Old Point Loma Lighthouse Visit

[adminsandiegohaunted]

Spent some time at the lighthouse. I know the lighthouse was once reported to be haunted. The haunt is based on unsubstantiated claims and is urban legend. My mom actually was an interesting source of information regarding this location. I read her some of the online reports including the mysterious moaning sounds from the bedroom area. According to my mother back in 1965 (while in Junior college) her and my dad used to climb to the top of the lighthouse and use it as a make-out spot. She said "it" (the entire area) was a popular location for couples to go. A tourist trap today, was a quiet secluded area for picnics and teen romantic trysts back then. Seriously TMI MOM!

[PPI Jason]

That's an awesome story! I never really thought of the lighthouse as "make out point"  but I know a lot of these historic locations were treated differently back in the day. I can see how it would be obvious if you walked by a motel room and heard mysterious moans coming from inside, it would be obvious what the source was. But if you stumble upon a make out spot, and don't know it's a make out spot, then those moans could easily be taken out of context.

Of course the originator of that legend probably heard the moaning, went to investigate, and caught the couple coming out of the room, asked them what the moaning sound was and then they probably came up with a quick lie, "Oh, Ummmmm, hey, I think it was a ghost."

[PPI Tim]

There is a park ranger who comes into my library that works at the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. He told me, a few years back when I asked him, that the lighthouse is not haunted. He said in all of his 30 years + of working there he has never seen anything strange in or around the lighthouse.

[PPI Jason]

It surprises me that there aren't more claims of paranormal activity at the lighthouse. I only say this because-
1. Lighthouses evoke a lot of paranormal imagery (how many lighthouses has TAPS investigated?) When we think lighthouse, I think we just tend toward the paranormal.
2. Being near the ocean, I imagine you could get quite a few strange sounds. Someone could hear a whale singing in the distance and think it was a ghost.

I'm not saying it is haunted. I'm just surprised there aren't more claims that it is.

[adminsandiegohaunted]

There is a park ranger who comes into my library that works at the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. He told me, a few years back when I asked him, that the lighthouse is not haunted. He said in all of his 30 years + of working there he has never seen anything strange in or around the lighthouse.

This is in response to a internet article about the supposed haunting.

"Dear Ms.Branning, No NPS permit for paranormal investigation has ever been given at the lighthouse. Fog caused it to be abandoned, and it was replaced by the new lighthouse 300 feet lower, not higher. Abandoned only 31 years not a hundred. Israel was one of 11 Keepers in its 36 years of operation. His last years at the lighthouse were filled with acrimonious exchanges with his boss and he was not a happy keeper. Point Loma is very windy and anyone who has spent as much time as I have in the lighthouse realizes that venting of the lens room causes moaning all the time as well as cold breezes down the circular stair. This is a stone and brick building which absorbs cold and stores it. Audio tests have revealed the thumping sounding like footsteps is wind slamming into the window frames. Old Point Loma Light is NOT haunted and we request that in the future you do not suggest it is. Thank you. Yours truly Robert Munson, Historian, NPS."

I don't know if a Robert Munson even exists... If he does and this is a legitimate response??? It really makes me wonder if these guys are programmed to respond as such.. It seems that even if something paranormal was going on, they aren't going to admit it, or allow anyone to investigate it.  What is interesting is his admission that " Audio tests have revealed the thumping sounding like footsteps is wind slamming into the window frames." Why were audio tests done, by who, and when??

[PPI Brian]

Here's a link to the article Dan talked about: http://www.examiner.com/arizona-haunted-sites-in-phoenix/arizona-ghost-hunter-travels-san-diego-s-point-loma-lighthouse

No further reply from Robert Musnon, Historian Cabrillo National Monument? I wonder if this person really exists?   Yes, apparently he does exist. Ranger Bob enjoys dressing up in period clothing and talking to the public. Here are some articles that feature Mr. Munson:

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/historyculture/bringing-history-alive.htm

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/historyculture/living-history.htm

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/historyculture/conquistador-clothing.htm

http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/news/20100611/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabrillo1542/5524773153/

[adminsandiegohaunted]

That video (flikr) cracked me up, I don't know why....His sternness perhaps.

[PPI Brian]

That video (flikr) cracked me up, I don't know why....His sternness perhaps.

Me thinks he takes himself too seriously.