The Haunted History of the Davis-Horton House
The Davis-Horton House Museum isn’t just haunted. It’s said to be home to the ghost of a German spy. Other spirits linger in the oldest remaining building in downtown San Diego, including a ghost cat. But before we get to the hauntings, let’s take a quick look at the home’s history and how you can help keep this museum open.
A House with a Long Journey
Located in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp District, the house began its life in Portland, Maine. It was shipped around Cape Horn and reassembled in San Diego in 1850. Originally placed near Pantjoa Park at State and Market Street, it was moved twice before settling in its current location in 1984.
A Home to Many, Past and Present
The city took ownership of the house in 1977. A massive restoration followed, adding electricity for the first time in its history. Rooms now reflect different periods, including its time as pre-Civil War military barracks, a county hospital, and a private residence. With so much history packed into one small house, it’s not surprising that people believe it’s haunted.
Matt and I visited the museum recently. Other than the docent, we were the only ones there. The museum is small but well done. Certain areas had a slightly creepy vibe.
Mysterious Activity Reported for Decades
An old house filled with antique pieces doesn’t automatically mean it’s haunted. But over the years, people have reported strange experiences, even before it became a museum and long before it had electricity.
Lights flicker and turn on or off by themselves. A former owner claimed that even when the house used gas lamps, they often had a mind of their own. Staff report shutting off lights at night, only to find them on the next morning.
A Docent’s Ghostly Encounter
One docent shared a strange experience. Her husband had just dropped her off when she heard a noise upstairs. It sounded like someone else was inside. Worried about a break-in, she ran outside to stop her husband before he left. He checked the upstairs and attic but found no one. As she turned on the lights for the day, she discovered the desk lamp in the upstairs office glowing.
The Phantom Cat
Visitors often report seeing a cat that runs out of a room and vanishes. Others hear meowing but can’t find the source. Staff say a cat’s meow has been captured on EVP. Small objects left on tables are sometimes found on the floor, as if a cat knocked them over.
Beginning in 1873, the house served as a county hospital run by Anna Scheper, who was paid one dollar per day per patient. A room in the museum reflects that period. By the end of 1873, at least three patients had died in the house. A small chest filled with medicine bottles sits atop a dresser. The chest remains open for visitors to see inside, but staff often find it closed. Items inside shift, as if someone has moved them.
The Victorian-Era Apparition
Most of the activity involves objects moving or lights turning on or off. A full-bodied apparition has also been reported. This ghost appears at the top of the stairs near the children’s room. Dressed in Victorian-era clothing, she is almost always seen only from the waist down.
The Mysterious Spy in the Attic
The attic ghost is the most talked about, though the details remain murky. Some reports describe a man in a WWII uniform, but that doesn’t match the house’s most infamous spy. Karl Offer arrived in the United States in 1915, listing his occupation as a fine jewelry importer. On July 12, 1917, federal agents arrested him as an alien enemy under orders from the Attorney General. Rumors claim that the owners at the time, German immigrants Herman and Lena Lohman, allowed him to use their attic to track the American Pacific Fleet in San Diego Bay. By August, officials had transferred Offer to Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, where he remained until the war ended. The details of his case remain unclear, but by 1928, he had gained U.S. citizenship.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the Davis-Horton House has stood for over a century, bearing witness to history and the unexplained. If you can’t visit in person, you can still experience it’s ghostly tales through a virtual ghost tour. And if you believe that haunted places deserve to be preserved, consider donating to help keep this museum standing. Every old house has a story to tell, but without support, some stories may fade away forever.
What Do You think?
Do you think the Davis-Horton House is truly haunted, or is it just history playing tricks on us? If you have visited, did anything strange happen? Share your thoughts in the comments.