Arizona is home to more than 200 ghost towns that now serve as popular tourist destinations. Eaker Air Force Base 35.95749, -89.9552 History: Three miles northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas, lies this abandoned Air Force installation. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. No permits are required and campfires are permitted, but be ready to cross the river to get to the hot springs. Though it closed its doors to guests more than four decades ago, the remains of the International Hotel of Ponce have endured, becoming something of a beloved symbol on the island. Tombstone, Arizona is one of the most famous ghost town in the US known as the Town Too Tough To Die. In 2020, the latest ownership group announced that the hotel would be converted into a Tribute Portfolio by Marriott Hotel with a casino, spa, night club and several restaurants. Today, the remnants of this abandoned place in Arizonahave transitioned into a national park, allowing its visitors to walk back in time and experience a fraction of the history. You may also like: The Most Haunted Places in Arizona | The Most Haunted Hotels in Arizona. Guest rooms are designed to look like old storefronts - perfect for those wishing to live out their "Westworld" dreams, minus the robots. Permanently Closed. Be the first to know when we release new events, special offers, and discounts! The structure was used as temporary housing for survivors of a 1985 landslide in the neighboring Mameyes community, but was abandoned again once the residents were permanently relocated. A $5 admission gets you into the site, which also includes a display of vintage cars, trucks and abandoned mining equipment. The last remaining trailer finally crumpled and looks like a pile of rubbish. He apparently drowned in the San Pedro River, but his spirit is attached to The Copper Queen Hotel because his parents once worked there and it was a place where he felt at home. Arizonas ghost towns are made up of old mining towns, and trading posts that are great educational destinations filled with stories of people and ways of life that no longer exist. In its peak years, headlining acts at the resorts Napoleon Ballroom included Judy Garland, Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. Despite the lack of evidence to substantiate these claims, the vacant inn quickly developed a reputation among ghost hunters and urban explorers, drawing hundreds of visitors after its national television debut. The original owner of The Hermosa Inn was Alonzo Megargee, known as Lon to his friends, and it is said that he loved the place so much that he never wanted to leave, even after he had died. The next one to make our list is Highland Junior High School. First, a notice of abandonment must be sent to the tenant by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the tenants last known address (even if that is the abandoned unit) and to any of tenants alternate addresses known to the landlord. has been standing in the wilderness all this time at natures mercy! . Its not just the spirits of prisoners that are believed to haunt here. Importantly, the tenant has no right of access to the personal property until the removal and storage costs have been paid in full, except that the tenant may obtain clothing and the tools, apparatus and books of a trade or profession and any identification or financial documents, including all those related to the tenants immigration status, employment status, public assistance or medical care. Offer subject to change without notice. The Domes of Casa Grande 32.81266, -111.77391 Photo Credit: the_sad_boi_x History: InnerConn Technology Inc., a producer of circuit boards for computers and watches, built the Domes in 1983. Arsenic was used to stop the physical occurrences of a corpse rotting by killing bacteria and insects that invaded it. Just all urbex all the time. Then, if no personal property remains the landlord can retake the premises and re-rent it, but only five days after the notice of abandonment has been both posted and mailed. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Marks is angry that his death was passed off as an accident! .prisna-gwt-align-right { Now, lets take a look at the 13 most haunted places in Phoenix, Arizona. All rights reserved. Some visitors to the attraction have also reported being touched or having their hair and clothing tugged by unseen hands! These mines produced rich minerals, causing small town populations to increase quickly, then fade away as mining operations wrapped up. It was initially built back in 1895 for a well-known local doctor and his family but has now been transformed into a museum. From venues, restaurants, and bars to events, festivals, and music weve got you covered. The school was founded in 1914, just two years after Arizona was declared a state. Jerome Grand Hotel. Dont forget to check out our previous article for a nearby Mexican restaurant with surprisingly delicious burgers. As one of the oldest hotels in