Donaldina Cameron House

Posted: 05.01.2025 | Updated: 04.29.2025

The Donaldina Cameron House is a vital part of the historic tapestry of San Francisco. It was named after a fierce protector of both Chinese-American and women’s rights. She risked life and limb to help protect those most vulnerable during the early days of America’s immigration boom. 

Rumor has it that her spirit never quite left the house that bears her name. Even more fascinatingly, she’s not supposed to be alone in her haunting. 

Keep reading on to learn just who the other ghosts are in this haunted house and the history of this San Francisco staple. After you’re done, we’re sure you’ll want to learn even more about haunted California. The best way to do that is by booking an in-person ghost tour with San Francisco Ghosts.

Is the Donaldina Cameron House Haunted?

It’s a difficult question to answer “no” to since strange phenomena and chilling tales have been emerging from this place since its earliest days. We’ve outlined all we know to help you come to a conclusion on your own.

History of the Cameron House

The Donaldina Cameron House, apart from being incredibly fun to say, also has a rich history behind it. In fact, its mission served as a “canary in the coal mine” to remind historians about a tragic, hidden side of America that most of us would just as soon forget. 

It was originally called the Occidental Mission Home for Girls back when it was constructed in the 1870s. The Presbyterian Church of San Francisco established it to protect young Chinese women from human trafficking and slavery during the harsh years of the Chinese Exclusion Acts. 

The Chinese Exclusion Act was a 1882 piece of legislation, signed into law by President Arthur, that prevented any Chinese immigrants or laborers from moving to America or obtaining citizenship there. The Act was fueled by growing anti-Chinese rhetoric and sentiment in America that was bubbling over during this time. 

Naturally, such sentiments and legislation led to a thriving smuggling and trafficking trade. Illegal Chinese laborers – both forced and volunteers – were smuggled into America by the notorious tongs.  These women were often forced into labor, sold as wives to American citizens, or enslaved by brothels. 

The Donaldina Cameron House offered those escaping such fates a refuge and a sanctuary. Not only that, but it also provided food, Christian teachings, and basic education in skills such as mathematics and English. Up to twenty guests could stay at the house at a time, with the ultimate goal being to educate the guests enough for them to be able to live on their own. 

System Flaws 

However, the mission was not without its flaws. Though well-intentioned in their desire to protect the women from becoming exploited again, the strictness of the house could go overboard at times. 

Guests were required to obtain permission to leave, which was rarely granted, and a Presbyterian religious education was mandated, not optional. Not only that, but women were also expected to adopt American customs, such as marrying in white gowns (Chinese brides typically wore red, as white in China symbolizes death).

Hauntings at the Donaldina Cameron House

Born in New Zealand and a longtime social reformer, Donaldina Cameron was certainly a lady who was of the school of “if you want something right, do it yourself.”

She actually would lead raids into illegal trafficking sites and brothels to free the women who were illegally kept there. She would also offer to sleep in the same jail cell as women who were imprisoned for crimes they committed while enslaved. 

This was very indicative of the kind of woman she was – on day one of her tenure, she received a package of dynamite from someone hostile to the idea of the Cameron House, yet she remained undeterred in her mission. 

Overall, she was a proud and dedicated woman whose years of service earned her many friends and warranted renaming this place from the Occidental Mission Home to the Donaldia Cameron House, which we know today. 

And, some say, that’s not the only lasting legacy that Cameron left upon the house. In fact, there are rumors that her spirit still lingers around the building, still keeping a watchful eye on the place, even after death. 

If you’re wondering how to tell the difference between her ghost and one of the current employees, don’t worry – it’s not difficult. She’ll be the only one wearing traditional 19th-century dresses!

And she’s not the only ghost said to inhabit the house named after her, either. 

The Cameron House Tunnels

One lasting element of Cameron’s tenure that can still be seen today in the house is the secret passageways and sealed tunnels. These were installed after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake in order to better protect the women staying there. These tunnels were used to dodge corrupt police and traffickers, but, unfortunately, they weren’t always enough to protect the guests staying inside. 

In one particularly tragic incident, several Chinese house guests died in a fire while they were hiding in the basement from the authorities. Legend has it that they never quite left the Donaldina Cameron House, as many volunteers and workers have reported seeing shadowy figures that look like the victims wandering around the basement late at night.  Sometimes, the sounds of crying can also be heard by people who are in the basement alone.

To this day, the basement remains sealed shut, and red and gold charms hang from the walls and doorways to ward off evil spirits. Perhaps, this is done for the living’s sake or, maybe, the House is still trying to protect those women, even after death. 

However, lest you think that this fire was the start of the Cameron House’s ghost activity, you may want to consider the case of the photographs. You see, even before the fire started, a strange phenomenon had been reported by the house’s guests. 

In many of the numerous photographs hanging on the walls of the house, guests would notice strange figures in white, lurking behind the subject of the photo. Perhaps, a trick of the light, or perhaps these white figures were early indicators that ghostly activity seemed to follow the guests of the Donaldina Cameron House at every turn. 

Haunted San Francisco

These days, though, the House is known for something quite a bit different than ghost activity – its connection to Will Smith. In the movie The Pursuit of Happyness, the basketball court used for shooting is the same one located at the Donaldina Cameron House. 

Whether you’re into Will Smith, the house’s history, or the ghosts that are said to haunt it, there’s quite a lot to experience at the Donaldina Cameron House. 

If you liked this story and want to learn similar tales, check out our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. They spotlight other offbeat ghost stories all over the United States. Checking our blog is another good way to stay up-to-date with all the latest ghost stories and haunted spots in California.

If you want to explore San Fran ghosts up close, a ghost tour with San Francisco Ghosts is the best way to do that. Our guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic and can provide even more information on the area. 

Sources:

• https://discover.hubpages.com/travel/The-Fascinating-History-San-Franciscos-Haunted-Donaldina-Cameron-House
• https://www.7×7.com/haunted-places-san-francisco-1787250333/donaldina-cameron-house
• https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/10/30/sf-haunted-places-halloween