Best Haunted Hotels: The Hayes Mansion Caretaker
As an avid traveler and ghost hunter, I always love when I can combine a visit to an interesting place with some great ghost hunting. Part of my mission for starting Unusual Journeys was to share the stories of spirits I’ve met on my travels around the world. The Hayes Mansion in San Jose is not only one of the prettiest historic hotels I’ve stayed at, it’s also one of the most haunted hotels. I’ve confirmed at least three friendly spirits there.
The Hayes Mansion is a prominent stop on my Northern Cali Road Trip, available in the store!
How to Ghost Hunt, the Flashlight Method
To understand how I had the conversation shared below, it helps to understand my preferred method of ghost hunting. I use a Mini Maglite flashlight that can be bought for around $13 at Walmart. This type of flashlight twists on and off. That’s very important for ghost hunting. The twist on/off mechanism allows the connection between the battery and the light to be just barely separated and the spirit can use its energy to jump the circuit to control the light.
To set the light up, twist it so that it’s just barely turned off and carefully set it on a solid surface. I begin by saying hello, and asking if there is anyone who would like to talk. I then explain that they can come and use their energy to turn the light (pointing it out) on and off. If they are able to turn the light on and get control, I can ask questions, and we can talk. I’ve always found that explaining that they have to come and use their energy helps.
Rarely have I had an immediate response. And often it can take hours.
I’ll grab a beer or glass of wine, enjoy the atmosphere and just sit, talking about the place or city I’m in.
Browsing local history and talking about it as you read often draws spirits out who have an opinion about what you’re saying so don’t be afraid to let your mind wonder and ask questions out loud about what you’re thinking. You just never know what will trigger a response and get someone to turn the light on to say hello.
The Hayes Mansion Ghost #1 Introduces Himself
On this night, I was on the patio outside of the small bar area at the hotel. It was around 8:30pm. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and there are often weddings and corporate events going on at the hotel with people enjoying the yard and patio areas. It keeps things lively. I was watching just one such corporate event that seemed to be quite the rowdy, fun group.
I had commented on the partying crowd and how much fun they seemed to be having when my light flickered on.
My first response is always to ask if someone is there, and if so, can they turn the light back off. It took a few seconds (and a few flickers) but it finally turned off. This is a key moment and often determines whether the flicker was a fluke, an errant spirit that doesn’t really have control, or someone that you’ll actually get to interact with. I thanked them for turning the light off and asked if they could turn it back on for me, explaining that they would have to be able to control the light for me to be able to ask questions.
A few moments later the light came back on. This is a great sign. If the spirit can gain control of the light, you’ve got a great chance that they’ll be interested and able to answer questions. I kindly asked if they could turn the light back off again. Still slow, but the light turned off!
I thanked them again and introduced myself, expressing how excited I was that they were here and wanted to talk. I explained how it would work: I’ll ask a a question and they could answer “yes” by turning the light on, or “no” by keeping the light off. Knowing that it often takes effort and time to get full control of the light, I told them that I’d go slow and give them time to answer.
I started with the basics and asked, “Are you a man?” The light fluttered, but I couldn’t tell if that was a sure answer or not and said so. I asked again. After a few moments, the light came on.
“Thank you! I appreciate that you are trying. I know it’s not easy. Can you turn the light back off and I’ll ask you another question?”
Validation is another important part of the process. Obviously, I can’t see the spirit. And I can’t know if there’s truly someone answering questions or if the reaction is more random unless I validate. Once the light turned back off, I asked “Are you female, a woman?”
The light stayed off, a good sign. But not necessarily confirmation at this early stage. So I cordially explained that I needed to make sure he had had control of the light and was truly answering my questions. I asked him to turn the light back on to confirm he was, indeed, a man.
The light went on. Much quicker this time. Almost as if I’d insulted him a bit by not believing he was answering.
“Wow! You’re starting to really get the hang of this, that’s great!” Positive reinforcement is always helpful. And, truthfully, causing a bit of offense isn’t always a bad thing. It probably takes a fair amount of energy to control the light and emotion seems to up the energy and often helps to strengthen responses.
At any rate, it seemed he’d gotten the hang of it. Now I could start digging in.
Q&A with the Hayes Mansion Caretaker Spirit
Did you live here at the mansion?
The light went on … yes.
Are you a member of the Hayes family?
The light stayed off … no.
Did you know the Hayes family?
No
Did you work here?
Yes
Did you help build the mansion?
No
Did you work the grounds for the family, like at the nearby train station?
No
Did you live here while the family lived here?
No
I heard that President’s visited this place, is that true?
Yes
Were you here when a President visited?
No
Did you live here in the 1950s?
No
Did you live here in the 1960s?
Yes
There are a lot of parties here, do you like all the people?
No
(I laughed) Yes, well, I’m sure they can get loud and rowdy sometimes …
Light turned on in agreement
Do you like it here?
Yes
Me too. I love how beautiful the grounds are. I love to stay here every time I visit San Jose. I bet the original decor of the house was really gorgeous.
Light turned on in agreement
Ah! So you saw the original decor of the house!’
Light stayed on
(Once the light went back off) Do you like the way it’s decorated now?
No
(I laughed) Yes, I bet the hotel renovations aren’t anywhere as nice as it used to be.
Light turned on BRIGHTLY in agreement
Do you watch over this place?
Yes
At this point the light was getting dimmer, like it was getting harder for him to answer. He’d been so kind and forthcoming, I thanked him for his time and for watching over the mansion and bid him good night.
The next day I looked up a little about the history to try and figure out who he could have been, or what he could have been doing at the mansion. After the Hayes family sold the home in the 1950s, it was used as a local boarding house until about the 70s when it was pretty much abandoned and, sadly, allowed to get run down. In the late 80s the city purchased it, and by the 90s they began restorations. My guess is that the man I talked to either ran/managed the boarding house or lived in it and just loved the place enough to want to stay and watch over.
Photo at right of the mansion in the 1970s
That’s why I lovingly call him the Caretaker. One things for sure, he had a very strong opinion about the current hotel’s lack of taste and quality when it came to remodel and decor choices. (At the time it was under Wyndham ownership, and has now been completely remodeled by Hilton).
Feature Photo Credit: Hilton Curio Collection
Read about the other two spirits I met at the Hayes Mansion Hotel:
