Expedition Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller
Date: July 7, 2022
Located on a small islet on the Pacific coast, it is accessible only at low tide. At high tide, it becomes an island. One of the oldest lighthouses on the California coast, it was built of brick and granite in 1856 to help ships negotiate the treacherous coastal waters. The lighthouse was first lit with oil lamps then automated in 1953. It remained in service until 1965 when it was replaced by a flashing light. Reactivated in 1982, it is active today as a working lighthouse, museum, and lighthouse keepers’ residence. In 1964, the keepers witnessed the massive tsunami that destroyed 29 city blocks and battered the lighthouse islet with ravaging waves.
Paranormal investigators believe the lighthouse is haunted by one child and two adults. Some think one ghost is John Jeffrey, a lighthouse keeper for 39 years. Through the decades, one family after another worked and lived here. Tour patrons have reported being touched or feeling an unseen presence. Lighthouse keepers have reported a rocking chair moving by itself and their slippers moved at night while they are asleep. Keepers have also heard sea boots stomping up the lighthouse stairway especially during storms. Footsteps have also been heard up in the top of the lighthouse as well as the occasional smell of cigar smoke. Keepers’ families that had cats reported that they acted strangely during paranormal activity.
Rosie and I walked quickly across the now dry isthmus to the lighthouse. We received a private and not group tour due to me being immune compromised. Many artifacts and furniture from the 1850’s are still here plus photos, documents and other maritime exhibits. I took video and photos of the rocking chair in the keepers’ quarters and did several EVPs throughout the lighthouse. We carefully climbed the narrow spiral staircase, then a short ladder through a trapdoor into the tower where the lens is located. At the top we had panoramic views of the ocean, the coastline, and the city. I did not obtain any evidence during this investigation. The current keepers said that you can sign up and be the working volunteer keeper for a month at a time. Perhaps some day we can return and do that and really find out if ghosts reside here or if it is just another urban legend.
As the tide began to rise, we walked back across the 200-foot slippery, rocky path and enjoyed a picnic lunch. Several squirrels came begging for food. One bold squirrel jumped right up on the picnic table and crawled over to my plate. I had to politely knock him off the table. As we ate, the tide came up and the lighthouse land became an island.
