Hauntings At The Robinson-Rose House
Just a few minutes from the palm trees and pristine beaches of San Diego, visitors can take a walk back in time. The city’s Old Town offers a glimpse into what life looked like 200 years ago — with the potential to see some of the town’s ghostly original residents. Amongst the shops and restaurants lives the Robinson-Rose House, a grand home that now acts as the historic park’s visitor center. From the outside, the Robinson-Rose House looks like a picturesque example of the period. But if you stare long enough, you might see a ghostly figure walking along the second-floor porch — and realize that this building is anything but typical.
Why Is the Robinson-Rose House Haunted?
Judge James W. Robinson built the home in 1853. While Robinson was well-respected in his day, the skeletons in his closet started to crawl out after his death. In the following years, his widow, Sarah, faced accusations against his character and inheritance.
The current-day Robinson-Rose House is a replica of the original house that stood in the spot.
When the California State Parks Services rebuilt the building, the spirits of James and Sarah may have returned to the home they once loved. Others believe these are the ghosts of those who resided in the house at other periods in time — whether in the residential apartments or even the jail cell.
The Robinson-Rose House is one of several haunted sites in San Diego whose spirits have dark pasts. If you want to see other locations where jealousy and heartbreak led to unsettled spirits, book a ghost tour with San Diego Ghosts.
The Financier of the Robinson-Rose House
James Robinson, Sarah, and their son William had moved to San Diego in 1850 because James saw an opportunity. Well-versed in both American and Mexican law, James quickly became the legal expert for the fledgling town of 650 residents. Within a year of moving there, he was elected San Diego county attorney, and his private legal practice continued to blossom.
As James was now one of the most prominent figures in town, he wanted to build a house that reflected his status. So, he constructed a large, two-story home in the town’s heart. The first floor was constructed from adobe, while the second was wood framed. Strangely, James then opted to flip the look, making the bottom floor look like wood siding and the top look like adobe.
Life was good for the Robinson family, until James fell ill with dropsy (known today as edema) in 1857 and died shortly after.
Sarah long outlived her husband. She lived a relatively quiet life until 1888, when she decided to cash $10,000 of her late husband’s bonds at a Cincinnati bank. However, the process was put on hold — while the heirs from James’ first marriage were notified.
The “Ghost” of Hamilton County, Ohio
James’ dark past finally came to light. It turned out that James was from a small town in Ohio and had married one Mary Isdell in the 1820s, and they had three children together. In 1830, James had run off with (a then seventeen or eighteen-year-old) Sarah Snyder, abandoning his family and leaving Mary to deal with a heavily mortgaged 200-acre farm.
James seemed to completely cut himself off from his humble beginnings, becoming all but a ghost in the county’s memory until someone from the bank recognized his name. While it’s unclear if James’ eldest children obtained any of his fortune, the legal proceedings sullied his once-pristine name.
The House After the Robinsons
Outside of being the Robinsons’ abode, the Robinson-Rose House had a rich history. It acted as James’ law office and became a hub for other local businesses after his death. Between 1853 and 1900, people used the building as a newspaper office, schoolroom, jail cell, apartments, and the County Clerk’s office.
Notably, Sarah sold the house to a businessman named Louis Rose in 1868 for $10,000 in gold coins — giving the home its present-day name.
After a fire destroyed the roof in 1874, the building fell into disrepair and remained that way until workers ultimately demolished it around 1900. The house was rebuilt as close to the original design as possible in 1989.
Hauntings at The Robinson-Rose House
Since the state park employees are in the Robinson-Rose House daily, they have many stories about paranormal sightings.
One of the most common experiences is spotting a vapor-like figure moving throughout the building. Other workers have claimed to see distinctive human shapes wearing 19th-century clothing wandering around. Some employees have claimed that they can feel a presence in the room that feels otherworldly, though they can’t see anything.
These reports have attracted the interest of tourists, who have stories of their own. One of the most shared observations is seeing a person walking around the house’s upper deck between the tall, white columns. Witnesses have also reported hearing heavy footsteps on the second floor when no one is up there.
These spirits may like to have a little fun, too. There have been multiple accounts of the elevator going up and down between the floors without anyone on it. The lights are also known to flick on and off.
If you decide to visit and have long hair, you might want to put it up. Several accounts have been made of women having their hair tugged on while inside the building.
Haunted San Diego
The Robinson-Rose House is one of many San Diego buildings with a haunted reputation. So why is it such a spectral hub?
People often refer to San Diego as “the Birthplace of California.” Before Los Angeles and San Francisco became the powerhouses they are today, San Diego helped the early Californians carve out their place in the United States. These early days of statehood were often marked by disagreements, illness, and bloodshed — laying the foundation for ghostly phenomena.
Some of San Diego’s most famous haunted sites involve people James and Sarah Robinson rubbed elbows with nearly 200 years ago. This includes William Heath Davis, the founder of San Diego’s “New Town,” whose 1850 house has some of the most haunted activity in the entire city.
Curious to hear more about San Diego’s dark history? Book a ghost tour with San Diego Ghosts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real California hauntings.
Sources:
https://sandiegohistory.org/archives/biographysubject/timeline/1800-1879/
https://sandiegohistory.org/journal/1985/july/robinson/
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28016
http://www.weirdca.com/location.php?location=61
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/spooky-san-diego-here-are-some-haunted-spots-to-check-out/
