Since the Sunnyvale Toys'R'Us store opened in the early 1970's, staff and customers have experienced a wide range of strange goings on! The photograph you see here was taken during a séance held at the store, for a television show that was looking into the haunting.
Taken with an infrared sensitive camera, the photo shows the seated group, together with a figure standing at the back, watching. No one present remembers seeing anyone standing during the séance, and other cameras shooting the same view all failed to capture this figure.
Taken with an infrared sensitive camera, the photo shows the seated group, together with a figure standing at the back, watching. No one present remembers seeing anyone standing during the séance, and other cameras shooting the same view all failed to capture this figure.
The Haunting
Toys'R'Us Sunnyvale. Staff and customers alike at the Sunnyvale, California, Toys'R'Us store have experienced what they believe is a haunting. It is not just one or two staff members, but many.
Some of the more common, strange events that occur involve staff hearing their names whispered to them, cold breezes and objects moving of their own accord. Taps would turn on by themselves in the women's bathroom, and many of the stores female employees had experienced something unseen playing with their hair.
It is never anything violent and it does not seem to target anyone in particular (besides mainly women). Staff who have come to terms with the idea that their store is haunted regard it as a friendly, if a little mischievous, presence.
But when the phenomena was first beginning to be experienced back in the 70's, it did take the staff unawares. As you would expect, the staff were a little freaked out by the strange poltergeist like happenings, so some outside help was sought.
As word got around, local newspapers started covering the story and in 1978 they brought in (then) renowned and respected psychic/medium Sylvia Browne to make contact, and try to work out what was going on and who the spirit may be.
Sylvia Browne was able to make contact, and the identity of the spirit was found to be Johnny Johnson, a Scandinavian Immigrant, who used to work the farm/plantation that used to be located on the land where the store now stands.
Luckily plenty of research has been done on the plantation itself, and some facts can be confirmed about this story.
Some of the more common, strange events that occur involve staff hearing their names whispered to them, cold breezes and objects moving of their own accord. Taps would turn on by themselves in the women's bathroom, and many of the stores female employees had experienced something unseen playing with their hair.
It is never anything violent and it does not seem to target anyone in particular (besides mainly women). Staff who have come to terms with the idea that their store is haunted regard it as a friendly, if a little mischievous, presence.
But when the phenomena was first beginning to be experienced back in the 70's, it did take the staff unawares. As you would expect, the staff were a little freaked out by the strange poltergeist like happenings, so some outside help was sought.
As word got around, local newspapers started covering the story and in 1978 they brought in (then) renowned and respected psychic/medium Sylvia Browne to make contact, and try to work out what was going on and who the spirit may be.
Sylvia Browne was able to make contact, and the identity of the spirit was found to be Johnny Johnson, a Scandinavian Immigrant, who used to work the farm/plantation that used to be located on the land where the store now stands.
Luckily plenty of research has been done on the plantation itself, and some facts can be confirmed about this story.
The History
The Murphy Ranch House. In 1844 a man named Martin Murphy travelled to California via covered wagon, pulled by oxen (his party was the first to cross the Sierras in such a fashion), and settled in what is now Sunnyvale.
Murphy set up a ranch/plantation, and when he needed a few employees to work the land and its resources, he hired Johan Johnson (Johnny Johnson). Johnny fell in love with Murphy's daughter Elizabeth, but she rejected him.
Johnny's bad luck was not complete until he was infected with encephalitis, and was left slightly brain damaged as a result. Luckily he was still capable of working on the ranch. However, he was given the nickname 'Crazy Johnny' thereafter.
It was in 1884, while he was chopping wood, that Johnny accidentally smashed himself with the axe and bled to death alone, near the orchard.
The Murphy ranch continued to be occupied by several generations of the family until 1950, when it was given to the city of Sunnyvale.
In 1961 the building was gutted by a fire and was soon demolished. In 1970, a 60,000 square foot Toys'R'Us store was built on the location, and then the hauntings began.
Murphy set up a ranch/plantation, and when he needed a few employees to work the land and its resources, he hired Johan Johnson (Johnny Johnson). Johnny fell in love with Murphy's daughter Elizabeth, but she rejected him.
Johnny's bad luck was not complete until he was infected with encephalitis, and was left slightly brain damaged as a result. Luckily he was still capable of working on the ranch. However, he was given the nickname 'Crazy Johnny' thereafter.
It was in 1884, while he was chopping wood, that Johnny accidentally smashed himself with the axe and bled to death alone, near the orchard.
The Murphy ranch continued to be occupied by several generations of the family until 1950, when it was given to the city of Sunnyvale.
In 1961 the building was gutted by a fire and was soon demolished. In 1970, a 60,000 square foot Toys'R'Us store was built on the location, and then the hauntings began.
The Seance
Sylvia Browne. It was during a séance held by Sylvia Browne, and attended by a large number of the stores employees, that she was able to give much of this information, but mainly that concerning Johnny (or Johy as Sylvia put it) and his demise and love for 'Beth' (Elizabeth).
Also attending the séance were several photographers / experts. The store was darkened, as the gathering settled down in one of the more active aisles of the store. A few lights were left on at the end of the aisle to provide some light for one of the cameras using high speed film. Another camera was using infrared film. Both were pointing in the same direction.
As the séance progressed, the others gathered stated that they could hear and/or feel a high pitched buzzing in their heads, as Sylvia talked with Johnny.
Sylvia made contact almost immediately and told the group that Johnny was presently manifested to some degree, however no one could see him.
Also attending the séance were several photographers / experts. The store was darkened, as the gathering settled down in one of the more active aisles of the store. A few lights were left on at the end of the aisle to provide some light for one of the cameras using high speed film. Another camera was using infrared film. Both were pointing in the same direction.
As the séance progressed, the others gathered stated that they could hear and/or feel a high pitched buzzing in their heads, as Sylvia talked with Johnny.
Sylvia made contact almost immediately and told the group that Johnny was presently manifested to some degree, however no one could see him.
The Photo
The photo allegedly showing Johnny standing at the back. Fortunately Johnny could not hide from the cameras, and thus we have this photograph. This is the image as captured by the camera running with infrared film. You can clearly see a slightly transparent human form leaning against one of the shelves, watching the group in front.
The bright flaring of light gives the pants he (I'll call it a ‘he’ from here on in) is wearing a strange shape. He also appears to be holding an object in his hands, possibly a hat or cap of some form.
No one in the group saw anyone standing during the séance that night, and only the one camera captured the image, although other cameras where running at the same time, pointing at the same spot.
When Sylvia told Johnny that he could go, and that he does not need to wait any longer, he replied stating that he would continue waiting for Beth, and in the meantime he enjoys the company in the store and playing with the children.
The haunting has continued.
What do you think?
Could this really be the image of Johnny Johnson?
Or just someone accidentally in frame that no one noticed at the time?
The bright flaring of light gives the pants he (I'll call it a ‘he’ from here on in) is wearing a strange shape. He also appears to be holding an object in his hands, possibly a hat or cap of some form.
No one in the group saw anyone standing during the séance that night, and only the one camera captured the image, although other cameras where running at the same time, pointing at the same spot.
When Sylvia told Johnny that he could go, and that he does not need to wait any longer, he replied stating that he would continue waiting for Beth, and in the meantime he enjoys the company in the store and playing with the children.
The haunting has continued.
What do you think?
Could this really be the image of Johnny Johnson?
Or just someone accidentally in frame that no one noticed at the time?
Ashley Hall 2012
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