Tombstone

With a name like Tombstone, it's no surprise that this Arizona city has a reputation for being one of the most haunted cities in the USA.  This is a wild west town that has seen it all - lawlessness, violence, intrigue, loose women, murder, and mayhem.  It's too difficult to single out just one haunted place in Tombstone, so  we decided to profile the whole town!  Tombstone is a delight to visit, with friendly people, authentic looking buildings, and even "cowboys" walking around in full cowboy gear.  You can literally "feel" the history here, and as such you shouldn't have too much trouble imagining that residual personalities and scenes  actually do exist in this setting.  Most of the reported hauntings are of the "residual" type in Tombstone, but there are occasional reports of interactive ghosts in various locations around town.

Below is a listing of haunted must-see places in Tombstone:

Beauford House Bed & Breakfast:  This charming bed and breakfast is allegedly home to a number of spirits - a man who was rejected by his lover who strokes the hair of female guests or touches the back of their neck,  a playful child who hides items, and an old woman.  There is palpable, dynamic energy in this house, so bring cameras and recorders when you visit. 

OK Corral:  On October 26, 1881, the shootout at the OK Corral took place.  Fatalities after the smoke cleared included Frank and Tom Mclaury and Billy Clanton.  Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan Earp walked away, as did Doc Holliday.  This appears to be a residual haunting, as most reports of phenomenon at this location involve seeing partial re-creations of this fateful day. 

Bird Cage Theater:  Originally opened in 1881, the Bird Cage Theater was once a bustling tavern and brothel that saw more than its share of wild west action.  Closed in 1889 when Tombstone was abandoned, the tavern was re-opened in 1934 and to the delight of the new owners, remained virtually intact.  The "bird cages" were boxes near the ceiling where the prostitutes did their nightly work.  Original wallpaper and velvet curtains still remain from the 1880's.  26 people allegedly met their untimely deaths on the premises of the Bird Cage during its years of operation.  The hauntings here appear to be mainly residual, consisting of the sounds of old west music, smells of tobacco and whiskey, cold spots, and shadowy figures, to name a few, but the ladies might also feel a pat on the behind or notice the smell of whiskey breath nearby.  The Bird Cage is purportedly the most haunted place in Tombstone, so don't miss this one when you visit!

The Streets of Tombstone:  The streets themselves have stories to tell in this very active town.  A white lady unexpectedly appears in the streets at various times.  Nobody is sure who she is or what she is looking for.  In front of the Birdcage, the apparition of a cowboy who sustained a non-fatal shot but died anyway  is seen wandering the street.  A man in a long black coat who is reported to possibly be Virgil Earp is seen crossing the road near where Virgil was shot and permanently lost the use of his arm.  All these appear to be residual hauntings or re-creations of traumatic events that occurred in the town. 

Boot Hill Cemetery:  This graveyard purportedly houses 250 bodies, only 12 of whom died of natural causes.  Yikes!  Sounds like a paranormal researcher's dream, but unfortunately there are real questions as to whether this is the original graveyard or just a tourist trap.  It's a little too neat and clean to ring true.  However, the tombstones and their epitaphs are entertaining and boast many well-known wild west names, making it worth a look-see even if it is not the scariest thing you see in Tombstone. 

Big Nose Kate's Saloon:  Big Nose Kate's was actually owned by the girlfriend of Doc Holliday, Katherine Harmony, and like the Bird Cage, this old saloon is one very haunted site.  Again, as in most of Tombstone, the hauntings here appear to be residual, with re-creations of traumatic events the most often reported phenomenon, but there are also occasional reports of objects floating through the air and strange streaks of light.  Big Nose Kate herself has been reported peering out the windows or standing in the street in front of the saloon for reasons unknown, and there are many reports of disembodied voices in the street outside the saloon's doors.

The above is just a sampling of the paranormal activity you can find with little or no effort in the Tombstone area, but don't discount potential activity just about anywhere in the vicinity, new or old.  The land itself appears to just be conducive to paranormal experiences.  The best experiences seem to be in the wee hours of the morning when all the noise and activity of the day has subsided.  Good luck!

 

 

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