The Most Haunted Locations in Pasadena

Pasadena, California, is famous for its historic landmarks and beautiful neighborhoods, but lurking beneath its charm are tales of paranormal activity that have intrigued locals and visitors for years. From century-old theaters to grand mansions, Pasadena has its share of haunted locations with chilling stories passed down through generations. Whether you’re a fan of ghostly lore or simply curious about the city’s darker side, these haunted sites will surely send a shiver down your spine.

What Are Some Creepy Facts About Pasadena?

• Pasadena is only about 150 years old, but the land on which the city sits is much older. It was once home to the San Gabriel Mission, the fourth in California, and Native Americans, whose history goes back even further.
• Pasadena was instrumental in the Pacific War. There is a lot of bloodshed linked back to this area, and it’s believed that those spirits still linger today. 

Ready to dive into Pasadena’s haunted history? Explore these spooky locations and learn the eerie stories behind them. Book a ghost tour with Pasadena Ghosts if you dare! 

Colorado Street Bridge

The Colorado Street Bridge was once part of the iconic Route 66, a highway notorious for its hazards. When Route 66 was first built, it lacked lights and guardrails, and in areas like Pasadena, the mountainous terrain posed additional risks. Fatal accidents were tragically common, with head-on collisions often proving fatal due to the absence of car safety features in the 1920s when the highway was completed.

One of the most dangerous sections was the Colorado Street Bridge, completed in 1913 and part of Route 66 from 1936 to 1940. Nicknamed the “Suicide Bridge,” it became infamous for numerous tragic deaths, some preventable, while others seemed driven by unknown forces.

The “Suicide Bridge” Earns Its Haunting Reputation

When completed in the early 1900s, the Colorado Street Bridge was considered the highest concrete bridge in the world, at 150 feet high. Unfortunately, that reputation attracted all kinds of people who were looking to leave this world for the next by jumping to their deaths off of this bridge. This was especially true during the Great Depression when many Californians lost their fortunes and faced a dismal future.

Even before the bridge was finished, it was home to a very unfortunate and untimely death. A construction worker, known for playing pranks at the worksite, fell into wet cement underneath the bridge. He was unable to be retrieved and died, still stuck in the cement. Sometimes, he can be seen sitting near the place where he died, looking sad and forlorn over his entirely preventable death. 

The first person to intentionally jump off the bridge did so in 1919, only six years after the bridge was opened for public use. Since then, there have been at least 100 recorded deaths on this bridge. Notable suicides include the death of a mother who threw her young child over the bridge before she jumped herself. Thankfully, the child landed in a tree and survived, but the mother did not. These days, she is seen wandering the bridge at night, in tears, wondering where her baby is. 

Rialto Theatre

The Rialto Theatre in Pasadena, CA, opened its doors in October 1925, originally showcasing movies and vaudeville performances. Designed by architect Lewis A. Smith, the Rialto combines Egyptian and Spanish Baroque architectural influences. The theater’s grandeur includes dressing rooms, an orchestra pit, and retail spaces flanking the building, with apartments above. Over its nearly century-long history, it has seen a constant flow of visitors, performers, and management changes. Though it was almost demolished in the 1970s for parking spaces, local efforts successfully saved it, earning it a spot on the Historic-Cultural Monument list in 1977. While it now operates as a church with occasional movie screenings, the Rialto remains a significant cultural landmark. Renovated in the 2020s, it even briefly returned to the spotlight in the film “La La Land.” Despite these updates, the theater’s past—complete with fires, close calls, and hauntings—continues to define its eerie allure.

Ghosts of the Rialto: Hauntings That Linger

For decades, the Rialto has been the subject of chilling ghost stories. Two fires (one in the 1930s and another in 1968) seem to have ignited tales of the supernatural. One particularly unsettling story involves a young woman who tragically took her life in the theater bathroom and later died in a balcony seat. Visitors today claim the stalls in the women’s restroom still shake, possibly a sign of her restless spirit. Another haunting centers on a man who allegedly went insane while working in the projector booth. A confused figure matching his description is often seen moving aimlessly from seat to seat in the theater.

Even the theater’s old feline resident hasn’t left. The “theater cat,” once known for greeting guests by brushing against their legs, is still reportedly spotted, accompanied by a strange red light. Visitors also speak of whispers, mysterious orbs, and unexplained marks appearing in photographs, suggesting that the Rialto’s past may not be entirely at rest.

