Presidio Park - San Diego, California
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Metro2
N 32° 45.573 W 117° 11.650
11S E 481812 N 3624647
The Presidio of San Diego was the first European settlement on the Pacific Coast. It is located in San Diego's Presidio Park. Only remnants of the actual Presidio site still exist..amongst other landmarks, memorials and trails.
Waymark Code: WMRRH4
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 07/29/2016
Published By:Groundspeak Charter Member neoc1
Views: 3

The featured photo is of the Serra Museum in the Park. This article (visit link) discusses haunting events at the Park-

"Presidio Park Ghost Spirit Haunt

Presidio park overlooks Old Town San Diego, California: on Presidio Hill. El Presidio Reál de San Diego – on May 14, 1769; Royal Presidio of San Diego was a fort and the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast. In addition to a military presence, a Christian religious contingent was brought to form Mission San Diego de Alcalá. The mission was established by Father Junípero Serra at Presidio Hill. The Fort and mission were built on Kumeyaay Indian land. The relationship was not always a peaceful one, and on November 5, 1775, the wooden mission was burned to the ground, and leader, Fr. Luis Jayme was killed. The fort was continually added upon to keep the Spanish safe. The fort would also see use as the Capital of all Baja California during Mexican Authority. Eventually the fort and mission were abandoned as settlers continued to move further inland.George Marston a San Diego businessman purchased Presidio Hill, and built a private park and Serra mission museum in 1907. Ultimatley Marston donated all of the property to the City of San Diego. No original historic buildings still exist.

Presidio Hill has witnessed life and death in the past, and present. One of the first noted haunts ghosts, is actually that of an escaped white deer named, “Lucy.” In the 1970's it is suspected Lucy escaped from her owners. Residents, and guests began to keep track of the deer Lucy and even went so far as to offer her food and water. Saddly in 1975, during an attempt to tranquillize the deer Lucy for her own protection, she died of an overdose. Angered residents collected funds and an actual concrete monument was erected in honor of the deer Lucy. It wasn’t long before locals and guests to the area started spinning yarns of a phantom white deer. Many persons believe the deer Lucy’s spirit haunts Presidio Hill to this day.

Withces tower is another reported area of ghost haunts. Witches tower is a yellow one story adobe tower across from Serra museum, and atop Presidio Hill. The Pattie Memorial sits on this spot where Sylvester Pattie, who came to San Diego on March 27, 1828 died in prison. It is believed a guard house- jail once existed close to the actual memorial spot. The current tower is in fact a storage facility, and the landing is a viewing area of the scenic park. Though it has been difficult to trace when the tower was built, photo evidence from plans in 1928, show no sign of the tower. Photos from the 1940's however, clearly show the tower. So some time between 1928 and 1940 the tower (storage shed) was erected. The tower is referred to as “The Witches Tower,” due to the fact a large cobblestone pentagram exists on the floor the of landing. Many paranormal groups have found melted candle wax and other signs that point to an ocult presence. It is possible that occult activity may be causing some of the paranormal activity. Activity includes, seeing cloaked figures darting around the tower’s base and footing, feelings of paranoia, and possession.

The Serra museum is also reported to be haunted by similar cloaked monk like figures, and a boy spirit has been witnessed atop the mission tower. The museum is a modern structure built circa. 1929, however the structure is roughly in the location of the first Spanish Mission.

The back-trails behind the Serra Museum lead to a lone Park Bench. The bench area is said to be the most active, and possibly dangerous with regards to haunts, and paranormal. Rumors claim a boyfriend raped, and then stabbed to death his girlfriend, on that bench. No such claims have been substantiated by San Diego Haunted. There is factual basis for both a suicide and a rape occurring inside Presidio Park. The rape trial has yet to commence for suspect Daniel Edward Dana. Dana was an active San Diego Police Officer when he befriended, kidnapped, and then raped a local prostitute. The rape occurred in his patrol car parked at the Serra Museum. The suicide occurred as part of a murder-suicide, in two different locations within San Diego. Krisanto Barquia Jopanda’s corpse was found in a Presido Park ravine about 200 yards from his car. He was wanted for the murder of his ex girlfriend Avitha Rafael. Jopanada shot and murdered Avitha in her Spring Valley Home, and in front of their 10 year old son. Jopanda attempted to hang himself with shoe strings, being unsuccessful, he ended his life with a single gunshot wound to the face.

It is unclear who or what is haunting the back trails of Presidio Park. The best reports come from a local paranormal group called San Diego Paranormal Eye, which has been investigating the park since 2011. According to an anonymous guest member, “I felt my necklace levitate from around my neck, I reached for it, only to find it on the ground by my feet.” Other paranormal reports include possible possession, and odd light phenomena. Matt Barron founder of San Diego Paranormal Eye urges, “We “HIGHLY” advise any individual or individuals not to investigate the mission or trails without a guide to, investigate safely. My team and myself welcome anyone to contact us with questions regarding Presidio Park. sdpe.paranormal@gmail.com .”
Public access?:
open to the public sunrise to sunset


Visting hours:
sunrise to sunset


Website about the location and/or story: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:
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  • Be careful and do not enter areas which are off limits or look dangerous. No waymark is worth harm. Use your 6th sense, because sometimes there are unseen things which are telling you to stay out.
  • Use care when using your camera flash so you do not disrupt any possible nearby residents. Time lapse can be the best tool on your camera in many circumstances.

 

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