Abandoned Toy Store in Sunnyvale, California Sparks Ghostly Rumors
Haunted Toys "R" Us in Sunnyvale Remains a Local Legend
In Sunnyvale, California, the old farmland that once belonged to Martin Murphy in the 1800s is now home to a modern-day Toys "R" Us. However, the location has a reputation that extends far beyond its current purpose – it is said to be haunted by the ghost of a 19th-century farmhand named Johnny Johnson.
Johnny, who was also known as Yonny or Johan, worked on the ranch and tragically succumbed to encephalitis. According to local legend, his spirit still roams the aisles of the former Toys "R" Us, causing eerie encounters and ghost sightings reported by visitors and staff.
The haunting stories have become well-known in the Bay Area, making this former Toys "R" Us one of the most famous haunted retail locations regionally. Paranormal activity includes reported sightings of apparitions, unexplained noises, and a generally unsettling atmosphere that some attribute to Johnny Johnson’s restless spirit.
One such famous story is the haunted Toys "R" Us of Sunnyvale, California. It is said that Johnny had a romantic interest in Murphy's daughter, Elizabeth, but their relationship was not reciprocated. When Johnny learned that Elizabeth was planning to leave and marry a lawyer, he fatally wounded himself while out chopping wood.
The legend persists due to local interest and social media amplification rather than verified paranormal investigation outcomes. For example, during the hauntings, a seance was held at the Toys "R" Us store, led by psychic Sylvia Brown. An infrared photograph taken during the seance shows a silhouette of a man leaning against a shelf, surrounded by an intensely bright light.
The image of Johnny Johnson's spirit engulfed in purple light during a psychic attempt to lead him home is a memorable part of the ghost story. However, there is no official documentation confirming the supernatural events, and these reports are anecdotal, typical of many haunted site narratives.
Other reports suggest that strange occurrences continue in nearby stores, such as a PETCO, indicating that Johnny Johnson may haunt the entire plantation area. An individual in a Reddit thread claimed to have worked at a PETCO in the same area and experienced bizarre occurrences like rolling tennis balls and thrown office papers.
Retail ghost sightings, such as objects popping off shelves, are fairly common in stores and supermarkets. While the truth behind the legend remains unverified, the combination of history, local legend, and modern social media has kept the haunted Toys "R" Us story alive in Sunnyvale's cultural memory.
[1] TikTok video about the haunted Toys "R" Us in Sunnyvale [2] Instagram post about the haunted Toys "R" Us in Sunnyvale [3] Local news article about the haunted Toys "R" Us in Sunnyvale [4] Reddit thread discussing the haunted Toys "R" Us in Sunnyvale [5] Paranormal investigation blog post about the haunted Toys "R" Us in Sunnyvale
- The local legend of the haunted Toys "R" Us in Sunnyvale, California, has gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, becoming a popular topic of discussion and entertainment within pop-culture.
2.Visitors and staff at the haunted Toys "R" Us in Sunnyvale have reported strange occurrences that range from eerie encounters to pop-culture references related to Johnny Johnson's tragic story, making it a unique blending of history, folklore, and modern entertainment.
