LOCATION:

Currently being used as the Visitor Center for San Diego's Old Town Historic Park. 2645 San Diego Avenue, San Diego, California.

619-237-6770 8 * Hours: 10-5 daily; Admission: free.

DESCRIPTION:

This two story abode was built in 1853 by successful lawyer, Judge James W. Robinson, who advanced in his legal career and became a Judge in San Diego, as well as becoming a positive force in the development of San Diego. It served not only as the Robinson family home but also was the headquarters of San Diego Herald, the San Diego and Gila Railroad office, as well as other private offices.

An excavation of the site was done in 1987. As nothing was found of the original abode, an exact reconstruction of the original house as it was built so long ago was accurately built using old records, historic maps, photographs and other sources. This abode now serves as Old Town State Historic Park's visitor center and has on display a wonderful model of Old Town as it looked in 1872, created by Joseph Toigo.

HISTORY:

Judge James W. Robinson (1800-1857) - James Robinson came to San Diego from Texas in the Spring of 1850 and developed a successful law practice, and went on to be a very important force behind the economic development of San Diego. When Judge James W. Robinson died in October, 1857, the local newspaper heralded him as "the most prominent man during the last six years, in every enterprise which relate to our prosperity and advancement."

He suffered with an ailment during the last few years of his life, and experienced some financial difficulties according to his letters he wrote to his brother William, explaining the need for some money that was owed Sarah be sent right away.

After he died in 1857, Robinson's widow, Sarah Robinson sold the abode to Louis Rose, who probably purchased it as a family residence. Fire destroyed the roof in 1874 and the building fell into ruins by the turn of the century, around 1900. Other abodes were built on top of the foundations throughout the years.

Though one cannot forget the great contributions to San Diego, because of the efforts Of Judge Robinson, there were skeletons in Judge James W. Robinson's closet which came rattling out 30 years after his death in 1857. In Ohio, it came out that He was legally married to Mary Isdell, and the father of three children, Albinal Martha, and Robert, whom he completely abandoned in his early adult years, leaving them in dire financial straits, with a heavily mortgaged 221 acre farm, which they had to sell under foreclosure. In 1830, He had gotten a new start by running away and marrying 18 year old Sarah, even leaving this first family out of his final will and testament.

Though despicable, his solution for escaping his unhappy marriage was not unusual in the nineteenth century, because it was virtually impossible to trace a runaway spouse. "Robinson's case seems typical. No family member knew of his whereabouts, until he wrote his brother William in 1840. Husbands seldom pursued divorce because the courts generally awarded them custody of the children."

If it were not for a series of unforeseen events that took place thirty-one years after his death, Robinson's early years might have remained a complete mystery. Though Judge Robinson, had worked hard to keep his whereabouts from his first family, they did get just compensation from estate though in 1888. Sarah had cashed $10,000 in government bonds at the Fourth National Bank of Cincinnati in 1888. An employee alerted the heirs of Robinson's first marriage, who contested the will, dragging Robinson's second family into court.

MANIFESTATIONS:

Though we don't know for sure who is haunting the place, several entities love the new abode. Because it is an exact copy of Robinson's abode, perhaps Judge Robinson and Sarah have moved back in, reliving all the good times they had together in their beloved house, before the Judge became ill.

Or the entities could be tied to other abodes built on the site, or perhaps entities while alive who occupied the businesses and offices also located in the abode.

1) Several different apparitions have appeared before park employees and tourists. Some are seen as cloud-like vapors while others look like people, dressed in 18th century attire.

a) A clear apparition of a man dressed in an 18th century shirt and tie can be seen in one of the upstairs rooms, going about his business when the place is quiet and not open.

2) The entities who reside here like to play with the electrical conveniences like lights, and enjoy an unauthorized ride up and down the elevator on occasion

3) Footsteps made by a large man can be heard upstairs.

4) Women's hair has been tugged at and played with playfully.

STILL HAUNTED?

Yes Indeed!

Eye witnesses have given testimony.

Sources: sandiegohistory.org * GoThere.com/sandiego
Haunted Places, The National Directory by Dennis Willian Hauck; 2002