Eight Great: Spooky spots for sightings in Southwest Riverside

Temecula Boot Hill in Old Town Temecula is said to be lurking with spirits.

On Saturday ghosts and ghouls will be roaming the streets in search of treats. Of course, I mean the little ones, but what about the real spirits that may be haunting about in the area, lingering around because of some unfinished business? Several reports of apparitions and paranormal activity have been spotted right here in the Southwest area. Fact or fiction, it’s entertaining to think about this time of year…and if you have the nerve, make like a ghost and hover around one of these eight great places to possibly encounter something supernatural.

#1. The Chimes in Lake Elsinore - If it’s antiques you are searching for then make a stop here, but if you are daring enough to run into antique souls, then stick around a little longer. The large building sits on the corner of Graham Avenue and Spring Street in Elsinore. Built by one of Elsinore’s founders Franklin Heald in the late 1800s, it was used as a bath house that drew tourists in from all around the country. It has been reported that “The Chimes” is haunted by Heald’s ghost as well as one of a little boy’s, who apparently drowned there in a pool in the 1940s. There are certain spots of the building that’ll send chills down your spine and the ghost of the little boy has been seen in the basement. The place was later dubbed, “The Chimes” because of a past owners love for wind chimes. You might just come in to browse for some antiquities, but don’t be surprised if a ghost “chimes” in to your shopping experience.

#2. The Old Mill - Nestled in Old Town Murrieta off Washington Avenue, this is a popular restaurant named after the historic landmark. According to legend it is one of the most haunted places in Riverside County. If you are hankering for a great pizza dine here you may have some unexpected guests joining your table. A little girl in a blue dress can sometimes be spotted in the middle tower window. At times, customers have claimed to hear laughter, see glowing eyes and smell jasmine. On a popular ABC show titled “Most Haunted Destinations,” they rated The Old Mill as the 7^th most haunted place in the United States. With a label like that you are definitely going to see some ghosts “milling” about these parts.

#3. McDonald’s in Temecula - The McDonald’s off of Jefferson in Temecula has claimed to have served over 90 billion customers-is that alive and dead? Apparently an old Indian woman likes to make her presence here in the women’s restroom. Several female customers have said that after coming from the bathroom stall they witness a woman, possibly a Temecula native staring at them in the mirror. Many employees have also mentioned some unnatural incidents. I don’t know about you, but I would rather see a frightening clown trying to sell me a burger than a deceased Native American woman peering over my shoulder. That doesn’t make for a happy meal.

#4. Jack in the Box in Fallbrook - Jack in the Box off of Mission Road in Fallbrook was once visited by some unruly hippies back in the 1960’s. The legend is that the hippies brutally attacked the employees, killing them. Sometimes now, late at night you can hear the hippie music and the workers chatting. Looking out the window, you can occasionally catch the ghost of a former employee washing the windows. It has also been said that at 4:34 a.m., the lights will flicker on and off giving you the ability to see the deceased. So much for peace and love man, I will be taking that Jack Combo to go, thank you.

#5.  Stout Family Funeral Home in Temecula - If you stagger into this funeral home I guarantee you will see dead people. Ha! How about the apparitions of dead people? Quite possibly. According to reports, this funeral home off Madison Avenue in Temecula is in fact haunted. A black spirit is often seen in the embalming room, flickering of lights will occur, knocking on doors ensue, and sometimes a faint whispering will be heard. It’s hard to say whose lost soul it is, considering new ones arrive daily.

#6. Menifee - Phantoms apparently run rampant in the new and improving city of Menifee. The ghost of a Civil War soldier can often be seen crying along Bundy Canyon Road. A ghost has been seen trying to send out a package at the Menifee Post Office, and another apparition was spotted slurping gasoline from a local gas station. If it has always been a desire of yours to see the fictional Headless Horseman, perhaps you want to hang around in order to catch a glimpse of the headless woman that roams around the Adobe Spring. Funny, I have yet to run into her at Super Target.

#7. Old Town Temecula - The streets of Old Town are filled with haunting tales. It is known that most of Temecula is built on Indian burial grounds, so it’s bound to have some haunts. The Palomar Inn is a hotel that has reported such events. Guests who have stayed here claim that they have heard footsteps around the halls, fully aware that no others are in the hotel. A housekeeper even said that she saw a ghost-like figure pass through the rooms as she was doing her duties. A house off of 6^th Street was reported to be filled with the undead, and several businesses along the streets have also stated that on occasion they feel as though unwanted presences abound. Old Town is offering a tour to the brave who dare see such things. If you are a Temecula resident, you might just have your own ghost stories to share with the group.

#8. Fallbrook Union High School in Fallbrook - Apparently in September 1999, this high school underwent some remodeling, only to uncover a gravesite that was believed to be that of a Native American Indian chief’s. Since the renovations, there have been many sightings of orbs and sounds howls in the wind. In 2002, there were 14 reports of smoke on campus, yet there was never a fire. Packs of coyotes are often seen running through the area, said to possibly be trying to protect the sight. Take a stroll on South Stage Coach Lane if you hope to run into the spirit of the Indian Chief, but don’t fret, the school’s mascot is the Warriors… so you should be protected.

Now, you could go and get your fill of phantoms by going to see a late showing of the recent blockbuster hit “Paranormal Activity”…but isn’t it more chilling going to see a “live” show…err…I mean, a dead one?

Tags: Fallbrook, Fallbrook Union High School, Lake Elsinore, McDonald's in Temecula, Menifee, Menifee Post office, Murrieta, Old Town Temecula, Stout Family Funeral Home, SWRNN, Temecula, The Chimes in Lake Elsinore, The Old Mill, wildomar

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