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Orange County's Most Haunted Places

Wheeler credit oc public libraries
(credit: OC Public Libraries)

Many are intrigued by the mystery of ghost stories. Some of Orange County's most notable haunted places are explored below. You may be enticed to check out the legends for yourself.

el adobe
El Adobe De Capistrano Restaurant
31891 Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 493-1163
www.eladobedecapistrano.com

Now a Mexican restaurant, this historical landmark used to be a jail and a court that was developed in 1812. El Adobe de Capistrano Restaurant's dining area and wine cellar is where the jail cell used to be. The legend argues that a monk carrying an ax can be seen roaming around at night. Oh, and if an angry monk with an ax does not seem odd enough, the monk is also said to be headless; in case you want to visit and find out for yourself. Eating Mexican food may never be the same.

Related: Most Haunted Places In Orange County

Katie Wheeler Library credit LucMayMan
(credit: LucMayMan)

Irvine Katie Wheeler Library
13109 Old Myford Road
Irvine, CA 92602
(714) 669-8753
www.ocpl.org

Before the Irvine Katie Wheeler Library was established, a well-known home owned by James Irvine II existed on the property. The home is referred to as the Irvine Ranch House where James Irvine II's daughter, Kathryn Helena Irvine, passed away while giving birth. Losing her life in the home was a great tragedy among the Irvine family and since her passing, sightings of a "lady in blue" have been reported. Many believe that due to her difficult death, it's the ghost of Kathryn Helena Irvine.

black star canyon
Black Star Canyon
Black Star Canyon Road
Silverado, CA 92676
(714) 973-6865

Despite some of the natural beauty found at Black Star Canyon, one of the more popular associations to the area is its ghost-like aura. Located in the Santa Ana Mountains, this desolate canyon is notorious for several strange occurrences including abnormal sightings and troubled screams. Perhaps some of the reported paranormal activity could be a result of the fatalities in the battle at Black Star Canyon between Indian natives and Spanish explorers in the 1800s. If the inexplicable sights and screams don't evoke much curiosity, the canyon also has mysterious debris consisting of rummaged cars and sheds. Adventure seekers may want to take this long 16-mile hike to scope out the rumors for themselves.

Disney And Mickey
(credit: General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)

Disneyland
1313 Disneyland Railroad
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 781-4636
www.disneyland.disney.go.com

Many would not relate Disneyland's infamous slogan "The happiest place on earth" to the term "haunted." Perhaps, that's what makes this legend so interesting. Some argue that Walt's spirit is present at the resort, and it's also been suggested that the woman that passed away on the Matterhorn haunts the area of where her death occurred. So the next time you hear shrills and screaming in the park, it may not be coming from just the people around you.

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Plummer 1931 credit Fullerton High School
(credit: Fullerton High School)

Plummer Auditorium
201 E. Chapman Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 626-3803
www.fullertonhigh.org

Built in 1930, Plummer Auditorium is part of Fullerton High School. Rumor has it that one of the school's previous superintendents, Louis Plummer, freely roams the facility. Many believe his presence is indicative of peculiar electrical light sightings. One of the workers at the school even reported seeing a revolving head in the auditorium. Additionally, there used to be secret underground tunnels accessible under the building. Some believe the tunnels served as the source of ghost-like activity.

Stacy Brecht is a professional writer, dancer, marketer and model in the Los Angeles area. Brecht also enjoys traveling, wine, fitness training, volunteering, movies and trying new restaurants. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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