Author Dennis William Hauck has made a career of finding haunted locations all over the world. He’s written “Haunted Places: The National Directory” and others focusing on the supernatural world.
Pioneer Cemetery in Coloma
Hauck tells the story of a Lady in Burgundy who watches over the Scheiffer family plot at this old cemetery. The ghostly woman beckons people from the road to come visit the grave site. The cemetery is on Highway 49 in Coloma. (credit: parks.ca.gov)
Old Sacramento Underground
(credit: historicoldsac.org)
Murphys Hotel
The historic hotel has hosted such famous people as Mark Twain, Ulysses S. Grant, J.P. Morgan and Black Bart (the Gentleman Bandit). Hauck says in 1995, a "ghostbuster" investigating the hotel’s paranormal activity was hurt when a showerhead flew off and hit him. The Murphys Hotel is located at 459 Main Street in Murphys. (credit: murphyshotel.com)
Marshall Monument in Coloma
James Marshall discovered the gold that led to California’s Gold Rush. Gold seekers followed him thinking he was lucky. However, he died destitute. Hauck says his ghost can bee seen following visitors to his monument. The monument is part of the Gold Discovery State Park on Highway 49 in Coloma. (credit: parks.ca.gov)
Old City Cemetery
The cemetery has several resident ghosts. City Cemetery officials even lead Lantern Tours during October inviting people to come and hear stories about the untimely deaths of some of the spirits who haunt the grounds. The Old City Cemetery is located at 10th and Broadway in Sacramento. (credit: oldcitycemetery.com)
Tahoe Tessie
(Credit: parks.nv.gov)
Leland Stanford Mansion
Three governors lived in the mansion, including former governor Leland Stanford. The mansion is said to be haunted by Stanford’s son, Leland Jr., who died at 15, and is said to have appeared to his father telling him to start a university. The mansion is located at 8th and N Street in Sacramento. (credit: parks.ca.gov)
Latitudes Restaurant in Auburn
Hauck says the eatery is haunted by two ghosts; an apparition who lurks in the dining room and another who appears in the bar. Latitudes is located at 130 Maple Street in Auburn. (credit: LatitudesRestaurant.com)
Hotel Leger
George Leger, the found of the hotel, is said to haunt the place. He was known as a ladies’ man and some guests say they hear rowdy laughter and ladies giggling in Room 7. Hauck says the hotel encourages people to come see their ghosts. The Hotel Leger is located at 8304 Main Street in Mokelumne Hill. (credit: hotelleger.com)
Hotel Holbrooke in Grass Valley
A blonde woman and a cowboy are said to haunt this 143-year-old hotel. According to Hauck, they’ve never been identified. The Holbrooke Hotel is located at 212 West Main Street. (credit: holbrooke.com)
Georgetown Hotel
Hauck says you may want to avoid Room 13 at the Georgetown Hotel where a ghost is known to wake up guests and also harass kitchen employees. The Georgetown Hotel is at 6260 Main Street in Georgetown. (credit: haunted-places.com)
Sailor Bar
Hauck claims one of the Sacramento area’s most famous ghosts can be seen walking along Sailor’s Bar on the American River in Fair Oaks. He’s believed to be in his 20s but has never been identified. (credit: saccounty.org)
Biba Restaurant
The restaurant is in a 150-year-old building known as the Old Tavern Building. It was housed a popular bordello in the 1800’s. Hauck says people report seeing the ghost of woman in old-fashioned clothing in the bar area. She is thought to be the spirit of a prostitute named “Mary” who was killed by a client in the 1890s. Biba Restaurant is located at 2801 Capital Avenue in Sacramento. (credit: bibarestaurant.com)
Bell's General Store in Coloma
This brick building is part of the settlement around Sutter’s Mill. Hauck says people hear the ringing of a nonexistent bell as ghosts come in and out of the store. The store is part of the Gold Discovery State Park on Highway 49 in Coloma. (credit: parks.ca.gov)
Woodland Opera House
The opera house is said to be haunted by a fireman who died battling a blaze at the opera house in 1892. The opera house has since been plagued by several unexplained fires. Hauck says a 1998 investigation using infrared and electromagnetic devices found paranormal activity in the basement and upper balcony. The opera house is located at 340 Second Street in Woodland. (credit: ci.woodland.ca.us)