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Haunted Places in Phoenix: Downtown's Most Famous Ghost Stories

Writer: Mischa Francis Velasco
Mischa Francis Velasco
6 minutes ago
2 min read

Haunted places in Phoenix might not be what you expect from a sunny desert city. But downtown Phoenix has been around since the 1870s, and its Victorian homes, old hotels, and grand theaters come with plenty of stories. Some are tragic, some are strange, and some are just plain spooky.


Here are the downtown spots that locals and visitors talk about most. Remember, these are legends and reported experiences, so take them with a grain of salt, and enjoy the history behind them.


Phoenix, AZ Full Moon Over Skyline

TAKE A SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF HAUNTED PHOENIX:


The Haunted Phoenix Walking Tour is a self-guided GPS audio tour that takes you to these haunted places and more, from Heritage Square to the Orpheum Theatre.


Along the way you'll learn:

  • Which widow some say still watches over her Heritage Square home

  • Why the dolls at Hanny's make people uneasy

  • Who the "Coal Man" was, as the legend goes

  • Which theater is said to have a ghostly cat


The walk takes a little over an hour.



Phoenix, AZ St. Mary's Catholic Church

THE MOST HAUNTED PLACES IN PHOENIX:


  • Rosson House Museum—This 1895 Victorian mansion in Heritage Square is one of the city's best-known haunts. Visitors report footsteps on empty stairs and doors that lock on their own. Some link the stories to Speedy, a devoted caretaker in the 1980s.


  • Teeter House—Eliza Teeter lived in this 1899 home for 54 years. Today it's a restaurant, and some say Eliza still checks on her guests.


  • Hotel San Carlos—This 1928 hotel hosted stars like Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable. It's also known for the sad story of Leone Jensen, a young woman who died here just after the hotel opened. Guests say they've seen her in the halls.


  • Orpheum Theatre—This 1929 theater is said to have a ghostly cat in the auditorium and a woman in the balcony called Maddie.


  • St. Mary's Basilica—The oldest Catholic parish in Phoenix is home to the legend of the Weeping Woman.


  • Hanny's—Once a 1947 men's department store, now a restaurant with creepy dolls and the legend of the Coal Man in the basement.


TIPS FOR VISITING HAUNTED PHOENIX:


  • Go after dark. Downtown's old buildings feel extra spooky at night.

  • Be respectful. Many of these places are working restaurants, hotels, and churches, so be quiet and polite.

  • Stay hydrated. Even at night, Phoenix can be hot, so bring water.

  • Visit in October. It's cooler, and it's the perfect month for ghost stories.


PLAN YOUR TRIP:


Want the full breakdown—where to eat, where to stay, and the best things to do in downtown Phoenix? Our Phoenix travel guide covers all of it.


Check out our Phoenix travel guide to plan your trip.

 
 
 

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