Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House
410 Island Avenue, San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92101
Occupying the oldest structure in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, this museum is a great place to learn about what life was like in San Diego during the Victorian era. Perhaps the most unusual thing about the house is that it was pre-fabricated in Maine in 1850 and then shipped to San Diego by boat via Cape Horn.
The basics
If you’re visiting the Gaslamp Quarter as part of a guided (or self-guided) history tour, the chances are high that you’ll see the David Horton House and some tours include the chance to step inside the old home. Legend has it that the house is haunted by a whole cast of Victorian ghouls, many of whom allegedly died here when the house served as a hospital, and it’s a popular stop on San Diego ghost tours for this very reason.
Things to know before you go
The Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House is a must-see for fans of the supernatural and those interested in historic architecture.
The house is not wheelchair-friendly and entering requires climbing a small set of stairs.
There’s a small gift shop on site where you can pick up San Diego history books and souvenir swag.
How to get there
The Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House is situated at 410 Island Avenue, on the corner of 4th and Island, in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter. The museum is easy to access by light rail: It’s a 5-minute walk from the Gaslamp Quarter station, a 7-minute walk from the Convention Center station, and a 9-minute walk from the Park & Market Station.
When to get there
The Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House is open from Tuesday through Saturday and closed on Sunday and Monday. Tuesdays are reserved for private, self-guided house tours, which must be booked in advance.
Haunted San Diego
San Diego is full of allegedly haunted spots, particularly in the Gaslamp Quarter. Other haunted spots include the Gaslamp Quarter’s Horton Grand Hotel, which has two haunted rooms (209 and 309), the Villa Montezuma, believed to have a duo of resident ghosts, and Old Town’s eerie El Campo Cemetery.
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