THE STORY
Reported Haunting
The property’s primary hauntings and supernatural lore include:Senator Thomas Bard: The ghost of the U.S. Senator and Union Oil president—who died inside the home in 1915—is said to return to his former residence. An evening manager working in a second-floor office reported hearing heavy footsteps approach his door before it burst open to reveal the solid apparition of the Senator.Elizabeth "Mollie" Bard: The Senator’s wife is routinely spotted manifesting near the entrance to the men’s restroom. A guest using the facility looked into the mirror and witnessed a spectral woman scowling at him, only to turn around and find the room completely empty.Ah Ching: The spirit of a fiercely loyal Chinese servant who managed the household is frequently seen wandering all over the property, primarily concentrated around the third-floor attic space where the historic servants' quarters were located.The Attics and Grounds: Visitors, base personnel, and tour groups frequently report an oppressive presence or sudden "haunted house vibes" in the attic, along with disembodied whispering and phantom figures popping up unexpectedly in selfies.
California senator Thomas R. Bard’s home, built in 1912, is also known as Berylwood. The house is said to be haunted by the senator’s wife, whose apparition has been seen in photographic images. Senator Bard, his servants and some soldiers are believed to haunt the house as well. Witnesses describe strange whispering sounds around the mansion.