Entry No. 37 — the San Diego file — filed under: history

Villa Montezuma

Built in 1887 for Jesse Shepard, a self-styled "psychic pianist" who claimed dead composers played through him during séances in this stained-glass Queen Anne mansion. He and his partner lived there only about a year before mortgaging the house to fund a book in Paris; they returned briefly in 1889 and sold it as the boom collapsed, leaving the spiritualist reputation behind for the city to keep.

The move: Take the paid tour of the restored parlor and music room where Shepard staged his channeling sessions, then argue afterward about whether the stained glass really does change mood with the light.

• 📍 Sherman Heights
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 1925 K St, San Diego, CA 92102

Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Wikipedia

last checked: 2026-07-19