Halloween story: Pioneer’s child may haunt Mt. Madonna Park

Sarah Alice Miller died instantly after thrown by her horse; her ghost is said to be seen by campers and hikers

Photo illustration by Design Factory Graphics
The ghost of Sarah Alice Miller is said to roam the remains of her father’s old homestead.

By Kelly Barbazette

Kelly Barazette

Fog enshrouded apparitions dissolving into the mist. Shadows lurking in hallways after nightfall. During this bewitching time of year, it’s a tradition to recount local haunting stories to send shivers down our spines.

“All communities have their share of ghost stories,” said Susan Voss, Gilroy Museum manager. “Mostly to keep children in line or to scare people in fun or teenagers trying to scare their younger siblings.”

Voss recalls one eerie tale told to her at her father’s apricot orchard during her elementary school years. Overripe or blemished apricots not sent to canneries for processing were cut in half and dried — a process done by hand. During the summers, teenagers did this work. One evening, Voss overheard the high school students recounting local ghost legends.

One especially unnerving story involved ranching pioneer Henry Miller, who made Mount Madonna his family’s summer home in the late 1880s. On June  14, 1879, his young daughter went horseback riding on the property when her startled horse threw her. The 8-year-old died instantly. Her spirit is said by some to roam the park wearing a white, frilly dress. Campers and hikers claim seeing the girl riding a horse and disappearing into the fog. Stories also tell of her sitting in the back seats of people’s cars, attempting to hitch rides.

Mike Monroe is familiar with the tale.

“The myths and legends (at Mt. Madonna County Park) mainly revolve around Henry Miller and his family,” said the docent for the Santa Clara County parks department for 30 years,

The largest landowner in the U.S. in the late 1800s and known as the “Cattle King,” Miller settled at Bloomfield Ranch south of Gilroy with his family — where U.S. 101 now meets Highway 25. He purchased land in the 1870s at the summit of Mt. Madonna, envisioning a summer retreat for his family. He chose the spot for the location, climate and views. At that time, the redwoods were coming back to life after intense logging, Monroe said.

Initially, Miller’s getaway was fairly rustic, made up of a cabin and tents. But by the 1890s, it had expanded to include a mansion and several bungalows for staff members, including a full-time gardener, orchardist, and cook, who lived on the property year-round and prepared the estate when the Millers arrived for the summer. The park’s current visitor’s center was the former foreman’s house. A short trail walk nearby lie the crumbling remains of Miller’s estate overgrown with shrubs.

Monroe said the date of the tragic death of Miller’s daughter, Sarah Alice, doesn’t quite align when the Miller’s summer retreat was developed.

“I don’t think she ever set foot in the park area. When she died, she was very young, I don’t think her father was at Mt. Madonna Park yet,” Monroe said.

Monroe said it was more likely that Sarah Alice was out riding near the southern edge of Gilroy where the Hilton Garden Inn is today.

“Historically, the myth of Sarah Alice’s spirit at Mt. Madonna is probably a stretch, but it’s fun to tell.”

On the weekends, Monroe volunteers at Mt. Madonna and enjoys showing visitors the remains of the Miller home, which has been featured on TV shows this time of the year. He said he always tells the story of Henry Miller’s daughter, but is careful not to scare visitors, especially children.

“I don’t want to scare them away from the outdoors. The trees are your friends,” he said. “I’m more of an environmentalist than a ghost story teller.”

He encourages people to visit the park to experience nature’s wonders.

“There’s lots of stories I want them to take away with that are really positive,” Monroe said.  “This is a good place. It’s a really special place.”

Kelly Barbazette, a former journalist for Bay Area newspapers, is a freelance writer. She lives in Gilroy with her husband and two daughters. She can be reached at [email protected].