layered as the city it helped shape, it’s no wonder the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House is considered one of San Diego’s most paranormally active locations. Over the years, countless visitors and paranormal investigators have reported strange occurrences. From unexplained footsteps and cold spots to shadowy figures and the faint scent of lavender drifting through empty rooms.

One of the most frequently mentioned spirits is that of a Victorian woman, believed to be a former resident who passed away within the home. She’s often seen peering out the upstairs windows or wandering the halls in period attire. Others claim encounters with a disembodied voice that calls out names. Minor instances of flickering lights and doors that open and close on their own are also reported. These are just a few of the eerie occurrences that make the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House one of the most notable haunted houses in San Diego.

Could these ghostly happenings be echoes of the past residents who once walked these floors? Or is something more mysterious anchoring these spirits to the house?

What Is the Davis Horton House?

This wooden structure holds the title of the oldest building in modern downtown San Diego. Originally built in 1850, it was one of many similar homes brought in as part of William Heath Davis’s ambitious efforts to establish a new settlement in the area.

Constructing wooden homes in early San Diego was no easy feat. This is due to the scarcity of local timber along the West Coast. To solve this, Davis had prefabricated houses shipped all the way from Portland, Maine. These structures, known as saltbox houses, featured a two-story front, a single-story back, and a long, sloping pitched roof. Perfect for quick assembly and durability.

The area, then known as New Town, began to thrive and draw more settlers. Eventually, a local woman named Anna Scheper recognized the need for a proper medical facility. In 1873, she struck a deal with San Diego County to convert the Davis House into the town’s hospital. For her work, she was paid one dollar per patient. This was a modest wage for such a vital role in the community.

Later History of the Davis-Horton House

In the years to follow, the Davis-Horton House of San Diego changed owners a few more times before becoming the museum that it is today. Interestingly, the home was lighted solely by gas all the way up to 1984, by which time electricity was finally installed.

Tours are now offered through the museum for visitors to get an inside look at what daily life was like in the initial years of the house. Seeing as how the Davis House lived through so many different eras in its existence, every room is creatively set up to depict each period.

Tourists get the chance to see what is was like as a hospital and a private residence. One can even experience the house prior to the Civil War when it functioned as an officer’s barracks. With so many contrasting times, it leaves little doubt as to why the Davis House is believed to be haunted.

Visited by thousands annually, stories have accumulated over the years that serve to tell a frightening tale. Read on to hear of the many strange encounters that have taken place within the Davis Horton House.

Hauntings of the Davis Horton House

Long before the home was believed to be haunted, countless individuals passed through its doors—including, allegedly, a German spy during World War II. Said to have used the house briefly before his capture, some believe his spirit remains trapped within. Sightings of a stern, angry apparition dressed in WWII garb have been reported multiple times, thought to be the lingering ghost of the captured traitor.

Another commonly seen spirit is a Victorian-era woman who often appears on the second floor. She may be the spirit of Sarah Horton, wife of Alonzo Horton, or perhaps one of the unfortunate patients who died during the home’s time as a hospital—possibly a victim of the tetanus outbreak that swept through the area. Adding a lighter note to the haunting is a ghostly cat, whose meows are frequently heard despite no animal being present. Said to be harmless and playful, the feline spirit is a favorite among museum staff.

Unexplained activity continues almost nightly. Employees report that lights, routinely turned off at closing, mysteriously turn back on by morning—a phenomenon also mentioned by former residents when the house was still lit by gas. Guests often describe feeling a strange presence and encountering sudden cold spots in various rooms. Some believe these sensations are caused by the elusive Lady in Black, a ghostly figure whose identity remains unknown. It’s suspected she may have succumbed to an untreatable illness, like many others during the home’s hospital era.

Paranormal Investigations at the Davis Horton House

With so many reported sightings and strange occurrences, it’s no surprise the William Heath Davis House has become a hot spot for both ghost hunters and curious visitors. Its haunted reputation even caught the attention of the Biography Channel. The house was featured in a 2012 episode of My Ghost Story. During filming, investigators claimed to encounter the spirit of Lillian Davis, daughter of William Heath Davis himself.

Paranormal teams equipped with EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recorders have captured chilling evidence, including non-human sounds and voices. In one eerie instance, the phantom cat’s meow was picked up during an otherwise silent recording session. The sound was only discovered during playback.

Perhaps most unsettling, ghost investigators recorded what appeared to be children’s voices in the kitchen. After leaving toys as bait, playback revealed two whispered words: “gray” and “bear.”

Haunted San Diego

When you consider the rich and colorful history the Davis-Horton House has witnessed, it’s no surprise it’s considered one of San Diego’s most haunted dwellings. Now known as the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House, its very survival through the centuries is remarkable, and its preservation offers a rare window into the city’s eerie past.

Today, the Davis House in San Diego continues to draw thousands of curious visitors each year. Its lingering paranormal activity serves as a powerful reminder of the stories that refuse to be forgotten. By opening its doors to the public, the museum allows guests to connect with the spirits of the past—ensuring that their tales live on.

If you’re ready to explore the haunted heart of San Diego for yourself, join us on a ghost tour by San Diego Ghosts. The chilling legacy of the Davis-Horton House is just one of many unforgettable stops along the way. There are plenty more haunted houses in San Diego that await you.

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Sources:

• https://sandiegohistory.org/archives/biographysubject/williamhdavis/
• https://gaslamp.org/news/gaslamp-quarter-historical-foundation/
• https://sandiegohistory.org/journal/1971/october/davis/
• https://www.sohosandiego.org/tours/housemuseums/davishorton.htm
• https://thedeadhistory.com/2021/10/27/davis-horton-house-haunted/
• https://thehauntedstates.com/the-haunting-of-san-diegos-davis-horton-house/