)Not sure where to start your ghostly hunt? 15 Abandoned Places In Arizona That Nature Is Reclaiming For the last two hundred years, Arizona has had a history of people swarming in and out of the state. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tdich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). If you've ever heard the story of the Lost Dutchman's Mine, the Superstition Mountains is where it is rumored to be located. We're not scared, you're scared! The hotel is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman named Leone Jensen who jumped from the hotel's roof in 1928. The original Lehi School, built on land donated to the Lehi Settlers by the Rogers family in the 1880s, was a one-room adobe building (see the photo of the replica school that is located in front of the museum). For more about obtaining permission to explore abandoned places in Arizona, check out our guide Explore Abandoned Buildings: How To Get Permission. It is a designated Superfund site due to a number of soil and groundwater contaminants. With that comes plenty of settlements that eventually go abandoned and areas that retain some evidence of human contact. To help you find the states most fascinating abandoned spaces, weve rounded up our top picks to explore. There was a homeless woman grilling by it and the homeless people like to use the water hose. Patrons report hearing children talking (at a pizza joint? fall The dumpster and compactor area is getting so bad. All "Abandoned Places" results in Mesa, Arizona, "Mystery Castle is pretty dang weird. This town and its accompanying gold mine by the same name had a robust life from 1863 to 1942, closing for World War II. That rattle? Nearby Haunted Places. A number of people can recall chilling moments they have experienced in a number of places in Mesa. What are the creepiest cemeteries in Arizona? Around 500 residents now live within the town limits. Another spooky ghost town in Arizona to visit is Vulture City. People report singing that can be heard in one of the bathrooms. Buckhorn Bath's Motel and Museum. Want more Thrillist? What other deserted areas have you seen in Arizona? It's a story, though, that in 2005, a man shot himself at night in the Greenbelt. The former owner of this busy ice cream caf and malt shop never really left, according to staff and diners. This has left many abandoned places in Arizona over the generations to explore and discover. Or, Evergreen Cemetery in Arizona which has quite a fascinating yet chilling history. A number of different hauntings and ghost activities have been reported, most of which have been attributed to murders and suicides that occurred before the building was converted to a hotel. One of those eerie places is the Apache Death Cave, which is in northern Arizona and comes with an incredibly morbid backstory. Most notably, the old post office near the towns free parking district is in a shockingly dilapidated state, with broken windows and crumbling walls forming the ramshackle exterior. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! The facility was expanded several times in the '70s and '90s. The residents treat the dumpster area like their personal goodwill drop off so no wonder it brings in the dumpster divers. This old restaurant was formerly a furniture store and private residence, and locals and staff claim the bright, cheerful restaurant had a gloomier, darker past. These places are easy to find but typically go unnoticed in the hectic pace of our everyday lives. The gothic mansion was built in 1895 for a doctor and his family, and is now a museum. Streaks of rust and water damage stripe the interior walls, and the filthy floors are covered with rotted ceiling tiles, flakes of plaster and other debris. Originating in 1937, Santa Claus gained popularity as a tourist spot, but by the 70s business had started to decline, and by 1995 the town was empty. Nora Burba Trulsson is a long-time Arizona resident and a freelance writer specializing in travel, food, lifestyle, architecture and design topics. Lots of privacy and outdoor living in this. (In the best possible way, of course.) Also, a cowboy ghost is said to haunt the Pioneer Restaurant & Saloon, and in the 1885 Statehood House, staff members have heard footsteps and felt as if they were being watched. Get more stories delivered right to your email. portalId: "5317100", Discover 12 abandoned places in Arizona. Guests and ghost hunters often try to prowl the upper floors in search of the hotel's resident spiritsa tall caped gentleman, an ethereal dancing woman and a young giggling boy. Now it's Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport, but back in the day it was a WWII base and there have been reports of it being haunted. As far as abandoned places in Arizona goes, this is one of the most popular and most sought-after. Some are protected sites, others are abandoned and unmonitored, and others are completely off limits. Footsteps and strange