Ghosts of Tombstone, Arizona
Tombstone, Arizona, a town steeped in the lore of the Old West, resonates not only with the echoes of gunfights and silver booms but also with whispers of the supernatural. Beyond the staged reenactments and historical markers, a palpable sense of the past lingers, a feeling that some of the town’s most colorful characters never truly left. From the infamous O.K. Corral to the dusty graves of Boot Hill, Tombstone is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who lived, died, and left their indelible mark on this legendary town. This article delves into the ghostly legends that permeate Tombstone, exploring the locations where spectral sightings and unexplained phenomena are frequently reported.
The O.K. Corral: A Perpetual Gunfight in the Afterlife?
The O.K. Corral, forever etched in history as the site of the Old West’s most famous gunfight, is a must-see for visitors. This place has been immortalized in countless Westerns, the brief but brutal shootout on October 26, 1881, between the Earp brothers and the Cowboys cemented the town’s place in American folklore. Marshal Virgil Earp’s attempt to disarm the Cowboys culminated in a 30-second explosion of gunfire that left Frank and Tom McLaury, as well as Billy Clanton, dead. Ike Clanton, Billy Claiborne, and Wes Fuller represented the Cowboy faction, while the Earp brothers – Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan – alongside Doc Holliday, stood on the other side of the conflict.
Today, the O.K. Corral is not only a historical landmark but also a hotspot for paranormal activity. Numerous visitors and staff have reported witnessing ghostly apparitions of men dressed in classic cowboy attire, their faces etched with the intensity of a perpetual battle. These spectral figures are often seen with guns drawn, seemingly forever locked in a phantom reenactment of that fateful day. Cold spots, sudden drops in temperature, are also frequently reported in various areas of the corral, adding to the eerie atmosphere. Whether it’s the residual energy of the violent clash or the lingering spirits of the slain Cowboys, the O.K. Corral remains a chilling reminder of Tombstone’s turbulent past, adding to the Ghosts of Tombstone, Arizona. The O.K. Corral can be found at 308 E. Allen Street.
Boot Hill Graveyard: Where the Lawless Rest (and Rise?)
A short distance from the town’s bustling center lies Boot Hill Graveyard, a stark and evocative testament to Tombstone’s wild and unforgiving nature. The graveyard earned its moniker because many of its inhabitants met their end violently, dying with their boots on. Used primarily between 1878 and 1884, this final resting place holds the remains of over 250 individuals, each grave offering a glimpse into the town’s lawless history. Here lie the victims of the O.K. Corral gunfight, along with Marshal Fred White, felled by Curly Bill Brocius, and the unfortunate George Johnson, mistakenly hanged. The five men executed for the brutal Bisbee Massacre also rest here, as does the gunfighter Charlie Storms, killed by Luke Short. Prospectors, outlaws, lawmen, and prostitutes – a cross-section of Tombstone society – all found their final repose in Boot Hill. Many graves bear only nicknames or unknown names, a poignant reminder of the anonymity and transience of life in the Old West.
Over time, neglect and souvenir hunters took their toll on the cemetery, with wooden tombstones decaying or disappearing altogether. It wasn’t until the town’s first Helldorado Days in 1929 that the cemetery officially became known as Boot Hill Graveyard. Restoration efforts began in the 1940s, transforming it into a popular tourist destination. However, according to local legends, Boot Hill remains a favorite haunt for the many souls buried within its grounds. Visitors frequently report seeing strange lights flickering among the tombstones and hearing inexplicable noises emanating from the graveyard. Spectral figures have been sighted on numerous occasions, and some claim to capture ghostly images in their photographs. One particularly chilling legend tells of Billy Clanton, killed in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, rising from his grave to walk along the road back towards Tombstone. It’s clear the Ghosts of Tombstone, Arizona extend to its famous graveyard.
Boot Hill Graveyard is located just north of Tombstone on Highway 80.
