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Ghosts Encountered at the Olivas Adobe
by Richard Senate
FATE Magazine :: May 2008
Many buildings all over the world are recorded as haunted. Some are well known in the literature of the paranormal, but some have fallen between the cracks and are little recognized by those investigating haunted sites. One of those places has the credentials, but few know its wide range of phenomena. Recently the psychic activity has spiked with a number of dramatic events climaxing on Halloween night, 2007.
The site is the historic Olivas Adobe in Ventura, California, now open as a museum. It is one of the older structures standing in a state known for its earthquakes. Built in 1847 by the wealthy rancher Don Raymundo Olivas, the large home was once the social center of the valley. It was a place of lavish parties and warm hospitality, but also a place of sadness. Death took several of Raymundo’s children and grandchildren here; one daughter-in-law died here in childbirth and there is even recorded the murder of his son-in-law by a Native American ranch worker. Who knows how many tragedies didn’t find their way into the historic record?
For years stories of ghosts have swirled around the old adobe hacienda. The first ghostly sightings were recorded in 1972 when the gardening crew spotted a lady in black looking out the window. Over the years the mysterious woman was seen many times by both visitors and staff.
Recently a phantom girl has been seen inside the house. She appears to be about eight years old with long, braided hair. Those who have seen the phantom say she is dressed all in white and is encountered in the children’s room of the house. Looking over the records of the family some believe she is the shade of Maria Olivas, who died as a child here long ago. A group of nine saw her appear years ago.
Just a year ago a young woman staffing an event had a run-in with a rather frightening apparition. While waiting at the gate for a group to arrive, she noticed that everything became very quiet and still. She then got the distinct feeling that someone was watching her. She turned and saw standing near the flagpole a woman all dressed in a white, sleeveless garment. The figure had long black hair but its most arresting feature was its eyes: it had none, only empty, bloody, sockets where they should have been. The figure faded away without moving, and the witness fled to the warmth and light of the office, refusing to come out.
That same night another visitor saw the image of a lady in a white dress and long black hair walking in the rose garden.
Who is this new phantom and why is she missing her eyes? Were they savagely torn out for some reason? What is the tragic story behind this terrible shade?
Special ghost tours of the Olivas Adobe are presented on Halloween. The tours are popular, but usually nothing of a supernatural nature takes place. Sometimes visitors feel the chill of a presence, and a few, with psychic gifts, have reported odd things, such as the small rocking chair in the children’s room rocking by itself. This was about all that ever happened, until Halloween 2007.
The tour that night took place inside the house, visiting each of the seven rooms and hearing stories of ghosts and strange events. In the chapel room, on the second floor, an experiment was conducted. Visitors were asked to turn off their flashlights and stand in the dark. They were looking out of the chapel into the master bedroom. Someone called out the name “Maria.” A chill ran though the group, along with an audible gasp. Slowly taking shape in front of them was a ghost....Read the rest of this article exclusively in the May 2008 issue of FATE. Click here to buy this issue now!