Pasadena Playhouse

The Pasadena Playhouse, which opened in 1917, is one of California’s oldest theaters. Gilmore Brown led the charge with this playhouse, creating an acting troupe that worked to build and then occupy the theater once it opened. Brown was fortunate to have many affluent and influential figures nearby to help get the playhouse off the ground. After all, Los Angeles was a playground for the rich and famous. 

But Brown didn’t rest on his laurels and let the money do the work for him. The drama leader was passionate about making his productions as good as possible, hiring the best talent, and sparing no expense on sets and costumes. His hard work paid off – even George Bernard Shaw came to the theater and declared it “the Athens of the West.” 

The Show (Still) Goes on at Pasadena Playhouse

Gilmore Brown is said to still linger around the theater he built from the ground up, a place where he dedicated so much of his time. Known as a benevolent spirit, Brown’s love for the Pasadena Playhouse lives on, much like the crew’s admiration for him. His presence is often felt through the sound of footsteps echoing through the theater, and it’s not uncommon for him to make subtle adjustments to the stage lighting. Far from being unsettling, many see Brown’s continued presence as a blessing.

However, Brown’s patience wears thin with laziness. One stagehand, notorious for slacking off, experienced this firsthand. While avoiding his duties one night, he suddenly heard a voice shout, “Hey! Start working!” He hurriedly began sweeping, only to realize he was alone in the theater. Moments later, the sound of angry footsteps approaching sent him fleeing, abandoning his broom, dustpan, and even his final paycheck.

The Gamble House

The Gamble House is a stunning example of early 20th-century American Arts and Crafts architecture. Built in 1908 for David and Mary Gamble of the Procter & Gamble family, the home was designed by architects Charles and Henry Greene. The house’s handcrafted woodwork, stained glass windows, and intricate details showcase the Greenes’ commitment to harmony between architecture and nature. Today, it is both a museum and a National Historic Landmark, attracting visitors for its architectural significance.

Preserved in nearly original condition, the Gamble House continues to evoke the lifestyle of the early 1900s. The meticulous design, with elements like custom furniture and hand-carved details, reflects the Greenes’ dedication to craftsmanship. Though its current function is as a museum, it still feels like a home, with every room filled with a sense of history and quiet grandeur.

Ghostly Whispers: Hauntings at the Gamble House

While the Gamble House is best known for its architectural beauty, some visitors have reported unexplained phenomena over the years. Ghostly whispers, shadowy figures, and cold spots are said to be shared experiences among those who visit the home, particularly during quieter times. Some speculate that the spirits of former residents or workers may still linger, watching over the house they helped create and maintain.

Several visitors and staff members have also reported the eerie sensation of being watched, especially in the primary bedroom and the grand living room. While no violent or tragic events have been documented at the Gamble House, these subtle paranormal occurrences add a layer of mystery to this historic residence, leaving many to wonder who or what remains behind.

Who haunts the Gamble House?

There are no clear records of specific hauntings tied to a particular individual at the Gamble House. However, some believe that the spirits of the original owners, David and Mary Gamble, or even one of the craftsmen who worked on the home may be responsible for the strange occurrences. These figures could be keeping watch over the legacy they left behind, ensuring that the house remains as beautiful and timeless as the day it was built.

Castle Green

Originally built as an annex to the Green Street Hotel in 1898, Castle Green served as a luxurious retreat for celebrities and others seeking the “sunlight cures” popular at the time. It attracted people hoping Pasadena’s sunny climate and nearby sea air would restore their health. In addition to temporary guests, some residents lived in permanent apartments, making Castle Green a full-time home. Over the years, parts of the once-larger complex were torn down, but the main building still stands as a testament to its grandeur and history.

Despite its beauty, Castle Green has been the site of strange and tragic events. One of the most chilling stories involves a man who, during the mid-1900s, was dragged off his balcony by an unseen force, falling to his death and being impaled on a spike. A fatal fire also claimed lives after a man fell asleep with a lit cigar, leaving burn marks that can still be seen on parts of the building. These events are just some circumstances that have led to the site’s reputation for paranormal activity.

Ghosts of Castle Green: Hauntings That Linger

Castle Green is said to be alive with paranormal energy. One of the most famous spirits is that of a young boy who died of tuberculosis after being abandoned by his mother. Heartbroken and starved, his ghost is said to follow visitors, particularly those who give off a maternal vibe, continuing his search for the care he lost.

Another common sighting is an older woman who once had dementia. In life, she would often get lost in the vast hallways of the castle, and now, in death, she is still seen shuffling aimlessly. Witnesses say her appearance sometimes shifts—at moments, she looks elderly, while at other times, she appears much younger, as though reliving different stages of her life.

