Case Study: 0419.2011 Beneath Our Finger Tips II

As mentioned from my previous post, San Francisco consists of many areas where spirits still lingers the streets of the city. I revealed several sites where many famous hauntings had occured such as Golden Gate Park, Cameron House, and Alcatraz. Most of these sites I revealed consisted of crimes and unfortunate accidents which probably led to the spirits continuation in dwelling of the site where the last moment of their life had ended. Tonight's post I will reveal a few more sites where hauntings reaches out and grabs us by the hand. 

Site #4. San Francisco Art Insitute--This is my home

March 25th, of 2011 a bunch of friends and I decided to become tourists of San Francisco. The only difference between us and the actual tourists was that we did not wear I "heart" SF sweatshirts nor did we have colorful mesh hats with the picture of Golden Gate Bridge in the center of our foreheads. We brought our cameras, cellular phones, and our NorthFace fleeces for we were planning to visit many windy and colorful locations of San Francisco such as Fort Point, Pier 39, Chinatown, and Lombard St. All was great despite the wind. Our last stop was Lombard St. After a few flashes and a couple of model posses we decided to catch a bite. On our way to dinner we drove past Chestnut St and this architect caught our attention --  
http://www.haunted-places.com/san_francisco_most_haunted.htm

This is vintage Spanish style historical building is known as the San Francisco Art Institute. The doors were opened to the public in January 15th of 1927. Some parts of this building has been rennovated, but not all and I will disclose why later in this post. I recall seeing this building somewhere, but at that moment I could not remember. We pulled over and took random shots of it and proceeded to dinner. I was reading that evening before bed, a book of Haunted Sites in San Francisco. Long behold this building was one of those haunted sites. As mentioned earlier this building was built in 1927. What this buiding sits on top of was one of the oldest cemetery in San Francisco. I am unsure for what reason why the city decided to demolish the cemetery and instead built the art insititute. But I do know that some souls refuse to leave what was their home and now dwells in the bell towers of the art institute.

As mentioned earlier parts of this building has been rennovated, but not all. Owners of this building attempted to once remodel the building, but misfortunate accidents endlessly occurred for those who atttempted to reconstruct. Wandering souls who once dwelled in this cemetery visits the bell towers every evening, opening and closing doors, and turning on lights that were turned off. If I may recommend a book to my fellow paranormal readers, "Haunted San Francisco," ghost stories from the City's past is a great eye opener for some of this city's historical hauntings. To be very honest, when I saw the structure of the art insititue I had no idea it was haunted. I just felt that the structure itself was very captivating. When I walked into the building, observing my surroundings I did sense a bit of sadness. A very dark and gloomy ambiance dawned before me.

Site # 5. Queen Anne Hotel-- Keys to room 410 please...


  

http://www.hauntedhouses.com/states/ca/queen_anne_hotel.cfm

In constant search for ghost tour availabilities in the city. Winchester Mystery House located in San Jose was one of the few I discovered available to the public. Fortunately I was able to discover two ghost tours in San Francisco which is much closer to home. The first ghost tour takes place in Chinatown. If you have read my previous postings, Chinatown does hold many historical haunting. The second tour takes place in the upper grounds of Japantown which then leads to one of the hotspots I would like to introduce to you tonight. Queen Anne Hotel, one of the most well known historical haunted sites of San Francisco. Since I am a hotel major one of my courses required me to explore hotels in this city and research the backgrounds of it. You can assume that Queen Anne Hotel was my selected hotel among the many. It’s quite strange how the hotel I picked was haunted. Did the haunted find me or subconsciously did I find the haunted? Honest to truth, I had no idea that this hotel had its share of haunted history.

The history of Queen Anne Hotel dates back in the late 1800’s. It was a boarding school for girls, unfortunately due to financial circumstances the school was shut down. A caretaker by the name of Miss Mary Lake was a dedicated worker who lived, worked, and STILL remains working of the once boarding school which now is Queen Anne Hotel. Over the years the site has changed hands as well changed it’s dedication; from boarding school to a all men’s club then to its current stand. Queen Anne Hotel is notorious for it’s haunted history, but not the entire hotel. Room 410 is where all the activity begins. There has been records where guests stayed in room 410 and in the morning they would find themselves tucked in. When I mean tucked in, guests are closely tucked from shoulder to toe where it is nearly impossible for someone to do on their own. Miss Mary Lake has been seen traveling between hallways from floor to floor. Guests claimed to have seen apparitions of a women wearing a vintage style white colored dress. Overall this spirit means no harm, but only there to help and fulfill her duties as a caretaker who once took care of the girls of the school and is now taking care of the guests of Queen Anne Hotel.

I participated this ghost tour in the summer of 2010. All was entertaining, but by all means not spooky at all. If you are ever bored and happen to be in San Francisco, attending the ghost tour could be an option for a cost of $20.00 per person... of course kids under a specific age is cheaper. Unfortunately no senior citizen discount, otherwise I would so qualify and thus save. The tour does provide some rich detail history of the city in which I enjoyed very much. The tour is about 2 hours long. The tour begins at Queen Anne Hotel then makes its way around the area. There are a total of six well known haunted sites. Please bring a jacket, even during summer it is extremely cold at night!!!!!