Dublin’s Haunted Landmarks: Ghostly Hound, Creepy Camp Parks

DUBLIN, CA — The East Bay city known for its light-hearted St. Patrick’s Day festivities and its new water park is also famous for a few spooky ghost stories steeped in Tri-Valley's rich history, which dates back to the 1800s. We are not referring to Dublin's evening rush hour traffic, which can be a bit nightmarish at times.

A "ghostly hound dog" is said to roam the Pioneer Cemetery at the Dublin Heritage Park and Museums, according to city officials. Many Tri-Valley pioneers who passed through during the California Gold Rush, including Tom Donlon, are buried in the historic cemetery, which was established in 1859.

City officials said the dog is believed to be a faithful pet of one of the pioneers laid to rest more than a hundred years ago. Donlon, who died after a fall from the church roof, was the first person to be formally buried on the property. Two years ago, the Bay Area Paranormal Society investigated the reports of ghosts at the Dublin Heritage Park and Museums, which includes the old St. Raymond's Catholic Church and the cemetery.

“They collected sound and other readings on their instruments and reported strange voices, including what sounded like a playful child’s voice, in the church,” Elizabeth Isles, Director of the Dublin Heritage Park & Museum told Patch.

Over the years, paranormal activity has also been reported at Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, known to locals as Camp Parks. During World War II, the large property was commissioned in 1943 and was home to the Navy Seabees. The historic base, which housed thousands of those who served, included Shoemaker Naval Hospital and disciplinary barracks. The barracks were later converted into the Santa Rita Jail. The property now serves as a training area for Army Reserve. Most of the original buildings were torn down but some say something unnatural lingers on the base.

City officials say they have also heard reports of ghosts in a warehouse building on Sierra Court and even in some homes in town. The staff at the Heritage Parks Museum keeps a record of all spooky specters in Dublin. Those who want to hear more about Dublin's eerie past can attend the Ghosts Of Dublin, which will be held on Oct. 19 and Oct. 26 at the Heritage Park & Museums. Tickets are available online.

Dublin is not the only city in Tri-Valley with eerie landmarks and whispers of ghosts. Livermore is home to the world's oldest light bulb, a totem pole curse and gravity hill.

Nearby Pleasanton is known around the East Bay for its many hauntings. Home to settlers, scoundrels, prospectors, ladies of the night and bandits, it was originally named Alisal when it was established in the 1850s.

In its early days, Pleasanton was nicknamed "the most desperate town in the West" and was also a popular stop for gangs, bandits and drifters continuously passing through and mingling with the locals and a prostitutes, which prompted the occasional drunken skirmish. Many of the buildings along Main Street are rumored to be haunted.

Some think we caught one on camera...

Read more:

• Unnerving Hotel Shadow May be One of Pleasanton's Legendary Ghosts
• Livermore's Creepy Landmarks, Legends And A Curse

Photos courtesy Autumn Johnson/ Patch