Bird Cage Theatre: The Wildest, Wickedest Haunt
The Bird Cage Theatre, one of Tombstone’s oldest original buildings, claims the title of the town’s most haunted location, reputedly hosting as many as 31 resident ghosts. The theater earned its name from the 14 small "cribs" hanging from the ceiling, which once housed the "painted ladies," dressed as finely feathered birds. From its opening in 1881, the Bird Cage quickly became notorious as the wildest place in town, even earning a mention in The New York Times as "the wildest, wickedest night spot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast."
For eight years, the Bird Cage never closed its doors, offering gambling, drinking, and other vices to its clientele. The saloon was the scene of 26 documented deaths, a testament to the violence that permeated the era. The 140 bullet holes that still pepper the walls serve as a grim reminder of the theater’s tumultuous past. Since 1934, the Hunley family has owned and operated the building as a museum, preserving its gilded cages, hand-painted stage, and original Grand Piano. Tourists can walk the same floors once trod by Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, immersing themselves in the theater’s rich and often scandalous history. The Bird Cage Theatre adds to the list of places with Ghosts of Tombstone, Arizona.
Staff and guests alike have reported numerous ghostly encounters within the Bird Cage. One of the most frequently sighted apparitions is that of a male stagehand, dressed in black striped pants, a visor, and carrying a clipboard, who is often seen walking across the stage. Other reported phenomena include the sounds of raucous laughter and music emanating from the theater at night, the faint sound of a woman singing, and the inexplicable activation of the museum’s sound system, blaring old-time music. The scents of cigar smoke and whiskey often waft through the air, and after closing time, the staff reports hearing the sounds of clinking glasses and shuffling cards.
These reports of hauntings date back to 1921 when students at a school across the street began reporting strange noises and smells coming from the abandoned building. Over the years, the Hunley family, staff, and visitors have experienced numerous inexplicable events. One remarkable tale recounts how a dice table, weighing several hundred pounds, mysteriously moved overnight, blocking a door with a sign that read, "Don’t Disturb Our 26 Resident Ghosts." Another story involves a statue of Wyatt Earp placed in one of the cribs, only to have its hat repeatedly knocked off until it was moved to the crib Wyatt actually frequented. Another fascinating story is about a missing antique poker chip that suddenly reappeared on the poker table, only to disappear again when historians arrived to authenticate it, and then reappear in a locked desk drawer. The Bird Cage Theatre has been featured on numerous paranormal investigation television programs.
The Bird Cage Theatre is located at 517 E Allen Street.
Nellie Cashman’s Restaurant: A Playful Spirit and a Mustard Mishap
Nellie Cashman’s Restaurant, housed in the former Russ House, Nellie Cashman’s old restaurant and boarding house, is another location rumored to be haunted. Nellie Cashman, a legendary figure of the Old West, was a successful female entrepreneur, prospector, and philanthropist. She opened the Russ House in Tombstone in 1880 before moving on to other mining camps.
While it’s unlikely that Nellie herself haunts the building, many believe that a spirit or two still resides within its walls. Staff and customers have reported various instances of paranormal activity, suggesting that Ghosts of Tombstone, Arizona extend to this building. Objects are often found moved overnight, and strange noises, crashes, and muted voices have been heard. Lights flicker on and off inexplicably, and sudden temperature changes occur in various areas. The spirits seem sensitive to skepticism, making their presence known when people express disbelief. In one memorable incident, a mustard bottle reportedly jumped off a table and splattered a customer’s clothing after she mocked the ghosts.
Some claim to have seen an apparition of a woman, perhaps mistaking her for Nellie Cashman. However, ghost investigators believe that the spirit is more likely that of a woman who was murdered in the building when it served as a boarding house.
The restaurant is located at 117 South 5th Street.
The Buford House: A Prospector’s Eternal Regret
The Buford House, an 1880s adobe home now operating as a Bed & Breakfast, is said to be haunted by the ghost of George Buford. In the late 19th century, George, a gold prospector, lived in the house with his father. He fell in love with Cleopatra, a girl who lived across the street.
