As long as I can remember, I've always loved a good ghost story. With Halloween drawing near, there's something in me that makes me love the “spooky” and unknown even more. So in the spirit of Halloween, I bring you creepy tales all the way from Arizona.
Pioneer Hotel
In 1970, Tucson suffered one of the biggest fire disasters of its history. On December 20, 1970 a fire began to engulf the upper floors of the Pioneer Hotel. While people on the lower floors managed to escape, the people on the upper levels were not so lucky. People who were trapped by the fire leapt to their deaths from windows. A mother, frantic by the idea of being engulfed by the flames, threw a mattress outside her window in a desperate attempt to save her children. All perished. Many others tried this attempt as well, only to be crushed against the pavement. Others died from smoke inhalation while trying in vain to wait for rescue from fire fighters. A 16-year old boy was later arrested and charged with the deaths of 29 individuals. Although the building has been restored and turned into office buildings, many have reported strange happenings. Late at night, employees have reported smelling acrid smoke and hearing frantic running on the upper floors. Some have heard screaming and the crying of children. Others have felt a sense of being trapped and desperation. More terrifying yet, is the account of a few who have seen the images of burnt bodies in the mirrors of the restrooms. One woman was so horrified, she quit her job the very day she saw the image.
Superstition Mountains
How far would you go in search for a treasure beyond your imagination?
Would you be willing to die for it? Legend tells of a mine that is unlike any other. It is called the Lost Dutchman's Mine. Many who have gone in search for this elusive gold never return. In the Superstition Mountains the legend of this mine has taken a life of its own. The mountain itself is not one single mountain, but rather a chain of cliffs, peaks, plateaus, peaks, and mesas. Within this rough terrain, people have become lost, or have killed each other in their mad search for this gold. It is said that an Apache Thunder God who protects the mine from would-be-looters curses the place. When Francisco Vasquez de Coronado searched through here for the famed Seven Golden Cities of Cibola, his men began to disappear. When their bodies were found, many were headless, and mutilated. The rest of the Spaniards fled in terror, and Coronado dubbed the mountains, Monte Superstition. In the 1880's, Don Miguel Peralta eventually discovered bits of gold. But the Apaches became angered by his presence. When he got word of their planned attack, he tried to escape with his men. It was to no avail, as all were massacred. It was said that 100-400 men perished in the massacre. A man by the name of Walz (who was the “Dutchman”) began to display vast amounts of gold throughout Phoenix in the late 1880's. Although he was of German descent, the mine was dubbed after this miner. How he came about his vast amounts of wealth remains a mystery, although stories have speculated that he received a map from Peralta when he saved him from a knife fight. Over the century, dozens of bodies have been found scattered throughout the mountain range. Some have been mutilated and beheaded, while many had been shot through the head. All deaths remain a mystery to this day.
Tombstone
In a town where many lived and died by the gun, it is not surprising that the dead are unable to let go here. At one of the more famous haunts resides the O.K. Corral, the scene of one of the most famous gunfights in history. On that fateful afternoon of October 26, 1881, Wyatt Earp and his brothers, along with skilled gunman Doc Holiday, armed themselves and walked to the corral to confront a group of cowboys. In the group of the cowboys was the Clanton gang. Virgil, the oldest Earp, charged the Clantons with illegally bringing guns into Tombstone. For whatever reasons, Doc Holiday and Morgan Earp opened fire on the gang, and a gunfight ensued. After a matter of seconds, 3 men lay dead, Billy Clanton, Frank McLaury, and Tom McLaury. Since the gunfight, people have reported seeing ghostly apparitions, feeling cold-spots, hearing footsteps, and feeling hands upon them. Some have even reported seeing the armed gunmen who died in the gunfight.
The Dark Cell
In Yuma from 1876-1909 was a prison that once housed more than 3,000 inmates. Those that dared misbehave were thrown into the dreaded cell for solitary confinement. The cell was no more than ten by ten feet, and had a small ventilation shaft on the ceiling. The inmate would be shackled by two ringbolts, and all they would have to eat is bread and water once a day. When the sun went, the inmate would be submerged in complete darkness. Sometimes snakes, scorpions, and spiders would find their way into the cell, further tormenting the inmate. Many prisoners who left the cell would end up in the insane asylum in Phoenix. Many have felt cold-spots, or felt someone touching them when visiting the cell. Employees have heard screaming and cries for help coming from the cell as well. A writer for Arizona Highways wanted to experience the cell when writing an article. She wanted to be treated in the same manner as the inmates; to be shackled and only fed a loaf of bread and some water. The ventilation shaft was covered to leave out any light. She tried to maintain her exposure for 48 hours, but fell short of her goal. She began screaming to be let out, as she felt that she was not alone.
Charleston Bridge
Located between Sierra Vista and Tombstone is the old Charleston Bridge. It isn't uncommon to run into someone from Sierra Vista who will tell you that at some point in their life, they have experienced the ghost of Charleston Bridge. Many stories abound as to who this mysterious lady was, but no one knows for sure who she really is. One popular story says that a woman who was madly in love with a man wanted desperately to be with him. But since she had children, the man cut off the relationship. In a moment of insanity, she took her children to the bridge and threw them over. When she told her lover what she had done, he became disgusted with her and wanted nothing more to do with her. Anguished by what she had done, she went to the same bridge and ended her life. Many claim that when they had driven over the old bridge, they would see a woman walking alone. People who didn't offer her a ride would end up in horrible car crashes. Those that did would talk off how she left a wet spot on their passengers seat when she left. Many crosses mark the road from Sierra Vista to Tombstone, but whether or not that has anything to do with the mysterious lady is here say.
