This 1859 historic roadhouse was the site of ‘The Battle of Washoe House’, when marching soldiers intent on wreaking havoc in nearby towns stopped for a drink at the tavern, before turning back in the direction they came. This lead to a peaceful resolution of what could have been a great tragedy. It is also said that Ulysses S. Grant gave a speech recruiting troops from the balcony of the inn. However, the spirit haunting this place is that of a man who shot himself in an upstairs room when the establishment was a hotel. The resident ghost is said to be very friendly.
(Submitted by Callum Swift)
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Geographic Information
- Address:
- Stony Point Rd and Roblar Rd
Petaluma, CA
United States
Get Directions » - GPS:
- 38.3141268, -122.7354479
- County:
- Sonoma County, California
- Nearest Towns:
- Cotati, CA (1.8 mi.)
Rohnert Park, CA (2.6 mi.)
Penngrove, CA (3.9 mi.)
Bloomfield, CA (6.3 mi.)
Roseland, CA (7.5 mi.)
Sebastopol, CA (7.7 mi.)
Petaluma, CA (7.8 mi.)
Santa Rosa, CA (8.8 mi.)
Valley Ford, CA (10.2 mi.)
Tomales, CA (10.3 mi.)
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Disclaimer: The stories posted here are user-submitted and are, in the nature of "ghost stories," largely unverifiable. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. The vast majority of information provided on this web site is anecdotal, and as such, should be viewed in the same light as local folklore and urban legends.
I moved to the area in 1998. On one of my earliest visits, I was able to go upstairs to view the area while we were waiting for our food to be delivered.
After a few mins. I sensed a spirit energy. It seemed natural and normal for me, so I didn’t make a big thing out of it. Other than the Ulysses Grant and Bordelo history, I’ve never heard of any “ghost” stories in all my time living here until I came across this site. So I thought I’d add my experience.
JH
The Washoe House is active. In Mid December of 2016, my family went for dinner there. I decided to wear a gray hat and vest to simulate as though I was a Confederate soldier knowing the history behind the place. Walking into the WashoeHouse gave a refreshing feeling of energy. I could feel a spirit’s energy nearby.
I asked our waitress if this place has had any activity lately. She told us that the spirit who roams the Washoe House is very friendly and that he likes to play little friendly jokes on the closing employees (turning lights on and off for example). When our dinner was served, I noticed in the corner of my eye a shadow standing next to us. I decided to take out my phone and use an EVP app I have which works quite well. After playing it back when I got home, I found out through the EVP’s that the spirit was taking part in the conversation my family was having.
If you want to have your own experience with the loving Washoe spirit, try wearing the blue coloring that the Union soldiers wore or the gray color that the Confederate soldiers wore. I think that is what caused him to hang out at our table because maybe he thought I was a Confederate. But besides that, the Washoe House is amazing when it comes to the service and food there.