After returning from a long prospecting trip, George accompanied Cleopatra and friends on an outing. However, she decided to walk home with another man. Consumed by jealousy and despair, George shot Cleopatra twice before turning the gun on himself. Although Cleopatra survived, George died from his self-inflicted wound.
George’s spirit, seemingly trapped between worlds, is said to roam the Buford House and the street in front of it. Owners and guests have reported seeing his apparition walking inside the home and along the street. The doorbell often rings in the middle of the night, seemingly on its own. Other reported phenomena include knocking on walls, faucets turning on and off, and strange lights appearing. Some women have reported feeling someone touch their hair or stroke the back of their necks when no one is around.
The Buford House is located at 113 E. Stafford Street.
Schieffelin Hall: Cultural Center and Haunted Stage
Schieffelin Hall, built in 1881 by Al Schieffelin, Tombstone founder Ed Schieffelin’s brother, to bring "culture" to Tombstone, is another location believed to harbor ghostly residents. Envisioned as a first-class opera house, the hall offered an alternative to the decadent Bird Cage Theatre.
The hall opened in June 1881 and attracted theater troupes from as far away as New York, offering Tombstone’s elite productions, balls, boxing matches, and lectures. However, as Tombstone’s fortunes declined, so did Schieffelin Hall’s. By the early 1900s, it primarily showed moving pictures and hosted a few scattered productions.
Despite being fully restored, Schieffelin Hall is said to be one of the most haunted but overlooked buildings in Tombstone, adding to the Ghosts of Tombstone, Arizona. People have reported hearing the sounds of chains or spurs rattling inside the building, especially during Tombstone City Council meetings.
Big Nose Kate’s Saloon: The Swamper’s Hidden Silver
Big Nose Kate’s Saloon started as the Grand Hotel in 1880, declared one of the finest hotels in the state. During its early years, the hotel housed famous residents like Wyatt and Virgil Earp, Doc Holliday, and the Clanton Gang.
One notable character who lived at the hotel was the "Swamper," a janitor who tunneled from his basement room to nearby mine shafts, where he secretly mined silver. After the Grand Hotel burned down in 1882, the current building was reconstructed, but the tunnel to the mine shafts still exists.
Today, Big Nose Kate’s Saloon is said to be haunted by the "Swamper," who allegedly never left the building. Staff, locals, and tourists have reported seeing his apparition or fleeting glimpses of him in the halls, stairways, and basement. According to legend, the "Swamper" hid his silver somewhere in the building and returned to protect it.
Other reported phenomena include cowboy spirits seen at the bar, doors opening and closing on their own, lights turning on and off, and objects falling to the floor. The mannequins on the balcony have seemingly been moved or tossed from the balcony, and footsteps and muted voices are often heard coming from the basement. Photographers have reported capturing strange hazy forms in their images and experiencing camera malfunctions.
One story recounts how the building’s owner and employees explored the "Swamper’s" tunnel, discovering it led to the Toughnut Mine shafts. On their return, they heard a loud moaning sound and heavy footsteps coming down the stairs, but found the building empty and the doors locked.
Big Nose Kate’s Saloon is located at 417 E Allen Street.
Other Haunted Locations in Tombstone
Tombstone’s ghostly reputation extends beyond these well-known locations. A ghost is said to haunt Room 119 at the old Tombstone Hotel, where a man reportedly hanged himself. A ghostly man in a frock coat has been seen near the old Wells Fargo Bank Building, while others have reported seeing apparitions of stage drivers and cowboys. Perfume scents have been reported near the C.S. Fly Studio, and the spirit of Big Nose Kate is said to haunt the Crystal Palace Saloon, adding to the Ghosts of Tombstone, Arizona.
Tombstone, Arizona, is more than just a historical landmark; it’s a town where the past feels palpably present, a place where the echoes of gunfights and the whispers of restless spirits mingle with the everyday lives of its residents. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, a visit to Tombstone is sure to leave you with a sense of wonder and a chilling reminder of the town’s rich and often turbulent history. The stories, whether rooted in fact or embellished by legend, contribute to the enduring mystique of this iconic Old West town.