Haunted San Diego: The Haunting at Hotel Del Coronado

The grand Victorian resort known as the Hotel del Coronado that sits across the bay from San Diego is not known to locals only for the slew of celebrities that has come through their charming beautiful doors or for even being featured in the 1959 comedy caper, "Some Like It Hot" starring the one and only Marilyn Monroe. It is known for a tragedy that happened more than a hundred years ago. A tragedy that has not been forgotten because maybe the person it happened to, won't let us ever forget. Her name is Kate Morgan and she haunts the Hotel del Coronado to this very day.

On November 24, 1892, a pregnant and beautiful woman in her 20's entered the Hotel del Coronado looking quite fatigued, identified herself as Lottie A. Bernard and requested a room. It seemed a bit unusual that this young woman did not have any luggage with her. She disclosed to employees that she was on a trip with her sibling and they had traveled by way of train. He would soon arrive at the Hotel del Coronado and he possessed her claim ticket which would help her obtain her luggage. The clerk gave her a room key to #3312 and she was on her way.

Bernard's mysterious sibling never did arrive to meet her. On the fourth day into her stay, she went into town where she purchased shells along with a caliber pistol. The next morning, Bernard was found dead outside the hotel near the beach. She had shot herself in the head. But why?

It was later found out that Lottie A. Bernard was in fact an alias she was using and her real name was Kate Morgan. She and her husband had ran a poker scam on unsuspecting men by posing as brother and sister. It is said that her husband became upset when she revealed she was pregnant. A bottle containing quinine was later located in the room she was staying in. Morgan had this in her possession to abort her unborn child.

Strange occurrences have happened at the Hotel del Coronado after Kate Morgan's death. Guests along with hotel employees have stated that they have heard steps when nobody is there. The curtains in room 3312 have moved as if the wind was blowing through them when no window is open. There will be noticeable changes in the temperature which can't be explained. An object in the room will disappear only to have it reappear a short time later. The lights and television will go on and off for no apparent reason. Items in a nearby gift shop would fly off the wall much to the horror of employees and guests. Then there is of course the actual apparition of Kate Morgan herself who was seen wearing a long black dress. So if you are ever visiting the Hotel del Coronado, and you see or hear something that your rational mind can't possibly explain, it might just be Kate Morgan's restless spirit letting you know that she is indeed there.