Redlands is one of the oldest cities in California and is one of those small communities that seem to hold their
small town charm… except when it comes to being haunted. Redlands is considered by many to be the ultimate
Ghost Town. The majority of the houses are very old, Victorian in architecture, and come with a long rich history
that is the substance of many a ghost story.
BARTON MANSION - 26630 Barton Rd
One of the more famous Haunted Houses in Redlands is the Barton Mansion built by Dr. Benjamin Barton.
Originally a ranch and vineyard, the Barton house is one of the oldest buildings in the Inland Empire. It has
recently been refurbished, but for many years it was an extremely sinister looking, run-down mansion. It is made
of brick, an uncommon site in Southern California due to earthquakes, and it is completely square with few
features. During its run-down years, it was a challenge among many teenagers to find a way to the roof, and put
their name on a certain stone. Part of the challenge was figuring out how to get up there, the other half was
being brave enough to actually enter the intimidating house. The inside of the house was filled with rotting wood
and weak staircases, while the floor was covered with a layer of newspaper pages. A scary looking place with a
sinister prescience, usually on the third and fourth floors seems to be where most activity occurs. Closet doors
push open cold temps wash over you, and when exiting the Mansion, a figure can be seen watching you walk
down stairs from the third floor. Some visitors have witnessed a demonic face watching them and can be seen
coming from a closet that suddenly opens. At certain points inside the Barton Road Mansion you feel watched,
and definitely not welcome. The house was notorious for attracting squatters, hobos and of course this
generated rumors of devil worshipers. It has been a prime location for ghost stories to take root.
Morey Mansion- 190 Terracina Blvd
Morey Mansion in Redlands: The story of the mansion goes that David and Sarah Morey built the house for
$20,000 in 1890 from their profits in the citrus industry. The house, which cost about 20 times more than other
houses in the area, was built by ship builders who also worked for David Morey in one of his other ventures.
About one year after David and Sarah moved into the house, Sarah died of a sudden illness. Grief-stricken, David
Morey never stepped back into the house. David fell into a deep alcoholism and moved into the Hotel Del
Coronado in San Diego. Within a year he had committed suicide and was found hanging in his room.
Many guests have reported paranormal activity, from hearing objects falling and loud bangs in other rooms,
without finding any reason, to having door knobs rattling in the middle of the night. There are also reports that
doors will open and close, and the sound of children can be heard playing. This lovely mansion was once a bed
and breakfast, but it is now under private ownership. Apparently for good reason many of the guests to the Bed
and Bread complained to the then owners of several apparitions including a little girl, an old man, who was once
a caretaker for the mansion and a young boy have been seen, and although most sightings seemed friendly in
nature they still scarred off a lot of the clientele. The Morey Mansion is another one of Redlands more famous
estates. It is widely considered to be one of the more beautiful homes in Redlands. It is now privately owned.
Burrage Mansion - 1205 W. Crescent Avenue
There is a home in Redlands called the House of 1,000 Stairs. The old Burrage Mansion is a large house with 100
stairs outside and 900 stairs inside. The 28-room estate was built in 1901, by Albert C. Burrage for entertaining
purposes. He used it for about two months a year and for only a few years. It included such extravagant features
as a polo field and a glass-covered pool. Burrage sold the home and property in 1924 to Edgar G. Pratt for
$100,000. Plans for a Monte Vista Tourist Hotel Project were announced steadily throughout the 1920’s. Arthur
Gregory owned the mansion in 1931 and allowed Missionary Sisters to move into the vacant home. Gregory sold
to Bishop John F. Knoll the entire home for $15,000 in 1940. The Victory Noll Sisters remained until 1974 calling
the home the “Queen of the Missions.” The stories say that nuns still haunt the place.
Owners followed in quick succession from 1974. Dr. Cyril D. Baine, William Matteson, Jim and Maribeth Lotito &
Jim Graus, Jim and Sharon Fishback, Russell and Tammy Sehuelt, The Rock Church, and now, Tim Rochford.
Tim Rochford formed the Rochford Foundation and has done much to restore the mansion and grounds to their
original glory days. Preserving the heritage of the estate along with serving local children is certainly in keeping
with the philanthropy values of Redlands. It is with great pleasure that the Redlands Area Historical Society
presents this 2010 Heritage Home Award.
Hillside Cemetery- 1540 Alessandro Road
At the Redlands Hillside Cemetery, which is the oldest cemetery in the area with interments dating back to the
mid late 1800's, many people have reported strange happenings such as car horns honking by themselves, lights
blinking and even balls being thrown back over the walls after somebody has thrown them in. Incorporated in
1886, two years before Redlands became a city, the Hillside Cemetery is over 125 years old. With towering, oddshaped gravestones and low hanging tree branches, it is indeed a macabre and scary place.
Kimberly Crest - 1325 Prospect Dr
The Woman in the Window at Kimberly Crest is named for its famous occupant; owner of the Kimberly Clark
Paper Company, this mansion is one of the most well-known estates in Redlands. It is located adjacent to
Prospect Park and is a fine example of the French Chateau style of the early 1900s.
Kimberly Crest was owned continuously by the Shirk family, and occupied by Mary Kimberly Shirk until her death
in 1979. Apparently, the story goes that if you go to Kimberly Crest after hours, you can see Mary in the top floor
window, sitting in her rocking chair.
Fox Theater- 123 Cajon Street
According to some, the old Fox Theatre was also very haunted. The presence that resides here is reportedly a
very violent one. The building has been boarded up for about 10 years and now has been renovated. The building
it's connected to was once an opera house when Redlands was first founded.
Mariposa Elementary School - 30800 Palo Alto Drive
At Redlands Mariposa Elementary School, back in the late 50's or early 60's, a little boy named Billy was hit by a
school bus. He was immediately taken to the nurse's office where he died. As he was dying, he expressed his
desire to get back to school. Legend says that if you knock on the nurse's door, he will knock back or you will hear
him walking in the room. Sometimes he will want you to play with him on the playground, but if you refuse, he
will pick on you. Another story that everyone seems to agree upon is that a single swing at the swing set will sway
back and forth at night as if an invisible Billy is playing by himself.
REFERENCE- http://www.examiner.com/article/ghosts-and-haunted-mansions-redlands-california