the state, its no surprise that some visitors decided to linger. The prosperity lasted in this town until its shutdown during World War II, which halted most mining efforts in Arizona. She is believed to have used the hotel to visit with her clients, but she ended up falling in love with one of the men and when he told her he no longer wanted to see her she took her own life in the bathtub of her hotel room. Olive was later traded to another tribe and eventually released years later. It is also a must-see spot on any tour of haunted Arizona! We dont spam, we dont sell your info. Keep your eyes peeled for these locales! Jerome's reputation as a ghost town is well-earned, considering the quaint hillside hamlet in northern Arizona is filled with infamous yarns about specters and spirits that . If you want to visit a historic site, learn about many ghost stories, and possibly. This is largely thanks to the building making its appearance on some popular paranormal television shows. It allows us to avoid steep passes, tolls, and tunnels making travel day way less stressful! As the most productive gold mine in Arizona history, this abandoned place lays. For more information about the Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Downtown, visit its official website. Ghost towns in Arizona consist of abandoned buildings and homes that hide in plain sight within the dry deserts and plateau of the old Wild West. The hotel remained operational until the end of World War II, housing officers and their families from Tonopah Army Air Field, located about 30 minutes north on Highway 95. It now sits, preserved as one of the best abandoned hotels in the United States. While theyre no longer suitable for overnight lodging, abandoned hotels can offer urban explorers a fascinating glimpse into a citys past. In Arizona abandonment is determined by two different scenarios, in either of which the property is considered abandoned: Its important to follow proper procedure when a property is abandoned. The prosperity lasted in this town until its shutdown during World War II, which halted most mining efforts in Arizona. With Cowboy Suites, cabins, RV sites, and tent camping, this campground offers something for everyone. It was decorated in lavish and tasteful dcor and stocked only the finest liqueurs imported from some of the most exotic locations worldwide. Others say they have felt his presence or are being watched, while others describe hearing faint crying and moaning. In the 1930s, it was converted into a health spa by its new owner, bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast Bernarr MacFadden. The landlord must then hold tenants personal property for a period of ten days after the declaration of abandonment. We recommend both theOsprey Packs Daylitefor sling backpacks or theMardingtop Tactical Backpackfor a standard two-strap backpack. Time to find other abandoned places to photograph. background-color: transparent !important; Take a tour of 20 abandoned structures and buildings in Arizona. He made a hasty exit while bleeding profusely from his wound. julie.a.fergie@gmail.com. Canyon Diablo is one of the most fascinating. Any excess proceeds must be mailed to the tenant at their last known address. There are so many haunted places in Arizona. Crown King 3. Marks was found in Crook Tunnel. Dead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona State Park with spacious sites, full hook-ups, water access, hiking trails, and beautiful views. Before visiting this unique place, you'll want to plan ahead. A thick layer of overgrown brush blankets the property where wealthy guests once flocked for entertainment and escape. Visitors and employees alike have reported strange occurrences, including phantom footsteps coming down the stairs, items moving around in the museum when nobody is there, and some reports of the caretakers apparition. There are so many fascinating abandoned places in Arizona. The history of Vulture City, the most significant ghost town in Arizona, reads like a dime store western novel, full of Apache raids and stagecoach robberies. Only a few years later, its concrete bunkhouses became an opulent place to schmooze investors. Ruby 9. Thanks to their abandoned state, they now house drunk teens, the ghost-hunting types, and if the legends are right, a coven. Okay, so a pizza joint is probably the last place you might expect to find some paranormal activity, but there have been years of reports that say otherwise. Ghost towns are typically old mining towns or areas that have become abandoned due to natural or man-made disasters, with many in the US being former mining communities. Lets take a look at this abandoned Verde Hot Springs Resort in Arizona! Located just 4 miles from Mexico, Ruby was once the largest mining camp in southwest Arizona. Subscribe, Admin Offices A post shared by Kirk Welch (@kwleveling). One that is told is about the mummy found in the desert near Gila Bend nicknamed Sylvester. dormant as a reminder of the Gold Rush