noises can't always be accounted for, and strange things pop in and out of sight at the strangest moments. Multiple ghosts have been spotted here, including one Frank Nevin who lost his business in a poker game and still haunts the bar, maybe hoping for a chance at a better hand. Rumors abound regarding every eerie and unexplained phenomena in the former derelict buildings. Nielson and Sons, I noticed that the neighboring structure, a Sunkist packing plant, was also vacant. Whether its ghost towns that were once thriving or amusement parks with only remnants of laughter left, there are quite a few abandoned places in Arizona worth visiting. Theres nothing like a day spent exploring abandoned places in Arizona. You can see the ruins plus debris and artifacts from yesteryear strewn about the area. Below is a list of five abandoned towns that are rich in history and offer a lot for the curious explorer. A gorgeous piece of Phoenix history, this hotel has housed a number of classic celebrities over the years such as Marilyn Monroe, Mae West, and Clark Gable. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Mesa, Arizona. Others might have been canceled this year due to COVID-19. In fact, there are allegedly entire haunted towns in Arizona, like the living ghost town of Jerome. These are some abandoned places with a large number of reviews in Mesa, AZ. With a state that is filled with as much history as Arizona, its only right that you can visit a handful of places that have since shut down or have been abandoned. This must be where modern-day architects found inspiration to build the entire city of Phoenix!) Though the town of Santa Claus was once as lively and jolly as its namesake, today the area is an abandoned ghost town marked by the decaying remains of the Christmas Tree Inn amusement park. Made from sand-colored reinforced concrete, the abandoned school was built in 1921 and features a rectangular main building with a large round tower at one end. Today, Jerome is known more for its liquid spirits, in particular, its award-winning wine; however, it remains one of Arizona's most famous ghost towns, and hauntings come with the territory. Nothing tops the list of creepy places in Arizona quite like a cemetery, right? You might catch a glimpse of the shadowy spirit said to haunt the balcony of the Orpheum Theater. Do you believe the gold is in there? Tell us about them in the comments below! The Mine has Sharlot Hall Museum is an educational and cultural center, which fosters public and community understanding and appreciation of historical, 415 W Gurley Street Some say the property is haunted, and wed take their word for it. The two guys working were so", "I have lived here for years but it's going downhill fast. Thank you! This mesa has provided archaeologists with unprecedented insights into the Hohokam culture .It's thought they built a village on top and lived there between 1000 and 1400 AD, although they lived in the harsh environment of central and eastern Arizona for even longer, from 200 AD. Here are a few guides to surrounding states that will be helpful in your explorations outside of the wonderful abandoned places in Arizona: It is important when considering abandoned places in Arizona to know the basics of Arizona trespassing laws. Those of you who are looking for one of the best aviation-related abandoned places in Arizona, look no further than the Gila River Memorial Airport. Over the next two decades, the airport saw fewer and fewer takeoffs and landings, eventually becoming a repository for defunct aircraft. This former prison first opened in 1875 and housed over 3000 prisoners (including 29 female prisoners) until it closed in 1909. Nearby Haunted Places. Most ghost towns in Arizona are former miningboomtownsthat were abandoned when the mines closed. FlagstaffThe protected site located near Flagstaff is home to a number of sandstone dwellings that were built by the Pueblo people. The Museum operates out of the Old Lehi school building and is dedicated to preserving regional heritage. Get in the spooky spirit at Escape Rooms Mesa! Get more stories delivered right to your email. Get the latest news, guides and updates, straight to your inbox. This the Wupatki National Monument near Flagstaff. In this video I'm going to show you 10 Abandoned Places in Arizona and tell you a little bit about them!