Haunted History

Do ghosts or spirits really exist? Do they come back to haunt the places that held a special place in their lives? What is the relationship between history and hauntings. The History Channel takes a look at reported hauntings of historical places. New England farmhouses, Southern plantations and other areas of historical prominence are visited in this special series. Haunted History attempts to unravel the mysteries of reported sightings of specters and things that go bump in the night. Haunted History would be useful for classes on American History, American Culture and religion. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

San Francisco

This episode of Haunted History examines reports of ghosts and spirits in the city of San Francisco. The Bay City's rich history provides a backdrop for the many sightings of apparitions and spirits.

OBJECTIVES: Students will examine the relationship between history, myth and superstition. They will gain an understanding of the role of individual lives in historical events as well as some of the theories and controversies regarding spectral inhabitation.

NATIONAL STANDARDS: Haunted History fulfills the following National Standards for History for grades 5-12: chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretations, and historical research capabilities for United States History eras 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

• Adversary
• Appease
• Cosmopolitan
• Eccentric
• Enigmatic
• Incendiary
• Jaunt
• Labyrinth
• Permeate
• Proficiency
• Revelry
• Vigil

Discussion Questions

1. San Francisco is a city rich in history and tradition. What are the origins of this city?

2. San Francisco grew leaps and bounds during the Gold Rush. What was the Gold Rush? When did it occur? How did it influence Californian history and American history?

3. San Francisco became a boomtown during the Gold Rush. What is a boomtown? What are the characteristics of one? Can you give any modern day examples of a boomtown?

4. David Broderick died in a gun duel in 1859. Why does his spirit continue to haunt the Leonides Haskell residence at Fort Mason?

5. Historian Richard Senate researches reports and sightings of spirits and apparitions. What is Senate's hypothesis about why spirits remain or return to places that were important in their lives?

6. San Francisco expanded greatly in the 1880s. Why?

7. What is a séance? Why did Sarah Winchester, heir to the Winchester rifle fortune, conduct seances in her home?

8. Discuss the role of the Winchester rifle in American history.

9. Claudia Chambers continues to haunt the mansion that her uncle left to her and her sister. Why? How did Claudia meet her demise?

10. What was Prohibition? Why was it a failure? Why was it repealed?

Extended Activities

1. Design a travel brochure for San Francisco.

2. Research the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. How did it affect the city? How did it change the city? Did any good come from the earthquake?

Related Videos

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Primary Sources

• Amendment XVIII

  Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

  Section 2. The Congress and the several states shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

  Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several states, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the states by the Congress.

  Amendment XXI

  Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

  Section 2. The transportation or importation into any state, territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

  Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several states, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the states by the Congress.

Air Dates

• October 30, 2003