era. According to one former theater teacher, the ghost that haunts there is the spirit of a student who fell from the catwalk above the stage, but the school administrators are pretty cagey about either confirming or denying that particular rumor! These abandoned towns offer a glimpse into the state's rich historyand make for the perfect spooky season day trip. Find more respirator options inour in-depth guide. Goldfield 7. However, these days the most famous guest staying at the hotel is a ghostly one! Wupatki National Monument showcases an abandoned settlement of archeological sites that include a number of stone homes from the Pueblo people that lived there for centuries! As soon as word got out about the incident, a group of men headed into the tunnel to deal with the situation. Another high school auditorium that makes the list is the performing arts center at Peoria High School. Arizona's 19th-century mining boom gave rise to several towns that bustled with near-instantaneous commerce (and, in some cases, debauchery), but whose rapid growth ended abruptly when precious metals were depleted or sheer bad luck caused residents to move on.Today, many of these outposts are little more than abandoned buildings. The resulting damage required extensive repairs to the propertys electrical systems, and before the work could be completed, Hurricane Irma made landfall along the Florida coast, causing severe water damage that led to mold and other issues inside the resort. - Drivin' & Vibin', [] Pro Tip: On the hunt for a haunt? The trendy hotel featured 300 plush rooms, a convention center, two pools, the Zodiac Room lounge, the Kettle Pub and the 500-seat Terrace Room dinner theater. Keep reading to find out where to go and what you can expect to see, both outside and inside these forgotten structures. In a similar sequence of events, the derelict hotel changed hands twice within a two-month period in 2017. Get more stories delivered right to your email. It sat unused for the next decade until being sold to a South American developer in 2014 and again to Arlington Expressway Corporate Buildings LLC a month later. This has made it an attractive prospect for Hollywood, and it has been a filming location for many movies. Once home to a turquoise mine favorited by Tiffany and Co. in the mid-1880s, all that remains of Gleeson today are some private ranches, a nearly collapsed general store, and an old jail. John Wayne and Louis Johnson. The Bird Cage Theatre, Tombstone 5. Bisbee is located in southeast Arizona in the Mule mountains. Any property with value must be stored, the tenant must be notified, and the landlord can move to sell the property and use the proceeds to cover his costs if the property is not claimed within the stated time frame. These walls are wildly decorated with art and inscriptions dating back decades. Hotel Valley Ho was first opened to the public in 1956, becoming an iconic landmark in Scottsdale for its mid-century modern style, originally designed by Edward Varney. The hotel was built next to his trans-Pacific radio receiving station and featured 35 rooms as well as a library, dining hall, game room and lounge. Proceed with caution. The activity seems to be more or less focused on the second floor of the schools North Wing, one of the oldest buildings on the school campus. Are there any other abandoned places in Arizona? One building in downtown Phoenix, however, has a much brighter future. Info? During the first World War, the U.S. military took over both the receiving station and the hotel; when the war ended, they were turned over to the RCA company. Closed in 1994 due to structural issues, it's slowly being restored, and portions have turned into a history museum with displays that rival larger institutions. The hotel began life in 1927 as the town's hospital, and two different psychics claimed to have felt the ghost of the "head nurse" lingering about. 2. A swimming pool at the abandoned Palace hotel at deserted tourist resort of Haludovo, near Malinska on the northern Adriatic island of Krk, Croatia, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014. Ghosts likely outnumber residents in this western Arizona town of 350 - give or take. After years of abandonment and decay, the property has been identified for redevelopment as a boutique hotel and small community of single-family residences with a community equestrian center. What once was a trailer park or graveyard, now looks like a junkyard. Thank you! The landlord must also post a notice of abandonment on the door to the premises or any other conspicuous place on the property for five days. E: info@urbanmatter.com Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. border: none !important; With its historic charm intact, the hotel is a shining example of how once-abandoned buildings can come back to life and add depth and character to their cities. Watch Now. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. It is believed that he must have been run over by a train. Bisbee, Arizona Must-See The Most Haunted Places in Arizona Hotel Monte Vista Lounge, Flagstaff (Credit: @megabeth_ on Instagram) Hotel Connor, Jerome (Credit: @iamdiego31 on Instagram) Bob Brow's Palace Saloon (Credit: Visit Prescott) Bisbee's Queen Mine (Credit: An Pham) About the Author Nora Burba Trulsson Despite its small size, Jerome is a thriving tourist []. Though a residential community has begun to develop nearbythanks mostly to the proximity of Edwards Air Force Basethe crumbling eyesore stands out like a sore thumb in the dusty desert landscape. Travelers to Gleeson take note: It's one of several stops along southern Arizona's Ghost-Town Loop Tour that also includes Fairbank, Tombstone, and St. David. During its decades-long abandonment, several developers attempted unsuccessfully to renovate and resurrect the once-grand property. It has more than its fair share of haunted hotels and spooky saloons to share along with a few more unique haunted spots as well. If the landlord retakes the premises, the tenants security deposit can be applied to the payment of any accrued rent and other reasonable costs incurred by the landlord due to the tenants abandonment. The faded sign reading Lake Shore Inn in dated light-blue script has been tagged with crude graffiti, and the decrepit asphalt parking lot is marred with weed-filled cracks. From 1863-1941 Oatman was a booming gold mining town, being one of the largest gold producers in the American West for a decade. Stay:Get the full roadside hotel experience at Shep Miner's Inn, a historic 1800 adobe inn originally designed for passengers on the Butterfield Stage Line. Dead Horse Ranch State Park is located in Cottonwood, AZ, about 10 miles from Jerome. 85007 Please leave your valid email address below. Some of the highlights include the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Saguaro National Park, El Presidio Historic District, and Old Tucson Studios. Now, let's take a look at the 13 most haunted places in Phoenix, Arizona. Let's take a look at some of Arizona's most haunted places! For a complete breakdown, please view ourheadlamp buyers guide. Therefore, you wont be surprised by its current spooky state. The Pioneer Living History Museum consists of 26 separate buildings ranging in age from the earliest 19th century to 1912. A post shared by Vulture City Ghost Town (@vulturecityghosttown). Several areas of the old mine are reported to be haunted, but the most notable is probably the mess hall. Arizona once had many successful mining communities, and these are 5 of the best ghost towns in Arizona today. She is not a former student of the school but rather a little girl who was killed on the farmland where the school was built on. Visiting Arizonas ghost towns can feel like walking straight into the past! The jail was restored and operates as a museum with local artifacts and lore, open on the first Saturday of each month or by appointment. Camping at Arivaca Lake is dispersed camping meaning no hookups or facilities, but they do have a restroom. This was much more than just another drinking den. Have you ever experienced it for yourself? I dont know if that is true or not, but it would be worth checking out. In 1959, the Thunderbird Motor Hotel opened its doors in the thriving Jacksonville suburb of Arlington. visibility: hidden !important; Gold King Mine announced its intent to mine for gold in the Hualapai Mountains just months before Black Tuesday. He is believed to be the spirit haunting the property today. Ninety feet off the valley floor is an ancient dwelling put under protection of the U.S. government by Teddy Roosevelt. display: none !important; Most abandoned places in Arizona will never get a second chance, decaying in the elements until nature reclaims them completely. Arizona Ghost Town: . Camping nearby: Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, AZ. The locker room is allegedly haunted by a young girl who flushes the toilets, turns the blow dryers on, and bangs on locker doors. Shortly afterwards, he was covered by the blowing sands, which appeared to have dried his body overnight. Jefferson Park 10. Killer Urbex Note: It is important to note that many of these locations are in an extremely delicate state. Menu. (866) 275-5816 | (602) 364-3700, Copyright 2023 VisitArizona.com | Privacy Policy, Eat, Sleep, Play: 5 Small-Town Arizona Road Trips, Arizonas Wildly Different Desert Regions. Mendelsohns dream made it as far as its street grid, but no homes were ever built on the 120 square-mile tract known as California City, despite it being the states third-largest city by geographical area. schoolhouse, and even old mining equipment. Other items, such as furniture, mirrors and light fixtures, were left to decay in the deteriorating structure as the plaster flaked from the walls and stains from water damage crept across the floors and ceilings. Golden Valley, Arizona. Some are easy to access and you can simply drive up to while others require a long hike. box-shadow: none !important;