#abandoned #ghosttown #urbex FULL LENGTH VIDEOS HERE:. Two GunsEast of Flagstaff, Two Guns was once a booming tourist stop off of Route 66 outfitted with a gas station, souvenir shop, and even a zoo that housed bobcats and panthers. That ghastly groan?! Both are still cool locations. Though their futuristic appearance suggests some exciting purpose for these dilapidated, half-finished structures off I-8 Phoenix and Tucson, the Casa Grande Domes were originally intended as a manufacturing facility for circuit boards. We dont recommend scaling the fence that surrounds the building, but even from the street the colorfully painted warehouse, shimmering wall of windows and striking horse statue are worth a peep. Inside the restrooms, vandals have yanked sinks and other fixtures from the walls, leaving them laying haphazardly on the cracked tile floors. While this may be one of the most haunted places in Arizona, it certainly still is one of the most popular, too! Allegedly she expresses her displeasure whenever there is a romantic couple in the Oyster House. You can drive to the abandoned resort via Fossil Springs Road from Camp Verde but beware this is a rough drive that will require a four-wheel drive. (You'd probably be the other 364 days of the year, too, if we're being honest. Paranormal activities have been reported in various areas on the site, most notably around the so-called dark cell that operated as solitary confinement for breaking regulations. WickenburgVulture City was established at the height of the California Gold Rush in 1863. Im definitely delighted I found it and Ill be bookmarking and checking back often! Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tdich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Featured on Ghost Adventures, Paranormal Files, and many more. Some people have reported smelling various cooking food emanating from the area. One such ghost likes to knock, announcing room service only to disappear when the guest opens the door. A peek inside the main building through a hole in the wall. Her ghost is reported to be playful, especially with the hotel's male guests. This is a review for abandoned places in Mesa, AZ: "I have lived here for years but it's going downhill fast. In 1996 the plant processed 1.4 million cartons of Sunkist products, its highest ever. After the dog track closed in 1982, the facility hosted swap meets for a few years but was finally abandoned altogether in the late 1980s. Some claim the mine is cursed and others that the hauntings are entities protecting the location. But, when the. The camp ground is only accessible by boat. Thank you! The Mcdowell Mountains are a great range of mountains, and there are a lot of homes at the base of the mountains. There are a couple of ghosts haunting Sahuaro. (Submitted by Callum Swift). In 1975, it closed for good. The majority of abandoned places in Arizona are old mines and mining towns. During the annual October Jerome Ghost Walk, for one weekend only, you can wander the narrow passageways and steep streets to find costumed performers reenacting the shootings, mysteries and love triangles that marked this former mining town.Can't make it? Missionaries, settlers, and soldiers have all passed through, making their mark on the rich culture that exists there presently. Take the ghost tour and get spooked visiting the 10 most haunted places in town, go underground and explore the hilariously named, once silver-rich, dog-friendly Good Enough Mine, or check out the . Tucson's Most Haunted: A . Hike those trails if youre brave enough! Finding Ghosts in Phoenix Katie Mullaly. The large, boxy building is still emblazoned with the words Dog Track in blazing orange vinyl letters, although the T has been removed and replaced with a crudely-painted C.. You can virtually check them out through photos on the accompanying links or video searches. TucsonThis one might not be completely abandonedrumor has it a single employee still frequents the decrepit office spacebut what was once a colorful tribute to a 90s school supply empire is now a mysterious relic from another time. Mesa, Arizona. That creak? Living through a global pandemic might be post-apocalyptic enough for some, but if you want to add an extra layer of creepiness to your life, traipsing through abandoned (and likely haunted) places might be for you. Monica is a Din (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. This is an old abandoned gold mine and it's incredible to see how hard these miners had to work just for one little spec of gold. We recommend both the Osprey Packs Daylite for sling backpacks or the Mardingtop Tactical Backpack for a standard two-strap backpack. One of the best parts? Deaths from drownings and cliff jumpings are the source of this ghostly site. Although the gangster John Dillinger isn't one of them, ghosts do seem to roam the hotel, including a woman who smells of roses and a gentleman who peers out the windows of the second floor.Perhaps ghosts are to be expected herethe hotel offers plenty of reasons to linger, from live music at Club Congress to drinks in The Tap Room to a meal at Cup Caf.Daytime delight: A trip to southern Arizona isnt complete without visiting Saguaro National Park, where vast forests of the regions iconic cactus stretch as far as the eye can see.One final note of caution before you head out in search of Arizona's ghosts: Many events and activities are not suitable for young children or have age restrictions. Come along for the ride! Jefferson Park. 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