Other unexplained occurrences abound at Castle Green. Staff and visitors alike report hearing phantom coughing from empty rooms and the sound of footsteps echoing through deserted hallways. One of the most startling apparitions is a man dressed in a dapper suit and top hat. Guests often mistake him for a costumed actor, only to watch him vanish before their eyes. 

Who Haunts Castle Green?

The spirits of Castle Green appear to be tied to its history of illness and tragedy. The young boy with tuberculosis and the elderly woman with dementia are believed to be two of the castle’s most frequent apparitions. Meanwhile, the identity of the dapper man in the top hat remains a mystery, adding to the eerie aura surrounding this historic site.

Cobb Estate/Haunted Forest

Located just a few miles outside of Pasadena in Altadena, the Cobb Estate, also known as the “Haunted Forest,” has a reputation for being one of the most eerie and unsettling spots in the area. Initially built in 1918 by lumber magnate Charles Cobb, the estate once featured a grand mansion surrounded by lush forestland. After Cobb’s death, the property changed hands several times before being left in ruins. The once-luxurious estate was eventually demolished in the 1950s, leaving only the surrounding forest and the foundations of the former mansion. Today, the area is a public hiking trail, but it’s far from just a scenic walk in the woods.

Over the years, the Cobb Estate has become infamous for its unsettling atmosphere and tales of paranormal activity. Locals often call it the “Haunted Forest,” and it’s no wonder why. Those who venture onto the trails have reported strange events, including sightings of ghostly figures, disembodied voices, and sudden feelings of dread. The estate’s decaying remnants and dark history make it a hot spot for those seeking a brush with the supernatural.

Haunting Tales of the Cobb Estate

One of the most common ghost stories associated with the Cobb Estate is that of a mysterious figure who wanders the trails late at night. Witnesses describe seeing a shadowy person lurking near the mansion’s ruins, only for the figure to disappear when approached. There are also reports of strange, echoing footsteps that follow hikers through the forest, even when no one else is nearby. These unexplained sounds have led many to believe that the spirits of former residents or visitors still haunt the grounds.

Other paranormal occurrences include sudden cold spots, eerie whispers, and a sense of being watched. Some even claim that the area is cursed, noting that tragedies like the recent death of a woman in 2023 add to the foreboding energy that permeates the site. Whether it’s due to the estate’s tragic past or the natural isolation of the forest, the Cobb Estate continues to draw visitors looking to uncover the mystery of its hauntings.

Devil’s Gate

Devil’s Gate is a dam located in Pasadena, California, with an ominous reputation. Named for the rock formation near the dam resembling a horned devil profile, the site has long been associated with eerie legends and dark history. Built in the 1920s, the dam was originally intended to help with flood control, but it has since gained notoriety for the sinister stories that surround it.

In the 1950s, the area became infamous when several children disappeared after venturing near Devil’s Gate, vanishing without a trace. This fueled the already growing belief that the site was cursed or even an entrance to hell. Adding to the dam’s dark legacy, occult rituals were rumored to have been performed here by notorious figures like Jack Parsons, a rocket scientist and follower of Aleister Crowley, and L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. These events have solidified Devil’s Gate as one of Pasadena’s most feared locations.

Unexplained Phenomena at Devil’s Gate

The lore surrounding Devil’s Gate goes beyond just strange disappearances. Many claim that the site is a portal to another realm and that paranormal activity is expected. Visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices, seeing strange figures in the distance, and feeling an overwhelming sense of dread while near the dam. Some have even claimed to see shadowy figures standing at the edge of the gate, watching from afar before mysteriously vanishing.

The rituals performed by Parsons and Hubbard have added another layer to the area’s eerie atmosphere. It’s said that their occult practices may have opened a gateway to dark forces, with some locals believing that these forces are responsible for the strange happenings around Devil’s Gate. The site’s reputation as an “entrance to hell” has only grown stronger as more stories of paranormal encounters surface.

Explore Pasadena’s Haunted History

Pasadena’s rich history is filled with beautiful landmarks and captivating stories, but lurking behind its charm are chilling tales of haunted locations that continue to fascinate ghost hunters and thrill-seekers alike. 

The city has numerous sites with unexplained phenomena and ghostly encounters, from historic theaters to eerie dams. These haunted places offer a glimpse into Pasadena’s darker past, where the line between history and the paranormal blurs.

If you’re curious to explore the spooky side of Pasadena, why not experience it firsthand? Join Pasadena Ghosts for a guided tour of the city’s most haunted locations and discover the eerie stories that still haunt the streets today. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blogs for more real hauntings.

Sources:

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