Have you ever heard of ghost towns, places where time seems to stand still and mysterious stories echo through empty streets? Arizona, with its raw beauty and turbulent mining history, harbors such places. Join “Discovery To Wonders” as we explore Jerome, one of Arizona’s most famous ghost towns, where past and present intertwine, and ancient spirits seem to still linger. This journey is not only to discover the beauty of ancient architecture but also to listen to chilling, mysterious, and spine-tingling tales.
Jerome: From Gold Mine Town to “America’s Most Haunted Ghost Town”
Jerome, perched atop the majestic Cleopatra Hill near Prescott, Arizona, was founded in 1876. This town was once a significant supplier of copper and gold for the United States. When gold was discovered, Jerome quickly became a destination for miners, gamblers, and outlaws. Bars and brothels sprung up one after another, creating a vibrant and seductive atmosphere after exhausting workdays. In its heyday, Jerome was the fourth-largest town in the Arizona Territory, with a population of up to 15,000 people.
However, as copper and gold reserves began to dwindle, Jerome gradually declined and became a desolate ghost town. The population plummeted, with only about 50 residents remaining. Fortunately, in the 1960s and 1970s, a group of artists discovered Jerome and transformed it into a unique art center.
Rebirth Through Art and Tourism
The old buildings, abandoned mines, and historical relics provided endless inspiration for artists. Painters, craftspeople, writers, and musicians made Jerome their home, breathing new life into this ghost town.
Today, Jerome has become an attractive tourist destination. Visitors can explore unique boutique shops, classic-style saloons, and enjoy local cuisine with stunning views of the Verde Valley. Despite many changes, Jerome’s appearance remains almost unchanged from 100 years ago, giving visitors the feeling of stepping into another world.
Many buildings dating back to the late 1890s still exist, with current owners living inside. However, there are also many structures that are just ruins, reminiscent of a bygone era.
Visitors can stroll among the historic buildings, admire unique artworks, and relax with outdoor meals overlooking the town. But Jerome is not only attractive for its ancient beauty and artistic revival but also for the spooky, chilling stories passed down through generations.
Lingering Ghosts and Chilling Tales
The living are not the only residents who remain in Jerome. This town is famous for its ghost stories, and many believe that ancient spirits still linger here.
One of the most famous places is the Town’s Community Center, known locally as “Spook Hall” because of the strange events that frequently occur. People often see the ghost of a young woman in front of the building, believed to be the spirit of a prostitute who frequented a nearby hotel.
Locals are so accustomed to the “residents” from the other side that a newspaper called “The Jerome Ghost Post” was once published.
The Inn at Jerome, located on Main Street, is also a well-known haunted location. During the copper mine’s golden age, it is said that Jerome had over 120 prostitutes. One of them, Jennie Banters, was believed to be the richest woman in northern Arizona. The Inn at Jerome was once Jennie’s residence, and many believe her spirit still lingers there.
Among the eight inn rooms, there is a special room called the “Spirits, Spooks, and Goblins” room. People often see Jennie’s ghost and her cat in the house. The ghostly cat often disappears before guests can pick it up and likes to rub against people’s legs in the kitchen. Jennie also likes to move kitchen items, keeping the housekeeper busy.
A classic-style inn room where visitors can experience staying in a real ghost town.
But the most famous haunted location in Jerome is the Jerome Grand Hotel on Cleopatra Hill, formerly the United Verde Hospital from 1927. The hospital was built to treat injured and sick miners. When copper reserves dwindled, the hospital closed in 1950.
This building is notorious for the sounds of coughing, painful groans, and gasps believed to be the spirits of miners. The horrific death of Claude Harvey, who was crushed by a falling hospital elevator in 1935, further adds to the creepiness of this place’s history. Since then, lights are often seen flashing in the elevator shaft. During the time the building was abandoned, people still heard the elevator moving up and down, even though it was fixed and had no power.
Today, some hotel staff report that they still hear or glimpse Harvey working on the central staircase landing.
After the hospital closed, the building was abandoned for 46 years until it reopened in 1996 as the Jerome Grand Hotel. In July 1997, a guest reported that his bathroom door opened by itself. The man was so frightened that he ran out of the room and stayed in the hallway all night.
Many other guests and staff have also experienced strange occurrences, such as doors opening and closing on their own, footsteps echoing in empty rooms, ghostly screams, lights turning on and off automatically, and elevators operating on their own. Scents of flowers, cigar smoke, and whiskey are also strange smells that guests often detect in their rooms. Do you dare to spend a night at this five-story hotel located in the heart of this ghost town?
From the old United Verde Hospital, descending Cleopatra Hill is another company clinic also known for being haunted. On full moon nights, the ghosts of former patients can be seen lurking behind the windows of the abandoned building. It is said that these ghosts haunt the place because they died in the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918.
Even the abandoned mine shafts of the old Phelps Dodge Mine are at the center of haunted rumors. Stories tell of the ghost of a miner nicknamed “Headless Charlie” still lingering here. Not long after Charlie died in a horrific mine explosion accident, miners began to discover inexplicable large footprints in the mine. Some believe he is still wandering in the dark depths of the mine, trying to find his head.
Jerome: A Must-Visit for Mystery Lovers
Jerome is not just a ghost town with chilling stories, but also a unique tourist destination where visitors can explore the history, art, and culture of the American West. Whether you are a fan of ghost stories or simply want to seek a novel experience, Jerome will certainly not disappoint you.
Come and explore Jerome, “America’s Most Haunted Ghost Town,” to experience firsthand the wonders and chills it offers. Who knows, you might have the chance to meet the town’s special “residents”!
An old building in Jerome, showing signs of age and history.
Conclusion
Jerome, Arizona, is not just a ghost town with a turbulent mining past, but also a unique tourist destination where history, art, and ghost stories blend together. From ancient inns to haunted hotels, Jerome offers visitors unforgettable experiences and chilling tales to tell. Are you ready to explore the mysteries of Jerome? Plan your trip today and discover for yourself the wonders that this ghost town has to offer.