As it’s Halloween tomorrow, I thought it fitting to visit Tombstone, Arizona, again. We talked about it a little last year when I covered the infamous shootout at the O.K. Corral, but this time, I thought we’d take a more holiday appropriate approach and visit some ghosts. After all, what’s a better way to spend Halloween than in the Wild West spirit….. I mean with some Wild West spirits? Unfortunately, I am not talking about Uncle Dick Wooten’s Taos Lightening (iykyk).
Now, if you know me, you know I scare easily. In third grade, my best friend convinced me to go through the town haunted house. I may or may not have been told to find the scary clown afterward (who was icing his shin behind the structure) to apologize for kicking him. Clearly, my parents had little regard for my safety and wellbeing. I’ve also visited the St. James Hotel in Cimarron, New Mexico many times, having spent summers at Philmont Scout Ranch and attending high school in the town. I’ve also visited some of Philmont’s own haunted locations, though never after dark… willingly (gravesite at Miranda, anyone?). I never did manage to get through these experiences bravely, but at least I made it up the stairs at the St. James (more than my brother can say).
Much to my chagrin, my almost four-year-old has picked one of my greatest fears as his Halloween costume this year: a spider..… ugh! I made the costume mostly from scratch, though, so just call me Arachne. Luckily, my daughter can’t voice her opinions just yet, so she’s going as a duck.
Anyway, let’s get back on topic. Tombstone, Arizona. Often regarded as one of the most haunted towns in the West, Tombstone has no shortage of ghost stories. Between its saloons, gunfights, mining tunnels, and rather unfortunate number of untimely deaths, it’s probably not surprising that a few folks are rumored to have stuck around. So, let’s take a look at some of the town’s most haunted locations, who supposedly haunts them, and what exactly is going bump in the night.
First up? The Bird Cage Theater. Perhaps Tombstone’s most infamous haunted location, the theater opened in 1881, serving as a saloon, gambling hall, and theater. It earned its name from the fourteen “cribs” (essentially theater boxes) suspended along the ceiling, where the establishment’s “painted ladies” entertained customers while dressed in feathered costumes. The Bird Cage quickly developed a reputation as one of the wildest establishments in town. Even the New York Times described it as, “The wildest, wickedest night spot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast.” Between 1881 and 1889, the theater reportedly never closed its doors, operating twenty four hours a day. There were ultimately 26 deaths attributed to the establishment, and about 140 bullet holes can still be seen today. Ghost stories began after a school opened across the street in 1921. Students said they heard laughter and music coming from the abandoned theater, along with the smell of cigar smoke. One of the theater’s most famous spirits is Susie, a performer who supposedly fell madly in love with a cowboy who frequented the establishment. Unfortunately, her love story ended in betrayal and murder. Visitors claim to have spotted a woman in a flowing dress wandering the balcony, believed to be Susie herself.
The Buford House has a slightly more personal ghost story, though not exactly a particularly romantic one. George Buford, a miner, is said to have fallen in love with a woman named Petra who lived across the street. Unfortunately for George, Petra walked home one evening with another man. Infuriated, George shot her before turning the gun on himself. Petra survived, but George did not. Today, his ghost supposedly wanders around the house and surrounding street. Some visitors even claim that he rings the doorbell in the middle of the night.
Next up: the Crystal Palace Saloon. Originally established as the Golden Eagle Brewing Company, the building was rebuilt and reopened as the Crystal Palace Saloon in 1882. One spirit supposedly haunting the saloon is Big Nose Kate, the longtime companion (wink wink) of Doc Holliday. Visitors have reported hearing unexplained voices and footsteps, while others claim to have encountered a mysterious man named George, a regular patron during the saloon’s heyday, particularly fond of gambling. After a heated argument turned into a deadly shootout, his story came to an unfortunate end. Today, some visitors claim to have struck up conversations with a gentleman dressed in period clothing, only for him to disappear without a trace. Perhaps he’s still trying his luck at the tables.
Speaking of Big Nose Kate, the Big Nose Kate Saloon occupies a building that originally housed the Grand Hotel, which opened in 1880 and was considered one of the finest hotels in Arizona Territory. Its guests included some rather recognizable names, including members of the Clanton and Earp families and Doc Holliday. In fact, Ike Clanton and the McLaury brothers were reportedly registered guests the night before the O.K. Corral gunfight. The building was damaged by a fire on May 25, 1882, but its ghostly reputation lives on, largely thanks to a former employee known as the Swamper. The Swamper worked as a janitor and handyman at the hotel, living in the basement, where he supposedly constructed a private mineshaft connecting his room to the nearby silver mines beneath town. He spent his spare time mining silver and collecting nuggets, which legend says he hid somewhere in the building. Today, visitors and employees have reported unexplained appearances and photographs capturing strange figures. The Swamper is supposedly still around, keeping an eye on his hidden treasure.
Of course, we can’t visit Tombstone without stopping by the O.K. Corral. As we covered the famous gunfight in a previous post, so I won’t rehash the whole story. Given the number of bullets exchanged and the lives lost during the famous October 26, 1881 shootout, it’s probably not surprising that the landmark has its own collection of ghost stories. Visitors have reported shadowy figures, disembodied voices, and apparitions believed to be members of the Earp family and Doc Holliday.
Our next stop is the Boot Hill Graveyard….. also said to be haunted. Well, duh, it’s a graveyard. If there is anywhere in Tombstone you’d expect to find a ghost, this would probably be it. Boot Hill is the final resting place for many of Tombstone’s early residents, including outlaws, gunfighters, and other unfortunate souls who didn’t quite make it through the Wild West in one piece. Visitors have reported whispers, unexplained noises, and sudden cold spots, even on particularly hot Arizona days (How thoughtful of the spirits to provide a little air conditioning). One of the more recognizable figures supposedly wandering the grounds is Billy Clanton, who was killed during the O.K. Corral gunfight.
One location that surprised me was the Tombstone Courthouse. Built in 1882, it served as the seat of Cochise County and witnessed its fair share of notorious trials involving outlaws, lawmen, and other colorful characters. According to local legends, some of those who received their verdicts within its walls never quite left. Perhaps the most unusual story involves a ghostly judge who continues to preside over the courtroom.
If you haven’t had your fill of Tombstone’s ghost stories, there are several other locations worth investigating, including the Undertaker Espresso Bar, Hotel Tombstone, the San Jose House and Jack Crabtree Livery Stable (now Tombstone Cooperage), the Tombstone Antique Mall, Smokey’s Emporium, and the Larian Motel.
The Undertaker Espresso Bar is particularly interesting. Its building dates to 1879 and originally served as an undertaker’s office. It still retains its original flooring, including patches of tin siding riveted over holes worn into the wood. Hundreds of bodies passed through the building before it eventually became a Wells Fargo warehouse.
Tombstone certainly has no shortage of stories, whether they’re about gunfighters, gamblers, miners, or the occasional restless spirit. Of course, whether you believe in ghosts or not, these tales offer another glimpse into the town’s colorful and sometimes rather grim past. As for me, I’ll happily appreciate Tombstone’s history from the comfort of my own home. I’ll leave the midnight ghost tours to the braver among us. After all, I’ve got a giant spider and a duck that occasionally screams living with me, and that’s more than enough excitement for this Halloween!
Boo!
Mountain Girl
Leave a Reply