In the late 60s and early 70s, there used to be a mystical white deer that lived in the haunted canyon behind the Presidio in Old Town. The deer was extremely elusive and seeing it up on the hill as you drove by on the 8 Freeway was akin to a religious experience. If you were lucky enough to see it, you would rush home to tell your friends as they gathered around in awe. Many people never saw it and doubted its existence at all. But if you were lucky enough to spot that white deer for a fleeting few seconds up on that hill, a serene calmness would wash over you as you forgot about your petty troubles.
Legend has it that a rich eccentric widow in Mission Hills had the deer as a pet, and it jumped the fence after she died. For years, it roamed Presidio Hill and never bothered anybody; the entire city was in love with our white deer. Then one dark day, that all changed.
The deer was grazing along Taylor Street, as it was known to do. Somebody driving by panicked and called Animal Control to come take control of the situation. The deer was shot with a tranquilizer dart and began bolting around. It either died of shock or from the drugs; nobody knows for sure. But on that day, we lost our local symbol of peace.
The entire city was outraged, and indeed, a feeling of despair hung over San Diego for weeks after the incident. Something in this town died with that deer and has never come back. Until perhaps another ghostly spirit animal shows up.
Don’t miss out! Click below to discover this story and more in the full issue.
