Ghost towns, abandoned buildings, and underground tunnels… These are all common (and almost cliché) places we think of when the word “haunted” comes to mind. Many of the stories surrounding these locations are hard to corroborate and are based on urban legends from long ago.
But what if there was a place that actually tops the charts (yes, charts) when it comes to ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena, complete with photos and everything? That’s exactly what happens in this town, which is just a short drive from L.A.
An oil, wine, and ghosts powerhouse
Nestled near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, this unassuming town sits quietly, a little less than two hours from the City of Angels. A significant hub for both agriculture and energy production in the heart of Kern County, Bakersfield reigns supreme when it comes to ghost sightings.
How do we know? Ghosts of America, the largest unofficial website in the U.S. for reporting paranormal activity, places this city at the very top, with a total of 85 reported sightings. Though the number might seem small, it’s striking given that the city has just over 400,000 residents…
Most haunted places in Bakersfield
According to the website U.S. Ghost Adventures, there are several places around this unassuming city where it’s more likely to have a strange encounter with an underworld entity.
The most famous spots include the Padre Hotel. Built in 1928, its “colorful” history includes owner Milton “Spartacus” Miller’s decades-long feud with city authorities, a rumored 1950 fire that killed several people, and ongoing reports of ghostly figures, moving objects, and fleeting shadows.
The downtown post office is said to be haunted by the spirit of a Prohibition-era bootlegger who died during harsh interrogation in the basement. Postal workers continue to report eerie presences and unexplained noises even nowadays.
Other haunted sites include the Bakersfield Californian Building, where the ghost of former owner Alfred Harrel reportedly roams, Bakersfield High School, haunted by students, staff, and spirits from a former hospital on its grounds, and the Hopkins Building, a partially abandoned office space frozen in time since the 1952 earthquake.