Several places at Kean University, originally established in 1855 as the Newark Normal School, are said to be visited by spirits. East Campus and Rogers Hall are haunted by former students, the Eames building has a negative spirit, and the Wilkins Theater sports the ghost of a man named George who died accidentally on the premises.
Kean University
Sketch Club Players Theatre
Sketch Club Players Theatre is housed in the former West End School, built in 1889, and is home to something spooky. Witnesses describe uneasy feelings in the basement, shadowy figures, and the sound of a ghostly party happening in the member’s club room.
Seven Stars Tavern
Seven Stars Tavern, now a private residence, is an 18th-century historic building rumored to have more than its share of spirits–the paranormal kind. One haunt here may be Bluebeard, a pirate whose body was found at Oldman’s Creek nearby, with his head twisted around. Another is a Tory spy who was hanged from an attic beam during the American Revolution, and yet another is believed to be a man named Peter Louderback who buried many of his possessions to keep them from the British during the war and now has returned to search for them.
Dey Mansion
Dey (pronounced “dye”) Mansion, formerly known as Bloomsbury Manor, is an 18th-century building that served several times as George Washington’s Headquarters during the American Revolution. Witnesses say it is haunted by strange shadows and lights, and often visitors become frightened for no reason at all, especially in the conference room.
Nob Hill Inn
The fancy 1907 Nob Hill Inn is said to be home to at least 22 happy spirits with a sense of humor. Although they are said to be friendly and not harmful, they like to play pranks with electricity, appliances or doors, and hide people’s personal objects from time to time.
Star of India
Star of India, originally the Euterpe, is a restored historic 1863 sailing ship with more than a few mysteries under its sails. Its fascinating history is detailed at its docking place, the Maritime Museum of San Diego. It is thought to be haunted by many ghosts, including John Campbell, a teen who stowed away on the ship in 1884. He was discovered and put to work, but while tending to the mast he took a nasty fall and broke both his legs, dying three days later. It is said that folks standing near the mast sometimes feel a cold hand on them, as if John is warning them not to climb the mast. And another ghost may reside in the anchor chain locker, where a Chinese crewman was crushed to death. A cold spot is often noticed around the area. And in the galley, folks have seen pots and pans move by themselves and smelled bread baking.
Robinson Rose House
Robinson Rose House was built in 1853 by Judge James W. Robinson, and the building was later used as a newspaper office, a railroad office, and other such offices. By 1987 nothing was left of the original building, so it was rebuilt using records and photos to look as it did back in the 1850s and now is the Old Town State Historic Park visitor center. Witnesses say the ghosts that live here occasionally show up as apparitions or cloudy mists, and they also may tinker with lights and pull at women’s hair. Footsteps also have been heard and the elevator has been known to operate by itself.
Stevenson House
Stevenson House museum was an 1800s boarding house where author Robert Louis Stevenson once stayed (and it’s now named for him). It is believed to be haunted by Manuela Giradin, who owned and ran the establishment. In 1879, Manuela’s husband died of typhoid fever, and her two grandchildren came down with the disease as well. Manuela so exhausted herself tending the children that she caught it herself and died December 21, 1879 but her grandchildren survived. The ghostly events happen around this date, and include a nursery rocking chair rocking by itself, the phantom smell of carbolic acid (a disinfectant used in the 1800s), and the apparition of a woman in a black dress and a high lace collar.
Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo
The Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo, originally built in 1770, has been in operation for more than two centuries, but as legend has it, it wasn’t haunted until the 1920s. According to witnesses, the Royal Presidio Chapel is home to some spirits: A priest’s apparition has been seen, lighted candles have floated up and down the aisles, and bells have rung by themselves in the middle of the night. The Old Rectory Building, not to be outdone, also has some mysterious residents. Witnesses there have had a reassuring pat from an unseen hand and heard footsteps, chairs rocking, stairs creaking and rattling sounds.
Hotel Del Monte - Herrmann Hall
Hotel Del Monte was a luxury resort hotel from 1880 until 1942, when it was leased to the Navy to be used as a school to train electronic technicians during World War II. After the war, the building became the Naval Postgraduate School, the main building of which is called Herrmann Hall, and houses administrative offices and a hotel. Herrmann Hall is believed to be haunted by the ghost of a gray-bearded man in a suit named Charles Crocker. His apparition has been seen throughout the hotel, and many strange occurrences, such as moving objects, banging bread trays, shattering glasses, taps on employees’ shoulders, and the antique elevator moving by itself, are attributed to Mr. Crocker.
